THE McSWEENEY CASE.

Northern Advocate, 27 August 1920, Page 5

THE McSWEENEY CASE.

NO VARIATION POSSIBLE

LLOYD GEORGE STRICTURES,

(Received 8 a.m.)

LONDON, Aug. 25,

Replying to an appeal from the sister of the Lord Mayor of Cork, asking for his release and stating that if he is allowed to die his relations aud the people of Ireland will hold the Government responsible for murder, Mr. Lloyd George telegraphed expressing profound regret for the pain inflicted on the sister by the brother's declaratioon to starve himself, but it was impossible for, the Government to make any exception in his case. If the Government did so it would break down administration of the law, as all prisoners would claim the same privi lege

The Prime Minister also issued a statement emphasising the foregoing views and pointing out that the recent release of hunger-strikers in Ireland was followed by an outburst of cruel murder and outrage, without a protest from the political organisation to which the Lord Mayor belonged. The Prime Minister declares that the very crime on which Mr. McSweeney was convicted indicated that, he was concerned in a conspiracy against the Constabulary, whom it was the first duty of the Government to protect. Mr. Lloyd George concludes: "Every invitation to the Irish Nationalists to discuss a peaceable settlement has been spurned, and the Government's latest offer made at the date of Parliament's adjournment was scornfully rejected. Wo are driven to fight against the claim for the complete secession of Ireland from the Empire. This claim we can never recognise. ' "—United" Service.