§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYasked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the arrest of a number of boys at Limerick on 23rd May, 1921; what offence these boys had committed; and whether they were beaten and maltreated before their trial and sentence?
§ Mr. HENRYI am informed by the Commander-in-Chief that on 22nd May a police patrol near Limerick surprised a party of nine boys who were sitting in a circle round a man, and receiving instructions from him in the use of the rifle. All the boys were over 16 years of age, except one who was just under 16. They were tried by court-martial, and sentenced to 3 years' penal servitude, as they could not be recommended as suitable for Borstal treatment. The Commander-in-Chief assures me that there is no truth in the allegation that these youths were maltreated.