asked the Minister for Justice if he will state the number of prisoners removed from prisons in the Saorstát to mental institutions during the past year.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - PRISONERS REMOVED TO MENTAL INSTITUTIONS.
The number of prisoners removed from prisons in the Saorstát to mental hospitals during the twelve months ended the 21st instant, was nine. Of these nine prisoners six were stated by the medical officers to have been insane on their reception in prison.
This number does not include prisoners who were found by the courts to be "insane and incapable of pleading" or "guilty but insane."
The three prisoners who became insane during imprisonment were: James Coogan, under sentence of three years penal servitude at Mountjoy for larceny; John O'Neill, under sentence of ten years penal servitude at Portlaoighise for attempted murder, assault, etc.; Patrick O'Shea, under sentence of five years penal servitude at Portlaoighise for robbery under arms.