Cork 1 May - 5 June 1916

See also 'Baptised in Blood; The formation of the Cork Brigade of the Irish Volunteers, 1913 - 1916,' Gerry White & Brendan O Shea, Mercier Press, Cork, 2005

MAY 3 - FERMOY TRAGEDY - HEAD CONSTABLE ROWE SHOT - Our Fermoy correspondent writes:- Early this morning a party of Constabulary under command of Head-constable W. M. Rowe, Fermoy, proceeded to the residence of Mrs. Mary Kent, Bawnard, Castlelyons, to demand the surrender of arms, and it is stated to arrest some of the members of the family who are alleged to be identified with the Sinn Fein movement. Shots were fired from the house, one taking fatal effect on Head-constable Rowe, whose brains were blown out, death being instantaneous. The Constabulary, finding how matters stood, sent for military assistance, which having arrived, the inmates surrendered and a number of arrests were made. Two of the Kents were seriously wounded - one it is stated fatally - and were conveyed to the military hospital. The sad affair has caused quite a sensation in the town and district. Head-constable Tower leaves a widow and five children to mourn his loss, and the deepest sympathy is freely expressed with them in their terrible bereavement as also sincere regret. Head-constable Rowe being most popular with all sections in the town since his arrival, only a few months ago, in Fermoy. The whole sad disturbances are deeply deplored by the people of Fermoy, who have always lived in the greatest good feeling with one another and the authorities. …..

All concerned are now under arrest, and will be tried by courtmartial without delay.

MAY 5 - FERMOY TRAGEDY - The death of Mr. Richard Kent, Bannard House, Castlelyons, took place yesterday at the military hospital, Fermoy. For many years he was a notable athlete, winning many hurdle and weight-throwing contests.

ARRESTS IN MACROOM - Macroom, Tuesday. In the early hours of this morning, the police arrested five young men residing in the town who were prominent members of the local corps of Irish Volunteers. The men were - [arranged alphabetically]

SINN FEINERS ARRESTED AT BANDON - Shortly after daybreak on Wednesday morning a body of police under County Inspector Tweedy, and District Inspector Green, accompanied by a body of Connaught Rangers, proceeded to Ballinadee and arrested a number of Sinn Feiners. They include Messrs. Robert Hales (well-known athlete), his brother William, Terence McSweeney (Cork), who was stayed at Hales' house, and three men named Lynch and Twomey. They were brought to the military barracks, Bandon, and detained.

BRIGADE DEMONSTRATIONS POSTPONED – The Cork Brigade Battalion Council desire to inform the public that owing to unavoidable circumstances, the proposed demonstration has been postponed until further notice.

MAY 8 - KINSALE ARRESTS - A number of members of the Irish Volunteers in this sub-district have been placed under arrest and taken to Cork by a strong military escort. Arms, ammunition, flags and documents were seized from the prisoners. The police in each sub-district, assisted by the Connaught Rangers, effected the several arrests.

ARRESTS NEAR CLONAKILTY - At an early hour this morning County Inspector Tweedy, Bandon, and District Inspector Rowan, Clonakilty, accompanied by a body of Connaught Rangers, in command of a military officer, proceeded in ten motor cars to the townlands of Lyre, Bealad, Knuckshagh, and Cashilsaky, and arrested eight of the most prominent members of the Sinn Fein movement in that district. Arms ammunition, bandoliers, uniforms and a few croppy pikes were seized. They were conveyed to Clonakilty, and thence in charge of the military to Bandon.

THE OUTBREAK

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FOUR MORE SHOT

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TWENTY OTHER SENTENCES

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MR. REDMOND'S PROTEST AGAINST MORE EXECUTIONS

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ARRESTS IN SOUTH

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SEARCH FOR ARMS IN CORK

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SITUATION IN DUBLIN

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PRESS APPEALS FOR CLEMENCY

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The situation in Dublin continues calm. Attention is concentrated in making safe the wrecks of buildings in the O Connell street area.

A number of arrests continue to be made. In Cork yesterday the police and military searched for arms, and a few people are in custody.

In the House of Commons, Mr. Asquith said that steps had been initiated to ascertain what Government officials were implicated.

The method of dealing with the rank and file of the rebels in Ireland is under anxious consideration.

