TRIAL OF COMMANDANT CRONIN

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 21051, 30 December 1933, Page 11

TRIAL OF COMMANDANT CRONIN

CHARGES AGAINST POLICE LONDON, December 23. Mr McGuckin, Commandant Cronin's counsel, at the resumption of the trial, declared that the prosecution had sinisterly omitted the charge against Commandant Cronin of possession of ammunition and replaced it with the fantastic charge of sedition because those in charge of the investigation knew that Commandant Cronin's declaration that the ammunition was not there half an hour before the raid was true. The prosecution was venting political spleen on a gentleman whose honour was known.

He added that the allegation of membership of unlawful associations failed because the National Guard was dissolved in October, while the Young Ireland Movement, had not been banned until three days after the arrest.

Commandant Cronin, in evidence, said he saw no ammunition in the offices before the raid. He told Sergeant Hughes, "I believe you or an ngent placed it there," and added, "1 protested that a detective was exposing a revolver, as though a gun ;ilso was going to be 'planked.'"

Shirt Forcibly Removed,

He added, "While in prison the Governor and two or three military police came to the cell and said they had orders to collect my blue shirt. I replied that they must take it forcibly, whereupon the police, alter a strugglei on the floor in which one knelt on my chest and another on my knees, tore off all my clothes, including two shirts. I was severely bruised, and had to see a doctor. I hunger-struck for two days, but desisted when the charge was preferred."

Cross-examined, Commandant: Cronin denied writing a letter declaring that the ban on the National Guard should not be a deterrent or denying that his activities were seditious on the ground that the ban was unjustified and it was the duty of the people to resist and denounce tyranny whether committed by ths Government or the mob.