asked the Minister for Defence if he will state (a) the total number of prisoners (political) imprisoned or interned in the Saorstát, (b) the total number on whom sentences have been passed, and the periods of these sentences; whether or not any further consideration has been given to prisoners who are chronic hospital cases, or if the release of these prisoners is still regarded as a danger to the public peace.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - POLITICAL PRISONERS IN SAORSTAT.
The total number of political prisoners imprisoned or interned is 941, of which 314 have been sentenced.
Two have been sentenced to penal servitude for life, 262 to varying terms of penal servitude, 36 to imprisonment with hard labour, and 14 to a period of two years' imprisonment.
Prisoners suffering from chronic illness, who have not been sentenced or who are not being held with a view to civil trial, will, as a rule, be released.
Will the President state if a prisoner who is an inmate of an asylum comes under the category of prisoners who will be released?
I do not think we would be entitled to release prisoners who are lunatic. I am not aware that we have such a prisoner.
You have.