asked the Minister for Justice whether Mr. James Donnelly, who was sentenced on February 10th last to nine months' imprisonment for escaping from Mountjoy Prison in 1925, was left for nine days without clothes after being sentenced, in consequence of his refusal to wear convict uniform; whether his health has been seriously affected in consequence of this treatment; and whether the Minister will state how often Mr. Donnelly's wife has been permitted to visit him since he was sentenced.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - A PRISONER'S TREATMENT.
James Donnelly was sentenced to nine calendar months imprisonment on the 10th February, 1928. On his committal to prison that day he dressed in prison clothes, but on the following day he refused to wear them. On the 14th February he applied for permission to wear his own clothes on the grounds that he was a political offender. This application was not acceded to. On the 16th February he made a similar application on the ground that he had serviceable clothing and permission was granted on the following day. In the meantime he refused to wear prison clothes and remained in bed. His health has not been adversely affected as a consequence. He received one visit from his wife on the 7th May last. He refused to work, except during the period 12th March to 15th May, and consequently he is not entitled to the privileges of receiving visits or letters.
Does the Minister consider that it is in accordance with the accepted dictates of humanity that this prisoner should be left without clothes for nine days in one of the coldest months of the year?
This prisoner had clothes to wear. He had his prison clothes to wear, and when he made proper application to the Prisons Board he received permission to wear his own clothes.
Is it not a fact that the prisoner at the conclusion of nine days received permission to wear his own clothes which was denied him up to that time?
When he made proper application permission to wear his own clothes was given.
Was the prisoner informed that such application could be made?
I desire to give notice that I will raise this matter on the adjournment.