asked the Minister for Justice if he will state on what authority and under what regulation or what convention with Great Britain a member of the Gárda Síochána was instructed to visit Mrs. Sheehy Skeffington, of Rathmines, at her office to examine her as to whether she was any relative (and the degree of kinship) of Mr. Frank Breen, at present serving a life sentence in Parkhurst Jail; and, whether the Minister will take steps, when such enquiries from the British Authorities come to his Department, to facilitate the delivery of letters and the permission of visits in accordance with prison regulations, to the prisoner from reputable citizens like Mrs. Skeffington.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Prisoner in England.
Apparently for the purpose of complying with prison rules and practice in relation to the delivery of letters to a convict named Francis Breen in Parkhurst Jail it was necessary for the Governor of the jail to ascertain whether Mrs. Skeffington was a relative of the convict, and he addressed an enquiry to the Commissioner of the Gárda Síochána requesting that the police should inform him on the matter. The police, as a matter of courtesy, called upon Mrs. Skeffington and asked her if she knew Francis Breen and if she would have any objection to state if she was related to him.