THE IRISH DEPORTEES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18785, 19 May 1923, Page 5

THE IRISH DEPORTEES

IN JOYFUL MOOD I By Telegraph.—Press Association. i —Copyright. LONDON, May 17. A hundred deportees who had been confined in Mount joy Prison were returned to Engand 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, the women being driven in motor tenders. They cheered shrilly and sang the “Soldiers’ Song.” A WILD WELCOME LONDON, May 17. There were wild scenes of enthusiasm at Huston Station upon the arrival of forty deportees, including women. A crowd ot Irish sympathisers waved the Republican ling, forced the platform barriers, and mounted the train’s footboard. as it steamed in. Councillor Purcell, one of the deportees, stated that he understood that only ten deportees would, be proceeded against. Deportees, owing to their bad treatment at Mountjoy Prison, had tried to telegraph protest to the Secretary for Hume Affairs, the Hon. W. C. Bridgeman, but the wording had been interfered with, also their letters and. food parcels, lie had proof that ’ some of the deportees had been taken i to the basement and beaten with rifle I butts. One was put against the wall land kept hanging by the hands, seven I feet from the gound, for two hours, i and then taken down and kept hand- | cuffed for three days. Mr Purcell said I that he himself suffered from lumba- ! go, and was refused extra blankets or ■ medical treatment. Another deportee contracted German measles, but was forced to mix with other internees. Armed guards were hostile and impertinent, and threatened them with revolvers on the slightest provocation. THE INDEMNITY QUESTION LONDON, May 17. Mr Baldwin introduced in the House of Commons The Bestoration of Order in Ireland Indemnity Bill, 1923, stipulating that no action other than legal proceedings, whether civil or criminal, shall be instituted in any Court of law against any person in respect of any order under The Restoration of Order in Ireland Act, 1920, before the passage of the Indemnity Act, and that any such proceedings either before or after shah be discharged and made void. Two amendments were submitted, the first by Colonel Wedgewood ana ■ Captain Benn, who moved the rejection ! of the Bill, and the second by Messrs | Isaac Foot and J. If. Simpson (all Labour members) refusing assent unless adequate compensation is given to the deportees. Air Ramsay MacDonald will move the rejection of the Indemnity Bill on the second reading. The Right Hon. W. C. Bridgeman, Secretary for Home Affairs, stated in j the House of Commons that proceedings were being taken against him by ■ Messrs O’Brien and O’Hara, the form- ; er for damages for false imprisonment i and ccsto, and the latter for illegal ’ arrest, false imprisonment, and treble : COStS. THE O’BRIEN CASE SERIOUS EVIDENCE ALLEGED. LONDON, May 17. Art O’Brien had six minutes freedom when he was discharged. In Court, counsel for the Crown said 1 that most serious evidence would be I brought against O’Brien, which had been discovered in documents in .O’Brien’s possession when he was arrested for deportation. Counsel added • that it was highly probable that to- ■ day’s proceedings would have been taken before, if O’Brien had not been 1 deported. O’BRIEN APPEALS LONDON, May 17. The High Court Judge, sitting in ' chambers to-day, refused Art. O’Brien’s application for bail. O’Brien intends to appeal to the Divisional Court.