HC Deb 02 August 1916 vol 85 c299
44. Mr. KING

asked whether Mrs. Sheehy-Skeffington sent through her solicitors a request, for the return of the documents and other property taken from her house by the Royal Irish Rifles on 28th April; why headquarters ignored this request till on 23rd May Major Sir Francis Vane accompanied Mrs. Skeffington to Dublin Castle; whether the Deputy Provost-Marshal, Major Moule, informed her there that her property had been sent from Portobello Barracks to the Castle and, after lying there some days in the rain, had been taken to Richmond Barracks; why, on going to Richmond Barracks with Major Vane, was Mrs Skeffington informed by Colonel Frazer that her goods could not be returned till after Captain Colthurst's court-martial on 6th June; and was the reason of this detention in cider to furnish a possible defence for Colthurst's murder?

Mr. FORSTER

The suggestion contained in my hon. Friend's question that the documents and other property taken from the house of Mr. Sheehy-Skeffington were retained in order to furnish a possible defence for Captain Colthurst is without foundation. As stated by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 31st July all property removed is reported to have been returned.