Mr. John Redmond made a strong protest against further executions, which he said are causing bitterness and exasperation in Ireland amongst persons with no sympathy for the revolt.

Prominent newspapers press for clemency to the remaining prisoners.

Four more executions took place in Dublin yesterday. They were: Cornelius Colbert, Edmund Kent, Michael Mallon, J. J. Heuston. Kent was one of the signatories of the Manifesto. A number of others were sentenced to death, but this was commuted to penal servitude.

SEARCH FOR ARMS IN CORK - SOME ARRESTS - Numerous parties of military, accompanied by police, began a search for arms throughout the city yesterday morning, The visited the house of many persons suspected of connection with the Sinn Fein movement, and made a thorough overhaul of the premises. Several shops were also examined, but up to mid-day, with perhaps one or two exceptions, no effective military weapons were gathered in. A number of shotguns and some corresponding ammunition were, however, taken possession of, together with some old implements, with looked like imitation pikes or lances.

It was learned last night that the following persons were taken into custody - [arranged alphabetically]

ARRESTS IN BANDON DISTRICT - Yesterday (Monday) morning at daybreak, police and military in different sections arrested a number of young men in the town and district, alleged to be connected with the Sinn Fein movement. They were detained in the military barracks, and subsequently escorted to the city for internment elsewhere.

CLONAKILTY ARRESTS - The names of the eight prominent Sinn Feiners arrested on Friday morning are - [arranged alphabetically]

QUEENSTOWN ARRESTS - Recent arrests in connection with the outbreak in various parts of the country, include Mr. Frank J. Healy, Barrister-at-Law, who resided at Wilmount House, Queenstown. Three young men who were employed in the Haulbowline Dockyard were also arrested.

MAY 10 - THE FERMOY AFFRAY - THOMAS KENT SHOT - Appended is an official communication received from headquarters, Queenstown, yesterday morning:-

The following results of field general courtsmartial are announced:- Thomas Kent, of Coole, near Fermoy, was sentenced to death, and the sentence duly confirmed by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief in Ireland. The sentence was carried out yesterday morning.

FURTHER ARRESTS AT BANDON - Further arrests were made by the police and military in the Bandon district yesterday (Tuesday) of young men alleged to be connected with the Sinn Fein movement, a number, including an old man, being taken from the Ballinadee and Kilbrittain districts.

ARRESTS IN MITCHELSTOWN - (From our Correspondent) - In Mitchelstown, detachments of military, accompanied by members of the RIC, arrested 31 local members of the Sinn Fein organisation. The following amongst others from Mitchelstown and surrounding districts have been arrested:- [arranged alphabetically]

Mr. James Hannigan who was absent from town at the time surrendered on hearing he was wanted. The majority were released last night, the following being retained, [arranged alphabetically]

It is understood that the whole trouble was caused by the retention of arms known to be in the possession of members of the organisation, and that the retained members will be released to-day as the missing arms are said to have been handed to the authorities. It must be said that Mitchelstown and district remained perfectly normal during the recent troubles, and no interference with the authorities have been reported.

May 11 – DUBLIN OUTBREAK – CLEMENCY – APPEAL FROM CORK CITIZENS – The following is a copy of a telegram sent on Tuesday to his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, Mr. Asquith, the Prime Minister, and Mr. John E. Redmond, MP:-

‘Voicing, we believe, the opinion of the great majority of the citizens of Cork, we desire to protest most strongly against any further shootings as the result of courtmartial trials, and against indiscriminate arrests throughout the country. We are strongly of opinion that such shootings and arrests are having a most injurious effect on the feelings of the Irish people, and if persisted it may be extremely prejudicial to the peace and future harmony of Ireland, and seriously imperil the future friendly relations between Ireland and England.’ – Signed – Daniel Cohalan, Assistant Bishop of Cork; T. C. Butterfield, Lord Mayor of Cork; William Harte, City High Sheriff; William Murphy, Chairman UIL Executive, Cork City; John J. Horgan, Solr, Member of UIL, Cork City Executive; George Crosbie, BL, Member of UIL, Cork City Executive; James J. McCabe, LLD, Member of UIL, Cork City Executive

ARRESTS IN MILLSTREET – During the past week, the military visited Millstreet and arrested the following members of the local Sinn Fein organisation:- [arranged alphabetically]

Accompanying the military were District Inspector Egan, Macroom, and Sergeant Mulcahy, Millstreet, assisted by some members of the local force.

