WHEN IRELAND WAS ATTACKED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 39, 15 February 1941, Page 18

WHEN IRELAND WAS ATTACKED

IN these days when Hitler Is threatening an invasion that will "seal the fate of the world for a thousand years," study of a map, showing the localities of former landings of foreign troops in the British Isles, is of special interest, says a writer in the Melbourne "Age." Dating back to the days of Caesar, the study reveals no fewer than sixty points of attack, in which French, Germans, Danes, Dutch, Spaniards, and Italians have played a part. Few stretches of the irregular coastline of the islands have been free from invasion at one stage or another, with special attention bestowed on regions to the east, south-east, and south of England, which today are an armed camp awaiting any onslaught that may come.

Since the last assault 142 years have elapsed, and the present precautions contemplate the possibility that the scene of that ill-fated venture—the north-west coast of Ireland—may be one of the points chosen for the swoop that is now awaited. The spirit of rebellion was abroad in Ireland, and in the desperate proceedings of the tjnie, figured two names that will live in history—James Napper Tandy and Theobald Wolfe Tone.

His revolutionary ideas having brought him into conflict with the Government, Napper Tandy, Dublin draper and patriot, fled to America In 1798 he went to Paris, and with other refugees planned an invasion of Ireland. They were assisted by the French, and landed in September, but the seizure of a local post office was the main achievement. Tandy was sentenced to death, but at the intervention of Bonaparte he was allowed to escape to France. His name will be remembered as long as "The Wearing of the Green" is sung—

I met with Napper Tandy, And ho took me by the hand; Says he. "How Is ould Ireland, And how does she stand?"

"She's the most distressful country That aver yet was seen, For they're hanging men and women there For the wearing of the green."

At this time, Wolfe Tone, lawyer and active political controversialist, was across the English Channel at Brest, desperate at the way affairs in Ireland were being handled. He, too, had collaborated in the French plans for an invasion of Ireland, and in September, 1798, he joined a force pi ten

ships, carrying 3000 men, under General Hardy. The elements, however, scattered the fleet) and when> on Oc . tober 10> Hardy and Tone reached Lough SwiUyj only four sMpR re . mainecL News o f their presence was signalled up and down coast> and next morning six ships of c lin6i under Admira] Warren( were down on them ThQ Hoche> with Hardy and Tone aboard> was surrounded by four ghips> Her masts> riggin^ and mdder were destroyed) and with the cock its full of WOU nded and five feet rf watef hef hold> she became a dismantled wretk< Tone commanded g battery and fought desperat eiy. A \ length c ship struck) and Tone> with others> was captured . A few daya after landing he was recognised) im . mediately arrested as a felon, and sent, fettered on horseback; under escort to Dublin. Tried by court martial instead of in the civil jurisdiction, he was sentenced to be hanged in forty-eight hours, despite his appeal to be shot as a soldier.

The trial aroused the public sense of justice, and when the noted lawyer and orator, Curran, applied to Chief Justice Lord Kilwarden for a writ of habeas corpus its preparation was ordered instantly.

Then was recorded one of the most dramatic incidents in British history. "My lord, my client may die while the writ is being prepared," said Curran The sheriff was' directed to proceed to the barracks and see that Tone was not executed. When he returned to the agitated chamber, however, he announced that the military authorites had refused to obey the order of the Court. "Mr. Sheriff," replied the Chief Justice, "proceed to the barracks, arrest the Provost Marshal and Major Sandys, and take Wolfe Tone into your custody."

There was another period of suspense, but not long. Wolfe Tone, said the Sheriff, was now beyond the reach of all human tribunals, civil or military. Rather than submit to the degradation of a felon's death he had committed suicide in his prison cell!

' So died the last of Britain's invaders. The Duke of Wellington said: "Tone organised victory; an incompetent French general contrived defeat" Professor Goldwin Smith said: "Buoyant under misfortune, he was near being as fatal an enemy to England as Hannibal was to. Rome."

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