O'DONNELL COURT-MARTIAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19811, 1 December 1919, Page 3

O'DONNELL COURT-MARTIAL.

REPORT OF THE TRIAL. IipN.DON, Nor. 2(5' (delayed). Colonel J. ?. AFGlinu presided at the court-martial of Cliaplaiu Q’Donnell. The court consisted of five colonels, a major and two captains. Captain .Eastwood, of the Grenadier Guards, acted as Judge-Advocate, and Sir Archibald-Bodkin represented'Lientenant Martin, the nominal prosecutor. -Messrs Ilealy and Lynch. King's Counsel, (frith Mr John Cost olio, represented the accused. Sir A. Bodkin said that Iho charge was brought under Section Ao of the Army Act, against persons subject to military law using traitorous or disloyal words regarding the Sovereign, making them liable to trial by court-martial. The incident occurred at the International Hotel, Killarney, on October TO. in the presence of Lieutenant Chambers, of the King's Liverpool Regiment. and Captain Clarke, ol the Royal Naval Reserve, with his wife and others. Mr TTealy said that as one whose relatives had fallen with the. Australians ho felt it an honour to appear before a court, composed of Australian officers. He regretted that the ease illustrated English officers' treatment of flip men who had crossed the ocean. Mr Healy complained of Father O'.Donnell’s treatment- tie had been sent to prison, treated as a felon and cast into a traitor's cell in the Tower of London. Father O'Donnell hoped that his vindication would prove that a man could be a good .Irishman and a. good Australian. Witnesses would testify lo Father O'Donnell's sobriety.' The Judge-Advocate remarked that there was no direct evidence that Father O'Donnell was under the influence of liquor. Mr Healy pointed out that this had been suggested, and it was an important matter, in view of Father O'Donnell's priesthood. Sir A. Bodkin, proceeding, said that Father O'Donnell was wearing a uniform at. the time his alleged statement was made. He spoke in a loud mice. Lieutenant Chambers approached Father O’Donnell and asked him to speak quietly. Father O'Donnell excitedly replied. “ What damned business is it of ycMi's?" Captain Clarke would state that Father O’DonneU's conversation was of political character and amounted to a tirade against, the British Government, and hatred against the King. Captain Clarke also asked. Father O'Donnell to speak quietly, hut Father O’Donnell replied; “Mind your own damned business." Lieutenant Chambers, on the following day. reported (be matter to bis superior officer and submitted notes of the conversation which he hastily took as he listened. Sir A. Bodkin said that Father O’DonneU's connection with the Australian Army made it clear that he was heart nud soul with Britain against Germany, hut his private feelings regarding Ireland appeared to allow him to indulge in language of an improper character under improper circumstances. If the words were uttered Father O’Donnell should not be allowed to wear his -Majesty’s uniform. Lieutenant Chambers, in evidence quoted the notes he had taken, alleging that; Father O’Donnell said, among other tilings: “'The Royal family is no use to this or any other country. The time is coming, and that v. rv soon, when Ireland will strike out for herself to gain the glorious independence so long dear to every patriot heart. I wilt then comp over and help the people in their struggle against the tyrannical British Government. We Australians fought for independence and the rights of self-government which are being denied lo the finest, oldest little country in the world by a few satellites of King George who are filling their pockets and whose hands are red with the blood of Irish patriots.'’ Lieutenant Chambers, continuing, quoted further conversation with reference to the Sinn Feiu movement growing in Australia and the British railway strike. Air Healy closely cross-examined the witness who admitted that ho entered the notes in the sequence in uhieh they were spoken. He.did not profess that he took tho words down from accused's lips. -Mr Healy: “Then thn phrase ‘satellites of King George’ might, have been ‘ satellites of Lloyd George ’ ?” Witness: There is no such impression in my mind. .1 could not he mistaken. -Mr Healy: “Then Father O’Donnell deliberately insulted his Majesty. AVas he drunk, or under the influence of drink?" AVitness: “He was absolutely sober.’’ Air Healy: “Did you not say to the manageress that be was three parts drunk?’’ AVitness: “ N'o.’’ Witness agreed that Father O'Douuell had defamed his Majesty, disgraced his uniform, and disgraced the great Australian Force of winch w e all were proud. He was shocked and astounded at tlie language, Air Healy: " A'et all yn,, H ,i f | W3S) 'Speak quietly, you are interrupting our conversation.’ ” AVitness said that, he was not aware that Air Afarsh, with whom Father O Donnell wa.s convcrsir was n Bellast loyalist. Air J. S. Waddell, who sal at the same table with Lieutenant ''Fambers, largely confirmed his , ,irleuc° and added that Father O’Donnell said that he did not enter the w- .■ in behalf of Britain, but ho was oil! for tho rights of small nationalities. AVimess- did not see Lieutenant Chambers using a notebook during dinner. Air Healey, in opening the defence, Mid that Lieutenant Chambers had jumped to the conolu-mu that Father 0 Donne 1 was a Sinn Feiner Father < Donnell scornfully repudiated tlie charges made. He had not come to the Court to vindicate his own honour hut to tear aside the, veil „f hypocrisy’ and lenor which hid the conduct of the nsh Administration. During Mr Healy s speech Father O’Donnell went. The Court adjourned . (Fa I imp O'Don. tmlllias since been found not guilt.v).