FATHER O'DONNELL.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16694, 1 December 1919, Page 7

FATHER O'DONNELL.

COURT-MARTIAL PROCEEDINGS. (By Cable—Press Association—lopjivrht.; (Aus'.riliar. »r.«i X.Z. Ca! A-MciitwnJ November oOih. 11 p.in/l LONDON", No\ember -tf. Celonel Miii'.iiu; preM.ie.l .it tho court-r.'.ntial of the llev. Father 0'l)on:u The I'ouit eouMstod ef jive colonel.-, a major, and two r.'.ptain*. Captain l'-a-twood. ot the (iivuaiher Guar.!.-. ;u iv\i J ud^e-Advocato. Sir A. lio ikia r.-;uv-< mod Lieutenant Martin, th:' no:::mat p:o.-o-cuior. Mr T. lle.ilv. K.C.. an 1 Mr A. Lynei'. K.C.. with Mr J"hn Cc>tollo. ri'piv-o'.ne I the aee;i.-ed. Sir A. n poinv.-i out that tho charge was iv:;_;ht under Soelion or the Anry Act a:.;a;::.-t |vr.-on.s Mi'ojeot to military l.r.v tising traitorous and di.-loval vvnvd- regarding the sevorei.cn making them h.iMe to tiial i-v rouilmartial. The in. ident o-euiTo.l at the International Hotel. Killarney. on Oftoher Iv'th. i:i the prcsetue n! Ine'itenajit Ch.i:i'.l>crs. of the Iviutfs Livorjtonl I're'inont. and Captain Clarke, of tho l?ovjd Naval Jse.-erve, with his u il'o and others. Mr llealv said tliat. as ono who-e rehvtives had fallen in company with Australians, he felt it an honour to apnenr before a Coun enTv.nosed of Australian oflirers. lie re.-retted that ilu» ease illustrated the English oflietTs' treatment of men who had crossed the ocean. Mr Heniv ronnhjined of Father O'Donnoll's treatv.'.ent. lie had been sent to prison, treated as a felon, and cast into the tr: I '"tor's cell in the Tower of London. Father o'T>n:inoll hoped U:at his vindication would prove that a man could !>e a good Irishman and a good Australian. A witness testified to Father O'Dounell's sohriotv Tho Judge Advocate remarked that there was no direct evidence that Father O'Donnell was under the influence of lio.uor. Mr Ilealy pointed out that, this had be en suggested, and was an important matter in view of Father O'Donnell's priesthood. Sir A. llndkin. proceeding, said that Father O'Donnell was wearing uniform at the time his alleged statement, was made. He spoke in a loud voice. Lieutenant Chambers approached Father O'Donnell. and asked him to speak quietly. Father O'Donnell excitedly replied, "What damned business is it of votirsr" Captain Clark. 11.N.R.. stated that Father O'Donnell's conversation was of a political character, and amounted to a tirade against the British Government and hatred against the King. Captain Clarke also asked Father O'Donnell to speak quietly, but ho replied, ".Mind your own damned business I'' Lieutenant Chambers on tho following day reported the matter to his superior otficer, and submitted notes of the conversation which ho hastily took as lie listened. Sir A. Ilodkin uiid that Father ODonnell's connexion with tho Australian Arni3* made it clear that ho was heart and soul with Britain against Germany, but his private feelings regarding Ireland appeared to allow him to indulgo in language of an improper character under improper circumstances. If tho words were uttered, Father O'Donnell should not bo allowed to wear His Majesty's uniform. Lieutenant Chambers, in his evidence, quoted the notes he had taken, alleging that Father O'Donnell said, among other things, ''The J loyal Family is of no use to this or any otner country. Tho time is coming, and that very soon, when Ireland will strike out for" herself, to gain that glorious independence so long dear to every patriot heart. I will then como over and help tho people in thoir struggle against tho tyrannical British Government. Wo Australians fought for tho independence and rights of self-govern-ment which aro being denied to the finest and oldest little country in the world by a few satellites of King George, who aro filling their _ pockets and whoso hands nro red with the blood of Irish patriots." Lieutenant Chambers, continuing, quoted a further conversation with reference to tho Sinn Fein movement, which the accused <said was growing in Australia, and to tho British railway strike. Mr Hcaly closelv cross-examined tho witness, who admitted that ho had entered tho notes in the sequence in which they hnd been spoken. He did not profess that ho took words down from tho accuscd's lips. Mr Hcaly asked: "Then the phraso '.Satellites of King George,' might havo been satellites of Lloyd George ?" Witness replied: "There is no such impression in my mind. I could not l»o mistaken." _ Mr Hcaly: "Then Father 0 Donnell deliberately insulted his Majesty. Was ho drunk or under tho influence of drinlt?'* "Witness: "Absolutely sober." Mr Hcaly: "Did ,vou not say to tho manageress of tho hotel that. he was three-parts drunk?" Witness: "No." Witness agreed' that Fatfior defamed his Majesty, disgraced his uniform, and disgraced the great Australian Imperial Force, "of which wo all were proud." Ho was shocked and astounded at Father O'Donnell's language. Mr Healy: all you said was, 'Speak quietly. You are interrupting our conversation.' " Witness said that ho was not awaro that Marsh, with whom Father O'Donnell was conversing, was a Belfast loyalist. Mr J. S. Waddell, who sat at tho same table with Clnmbers, Ir.rpelv confirmed his evidence, and added "that Father O'Donnell said that he did not enter the war in behalf of Britain, hut that lie was out for the rights of small nationalities. Witness did not seo Chambers using his notebook during tho dinner. Mr Healv, in opening for the defenco, said that "Licntennnt Chambers had jumped to the conclusion that Feather O'Donnell was a Sinn Feiner. Father O'Donnell scornfully repudiated the charges made. ITo had not como to tho Court to vindicate his own honour, but to "tear aside tho veil of hypocrisy and terror which hides tho conduct of the Irish Administration." During Mr Healy's Bpeech Father O'Donnell wept. FA recent message stated that Father O'Donnell was acquitted.]