SHIRT TORN OFF

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 12140, 30 December 1933, Page 7

SHIRT TORN OFF

CRONIN’S ROUGH TREATMENT IN PRISON SEDITION CHARGE DENIED POLICE ACCUSED OF “PLANTING” AAIMUNFITON (U.P.A. by Elec. Tel Copyright) LONDON, Dec. 28Air AlcGuckin, Cronin’s counsel, at the resumption of the trial,, declared that the ‘prosecution, had sinisterly omVded the charge against Cronin of possessing ammunition, re placing it with a fantastic charge at sedition, because those m charge •of the invest!gabion knew that Orondn’s declaration' that the, ammunition was not there half an hour before the raid was True. The prosecution, he said, was venting political sp'een on a gentleman whose honor was known. He added that the allegation of membership of unlawful associations failed! because the National Guard was dissolved in October, while tho Young Reland Party was not banned until three days after the arrest. Cronin, in evuienco, said be saw no ammunition in 'tlio offices before the raid. He told Sergeant Hughes: “I believe that you or your agent placed it there.” Ho added: I protested agains'L a defective exposing a revolver as though the gun also was going to be "planted ” While lie was in prison, the governor and two or diree military police came to the cell anl said they had orders to> collect his blue shirt. “I replied: ‘You must Like it forcibly’, whereupon khe police, after a struggle 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, necessitating a dotf.or. 1 hunger struck for two days, but desisted) when a charge was preferred” Cross-examined Cronin denied that a letter declaring ' bat 'the bail on the National Guard should not bo a deterrent to aq ivUjes was seditious, as the ban was unjustified. It was the) dit y of the police 1.0 resist and l denounce tyranny, whether com mitt-ed by the Government or a mob-