asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware that Edward Reilly, who was arrested in December, 1926, is still on remand in Mountjoy Jail, and that his health has been impaired by this long imprisonment, and whether the Minister will order his release.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - REMANDED PRISONER'S HEALTH.
Edward Reilly was committed to Limerick Prison on remand on the 27th December, 1926, charged with murder, conspiracy and armed robbery. On 29th January, 1927, he was committed for trial at the Central Criminal Court, but was removed to Mountjoy Prison on the 5th February, 1927, where he still awaits trial. I have no evidence that his health has been impaired by his imprisonment. In fact, his weight on committal to Mountjoy on 5th February, 1927, was 153lbs., and it is now 156½lbs. His health gives no cause for anxiety, except that on committal he gave a history of neuritis, but his condition has in no way been aggravated or prejudiced by his imprisonment.
I want to ask the Minister has he any reason to give as to why a person having a criminal charge hanging over his head should be kept in jail for eleven months awaiting trial when he has a good defence?
The Deputy must know that the Green Street Central Criminal Court is a court that has a great deal of work to do, and what happened was that this particular case was not reached.
I want to ask the Minister a further supplementary question—if persons who have been charged subsequent to December, 1926, have been already tried in the Green Street Court?
Very probably so.