A Press Association Millstreet, Co. Cork telegram states – Further arrests were made here yesterday morning in connection with the Sinn Fein movement, but attempts to secure arms and ammunition have been futile. Several persons are evading arrest and have taken to the hills. Three hundred Territorials have arrived.

ARRESTS AT DUNMANWAY – Two Sinn Feiners were taken from their homes at Dunmanway early on yesterday (Wednesday) morning, and brought by motor cars to Bandon, and retained in the military barrack.

MAY 12 – [CORK COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING] - .....‘Mr. John Walsh said in the Bandon district boys of 14 and 16 years were arrested, as well as an old man of 70.

Mr. P. O Sullivan said he knew boys at Dunmanway, who may have belonged to the Irish Volunteers, but certainly never actively defied the Government and never had any arms. Those two boys were arrested and taken away. …..

Mr. Corcoran said hundreds of young men had been arrested all over the county and lodged in Cork Jail. They were marched through the streets of Cork with strong military guards, and sent somewhere that their people did not know. Great anxiety prevailed amongst the relatives of these people as to what was being done with them. He thought they should demand that the people should be informed where the prisoners were removed to.’

DEPORTED PRISONERS – SECOND LIST – List of 289 rebel prisoners removed from Richmond Barracks, Dublin, on 30^th April, 1916, and lodged in Stafford Detention Barracks, on 1^st May [Cork addresses only listed here]

MAY 13 – [CORK CORPORATION MEETING] - .....‘Mr. John Horgan rising under the Lord Mayor’s privilege, said that he had a resolution to propose, which he would ask the Council to pass that day. It was one that in his opinion, the less speech-making about it the better lest the people whose cause they would like to serve, might be injured more than served in any remarks that may be made there that day. In order that he may not give bad example, he simply contented himself with reading the resolution:- ‘That we desire to express our strongest disapproval of the disastrous outbreak which has taken place in Dublin, convinced as we are that Ireland’s salvation lies in our strict adherence to the constitutional movement, which alone it able to secure for Ireland the blessing of self-government. And we earnestly endorse the demand of the Irish party for the termination of Martial Law, as we are of opinion that any further executions and indiscriminate arrests will only embitter public opinion in Ireland. We strongly urge upon Government, the necessity for dealing mercifully and without delay with the many prisoners who have been arrested, most of whom are absolutely guiltless of any illegal conduct, and we suggest that their immediate release should be effected.’

Ald. Meade said that before the resolution was passed with which they were all in thorough accord, that was the first opportunity they had of bringing the matter before the notice of the Council since the Lord Mayor and Assistant Lord Bishop as ambassadors made terms with Captain Dickie. He (Ald. Meade) was sorry to say that before the ink on that agreement was well dry on the paper, that solemn compact was violated.

Ald. Meade – I am surprised at nothing now. That compact was honourably entered into, but was broken the following morning, and it was painful to see the manhood of the city taken from outside their shops and dragged through the streets, without being allowed to even put their hats on. That was the way these men were treated, the men on whose behalf you signed the compact, the men who saved bloodshed – McCurtain and McSwiney – in Cork. Where are they now? In gaol in a military prison.

Ald. Meade – I don’t like these interruptions. Its is all very painful, and it is a subject perhaps about which they may say too much, and when they should be on their guard and cautious. As far as he was concerned, he would speak openly, and frankly. These two men, McCurtain and McSwiney, were now in prison. That is the first part of the treaty broken. But, Lord Mayor, it does not end there. What is to become of the family of these men who are still in existence. The sister of one of these men has been dismissed from her position in a city educational establishment. Why? Because she was McSwiney’s sister, though a literary lady holding second place to none in Cork? That was all very well, but it was painful that morning to see by the papers that there was to be ‘only two more executions. …..

Mr. Lane (continuing) - …..He )Mr. Lane) protested against the treatment meted out to prisoners who were arrested in Cork. The Prime Minister stated in the House of Commons that the prisoners confined in the Cork Male Prison were allowed to communicate with their friends, and to see their legal advisors. He (Mr. Lane) knew that the statement was absolutely false. The prisoners were put into solitary confinement in the Cork Gaol.

