O’DUFFY ARRESTED

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 73, 19 December 1933, Page 9

O’DUFFY ARRESTED

Wild Scenes in County Mayo BATTLE WITH POLICE Officials Storm Platform CHARGE NOT STATED By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Dublin, December 17. General O'Duffy was arrested when wearing the blue shirt at a political meeting at Westport, County Mayo, after a pitched battle between his supporters and a hundred police. Prior to making -the arrest the police posted a cordon in the adjacent streets. ’ With strong reinforcements within easy call, steel-helmeted and gas-mask-ed soldiers patrolled Westport in lorries. The meeting progressed quiet'y until a cavalcade of 100 men heralded the approach of General O Duffy, whom the police had stopped a mile outside the town.

General O’Duffy, with supporters on horseback, entered Westport by another road. A police cordon again stopped him, declaring that he must not speak wearing such garb. He did not resist, but cheering supporters heaved him shoulder-high, charged the police, who were armed with batons, and rushed him to the platform, knocking down men and women en route. General O’Duffy, amid yells and counter-yells, seized a brief opportunity and shouted: “People of Ireland, be calm! Our cause will go on though I and imprisoned. We shall win.” Meanwhile the police fought their way through the crowd and stormed the platform. General O’Duffy was surrounded by 100 police and soldiers, and was - taken to the police barracks. A rearguard repelled bis would-be rescuers. A strong guard encircled the barracks.

The superintendent of police was unable to state what charge he was preferring against General O’Duffy, who is strongly supported locally. Messrs. Fitzgerald, Kenny, and others attempted to continue the meeting amid uproarious free fights and stampeding horses. The police acted with self-restraint, and no shots were fired. Republicans were scarce. The arrests included John Cintrey, John Kllcoyne (the first Blueshirt gaoled, who was making his first appearance since his release), and Captain O’Sullivan. O’Sullivan is an exassociate of Michael Colling, and followed Kilcoyne’s example by defiantly doffing his overcoat and displaying his blue shirt when speaking prior to General O’Duffy’s arrival. INTERVIEWS FORBIDDEN London, December 17. General O’Duffy’s q,rrest, made under the Public Safety Act, has caused a sensation in political circles in Dublin, who expect that he will be removed to Arbour Hill barracks, where Mr. Cronin awaits trial on December 21. General O’Duffy may spend Christmas in custody, as only two clear days are left for the Military Tribunal to sit before December 25. . Newspaper attempts to interview Hr. de Valera or General O’Duffy regarding the arrest are forbidden. LEGALITY OF ARREST Party to Consider Position (Received December 18, 7 p.m.) London, December 18. Mr. Cosgrave will preside at a meeting of the United Ireland Party today to consider measures for testing the legality of General O’Duffy’s arrest. MR. CRONIN’S TRIAL London, December 16. Mr. Cronin will be charged during the coming week with sedition and with being a member of the banned National Guard. Mr. de Valera has decided not to outlaw the League of Youth until its legality is tested in the High Court. The police have been instructed not to interfere with political meetings if they are orderly, but all Blue Shirt parades, under any name, must be stopped. UNITY AND DISCIPLINE Plea by Mr. de Valera Dublin, December 17. Mr. de Valera, escorted by bands and banner bearers, addressed ten thousand people at Tralee. He pleaded for unity and discipline in Ireland’s economic struggle with England. He also deplored the recent outrages at Kerry, and added that the Ministry was determined to enforce the Government’s authority. There must either be ordered democracy or a dictatorship. The Government, he said, had 99 per cent, of the Republicans behind it Military tribunals were necessary while the stoning of police and the frightening of witnesses prevented the Courts from functioning. Prior to the meeting the Bistowel railway line was damaged, and tele phone and telegraph wires were cut.