THE O’DONNELL CASE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15971, 13 November 1919, Page 2

THE O’DONNELL CASE.

SWORN STATEMENT BY ACCUSED

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association

LONDON, November 12.

The preliminary inquiry in the O’Donnell case has concluded, the prosecution offering further witnesses. Captain Clarke, principal officer of the Board of Trade in Ireland, stated that he overheard Father O’Donnell holding conversation at a Kiilarney hotel. It seemed to be a tirade against the King and the country, but he only heard occasional words.

O’Donnell, in a sworn statement, described the part he had taken in the war. He explained that he visited Ireland to consult a specialist and to meet friends. He did not participate in any disloyal meeting and denied that he made disloyal references. He said be had expressed the belief that His Majesty’s influence had settled the railways strike, and admitted that he had condemned Mr Lloyd George in reference to his attitude in relation to Ireland and other Imperial and local questions. He offered to produce several witnesses in support of his statement. O’Donnell appealed to the Australian authorities to ensure his protection, vindication, and reparation. He recognised ho had not a right to demand a court-martial, hut appealed to the authorities that his case be sent to trial, claiming that it was a case contemplated in the King’s Regulations, in which it was imperative that the whole truth should be known to the authorities considering the evidence.