Alderman Forde could not agree with some portions of the resolution, for he considered that what occurred was due primarily to Sir Edward Carson in arming the Ulster Volunteers, and secondly to the action of Mr. John Redmond (Question, question).

Alderman Meade handed in the following addendum – ‘That whilst regretting the sentence of ten years passed on our colleague, Mr. J. J. Walsh, we at the same time desire to congratulate him in having his name placed on the list of Irish patriots.’

Mr. J. Horgan suggested that it should be put as a different resolution. He said that when he proposed the motion, he was only actuated by motives to secure the release of those who had been taken from their homes. He did not think that such violent speeches would be made, not because he did not agree, not because he had not the courage to speak out his mind, because he had given his opinion in another place –

Mr. Horgan said not secretly and well. He could claim this much, no matter what Councillor Lane might say, he loved his country just as much as any man did –

Similar letters to those published yesterday in the report of the County Council were then read from Mrs. K. O Mahony, Parnell Place, protesting against the conduct of the police, who, in conjunction with the military, searched her premises for arms; from Miss M. McSwiney, Victoria road, protesting against the arrest of her brother and not knowing where he was; from Mrs. Wickham, Merchant’s quay, whose husband was arrested, and of whom she had not heard since; and from Mrs. K. MacDonald, Bandon, whose husband, Wm. Kays MacDonald, was arrested.

Mr. Lane said they should take up the case of Mrs. Mahony, Parnell Place, and ask the Constabulary authorities to inquire into the matter.

Ald. Meade suggested that the Lord Mayor be asked to inquire into the case of Miss McSwiney, who had lost her position as a teacher.

Mr. L. M. O Riordan said he heard she had been reinstated. As regarded the case of Wickham, the son was a Volunteer, but notwithstanding his protest, the head of the family was arrested.

It was decided that the secretary write the proper authorities in the case of Mrs. O Mahony, and the other matters were left to the Lord Mayor.

The City High Sheriff said that now that the contentious subject had been finished, he wished to propose a resolution which he was sure would be passed unanimously: ‘We desire also to place on record our appreciation of the excellent services rendered to Cork by the Most Rev. Dr. Cohalan, Assistant Bishop, and the Lord Mayor, the Right Hon. T. C. Butterfield, for the successful efforts to preserve the good name of our city, and in conducting negotiations of extreme gravity with great tact and success. During his term of office.’ During his term of office, he (the Lord Mayor) had faced difficulties in a manner that needed a gentleman of cool temperament. His services to the city would be long remembered. Then the action of the Assistant Bishop was beyond all praise. He (the High Sheriff) believed he had spent from six to ten hours per day trying to overcome the appalling situation which faced the people of the country. The citizens of Cork were under a deep debt of gratitude to the Assistant Bishop and the Lord Mayor. (hear, hear) …..

MAY 15 – THE IRISH VOLUNTEERS OF CORK – (TO THE EDITOR ‘EXAMINER’), - Sir – In a recent issue of a London daily newspaper there appeared an account of the giving up of their arms by the Irish Volunteers of Cork. The account is not quite exact, and I ask of you the favour of being allowed to relate exactly what occurred at the giving up of the arms, and to add a few incidents of the state of martial law in which we live, in the hope that a full and uncoloured narrative may lead to the termination of the excesses which are pressing heavily on us, and which are exciting and disturbing not merely the Irish Volunteers (called also Sinn Fein Volunteers), but the general body of the people. I am perfectly familiar with the negotiations for the giving up of the arms. The Most Rev. Dr. O Callaghan, Bishop of Cork, was too ill to take part in these negotiations, and I, as his Assistant Bishop, took his place. I will state what occurred in the form of a diary:

Monday, April, 24 – This was the day of the ‘rising’ in Dublin. In the course of the evening a rumour got abroad in Cork that there was going to be a rising in the city during the night. The Lord Mayor called to me and suggested that we should visit the Volunteers and counsel peace. We were assured that there would be no offensive on the part of the Volunteers, and that such a thing was not contemplated.

