GUILTY OF SEDITION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 166, 27 April 1935, Page 6

GUILTY OF SEDITION

SENTENCES IN FREE STATE.

INCITEMENT OF REPUBLICANS.

MEMBERSHIP OF THE ARMY.

(United) Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 12.20 p.m.)

DUBLIN, April 26. A military tribunal sentenced Con Lehane to 18 months' imprisonment on a charge of sedition. The prosecution cited Lehane's speech, in which he urged his hearers to join the Republican Army, if not immediately owing to the presence of police thugs, then later, as lighting would be done soon. Recruits must be proficient in the use of arms in order to capture and, if necessary, kill their opponents. He added that they must not rest until they had driven British soldiers in the Free State from Ireland.

Five including Donald O'Donoghue, were sentenced to six months' imprisonment for contempt of court and for membership of an unlawful association. All refused to recognise the Court, Thonias Barry (Republican Army leader, of Cork, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment for membership of -the Republican Army. He declared there were 29,000 members of the Republican Army in Ireland.

A cablegram dated March 26 stated: Police raided and searched the houses of many Republicans, beginning in the early hours and 1 continuing all day. It was not until Colonel Broy (Chief of Police) left his customary supervision of the draw of the Grand National Sweepstake that newss- of the round-up leaked out. It is estimated that 80 arrests have been made, including Ddnal O'Dohoghue (editor of the Republican newspaper, "Anphoblaeht"), Peter O'Donnell (author and member of the Republican Congress) and Con Lehane (a solicitor).

Police visited the house of Maurice Twomey (chief of staff of the? Republican Army), who was absent. Police also visited the house of Mrs Despard, seeking Sean Mcßride, a. member of the Republican Army staff. Numerous parties of detectives were employed. They stated that they were searching for arms and treasonable documents.

The arrested persons were lodged in Bridgewell, where a vast crowd gathered, cheering incessantly in reply to the prisoners' shouts.