O’DONNELL CASE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLV, Issue 10430, 7 November 1919, Page 5

O’DONNELL CASE

THE PRELIMINARIES IS THERE A CASE FOB COURTMARTIAL? By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received November (j, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 4. The Australian military authorities have commenced a preliminary inquiry into tho O’Donnell case in order to decide whether there is a case for the court-martial. The latter will be held forthwith if the authorities consider the evidence justifies proceeding; otherwise Father O’Donnell will be immediately released. Tho authorities would not countenance Father O’Donnell’s repatriation before the matter is fully investigated. The serious charge must be substantiated or dismissed. The Australian Press Association understands that the prosecution’s case is chiefly based car tho testimony of three witnesses, one of whom offers apparently strong evidence. Tiro principal witness has ailready arrived, and others are travelling from Ireland. Father O’Donnell is to-day undergoing an examination by a legal advisor whoso report will be submitted to the authorities. It is likely that Father O'Donnell will decline to sneak at the preliminary inquiry, but will reserve his defence for the court-martial. Father O’Donnell, a chaplain in the Australian Forces, was arrested at Dublin on a charge of using traitorous and disloyal language when speaking in the presence of a British officer at Killarnoy. THE PRINCIPAL WITNESS. A LIVELY CROSS-EXAMINATION. (Received November 7, 12.20 a.m.) LONDON, November 4. Tho O’Donnell inquiry was devoted to the examination of the principal witness, Second-Lieutenant Chambers, of the King’s Liverpool Regiment, who was attached to the depot at Cork. Father O’Donnell cross-examined, the witness for three hours in a lively manner. Chambers literally repeated the conversation which Father O’Donnell is alleged to have used, which ho said ho took down in shorthand during dinner, while Father O’Donnell was talking. ' Father O’Donnell accused the witness of lying. Tho statements of two further witnesses from Cork are expected to-mor-row, when the preliminary investigation will end.