asked the Minister for Defence whether, in view of his reply to Question No. 22 of 14th November, 1923, he will state if John Clarke, James Caffrey, and Patrick Matthews, of Wilkinstown, Navan, Co. Meath, were furnished with a charge sheet prior to the charges against them being investigated by Military Tribunal on the 11th July, 1923; whether the proceedings of the said Military Tribunal were made public; whether the prisoners were present in Court during the alleged trial, and if the findings and sentence of the Court were made known to them; and whether the said prisoners got due notice of their trial, so that they could prepare their defence, and procure legal assistance.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - CHARGES AGAINST MEATH PRISONERS.
When arrested the prisoners were charged with armed robbery and signed statements admitting their guilt. The accused had then five months within which to prepare their defence, and to obtain any assistance they required. If necessary, an officer would have been assigned to defend them. On being charged before the Military Tribunal, none of the accused asked for an adjournment or for assistance in their defence, but pleaded guilty, all making a full confession of the charge, pleading drink as an excuse.
Owing to the large number of cases to be dealt with, it has not been possible up to the present to promulgate in a formal manner the sentences passed in these cases. This will, however, be done before they come up for review before the Board of Commissioners which is at present being set up under the Provisions of the Indemnity Act, 1923.