asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware of the repeated statements being made with reference to the ill-treatment of Alderman Charles Murphy and many other untried prisoners now in custody; if he will cause enquiries to be made into the allegations.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ORAL ANSWERS.] - TREATMENT OF PRISONERS.
I have seen statements made in July last alleging ill-treatment of Charles Murphy and others, based on disciplinary action taken against them, because of their participation in an attempt to escape from Hare Park Camp in the previous April. The allegations were duly enquired into. The circumstances were as follows:—
A number of prisoners escaped through a tunnel from Tintown No. 1 Camp on the 24th April last, and subsequently a number of tunnels similarly constructed were discovered in Tintown No. 2, and Hare Park Camps. It was necessary for the Military Governor of Tintown No. 2 to ascertain the names of the men who escaped, and in his efforts to do so he met with considerable opposition from the prisoners. That this opposition was the result of orders issued by the prisoners' leaders was proved conclusively by a document found on one of the prisoners, containing instructions as follows:—
"1. The action we are taking to passive resistance.
"2. We are to ignore as far as possible every order given by the Free Staters.
"3. An absolute refusal to produce a man for the Free State.
"4. Obstruction of hut during inspection.
"5. Count to be rendered as difficult as possible.
"6. Hut O/C of any officer to refuse to order men to stand to their beds, when asked by Free Staters.
"7. Hut Council to meet and discuss plans."
In order effectively to prevent any other such escape by tunnel, orders were issued that steps should be taken to make the prisoners in the camps at the Curragh dig trenches around each camp. The prisoners' leaders were removed from the camps before the prisoners were made to commence this work, and a number of those leaders were transferred to the military prison at the Curragh Camp. The statements referred to allege ill-treatment here. The following report, dated 4th August, 1923, is the result of an enquiry into such allegations. The report reads:—
"The prisoners named were brought to military prison, Curragh Camp, at about 12 noon on the 24th April, 1923, and dinner was served out at 1 p.m., and about 5 p.m. tea, bread and butter was served out to each prisoner; 3 blankets, 3 bed boards, and 2 trestles were given to each prisoner. As the prisoners were considered dangerous they were handcuffed during the night. It is not true that any of them had to sleep on the bare floor.
"The rations each prisoner received was the soldier's ordinary rations. The rule in the military prison was that all blankets would be removed from cells after breakfast, and each cell washed out, as it was considered to be necessary for their own benefit to keep their cells clean. This the prisoners refused to do although other political prisoners in the military prison had done so. There were several other prisoners, military and political, in the detention barracks at the time, and it was necessary to punish the men in question for the sake of discipline, and they were handcuffed in front for refusing to carry out Prison Rules.
"The statement that no knives, forks or spoons were served out is altogether wrong, as each prisoner was supplied with a knife, fork, spoon, mug and plate.
"The statement that eight of them were handcuffed to racks projecting from the wall is a gross falsehood; they were punished in no other way except by being handcuffed in front; the handcuffs were taken off at every meal. Bed boards and trestles were left in the cells all day and the prisoners could sit down or stand up as they wished."
I am also aware of many allegations made from time to time alleging ill-treatment of other prisoners. This is, however, merely portion of a general campaign of propaganda. A fruitful source of stories of such ill-treatment is found in necessary disciplinary action taken by the Prison Authorities often in very difficult circumstances for the purposes of:
(1) Securely keeping prisoners in custody; and
(2) Securing individual prisoners from aggression and intimidation by organised groups among the prisoners.
I think it well to read the following report on some recent happenings in Mountjoy in order that the Deputy may understand what difficulties, the deliberate creation of the prisoners themselves, have from time to time to be met by the Military Authorities in charge:—
"The political prisoners in Mountjoy have gradually tried to build up a military organisation. A prisoner `military policeman,' wearing an armlet, used to stand at the entrance to each wing and prevent free intercourse between individual prisoners and the Governor's staff. All prisoners' letters passed through their hands for censorship by the prisoners' leaders. As a result, it was extremely difficult for those prisoners who wished to sign the Form to get in touch with the Military Governor. They were caught and held in the vice of Irregular organisation. To meet this, the line Officers were instructed themselves to bring the prisoners' letters into the wing, to call out the prisoners' names, and to hand the letters direct to each individual. They were to collect letters in the same way only from individual prisoners. The prisoners' leaders answered this by preventing the rank and file from collecting or handing in their letters.
"On Tuesday, 11th September, a prisoner escaped from the exercise ground over the outer wall. It was necessary to find out as soon as possible who it was. The prisoners' leaders used the complete freedom of movement in the wings and exercise grounds to make this practically impossible—only a small proportion of them were identified.
"It was found to be absolutely necessary to curtail and control their movements. Sufficient cells were repaired in the `A' Wing to lock up the prisoners there on Wednesday, 12th, letting them out at stated intervals for exercise, meals, fatigues, etc. A day later sufficient doors in `C' Wing were fitted with bolts and padlocks to accommodate those prisoners already in `C' Wing.
"The prisoners answered this by a general mutiny. An Officer of the Governor's staff was later informed by a prisoner that this mutiny had been in preparation for three days beforehand.
"There are certain vital essentials of control without which the safe custody of prisoners in a gaol cannot possibly be guaranteed. Every individual prisoner or group of prisoners must be prepared to enter or leave his cell on the orders of the Military Governor; also to enter the exercise ground from the wing or the wing from the exercise ground. In addition to these two points open military training and drill cannot be permitted—otherwise imprisonment becomes a farce.
