PRISON AGAIN

Southland Times, Issue 18945, 19 May 1923, Page 5

PRISON AGAIN

O’BRIEN’S RE-ARREST ACCUSED TAKEN BY SURPRISE SERIOUS CHARGES PENDING. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association;) LONDON, May 17. Art O’Brien had six minutes freedom when discharged. He kissed his sister and shook hands with the Governor of Brixton gaol. O’Brien told a pressman that he wanted to go into the country to see his mother and have a long rest. Meanwhile the police shouldered a way for O’Brien and his sister through the crowd. Congratulatory friends, some of whom were women, tried to kiss O’Brien. Another seized his hand and pressed it to her lips. Finally O’Brien and his sister reached a motor car. As they did so the signal was given to a number of plain clothes detectives, who ran towards the car. As it began to move a detective jumped on board, opened the car door and disappeared inside. Two others called on the driver to stop. The driver, taken by surprise, was unable to make up his mind. Meanwhile inside O'Brien indignantly remonstrated with the detective and his sister sat back dazed. The driver was persuaded to go to Bow Street, where the iron gate again closed on O’Brien. In court, counsel for the Crown said the most serious evidence would be brought against O’Brein, which had been discovered in documents in O’Brien’s possession when arrested for deportation. Counsil , added that it was highly probably to-day s proceedings would have been taken before if O’Brien had not been deported. PROCEEDINGS AGAINST MINISTER. FALSE IMPRISONMENT AND ILLEGAL ARREST. LONDON, May 17.

A High Court Judge, sitting in Chambers to-day, refused O’Brien’s application for bail. O’Brien intends to appeal to the Divisional Court.

Mr Bridgeman stated in the House of Commons that proceedings were being taken against him by O’Brien and O’Hara, the former for damages for false'imprisonment and costs and the latter for illegal arrest, false imprisonment and treble costs. Mr MacDonald will move the rejection of the Indemnity Bill on the second reading. RETURN OF DEPORTEES. PRECAUTIONS AGAINST DEMONSTRATIONS. LONDON, May 17. A hundred deportees who had been confined in Mountjoy were returned to England to-day. The route from the prison to the steamer was patrolled by armoured cars. The authorities kept their departure a close secret so there was no. public demonstration. The deportees had a heavy armed escort and marched silently through the empty streets. Women driven in motor tenders cheered shrilly and sang the soldiers’ song. They broke into a renewed song as the steamer sailed. They will be despatched to their respective destinations at Holyhead. ALLEGATIONS AGAINST PRISON OFFICIALS LONDON, May 17. There were wild scenes of enthusiasm at Euston Station upon the arrival of 40 deportees, including women. The crowd of Irish sympathisers waved the republican flag. They forced the platform barriers and mounted the train footboard as it steamed in. Councillor Prucell, one of the deportees stated that he understood that only 10 deportees would be proceeded against. The deportees, owing to their bad treatment at Mountjoy Prison, had tried to telegraph protests to Mr Bridgeman, but the wording had been interfered with; also their letters and food parcels. He had proof that some of the deportees had been taken to the basement and beaten with rifle butts. One was put against a wall and kept hanging by his hands seven feet from the ground for two hours. He was taken down and kept handcuffed for three days. Mr Purcell said, he himself suffered from lumbago and was refused extra blankets and medical treatment. Another deportee contracted German measles, but was forced to mix with other internees. The armed guards were hostile and impertinent and threatened them with revolvers on the slightest provocation. INDEMNITY BILL INTRODUCED LIBERAL AMENDMENTS LONDON, May 17. The Right Hon. Stanley Baldwin, in the House of Commons, introduced the Restoration of Order in Ireland and Indemnity Bill, 1923, which stipulates that no action, other than legal proceedings, whether civil or criminal, shall be instigated in any Court of law against any person in respect of the issue of any order under the Restoration of Order in Ireland Act, 1920, before the passage of the Indemnity Act, but any such proceedings, either before or after, shall \ be discharged and made void. Two amendments were submitted. The first was by Captain Wedgewood Benn, who moved the rejection of the measure, and the second by Mr Simpson, which refused assent unless adequate compensation was given to the deportees. It is understood that the Government will introduce a Bill later giving the Home Secretary power to detain suspected persons without bringing them to trial cn a definite charge. This provision was omitted from the Indemnity Bill in order to get the latter passed without delay.

IRISH ENVOYS DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS SYDNEY, May 18. Received May 19, 12.50 a.m.) The Irish envoys appeared before the special court to answer a charge why they should not be deported. Counsel for defendants argued that the court had no jurisdiction and no power to deport British subjects with passports from one Dominion to another. The hearing was adjourned till next week.