UNREST IN IRELAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17217, 21 January 1918, Page 7

UNREST IN IRELAND

ILLEGAL DRILLING,

DUBLIN, November 9.

The Dublin Southern Police Court today was the scene of a remarkable Sinn Fein demonstration. Twenty of tho thirtyseven young men who had failed to attend tho court on Tuesday in response to a summons charging them with illegal drilling at Whitehall, Rathfarnham, Dublin, were arrested lato last night, and during the early hours of this morning and to-day the police brought them before Mr iSwifte, K.C., in the Southern Court. The building was crowded, most of tho public present being girls and women. When the case was called tho tramp of marching men was heard, and the twenty prisoners, with heads covered, approached the dock in military order, singing " The Soldiers' Song"—a Sinn Fein war song—as they marched. As the prisoners lined up in military order the public in the galleries of the court cheered lustily and shouted, " Up, tho rebels."

The magistrate at this point ordered tho police to clear the court. This done, the prisoners were ordered to remove their hats and caps, but they declined to do so till tbo order was given by one of their own number, when they bared their heads. The young men were all residents of Dublin and its suburbs.

Mr Reardon, who appeared for theCrovyn, said tho defendants were charged with illegal drilling- on October 14 last. Tho offenco was a serious one. and ho might say at once that assemblies of men for the purpose of drilling would not bo tolerated. It would bo idle to expect these men to give an undertaking under a rule of bail not to repeat the offence. If they did so, ho had no doubt it would bo reasonably considered by the authorities. Polico evidence having been given, one of tho prisoners, named Alexander, said they did not recognise the jurisdiction of tho court. "We are guilty of no crime," ho added; "we committed no act of dishonesty; wo have injured no man. The chargo is a political one, and wo claim political treatment." Mr Swiftc said he thought tho view and conduct of these young men was misguided. This drilling could only have ono object, and that was to riso up in arms at somo timo against the King. He would sentenco them to two months' imprisonment with hard labour, and to find bail in £10. or undergo an additional month's imprisonment.

One of the prisoners said they would not. do hard labour or labour of any kind. Mr Swi.fto then said that except for drilling they had not dono anything wrong. He was willing to take it that they wero of good character, and therefore ho would not eay hard labour. Prisoners then left the dock siDging "The Soldiers' Song. , ' —Daily Telegraph.

Tho Mullingar Sinn Feiners havo taken possession of tho National Schools at Castle Pollard as a protest against the continued employment of a teacher, named Mrs Ryan, whoso pro-Ally 6entimonts on tho occasion of the receipt of news of tho drowning of Lord Kitchener caused her to play the "Dead March" in 'Saul" and tho "Marseillaise." This demonstration tho Sinn Feiners resented, and the schools are now in possession of a guard, which js relieved at intervals. The pupils meanwhile arc enjoying a holiday.