asked the Minister for Justice whether a prisoner who was sentenced to three years' penal servitude for participation in the theft of a considerable sum of money from the mails at Amiens Street Post Office was released by him recently from Portlaoighise convict prison after serving only ten months of his sentence; and, if so, whether he will state the grounds of his release.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Release of Prisoner.
The answer is Yes. A petition was made to me to exercise the prerogative of mercy and after full consideration of the case I remitted the balance of the sentence. The prisoner was a first offender, 21 years of age, was married and had one child. I am glad to say that, as a result of the exercise of clemency, he is now in good employment and his employers, I am informed, think highly of him.
The quality of mercy is not strained.
There is more than that in it. Mercy cannot be used as a cloak for other things. Would the Minister state if it is a fact that after his release the individual in question was conveyed from Maryborough to his destination in a car allocated by the Minister for Justice to the Tánaiste for the conveyance of the latter and members of his family? Was this done with the consent and knowledge of the Minister for Justice?
The reply to that question is "No." The prisoner was conveyed in a police car, not a car attached to any Minister. The Deputy has some information which he should check over before he uses it.
Is it customary for prisoners to be conveyed from Maryborough Prison to their destination in a State car?
So I believe. I have done so myself in my time, including some friends of the Deputy's.