§ 24. Mr. BYRNEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that James Coade, who was shot by Captain Bowen-Colthurst on the 25th April, 1916, has left a father, mother, four brothers, and four sisters, to all of whose support he helped to contribute; whether he is aware that it was admitted by the Crown in the recent Skeffington Inquiry that James Coade took no part in the rebellion, and had no connection with the Irish Volunteers or any other body implicated in it; whether he is aware that no provision has been made for the dependants of the murdered man, and no compensation offered to them either by the authorities 376 or by the representatives of Captain Bowen-Colthurst; whether it is the intention of the Government to make any such provision or compensation; whether the services of Captain Bowen-Colthurst to the Government of Ireland' have warranted the indefinite continuation of the payment of a pension to him; and whether, in view of the murders committed by Captain Bowen-Colthurst, the Government will provide that if his pension is continued adequate provision for the dependants of his victims shall be a first charge upon it?
§ Mr. DUKEAn application for compensation to the relatives of James Coade has been referred for consideration to the Rebellion (Victims) Committee. The pension of Captain Bowen-Colthurst is not under the control of the Irish Office.
§ Mr. BYRNEHaving regard to the exceptional case of this boy, could not the Government deal with this case separately, in view of the means by which he met his death?
§ Mr. DUKEI apprehend that the case is one of the various classes of cases that I think, with the assent of the House, it was decided to refer to a Committee for investigation. The Committee is at work, and the proper mode, clearly, to deal with it is that the Committee should report upon it.
§ Mr. BYRNEIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman not aware that this is one of the boys who was murdered by Captain Colthurst? Does he not think it better that those who have been murdered should receive separate treatment without the case going to the Committee?