THE IRISH CRISIS.

North Otago Times, Volume CIV, Issue 13657, 28 August 1916, Page 3

THE IRISH CRISIS.

THE TRIAL OF COLTHURST, '.; ■ . ' . • . ADDITIONAL 7 ("Renter's Telegrams.")

■ " LONDON, August 24. At the Sheedy Skeffington Inquiry f the Chairman of the Royal Commission (Sir John Simon) read an unpublished report'by Captain Colthrust after his arrest, wherein lie said he did not think the barracks safe for desperates .like Skeffington, Dickson, and Mclnt/re. He had heard that.' 000 Germans were rtarching on Dublin, and that large forces of rebels were about to attack tHe Portokllo Barracks, Thinking that reinforcements from England would not .arrive, in .time to avert a general masand believing that lie had the ' power under martial law, he had the three prisoners shot, regarding it as a ■terrible'duty. Major Roxborongh, who was in charge of the - Portobello Barracks, gave evidence that he did not. know of the executions until afterwards. Adjutant Morgan stated that, nothing incriminating was found on the prisoners. '.Captain Colthrust's statement to the contrary was untrue. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) Beceivied' August 20, 8.» p.m. LONDON, August 2(1. ilr .Tim Healy, K.C., M.P., in his address .on behalf of Skeffington's relatives, , complained that all the officers concerned had. not been compelled to attend the Commission. The affair was one,if done in Brussels or to British prisoners;"would-bring it into prominThe presence of Lieutenant Doblin «nd\ii- colleagues in the nsaassinaiion was'absolut.ely essential. The officers of the guard were more guilty than 'Colthurst, who 'war a .lunatic. Received August 27, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, August 26. Mrs' Skeffington's sister detailed the efforts made -to obtain information, Colthurst said he knew nothing about Skeffington and he also told Mrs Skeffington that no information was avail

able, and added: "The sooner vou leave the barracks the better." The chairman remarked that it appeared certain that the men were shot simultaneously. Mr..Tim Henly disagreed. He said there was evidence that they were shot separately. Bolnnd, an ex-soldier, gave evidence that»he. heard three volleys. After the second volley lie heard ?oinenne say: "That man' is not dead,'" He then heard another volley. Witness denied that Coade used an epithet to Colthurst, The .latter was annoyed that the boys •weft smoking and said: "Stop smoking that damned cigarette." Colthurst said •Vto aWoidior: "Bash'them,'•' and Goade 'BUuck on the jaw with a rifle butt. WitnflM-§aid;£hVt ; Coa'de' began to run. ilash and Coade foil,