§ 29. Mr. M'KEANasked the Chief Secretary if he will say whether Captain Bowen-Colthurst was certified as insane by any competent medical authority; and if he will state the name and qualifications of such authority and the date on which the certificate of insanity was given?
§ Mr. DUKEI am informed that Captain Bowen-Colthurst was found guilty, but insane, by the court-martial which tried him, and that before committal to the Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum he was examined and found insane by Dr. Dawson, Inspector of Lunatic Asylums, at present serving in Ireland as mental specialist to the Forces in Ireland.
§ Mr. DEVLINMay I ask whether the military superiors of Captain Bowen-Colthurst are also insane? Are they still retained?
§ Mr. DUKEI do not understand that there has been any trial or any conclusion on any matter of that kind.
§ Mr. BYRNEIs it not the fact that Captain Bowen-Colthurst was found unfit to control a section of the Army on the battlefields of France fighting the Huns, and will he say why he was allowed to run loose on unarmed citizens in Dublin?
§ Mr. DUKECaptain Bowen-Colthurst was never under the control of the Executive whom I at present represent in this House. He was at all times a military officer, and the Department which represents him in this House is the War Office, and no doubt if a question is addressed to the Secretary of State for War he will answer it. I am not able to do so.
§ Mr. FLAVINCan the right hon. Gentleman say at what particular moment did Captain Bowen-Colthurst conveniently become insane?