asked the Minister for Justice if he will state the number of people sought by the Gardaí under the Offences Against the State Acts on 1st February, 1958
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Offences Against the State Acts.
It would not be in the public interest to give the information asked for.
Why?
The Deputy should know that himself.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will state (a) the total number of persons serving sentences of imprisonment for offences under the Offences Against the State Act, 1939, in Mountjoy Prison who went on hunger strike within the last three months, (b) the name and address of each person, (c) the duration of the hunger strike, (d) the cause of the hunger strike as stated by the persons concerned, and (e) the concessions granted to end the hunger strike.
Of the persons serving sentences for offences against the State, who numbered 22 during the period in question, nine refused to take any food at all for periods varying from three to eight days and seven refused to take any food other than milk or in some cases milk, tea and porridge. The prisoners concerned said they wanted political treatment and in particular to be given better food or to be allowed to receive food parcels and also to be allowed more visits, letters, and cigarettes and better facilities for recreation.
In view of the fact that until there was an attempt at escape towards the end of July, 1957, prisoners who had been convicted of offences against the State were allowed concessions of the kind and that the men who had refused food were well conducted, I authorised the prison governor (a) to allow them occasional food parcels to supplement the ordinary diet which might be varied on the instructions of the prison medical officer, (b) to allow additional visits, letters and cigarettes on request, and (c) to extend the indoor and outdoor facilities for exercise and recreation.
It is not the practice to publish the names of prisoners undergoing prison sentences.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will state the total number of persons at present serving terms of imprisonment in prisons in the State for offences under the Offences Against the State Act, 1939, and the name, address, occupation, and term of sentence imposed in each case.
The number is 17 but it would not be in accordance with practice to give the particulars asked for and I do not propose to do so.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will state the number of persons who have been (a) charged with offences under the Offences Against the State Act, 1939, (b) convicted of such offences, and (c) acquitted of such offences, in each of the years 1956 and 1957.
In 1956, seven persons were charged with offences under the Offences Against the State Act, 1939, but the offences were not disposed of until the following year.
In 1957, 122 persons were charged, 116 were convicted and 13 were acquitted.