DUBLIN CASTLE JEWELS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 306, 23 December 1912, Page 5

DUBLIN CASTLE JEWELS.

STOLEN BY ARMY OFFICERS. A POLITICIAN'S ALLEGATIONS, | LONDON", December 21. The subject of the theft of the Crown jetrds (forming the insignia of St. Patrickl from Dublin Castle in 1007 was again under discussion in the House of Commons yesterday. Mr L. GinneJl (member for Westmeath North) declared that the theft had been mixed up with debauchery. One of the thieves, who had been a railway guard in Sooth Africa, had robbed the BuluwayoSalisbury mail and wantonly killed some Kaffirs. Although he was kicked out of Thornycroft's Horse he secured a commission in the Royal Irish Regiment, and in conjunction with a fellow-officer he had engineered the theft of the'jewels. Continuing Mr Ginnell said that when ] the man was accused of the robbery he | threatened to make revelations compromising others, and that he was not brought to trial on account of social reasons. Both men had since resigned from the army. Mr Birrell (Chief Secretary for Ireland.) anpjily repudiated the suggestion that the Government had not taken action inthf matter because it feared a scandal. Mr Ginneil. he said, might know more 'nan the polic. but he had never furnished the alleged criminals' names. Mr Ginnell interrupting, shouted two names across the floor of the House. Mr Birrell said that the police had assured him that there was no ground for arresting anybody. In the House of Commons on Novem- , her 18 Mr. L. Ginnell a.-ked a question regarding the disappearance, of the regalia. The question had relation to Mr. Francis Pdehard Shackleton. who was Dublin Herald at Dublin Castle in 1907, and who was recently arrested in East Africa on a charge, it is stated, arising out of the bankruptcy of Lord Ronald Sutherland Gower. Mr. Ginnell desired Y> know whether Mr. Shackleton. who is a brother of the famous Antarctic explorer, Sir Krne:-l Shackleton, hail access to the room at Dublin C-i.-tle where the State jewels were kept; and whether he subsequently boasted that he would not be prosecute,:, as his conviction would involve others. Sir Paifus Isaacs, the Attorney-General, declined to answer th questions while the charge upon which Mr. Shackleton was arrested was sub judice. In giiing evidence before the Commission which inquired into the disappearance of the iewels. Sir Arthux Jicars. Ulster King of Arms, -tated that ac had suspected Mi. Shackleton. whose office ranked next to that of his own. He implied that while Mr. shackleton I Tvas a jruest a; liis house he took impressions of the kers while witness was taking a hath. A dcte.-Uvc. however, found I that there was no im-c against Mr.. Maekieton. and the Commission, on hearing the evidcr.ee. compictelv exonerated him.