HC Deb 22 February 1917 vol 90 cc1432-3
3. Major NEWMAN

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that three young men, members of the Irish Republican party, were recently at the Oranmore (county Galway) Sessions convicted under the Defence of the Realm Act of an offence of the usual seditious nature; whether he is aware that these men had been interned after the recent rebellion and released last Christmas; was any undertaking required of them before they were released; and will they now be again interned?

The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Duke)

Two men, who were released from internment at Christmas, were arrested for being drunk and using seditious expressions. I do not know whether they professed to be Republicans. They have been convicted at Petty Sessions on a pica of guilty, and ordered to be imprisoned and afterwards held to bail, but are appealing against the sentence. They will not be interned unless some ground arises for supposing that their being at large endangers the safety of the realm. At present no person who is responsible for the public safety has made this suggestion.

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