“POLITICAL SPLEEN”

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18283, 29 December 1933, Page 11

“POLITICAL SPLEEN”

IRISH PROSECUTION CASE AGAINST CRONIN AM MUNITION ‘ 4 PLANTED ’' (Elec. Tol. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Received Dec. 29. 3 p.m.) LONDON, Dee. 28. Mr. McGuckin, Cronin’s counsel, at the resumption of the trial, declared that the. prosecution had sinisterly omitted the charge against Cronin of possessing ammunition, replacing it with a fantastic charge of sedition, because those in charge of the investigation knew that Cronin’s declaration that tlie ammunition was not there half an hour before the raid was true.

The prosecution, be said, was venting political spleen on a gentleman whose honor was known. i He added that the allegation of membership of unlawful associations failed because tho National Guard was dissolved in October, while the Young Ireland Party was not banned until three days after the arrest. Cronin, in evidence, said be saw no ammunition in the offices before the raid. He, told Sergeant Hughes: “I believe that you or your agent placed it there.”

I He added : I protested against a detective exposing a revolver as though the gun also was going to be “planted.’' While be was in prison, the governor and two or three military police came to the cell and said thov bad orders to ■Collect bis blue shirt. “I replied : ‘You must take it forcibly,’ whereupon flic police, after a struggle on the floor, in Which one knelt on my chest and another on my knees, tore off all my clothes, including two shirts. I was severely bruised, necessitating a doctor I liu-nger struck for two days, but desisted when a charge was preferred.” Cross-examined, Cronin denied that a letter declaring that the ban on the National G uard should not. ’ be. a determent to activities was seditious, as tlie ban was unjustified. It was the duty Of tho police to resist and denounce tyranny, whether committed by the Government or a mob.