MAYOR'S HUNGER-STRIKE.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 227, 22 September 1920, Page 5

MAYOR'S HUNGER-STRIKE.

TAKING NOTHING BUT WATER — i FRIENDS DENY FEEDING HIM. (By Cable—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, September 21. On behalf of the friends of Mr. Terence MeSweeney, Lord Mayor of fork, it irt stated that nothing is passing his .lips except pure water, and medicine composed of carbonate of soda and bismuth to counteract the gastric juices, and the sacred water of the Holy Communion. Even if his friends tried to introduce nourishment he would refuse to take it. His friends also deny that alcohol was |used during his massage.—(A. and X.Z.) Alderman McSweoney, the Lord Mayor of Cork, has been hunger-striking in an English prison since August 16. On August 2-t ho was said by friends and relatives who visited him to be dying, and on August 29 the Sinn Fein bulletin was that he was sinking and could not last more than two or three days, while on August 31 he was sinking rapidly, and not expected to last out the night. Following is a diary of his fast:—August 12, MeSweeney arrested. 16, Court-mar-tialed under Defence of the Realm Act. Convicted. Hunger strike began. 17, Deported on a cruiser to England. 18, Too weak for forcible feeding. 23, Very prostrated. 24, Said to be dying. 25, Support accorded last report. 27, Hay live another week. 28, Condition has improved. Agreed to accept medical treatment. Proteid added < to drinking water. It will be some tune before he will be able to leave his bed. 29, Sinking: cannot last more than two or three days. 31, Sinking raDidly, and not expected to last out the night. September 5, Not sufficient strength to converse with relatives for even a few minutes. Prison doctors very apprehensive as to his condition. 11, MeSweeney no worse. 15, Suffering from headache and dizziness, and in considerable pain. The numbness of the body increasing, and both arms bandaged.