asked the Minister for Justice if he has received petitions praying for the release of an old lady named Mrs. Bridget Cummins, of Glenera, Garnish, County Cork, who has been in custody in Mountjoy Prison since June, 1937, undergoing a sentence of six months' imprisonment for alleged contempt of court; if he is aware that two judges of the Supreme Court, out of a court consisting of four judges, have decided that Mrs. Cummins is in illegal custody; and if, under the circumstances, the Minister will be pleased to recommend or order the immediate release of Mrs. Cummins.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sentence on County Cork Lady.
I am advised that I have no power to interfere with the order of the court in a case of this nature.
Does the Minister consider it fair that when the judges were equally divided on the question as to whether this old lady should be kept in jail, she should still be detained?
The prerogative does not extend to cases like that. The Minister has no power to interfere.
There was no decision to keep her in jail.
I cannot interfere.