Thursday, April, 27 – A meeting was held by appointment in my house, there being present the Lord Mayor, a military gentleman, and myself. The question of giving up the arms was discussed. The military position was that if the arms were given up to the Lord Mayor or to myself it would be sufficient; that the military authorities would not demand the arms or ask to know where they were kept but would be satisfied with the word of the Lord Mayor or mine, that he or I was in possession of the arms. The meeting was adjourned to Friday night, the Lord Mayor and I meanwhile to see the heads of the Volunteers and to submit the military proposal to them.

Friday, April 28 - The Lord Mayor and I submitted the military proposal to the Volunteers leaders. The Volunteer leaders considered the proposal and asked for information on these points:-

(1) Whether if the guns are given up in the manner proposed by the military authorities they would be confiscated or would remain the property of the Volunteers, to be returned when the crisis is over.

(2) Whether the Volunteers would get an assurance that the subject would be kept out of the papers; that the papers would not be allowed to talk of the disarmament of the Irish Volunteers while other voluntary bodies were allowed to retain their arms.

(3) Whether the police would be instructed not to be annoying and irritating individual Volunteers.

(4) Whether the Volunteer leaders would get a permit to visit certain Volunteer centres in Munster with a view to explaining and suggesting the acceptance of the proposal made by the military authority in Cork.

At our adjourned meeting on the same Friday night, there being present the Lord Mayor, the military representative, and myself, the military representative replied to these questions as follows:-

(1) The military have no idea of confiscation, and as far as the military are concerned the arms will be returned when the crisis is over; but the military cannot give a pledge for Parliament or the civil authorities, nor can they give an assurance that a law will not be passed to disarm the Irish Volunteers and all similar associations.

(2) Care would be taken that the papers should not mention the handing in of the rifles.

(3) The County Inspector of police would be spoken to in order to check the indiscreet zeal of individual policemen.

(4) A permit would be given to the Volunteer leaders to visit Limerick, Tralee, and other districts to submit to the Volunteers of these centres the Cork agreement, and to counsel the acceptance of it.

(5) If these terms were accepted, there should be a general amnesty, unless in the case of persons found in treasonable correspondence with the enemy.

Monday night, May 1^st, was fixed as the time limit for handing in the arms. These terms were accepted, and it was a great relief to us all to be assured that we should have no trouble in the city.

Saturday, April 29 – The Volunteer leaders visited the centres referred to. It was unfortunate that they left the city, because in their absence the military proposal could not be submitted to the general body of Volunteers, and unauthorised reports of the terms of peace were creating trouble in the city.

Monday, May 1 – At midday, the Lord Mayor and I met the Volunteer leaders. They were angry that faith had not been kept with them, and there was danger that the agreement arrived at would not be put to the Volunteers generally. I undertook to attend with the Lord Mayor, a general meeting of the Volunteers at 8 pm in the Volunteers’ Hall, and on this understanding, the leaders agreed to call a meeting, and to submit the agreement to the general body of their followers. Meanwhile in the early afternoon the Lord Mayor and I had a meeting with the military representative. He complained that the terms of agreement were not kept, that the arms should have been handed in already. I pointed out that according to the agreement 12 o clock on Monday night was the time limit. I also added that as I was going to address the Volunteers in the evening, the time for handing in the arms should be extended to Tuesday night. This was conceded by the military representative, who was most reasonable throughout. In the interval between this afternoon meeting and the night meeting in the Volunteers’ Hall the military representative telephoned me that all guarantees were withdrawn. This would make it impossible for me to appear before the men and address them. But the military representative assured me that though formal guarantees were withdrawn the arrangement agreed on would go through. On the strength of this assurance the Lord Mayor and I attended the meeting of the Volunteers at 8 pm. The meeting was perfectly calm and orderly. By a very large majority a resolution was passed accepting the arrangement agreed on with the military representative. On the same night a considerable proportion of the arms were handed in, and on being informed through telephone by the Lord Mayor our military friend telephoned his congratulation and said that it was splendid.

