Mr. F. HALLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether two ex-military officers have been appointed deputy-governors of Mountjoy and Maryborough prisons, respectively; if so, the respective ages of these two officers, the experience they have of prison work, and the qualifications they possess to enable them to fill these positions; and whether the claims of prison warders are taken into consideration in filling these positions as they become vacant?
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§ Mr. HENRYTwo ex-military officers, Captain H. C. Burke and Mr. W. A. Barrows, were recently appointed to the post of deputy-governor in the Irish prisons service, and have been allocated to the prisons at Mountjoy, Dublin, and Maryborough, respectively. Captain Burke is 35 years of age, and Mr. Barrows is 28 years. Both these gentlemen joined the Army after the outbreak of the War, and served with distinction at the front. Captain Burke obtained a commission in the Royal Irish Regiment in July, 1915, was subsequently promoted to the rank of staff captain, mentioned in despatches, and has been thanked for his services by the American Government. Mr. Barrows enlisted in the Queen's Westminster Rifles in August, 1914, and was wounded in France in March, 1915. He subsequently received a commission in the Royal Irish Rifles, and served as Intelligence Officer in East Africa. The General Prisons Board regard these gentlemen as highly qualified for the posts to which they have been appointed. They are accustomed to responsible work and the handling of men. The claims of prison warders regarded as eligible for promotion are invariably considered by the Board when making recommendations to the Government as to filling positions on the superior prison staff.