DUBLIN RIOTS AFTERMATH.

North Otago Times, Volume CIII, Issue 13656, 25 August 1916, Page 3

DUBLIN RIOTS AFTERMATH.

SHOOTING OF SINN PEINERB, ROYAL COMMISSION OP ENQUIRY. , OPENED IN DUBLIN.' (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) Received August 24,7.10 p.m. • LONDON, August 24. -. The Royal Commission of Enquiry, constituted of Sir John Simon,.ex-Secr'e-tary-pf State for Home Affairs (chairMr Justice Molony and Mr Denis S. Henry, K.C., to inquire into the cases of Major Skeffington, and Messrs'Dickson and Maclntyre, who, it is alleged, were; shot 'without trial at the time of the,'Sinn Fein revolt, has opened its proceedings in Dublin, The Attorney-General (Sir R E. Smith), in opening the case, said that Captain Golthurst■ ordered', his men to remove hats. He then delivered the. following short prayer in Skeft'ington's presence: "Oh, Lord God, if it please Thee,; take away the life of this man. Forgive him,!'. Then he ordered the men/but to be shot. •Lieutenant Morris testified that an excited crowd followed Skeffington. He arrested Skeffington as a precautionary measure. Lieutenant Wilson stated that when Skeffington was 'brought to the barracks ■his'hands.were tied■ behind his back, Captain Golthurst tired several shots in the air'ovef'llie cronldj aiufthe'n shot:a boy named Corde ; who was. running away after giving an insulting answer. Captain Coltluuat,. questioned,, said he meant to shoot the boy in the legs, "but shot, him in they abdomen. Witness said lie had not mentioned the Corde incident at the court-martial because He was not asked. Sergeant. .Alridge gave evidence that he accompanied the seven men on the morning of the shooting. Captain Colthurst gave directions to fire. The men 1 were neither blindfolded 'nor pinioned. They were given no time to say their prayers. He did not think they knew they.were going to their, death.. None of the prisoners made any protest. ■ ~