GAS THROWN IN HOUSE
18 months
gaol
(N.Z.P.A. .Reuter —Copyrip hi, LONDON, Feb. 19. A 27-year-old former Dublin University student was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment this week for hurling two canisters of C.S. gas at politicians in the debating chamber of the House of Commons in July last.
James Roche admitted (throwing the gas in protest against its use by British troops in Northern Ireland. A second man, Bowes Egan, aged 29, a journalist, accused of conspiring with Roche, was acquitted. When he threw the gas, Roche is reported to have shouted: “Belfast. See how you like it.”
Members of Parliament ran coughing and spluttering for the exits after the canisters were thrown. Roche’s counsel told the court that his client “didn’t wish to be a martyr and he didn’t wish to be martyred.” He wanted it known that he had apoligised to those concerned in the House of Commons.
The judge told Roche that the six months he had already spent in custody would be deducted from his sentence.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32536, 20 February 1971, Page 22
Word Count
171GAS THROWN IN HOUSE Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32536, 20 February 1971, Page 22
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