PRISON PICNIC

Evening Star, Issue 18336, 25 July 1923, Page 1

PRISON PICNIC

IRISH REBELS’ LETTERS. MALICIOUsIdES REFUTED. Another batch of prisoners’ letters from the various camps (covering the period April-May) provides conclusive proof of the false and’ malicious propaganda ifo-ued by the He Valera agents. Sajtgy of tho letters throw humorous light on the men’s situation, and tho few selected are typical of the batch forwarded;From Jeremiah O’Shea. (Tralee Prison] to Mips : “Wc have a, grand time hero. It is like no prison life, and plenty of company.” From Jack Hrdligan (Costume Barracks, Athlone) to Mrs Halligan ; “Wo have a rigid good time of it hero; wc have n cookhouse at our disposal, and our men cool; for ns: and wo also are allowed all sorts of foodstuffs, and we can have them cooked ourselves. So, you see, wo are not treated ns badly afi some people say.” From Thomas Lee (Gormanstown Camp) to Mrs ,T. Leo; “Yon mention in your loiter asking me did I want anything? I am getting plenty of the best of food, T.G.. and -I may (ell you I am not troubling about peace.” From M. M’Closkoy to James M'Gloekey (Gorm.mslown Camp): “Wc arc able to pass the time wonderfully well; we do have plenty of exercise, and there arc also a number 'of classes. We had a boxing tournament lately. We are -allowed out until 10 p.m., so we act plenty of fresh From E. J. Bofin (Sligo Military Prison) : “We have nothing to complain of; wo are treated very well. Everyone is very nice and kind- in us. Me get plenty to eat and plenty of exercise.” From Joseph Page to Miss : “We are in the best of health, thank God, It is the best, hohdav I ever had in my life, and it costs nothing. 1 can slick this for a life-time.” From Sean Fitzpatrick to Mr Liam Cripps: “1 can tell you they are running the camp in style. A sumptuous, if hurried. repast awaited the weary travellers, and you ma.v be sure we did it justice. Just think of ill A spring bed all to yourself. There is joy even in tho contemplation of it. The grub, I’m told, is good and plenty. There is a four-acre field for recreation and friendly tournaments Football, hurling, etc., are brought oft' each week. . . .” From Dan Keily to -Mrs Timothy Keilv, Banlcer, County Cork: “. . . . Just

a few lines to let you know I am getting on grand. Wc have a spring bed per man, two sheets;, and four blankets, a stove in every hut for the cooking—that is, if you want to make lea or anything. It is the very same as if yon were at home. Yon can have hurling, football, handball, or any game you like, as there is a big field. . . .” From Michael Dwyer to Miss , Cashel: “I am sure that those who arc at homo would have no cause to worry, for this place has indeed surpassed our imagination of what our new destination would bo like. Hurling and football arid a concert Sunday nights. . . .” From Jim Tlopen (Limerick Prison) to Miss ; “We have a great time here. I did not think I would be ever as happy. I get mv breakfast in bed every morning, ami don't get up until about 12 o'clock, I am in a different, ‘wing’ from tho rest of the boys, but I can see them every day. They are all looking fine. M. is very fat .now. I believe he deeps all dav long,” From Denis Glerson to his sister; “Wo are going on very good here. We are short of nothing in the line of enough to cat and drink, and besides wo are getting in things in the lino of tobacco and cigarettes. and we have washing twice a week in a washhouse, and also dried by steam pipes. All here are in good h-callh. We havo great sport here. Wo have, all sorts of music, and a big died to dance in in (he daytime.”

One man writes from Mount joy Military Prison the following protest against the' publication of baseless charges of illtreatment: —“Don’t mind what you sec in the paper? about- the treatment of (prisonore. It’s not the case with me, T Was cover so well fed before. Anyone crumbling about dint here doesn't know what they want. I was not ns well this long time as I am since I came here.” From the same prison another writes : “Wc are in tho hospital every day, and getting lots of feeding—roast beef every day ami tho best of everything else. . . It's a real royal hotel with ns. . . . T forgot to ask the deputy governor to look up the parcel you sent to Portnbello. He is a very nice man ; ns a matter of fact, all that we have come in contact with are a nice lot of fellows.”