§ 8. Mr. KINGasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Denis Daly, of Caherciveen, was arrested on 2nd July, charged with no specific offence; that Denis Daly was still weak and convalescent after severe pneumonia, under special treatment and diet, and much of each day in bed, and living most quietly; and when arrested the request for him to be examined medically was refused; and that his family are in great anxiety, not knowing where or how he is; where is Denis Daly at present; has his health been uniformly good since 2nd July; and will he be charged and tried for any offence?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Shortt)I am aware that Denis Daly, of Caherciveen, was arrested on the 2nd July and deported. At that time he had recovered from pneumonia and was in his usual health. I have no information as to his request to be medically examined when arrested. He is at present in Reading Gaol, and his health is reported good. He would be entitled within seven days to appeal, and so far as I am aware he has not done so.
§ 9. Mr. KINGasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any political prisoners in Irish prisons who were receiving the special dietary known as D have had that dietary withdrawn since the end of April; if so, why has the dietary been changed in their cases; whether certain prisoners in Dundalk Prison have been regularly refusing to touch the dinner provided on certain days of the week on the ground that the promised dietary has been withdrawn for no disciplinary purpose; whether as a result one prisoner has lost 15 lbs. in a few weeks, and others have lost weight rapidly; and whether the dietary D will now be restored?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe General Prisons Board inform me that D dietary was the dietary of so-called political prisoners in Irish prisons, but in April last this dietary underwent some modification in pursuance of the Food Controller's directions, and as so modified is now in force. The answer to the third part of the question is in the negative. There is no prisoner who has lost 15 lbs. in weight, and, whilst the weight of individuals has varied, the majority have gained in weight since their reception. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. KINGIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that these prisoners look upon this change in dietary as a breach of an understanding which they were ready to observe honourably, and that they also regard the change as reducing them to the same category of feeding as the most severely treated criminals?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe change, as I have said, was made entirely under the directions of the Food Controller, and the prison authorities are bound to obey him. These prisoners cannot possibly think their treatment is the same as that of ordinary prisoners.
§ Mr. KINGWill the point not be met that they consider that they had an honourable understanding broken by the officials? Has that really come before the right hon. Gentleman?
§ Mr. SHORTTCertainly It is difficult to believe that they really think that. It certainly is not so.
§ Mr. KINGIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is a sort of modified hunger strike in these prisons, and that for four days a week they refuse their dinner because they consider it is only the same dinner as is given to the lowest class of prisoners?
§ Mr. SHORTTNo; my information is to the contrary.