Tuesday, May 2 – Notwithstanding the guarantee of amnesty given at the earlier stages of the negotiations and the assurance given before the final meeting of the Volunteers, eleven of the Volunteers were arrested on Tuesday. More were to have been arrested but on the remonstrances of the Lord Mayor the arrests ceased. This breach of faith created a very bad feeling and a very dangerous excitement in the city. The Lord Mayor and I visited the County Inspector of Police, and represented to him that we were very anxious about the peace of the city. Hs asked him had he any objection to the immediate release of the Volunteers who were arrested. He said he had no objection, that he had no charge against the men. Fortified with this assurance we telephoned to the military authority at Queenstown representing how dangerous to the peace of the city it would be to keep the men in prison. We got back an answer that the men would be immediately liberated. We went to the County Gaol to meet the men on their release and to counsel calmness and forbearance. After a long delay they were released. But it has been commonly rumoured in this city since that after the prisoners had left the gaol a counter order was sent to the gaol directing that they should not be released. But once out they were left out.

Wednesday, May 3^rd – Notwithstanding the guarantee and assurance that the military authority would leave the arms to me or the Lord Mayor, that they would accept our word that the arms were given up, the arms were taken from the Lord Mayor by order of the military authorities on the night of Wednesday May 3^rd.

Thursday, May 4^th – and following days. – The military authorities turned their attention to the country districts. Many Volunteers were arrested and lodged, some in the County Gaol, and some in the military prison. The ecclesiastical arrangements in Cork in relation to the barracks and prison are:-

There is no whole time military chaplain, but one of the priests of the parish attends to the military barracks; while there is a special chaplain for the military prison, and a special chaplain for the County Gaol. The prisoners were lodged, some in the county Gaol and some in the military prison. But the chaplains were refused access to the prisoners, and on Sunday the prisoners were not allowed to Mass, though Mass was said in the prisons. Knowing that one of the prisoners in the military prison was in danger of the extreme sentence I wrote to the officer in command of the barracks, and pointed out that the chaplain should be allowed to see the man; that the affairs of the conscience should not be left over to the excited moments following the announcement of the death sentence; that the chaplain should be allowed to see all the prisoners. It was of no avail. Later on the chaplain would be allowed to see the prisoners on making the following declaration:-

‘I hereby declare, upon my honour, that I will convey no information, message or document of any kind, and that I will treat as absolutely secret any information I may receive from any rebel or prisoner with whom I may be permitted to communicate in the Detention Barracks at Cork.’

The declaration was to be signed by the priest and attested by a witness. I have kept the declaration, but I directed the chaplain to refuse to sign it. Later on the chaplain to the barracks, who has nothing to do with the military prison, was sent for to attend the doomed prisoner. And the unfortunate man, who must have been suffering torture during his suspense, and who was refused the consolation of religion during the trying period was at last allowed the ministrations of a priest shortly before midnight preceding the morning of his execution.

The questions at once suggest themselves - Are there such restrictions put on the priests who minister to the interned Germans in England? Do the Germans in Germany put such restrictions on the priests who are ministering to Catholic prisoners?

Monday, May 8^th – The police are searching the city for the remainder of the arms, which would have been given to the Lord Mayor if the military party had kept faith with me and the Lord Mayor. A few arrests have been made. I am gathering information relative to the city and county arrests. Some of these arrests and deportations are scandalous, and they all should be inquired into without delay.

The one bright feature of the events of the past fortnight was our experience of the military gentleman who took part in our peace conferences. He was insistent on securing that they should be no military danger in the city, but that secured he wanted no irritating or humiliating conditions. He is a North of Ireland Protestant. I have no doubt but that in other matters, too, if North and South of Ireland representatives met together they would settle their differences in a reasonable and satisfactory manner. - DANIEL COHALAN, Assistant Bishop of Cork

FURTHER ARRESTS IN CHARLEVILLE - Charleville, Saturday. This morning the military authorities visited the house of Mr. Nagle, Main street, and arrested there Joseph and Richard Nagle, brothers. They were conveyed to Cork by the mid-day train.

HEAD CONSTABLE ROWE - £2,500 Claim – At Fermoy Board of Guardians – A preliminary notice of application was received from Mr. A. Carroll, Crown Solicitor, on behalf of Mrs. Rowe, claiming £2,500 as compensation for the killing of Head-Constable Wm. Neale Rowe at Coole Lower, on the 2^nd May.

The Chairman said that was a very serious matter for the ratepayers, and the solicitor should take the necessary steps in the matter.

