asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that Joseph Fagan, James Fagan, and Christopher Corren, from Streete, Westmeath, were arrested on the 14th July, 1923, and are still detained in D Wing, Mountjoy Prison, and have not yet been charged or tried; whether he would state the reason for their detention; and further, if he is aware that two of the said prisoners are married, with helpless families, who are destitute owing to the detention of the prisoners; and further, to ask that these prisoners be immediately released.
WRITTEN ANSWERS. - PRISONERS IN MOUNTJOY.
SEAN O LAIDHIN
Joseph Fagan, James Fagan and Christopher Curran were arrested on very strong suspicion of illegal interference with the Kilmore Estate in County Westmeath. They were believed to have been responsible for threatening letters received by the trustees on that estate; for the spiking of meadows, and for the opening of gates on to the roadway so as to allow cattle to escape. In addition, Curran made lettings of lands, to which he had no legal title, to others, so that the owner was deprived of the use of them.
The institution of proceedings against these men is at present under consideration, and in the meantime their release cannot be considered.