§ 15. Mr. KINGasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that, on 4th July, Emmet M'Auliffe, a boy of fifteen years, was arrested in Dublin for distributing handbills headed "Stop Press"; that he was still on 8th July confined in Bridewell, Dublin, kept in solitary confinement, on a plank bed without mattress, refused exercise or fresh air, and no charge made against him; whether this lad has been interned under a Defence of the Realm Act Order, signed by him; and, if not, whether he will now be set free?
§ Mr. SHORTTI am informed that this youth, who gave the name of Emmett McAuliffe, and stated that he was fourteen years of age, was arrested in Dublin on the 4th inst. for the offence of distributing seditious leaflets. He was confined in the Bridewell till the 9th inst., when he was charged before the divisional police magistrate and remanded for a week to Summerhill Detention Home. During his confinement in the Bridewell he was visited every day by his mother and other relatives. Neither they nor he made any complaint to the police of his treatment while there. The bed was a reclining wooden bed with two rugs. He got no open-air exercise while in the Bridewell, but the cell in which he was kept by himself is large and well ventilated.
§ Mr. KINGHas the right hon. Gentleman seen a copy of this leaflet, and is there anything seditious in it except the final words, "Get ready"?
§ Mr. SHORTTI have seen the leaflet, and if my hon. Friend has seen it he knows as well as I do that it is highly seditious.