MAY 17 - THE SINN FEIN ARRESTS - IMPORTANT LETTER FROM CORK CITIZENS - The following letter has been addressed to:- HIS EXCELLENCY, The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, SIR JOHN MAXWELL, General Commanding Forces in Ireland, RIGHT HON. H. HERBERT ASQUITH, MP, Prime Minister.

Sirs, - We deem it our duty to place on record our protest against the continuance of arrests throughout the country, and the further detention of a large number of those who, during the panic of the past two weeks, have been placed under arrest and in many cases deported.

In our opinion the state of the country no longer warrants the continuance of these measures. On the contrary, we believe the unrest is thereby prolonged. We know that in a number of cases men have been arrested against whom no charge can be maintained. In other cases, individuals have been arrested merely because they were members of the Irish Volunteer body when membership of it constituted no offence against the laws of the realm.

It is the bounden duty of the authorities to have these cases investigated without delay. The utmost facility should be granted to all those in custody to make their defence, and when set at liberty to return to their homes. Many of them have been removed to places far distant from their homes, and some of these who have been already released have been given railway tickets but no money to purchase food to sustain them while travelling.

We have heard of cases in which discharged prisoners have had to apply at the soldiers' buffets for food. These men removed from home and set at liberty should not be left to endure hardships and want while returning.

The authorities should remember that the families and friends of these men in custody are suffering great anxiety as to their fate, and this anxiety should be allayed at the earliest possible moment. - Yours faithfully,

WM. MURPHY, Chairman of Cork City Executive, UIL, Cork, Tuesday, May 16^th, 1916.

FURTHER ARRESTS AT DUNMANWAY - At 4.30 am on Saturday morning several military motor cars entered the town, and halted at the police barrack. A squad of soldiers, a few constables, and a sergeant proceeded to the residence of Mr. M'Carthy, cooper, East Green, and placed him under arrests. His son was also sought, but he was not at home. Mr. M'Carthy is aged 60. The homes of Mr. P. Hurley, near the Model School, and Eamon Young, the Green, were then visited, but the young men were not apprehended. Mr. Aherne, a shoemaker, was then taken in custody, and also the serving man of a clergyman. The men were conducted by motor to Bandon apparently.

A railway porter, who was going to meet the mail train, was detained for a short time, and searched by the military.

Mr. Duggan, who was arrested a short time ago, was an insurance inspector, and Mr. Teig O Shea was an Irish teacher.

ARRESTS IN LIMERICK - DISCHARGE OF THE PRISONERS - …..To-day Colonel Weldon continued his inquiry into the remaining cases, and at the close the undermentioned prisoners were discharged - …..R. Nagle and Joseph Nagle, Charleville …..

MAY 18 - LETTER TO THE EDITOR - THE BANDON ARRESTS. – Sir, U have been informed that County Inspector Tweedy, of Bandon, describes my husband, William Keyes McDonnell, as Captain of the Irish Volunteers. I wish to state publically that my husband was never at any time Captain of the Irish Volunteers, and I would like to ask County Inspector Tweedy, through the public papers, what section of the Irish Volunteer organisation authorised him to confer the rank of captain on my husband. He is already aware, I presume, that the captain of the Corps to which my husband belonged is already in custody.

It is noteworthy that neither County Inspector Tweedy nor his junior officer, Mr. Green, put any questions to my husband when he reported himself on May 6^th although we understood that he was to be questioned. He was detained in the barracks for some hours and subsequently released, with evidently no charge against him.

The following day, May 7^th, he was arrested, and up to the present, we don't know the charges against him, except that Mr. Tweedy describes him as Captain of the Irish Volunteers. Yours truly, KATHLEEN McDONNELL, Castlelack, Bandon.

MAY 19 - POLICEMAN FIRED AT NEAR CHARLEVILLE - On Wednesday evening a constable was fired at near Charleville. It appears that three shots were fired at him. One passed through his cap, taking some skin and hair off his head. The military and police made many arrests in the town, and the public houses were closed at 9 o clock pm.

