WIDE POWERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 22, 26 January 1934, Page 7

WIDE POWERS.

IRISH TRIBUNAL. Claimed to Be Superior to High Court. HEARING OF O'DTJFFY CASE. ! (United r. A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) I (Received 1.90 p.m.) DUBLIN, January 25. The hearing of the application by the Free State Government to the High Court to remove the court's < order of January 1 preventing the military tribunal from trying General O'Duffy, the Blue Shirt leader, on a charge of belonging to an unlawful association, was continued. The Attorney-General, Mr. C. A. Maguire, contended that the tribunal could legally charge a man with being a member of an unlawful association three months ago, even though such membership was not criminal at the time. Mr. Justice Hanna pointed out that citizens' lives and liberties were in the hands of the three officers of the tribunal, none of whom were legally trained, and from whom there was no appeal. Mr. Maguire said the court might tell the Civic Guards to arrest the members of the tribunal, and the members might order the Civic Guards not to arrest them. The guards must obey the tribunal, not the court. Mr. C'ostello, for the defence, quoting Tennyson, declared that Mr. Maguire's application if granted would entail red ruin and the breaking-up of laws. His claims on behalf of the tribunal were unprecedented except in time of war or rebellion. The hearing was adjourned.