§ 15. Mr. KINGasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many prisoners, since the death of Thomas Ashe, have been forcibly fed in Mountjoy Prison; for how many individual days were they so fed; whether any or all of these prisoners have now been released; if so, on what date or dates, and under what conditions has release been granted; and whether any released prisoners have been again placed in prison?
§ Mr. DUKEThirty-seven prisoners were artificially fed on the 26th, 27th, and 28th September, and thirty-five on 29th September, for four days, and all have 2196 been released under the provisions of the Prisoners (Temporary Discharge for Ill-health) Act, 1913. Two prisoners were released temporarily on the 29th September from Mountjoy Prison, and four were released on expiration of sentence on the 13th and 26th October and 9th November. The remainder were temporarily released on the 15th, 16th, and 17th instant from Dundalk Prison, to which they had been transferred. None of these prisoners, so far as I am aware, has as yet been again imprisoned.
§ Major NEWMANIs it the fact that none of these prisoners were forcibly fed after the middle of September?
§ Mr. DUKEThere was no forcible feeding of prisoners during, I think, six or seven weeks: I am not sure of the date.
§ 24. Mr. LYNCHasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any Clare men are still in prison for political offences; and, if so, whether he will advise their release?