IRISH FREE STATE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 21 December 1933, Page 7

IRISH FREE STATE

GENERAL O’DUFFY’S ARREST HABEAS CORPUS WRIT A 1 > PLICA TI ON A DJOURN ED (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—UopyrigUW (Received 21st- December, 9.55 a.m.) LONDON, 20th December. . Despite a protest bv General O’Duffy s bar, including three King's Counsel, the habeas corpus application was adjourned tiii to-morrow. An affidavit by tlie driver of General O’Duffy’s car stated that General O'Duffy and his companions wore overcoats and only small portions of their Blue Shirts were visible. Supporters carried General O’DulTv to tlie platform and clamoured for a speech, and directly he spoke the Superintendent of Police arrested him. He gave no warning that the.meeting was illegal, or had been proclaimed. CHARGE NOT INDICATED PRISONERS ILLEGALLY DETAINED (Received 21st December, 11.35 a.m.) LONDON, 20th December. Mr Costello, for the defence, said the superintendent, though aware of the habeas corpus application, changed the defendants from civil to military custody. “It is a case of arresting first ayd then thinking out, the charge. 1 know of nothing more outrageous.” Mr Justice Johnston : “The complaint is that the charge is not indicated?” Air Gavail Duffy, for the prosecution, said: “1 do not want to occupy time unnecessarily.” Mr Justice Johnston: “My time is of small account compared with the liberty of men. From the material submitted no offence has been committed prinia facie. They are perfectly innocent and illegally detained. I will adjourn the case to enable the superintendent to reply.”