A later account says that Constable Prendergast was on patrol duty in a place called Fortland, a townland within a quarter of a mile of Charleville, at about 4.30 o clock, when three shots were discharged at home, one of the bullets passing through his cap. He at once ran to the barracks and reported the occurrence, when the military and police effected sixteen arrests. The names of those taken into custody were:- [arranged alphabetically]

MAY 20 - ARRESTS IN BALTIMORE - SEARCHES IN SKIBBEREEN - Skibbereen, Friday. Yesterday parties of military and police searched several houses in the town, but made no arrests. To-day they visited Baltimore and other districts, and lodged in the barrack here this afternoon two young men named John Logan, of Baltimore, and John Daly, Rath. They are detained for the present.

MAY 25 - DEPORTATIONS - PRISONERS AT GLASGOW - The following is a list of 98 prisoners who were lodged in Barlinnie Detention Barracks, Glasgow:- [Cork addresses only]

SOUTHERN MEN RELEASED - (From our Correspondent). - Dublin, Wednesday. - The military authorities having fully investigated the cases of the following Southern men have ordered their release. The list is made up to May 12, and further lists will be issued in due course:- [arranged alphabetically]

MAY 26 - DEPORTATIONS - LEWES DETENTION BARRACKS - The following is a list of 59 prisoners who were removed from Richmond Barracks, Dublin, on the 19^th May, 1916, and lodged in Lewes Detention Barracks on the following day:- [Cork addresses only]

JUNE 1 - THE FERMOY TRAGEDY - The trial of David Kent, a member of the Kent family, at whose house at Bawnard, near Castlelyons, Head Constable Rowe was killed, will take place at Richmond Barracks, Dublin, on Tuesday, June 13^th inst., before a general courtmartial. Kent, who was wounded in the hand on that occasion, will be defended by Mr. Patrick Lynch, KC, instructed by Mr. Coroner James J. McCabe, LLB, solr., Cork.

JUNE 2 - BANDON WOMAN AND PRISONERS - Dublin, Thursday. - Mr. Michael O Kelly, editor 'Leinster Leader,' Naas, Co. Kildare, was liberated from Wakefield Detention Prison with about fifty other Irishmen yesterday morning after a period of detention and imprisonment extending to five weeks.

Arriving at Wakefield Prison, they were allocated cells. Here their treatment was by no means good. For the first week, the prison regulations were very severe. 'We were very much confined, and the food was very meagre - so meagre, indeed, and of such sameness each day, that the prisoners were obliged to complain. Latter,' added Mr. O Kelly, 'there was an improvement in our treatment. We were supplied with books, and were allowed to talk and smoke during exercise. While very strict at first, the officials later relaxed in their discipline, and afterwards seemed very kindly disposed towards us. This, in a degree, helped to lighten the burden of the imprisonment.'

Thanks to the kindness and generosity of Mrs. McDonnell, Bandon, Co. Cork, whose husband was amongst the prisoners, and who had come all the way to be near him, the Irishmen were given many little extras, which they thoroughly appreciated. 'In fact,' said Mr. O Kelly, 'Mrs. McDonnell did everything in her power to relieve the stern treatment which the prisoners had to undergo, and she even communicated with certain Irish members of Parliament on our behalf.'

FURTHER ARRESTS AT BALLINADEE - Yesterday (Thursday) the police arrested two brothers named Cornelius and Patrick O Donoghue at their home at Ballinadee. They are alleged to have been identified with the Sinn Fein movement. It is stated that some explosives were found in their house on the occasion of a raid by the military and police a month ago. The young men were conveyed to Cork by the evening mail train from Bandon yesterday.

JUNE 3 - SOUTHERN PRISONERS RELEASED - (From our Correspondent) - A list made up to the 29^th May, containing the names of over 200 prisoners who have been released, was issued from the military headquarters this evening. Included in the lists are:- [arranged alphabetically]

It is announced that Austen Stack, solicitor's clerk, Tralee, and Cornelius Collins, account, GPO, Dublin, will be tried at Richmond Barracks by general courtmartial on June 14^th.

JUNE 5 - DEPORTATIONS - On Saturday 100 prisoners were removed from Richmond Barracks, Dublin, on 1^st June, 1916, and lodged in Wakefield Detention Barracks on the following day:- [Cork addresses only, arranged alphabetically]

The following were removed from Richmond Barracks on the 1^st June and lodged in Wandsworth Detention Barracks the following day:- [Cork addresses only, arranged alphabetically]

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