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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Feb 1946

Vol. 99 No. 13

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sentences on Members of Unlawful Organisations.

asked the Minister for Justice if he will state (1) the number of persons now undergoing sentences of imprisonment who, at the time of conviction, alleged the incidents which gave rise to the charge against them arose out of their membership of an unlawful organisation; (2) the unexpired portion of the sentence in each such case; (3) whether he has received recent reports regarding the physical and mental condition of any of these prisoners; and, if so, whether he will furnish details of such reports.

In order to obtain the information asked for in the first part of the question it would be necessary to have inquiries made into the proceedings at the trial of every prisoner now in custody with a view to ascertaining whether, in the course of these proceedings, the prisoner claimed to be a member of an unlawful organisation. The time spent on these inquiries would be entirely wasted in the great majority of cases. Moreover, the institution of such inquiries would create the mischievous impression that any convicted person, whatever his offence, is entitled to special consideration if he states that he is a member of an unlawful organisation.

For these reasons I do not propose to institute such inquiries.

In the absence of the information asked for in part i of the question, parts ii and iii do not arise. I may, however, say, as regards part iii, that I am kept fully informed as to the health of prisoners, and that any necessary action is taken on such reports. No recent report indicates any reason for special action as regards the health of any prisoner at present in custody.

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