To ask the Minister for Defence whether the following prisoners—viz., Sean McGuill, G. Mulhern, M. Hearty, and Patrick Clarke were tried by Military Court in Dundalk about two or three months ago; whether sentence has been passed upon these men; if so, for what offence or offences; whether sentence has been promulgated yet; and, if not, what are the intentions of the Government with regard to these men.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - DUNDALK PRISONERS' TRIAL.
The prisoners were tried by Military Courts on the 29th November, 1922.
McGuill was charged with having possession without proper authority of an automatic pistol and 33 rounds of ammunition. He was found guilty and sentenced to death; but the Confirming Authority commuted this sentence to 7 years' penal servitude.
G. Mulhern and Michael Hearty were charged with using force against National Forces, and with being in possession (each) without proper authority of a revolver. They were found "not guilty" of the first charge, and "guilty" of the second charge, and both were sentenced to death; but the Confirming Authority refused to confirm sentence and ordered them to be imprisoned for two years with hard labour.
Patrick Clarke was charged with being in possession without proper authority of a Webley revolver. He was found guilty and sentenced to five years penal servitude, which sentence was confirmed. Sentence in each case has been promulgated.