HIGH TREASON

Nelson Evening Mail, 26 May 1916, Page 5

HIGH TREASON

TRUE BILL RETURNED

<(Ece. May 26, 9.40 ,-a.m.} LONDON, May 25. :':. A special grand jury returned fijrue; bills against Casement and Bailey. THis\ ih the ..third occasion in 7&-< years tJbajL. a grand jury Ite been empannelled t-n. a treason charge, the previous ' bfeing Edwards (Oxford) in 1840, for attenipt-. ing to shoot Queen Victoria, and Colone? Lynch in 1902. ' ' ■■"• '■'>; Lord Reading has assigned counsel': for. defence and fixed the trial for June. \ • "

Mr Arthur Lynch, then known as "Colonel" Lynch, who is a native of Smythesdale, Victoria, was member-elect of the House of Commons for Oalway when he fought on- the side of the Boers as colonel of the Irish Brigade in- the South African War. He was prosecuted on the charge of high treason, and- tried at »the 'King's Bench before tlhe tlien Lord 'Chief Justice, Mr justice' Wills, and Mr Justice Channell. He was sentenced to death on January 23, 1903. The Lord Chief Justice laid down "that it a subject, in time of war, joined the King's enemies, for whatever purpose, that was an act o'f treason." The tence was afterwards commuted to penal servitude for life. He was released M 6ii' license" on January 23, 1904/ ■■ arid ; ;<rty July 9, 1907, he received! a free pardon.. Mr Lynch, who is a physician and,an aiithor. has been M.P. for West Clare, since 1909 " ■'■'.-■ " "..■■;."■' '