To ask the Minister for Home Affairs if he is aware that Michael Fitzgerald, a native of Birr, serving in the Connaught Rangers in India, was, in July, 1920, sentenced to penal servitude for life, for his alleged connection with a mutiny of Irish Troops, whether he is aware that Fitzgerald is still detained in Maidstone prison; and whether, in view of the general amnesty arising out of the ratification of the Treaty, he will make representations to the British Government, with a view to securing the immediate release of this man.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - CONNAUGHT RANGERS IMPRISONED IN INDIA.
LIAM O DAIMHIN
Mr. KEVIN O'HIGGINS
I am aware that Michael Fitzgerald is one of several Connaught Rangers serving in India sentenced to penal servitude for life. From its setting up, the Provisional Government has lost no opportunity of urging the release of Connaught Rangers and other Irish prisoners whose imprisonment was due to activities obviously prompted by patriotic motives. Early in the present year following on representations made by the Provisional Government and after much pressure the sentences of the imprisoned Connaught Rangers were considerably reduced as a result of which eight were released in March. In addition to these Connaught Rangers fourteen post-Truce prisoners were released in April. It will be understood that cases involving questions of army discipline present special difficulty. The Provisional Government has not lost sight of the remaining Irish prisoners, and it will not relax its efforts to secure their release. It is considered that the passing of the Constitution will present a favourable opportunity for taking up the matter again with the British Government. I want to say that on every possible and impossible occasion since the Provisional Government was set up this matter has been pressed, and Deputies should understand that Army cases, cases of men who were imprisoned under distinct Army jurisdiction present very special difficulties. It was held that these cases were not covered by the general political amnesty; and the most we were able to effect up to the present was the sweeping reduction of the sentences passed under Court Martial. The matter has always been taken up both in correspondence and interviews with the British Ministers, and it will be taken up again on the passing of the Constitution. It is considered that would be a favourable time to press the matter.
Mr. DAVIN
In view of the sympathetic action which appears to have been taken by the British Government in relation to the action of British Troops in this country who have associated themselves more or less with the Irish Movement, this might be a favourable time to press their case. I refer to the two men in Kilmainham jail, and who, according to to-day's papers, have had their sentences reduced.