ARRESTED MAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22475, 20 July 1936, Page 9

ARRESTED MAN

PATIENT IN HOSPITAL CROWD'S ROUGH HANDLING DEFENCE EVIDENCE OFFERED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received July 19, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, July IS George Andrew McMahon, who was arrested after the Hyde ParkCorner incident, is in hospital at Brixton Prison owing to the effects of the crowd's rough handling of him prior to his arrest. He is suffering from head lacerations and bruises and abrasions over the body. The officials decided that McMahon's condition necessitated confinement in a ward instead of a cell. His only visitor yesterday was Mr. Alfred Kerstein, his solicitor. To-day, however, Mrs. McMahon was allowed to visit her husband. His solicitor has received a stream of letters from eye-witnesses offering to give evidence on his behalf. The authorities are completely satisfied that the incident was in no way associated with any organised movement. Under the present charge against McMahon, namely that of " unlawfully having in his possession on July 16 a loaded Chicago Arms Company's revolver with intent to endanger life and property, contrary to Section VII. of the Firearms Act, 1920," the maximum penalty is .'2O years' penal servitude. It is revealed that the police attempted oil Wednesday to get in touch with McMahon. An officer called at his homo at 9 a.m., but ho had already left. The reason for tho visit of the police is not disclosed, but it is believed to have been connected with a communication from McMahon to the Home Office. Special officers searched for McMahon among the crowd at tho Wellington Arch immediately before the incident. The authorities had received letters about McMahon and had been told by Mrs. van der Elst, well-known crusader against capital punishment, that he had a revolver. She said: "I first made contact with McMahon when I was fighting the by-election at Putney. I accepted his offer of motor-cars to use in the election. I met him only casually, but once during the election he became a little obstreperous and was ejected from the committee room."

A Press Association message from Feihling states that McMahon, or Jerome Bannigan, which is said to be his real name, is well known to a resident of that town, who said he had 20 years' personal knowledge of the Bannigan family. They were well-known residents of Cookstown. County Tyrone. The family had been carrying on business in the spirit trade for years, and owned a hotel in Cookstown. They always took a great interest in politics, and were active followers of the late John Pedmond in the activities of the Sinn Fein. Their bouse was always a meeting place of Sinn Feiners, the family being ardent Republicans. Jerome Bannigan, a cousin of the Bannigans in the hotel, was a keen worker for the cause he espoused, said the informant. A member of the Bannigan family had lived for years at Ardboe, on the shores of Lough Neagh, which was the seat of all Sinn Fein agitations, being chosen because of its easy access, and the scope for watching for the approach of the police. "The Bannigans stand with those who are for complete severance of Ireland from Britain," said the Feilding resident. "Jt is sad to note that this happened when Mr. de Valera is working hard for more agreement with Britain. Many Irishmen will dissociate themselves from the happening in London."

POLICE VISIT PARENTS PATHETIC AGED COUPLE DISGRACE KEENLY FELT LONDON. July 17 The police visited the parents of McMahon. His father is almost blind and his mother deaf. The news was kept from her. The father explained that his son suffered a foot affliction from birth and was banned from usual participation in games and normal school activities. " It is a shame that this disgrace should come in the evening of my wife's life." he said. A school friend of the accused said that as a boy McMahon took a great interest in the Irish question. " I consider that lie is too delicately balanced for the strain of London life," he said.

RELIEF ABROAD FINE FRENCH GESTURE ITALIAN VIEW OF EPISODE LONDON, July 17 A message from Paris states that the Chamber of Deputies, all the members standing, resolved to send a message to the House of Commons associating itself with the joy of the British people in the safety of their beloved and respected Sovereign, and adding warm greetings and friendship. The Senate, in sending a message to the House of Lords, is duplicating that of the deputies. Le Petit Journal describes the incident as the stupid gesture of an unbalanced man, perhaps impelled by a morbid desire for publicity. Le Petit Parisien declares it was not an attack but the gcstuic of a madman. The entire French press considers that the reactions show how deeply attached Britain is to her Royal Family. A despatch from Home says II Giornale d'ltalia declares that the act was wic'ked and insane. The Pope sent a message expressing his satisfaction at the King's safety. ASSAULT IN CAFE IRISHMAN INCENSED (Received July 10, 11.25 p.m.) LONDON, July 11) /\n Irishman who knocked down a man in a workmen's cafe at Bournemouth because he said an Irishman had attempted to assassinate the King, was sentenced to two months' imprisonment. He smiled at the magistrates and said: "0.K."