§ Mr. BYRNEasked the Secretary for the Homo Department whether he can give any reason for the arrest and the deportment to Frongoch of Dr. M'Enright; if he will state the nature of the charge against him; and when he is likely to be released?
Mr. SAMUELThe ground for Dr. M'Enright's arrest and internment was that he is of hostile associations and is reasonably suspected of having favoured, promoted or assisted an armed insurrection against His Majesty. As the arrest took place at a comparatively recent date the Advisory Committee have not yet fully dealt with the case, and have not yet made any recommendation. I understand that they intend to consider the case further at a meeting which is likely to be held in about a week.
§ Mr. CREANasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Advisory Committee has investigated 2490W the cases of John Hails and Edward Barrett, both of Ballinadee, county Cork; and, if so, will he say what they have been found guilty of to warrant their further detention?
§ Mr. CREANasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the brothers Patrick, Daniel, and Cornelius O'Donoghue, of Ballinadee, county Cork, are still detained in Frongoch; if any charge has been made against them other than that of being members of the local branch of the Irish Volunteers and, if not, why are they further detained; whether he is aware that their detention will cause loss to their mother, who is dependent on them to manage and work a large farm, and that, being also the owners of a steam thrashing machine which cannot be worked without them, the inconvenience to the farmers of the district will be serious; and if he will have these men immediately released or put on their trial before a civil tribunal?
Mr. SAMUELI regret that on the subject of these five cases I have nothing to add to the answer given yesterday to the hon. Member for East Cork.
§ Mr. BYRNEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will consider the advisability of allowing the Irish prisoners a civil trial; if he is aware of the indignation in Ireland and America caused by the detention of the prisoners without trial; if he will state whether the term of imprisonment, four months, which the Irish prisoners have now completed, has been sufficient to meet the charges; and, to satisfy those who desire peace and good will in Ireland, whether he will order a new trial or the immediate release of all the prisoners, including the ladies at Aylesbury?
Mr. SAMUELI regret that I have nothing to add to the answers which I have repeatedly given on this subject.