"On the morning of Thursday, 13th September, while the Military Governor and another officer were in the central `circle' joining the wings, about 200 prisoners in `B' Wing formed up and began to carry out open Company drill. This was a challenge of a flagrant and deliberate kind. It was impossible to ignore it. The Military Governor at once entered the wing with about eight police, armed with batons, so as to avoid, if possible, the necessity of firing and causing bloodshed. The prisoners were ordered out of the wing but refused to move. The few military police tried to force them out, but could not cope with the numbers, and, as iron missiles were being pelted down from above, the police were withdrawn. Immediately afterwards, the prisoners in `C' Wing, on a signal, began to smash the doors of their cells, and in both wings there was an outbreak of general destruction.
"The Military Governor at once obtained permission from the proper Department to call in the military. Reinforcements of troops and police took up the operation of clearing `B' and `C' Wings. The prisoners in these wings continued the destruction and faced the troops in a very hostile and threatening way. A machine-gun was mounted and soldiers were posted to cover each side of the Wing to prevent iron bars, etc., being thrown from above. The prisoners were ordered to enter their cells, but refused until a couple of warning shots had been fired. Then they were ordered out to the Exercise Grounds cell by cell, but refused to leave. An attempt was made to drive them out with the hose, which the military brought into play, but it was not very successful, owing to the bad pressure of water. Eventually men had to be sent into the cells to drag the prisoners out, one by one. A good many fought desperately, others walked quietly until within the last few yards when in sight of their friends outside, when they began to struggle for appearance sake. Any prisoner who complained of the slightest illness was left untouched in his cell. The same process was then repeated in `C' Wing. This was completed by about 5.30 p.m., when the prisoners' dinner was put out to them in the Exercise Ground. About 6.30 p.m. they were allowed in again for tea, and remained in again for the night. The next morning, Friday, 14th September, "A" Wing, for the first time, joined in with "B" and "C" Wings, and all three refused to go out. It was noticed that a number of the rank and file, particularly in "A" Wing, would willingly have obeyed, but were too overawed by their leaders. This day, while "B" Wing was being cleared, "C" Wing prisoners brought as much Government property (i.e., tables, stools, trays, etc.) as they had time to collect, into their Exercise Grounds and there burnt it. By the time these three Wings were cleared, evening was approaching. Work was at once started clearing the 300 cells of iron bars and possible missiles; and also all movable Government property which had escaped destruction. It was impossible to nearly finish the work that night, especially as there were very few police available. As it was a very fine, star-light night, and the prisoners had provided themselves with large coal fires, it was decided to keep them out for the night until the Wings were properly cleared. Before this decision was finally come to, and just after dark, the prisoners destroyed the railings, stone work, and some other valuable Government property in "B" and "C" Exercise Grounds. Searchlights were got shortly after and the destruction was stopped. The prisoners were still maintaining an extremely aggressive attitude, and it would have been much too dangerous to attempt to clear the Wings while they were in occupation. The prisoners were informed that any one feeling ill would be at once admitted and attended by the doctor. A few took advantage of this, but every case was only a slight affair. Tea and breakfast was brought to the prisoners outside. The work of clearing the Wings was completed by the next afternoon. Saturday, 15th September. The prisoners were then admitted, the gas and hot water heating turned on, fresh tea got, and everything done to avoid any possible chance of serious injury. The doctor reported only a few colds and coughs. The prisoners in "B" and "C" Wings were then kept in on Saturday night until Tuesday morning, while work was carried on at high pressure by the Engineers, repairing the wrecked Exercise Grounds. On Monday (17th), "A" Wing was put out, the hose being used on some of the most aggressive leaders. About 35 men who stated their willingness to obey the Military Governor were left in the Wing. The remainder were brought to "C" Wing about two hours later. On Tuesday (18th), in the morning, "B" and "C" Exercise Grounds were sufficiently repaired to be safe to hold prisoners. The two Wings were accordingly cleared—except in the case of some 12 ringleaders all resistance was now over. Every other prisoner walked out or allowed himself to be led out. Every day a number of the more amenable prisoners are transferred from "B" and "C" Wings to "A" Wing. Several have been found who state that they have been anxious to sign the form for months, but dared not approach us, as they have been left under the power and authority of irreconcilable leaders."
The report finishes there.
A hunger-strike was started in Mountjoy Prison on the 14th October. General statements have been made that the prisoners have been driven into this strike as a result of ill-treatment. Actually, the prisoners have been driven into the strike by their leaders, because the steps taken to control prisoners' movements in the prison have been such as effectively to stop work on a tunnel, upon which, it would appear, they had been engaged. This tunnel was found in an examination on the 17th October. It had been carried over a distance of 70 yards and would probably have been completed in another ten days.
If I had been aware of the length of the reply of the Minister for Defence, I would certainly have asked him to circulate it in the Official Reports, because the giving of a lengthy reply prevents other Deputies, who have questions, from putting them later on. The time for questions is strictly now over, but I think for to-day, as we have had a couple of long replies, we may take the other questions for oral answers.
May I ask, arising out of the Minister's reply, whether he is aware that within the past ten days, it has been stated that there is a witness to the ill-treatment of Charles Murphy, that this witness is prepared to make a sworn declaration that he saw Charles Murphy strung up on the racks in the prison, and that he has quite recently undergone a serious operation; if that statement is brought forward will the Minister make inquiries, or if he has any knowledge of unofficial punishment being inflicted on prisoners by their gaolers as a result of private vengeance?
I am not aware of any such statement. I am prepared to take reasonable steps to inquire into any allegation that is made into the treatment of prisoners.