§ 30. Mr. LUNDONasked the Home Secretary upon whose information Patrick Sheehan has been suspended from the employment of the Land Commission; whether the Estates Commissioners denied the charge preferred against Sheehan immediately after the rebellion; and, if so, why this young man is to be victimised on the strength of the information given possibly through prejudice or hatred because of Sheehan's religion and politics; and, in view of the fact that the Commissioners, who are amongst the chief of the Irish Government officials, believe this man to be innocent of the charge against him, will he be reinstated immediately?
Mr. SAMUELI would refer to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Bury St. Edmunds on the 17th instant, when I stated, after a personal examination of the official papers, that I would suggest to the Land Commission that the case of Patrick Sheehan should be included with those of other civil servants suspected of complicity in the rebellion, which will come under review at an early date. The Land Commission have accordingly suspended Sheehan, who, like other officials similarly situated, will be afforded an opportunity of establishing his innocence at the investigation which will be opened this week.
§ Mr. LUNDONIs it not a fact that the three Land Commissioners sent notice to the Home Secretary stating that this man was absolutely innocent of the charge made against him, and why is it that three Government officials are going to be overridden at the suggestion of the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Major W. Guinness).
§ Mr. LUNDONIt was stated in this House on Thursday last.
§ Mr. BYRNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that three men in the Land Commission were dismissed on the day the question was asked by an hon. Member on the opposite benches?
Mr. SAMUELNo, Sir. I do not know that that is the case either. There has been a considerable number of questions asked about these three men. Ultimately I suggested that their cases should be reviewed by the Commission of Inquiry, and upon that the Land Commissioners decided that they should be meanwhile suspended.