The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1917-12-15
Young Irish Prisoners
March Into Court SINGING
Twenty Youths Imprisoned for Two
Months for Drilling-Demand to
Be Treated as Political
Prisoners.
Sing "soIdiers Song" as They Leave
Ooek-laugh at Suggestion Of
Prosecutor to Join His Ma
jesty's Forces.

l NOAAAS
to the dock in column of twos, and the
cheers with which number of women
and girls greeted their appearance
caused the court to be cleared.
The accused were some of the 81
young men arrested at Whitehall,
Rathfarnham, on October IA, and,
after police evidence had been given
as to the alleged drilling, one of them
stated that they did not recognize the
jurisdiction of that court, and claimed
treatment as political prisoners.
The magistrate said he would SEN
| tence each defendant to two months
hard labor, and all additional fault in
default of bail. One of the accused
then announced that they would do no
they find bail. They claimed political
treatment. Mr.. Swifte then said he
would not impose hard labor, and the
| prisoners left the dock for the cells,
singing "The Soldiers Song"
Names of the Accused.
The following are the names of the
| accused who were charged before Mr.
Swifte: Joseph O'Connor, Z Rath.
mines Terrace; Eugene Green, 2 Rath-
mines Terrace; Joseph DAILY, South
Great Georges ST.; James Ryan, 3
Astons Quay; John Ryan, ditto; Mich
olas Alexander, % Amiens St.; Daniel
O'Mahon, 4S High St.; Thomas Bryan,
ii Henrietta ST.; Patrick M'Dowell,
SIS York St.; John Green, SO Martin
ST.; Patrick Whelan, 16 LennoX ST.;
Thomas Mccarthy, Leinster Ave-,
Rathgar; John Mallin, % High Road,
Kilmainham; Joseph O'Curran, 40
South Great Georges ST.; Patrick
Dunphy, % Blackpitts; John Whelan,
16 LennoX ST.; Daniel Harmon, II
Lauderdale Terrace; Joseph Martin,
40 Heytesbury ST.; James Traynor,
Reginald St.; Liam Kavanagh,
Pleasant St.
Mr.. Reardon INSTRUCTED by Mr.. ].
w. Davis) appeared for the prosecu-
ton.
When the cases were called the
sounds of singing were heard coming
from the right of the cells underneath,
and there was a steady tramp on the
stairs. A moment later the defendants
marched into the dock, two by two, in
military fashion. They wore their
caps Girls and women in the gallery
clapped their hands and cheered
Clear the court at once" said the
magistrate.
The prisoners continued to wear
their caps, although directed to re-
move them, but when silence had been
restored in the court, one of the pris-
oners, evidently in authority, called
out, you had better take off your
hats, boys" This order was at once
obeyed
Case for the Crown.
Superintendent Bannon repeated the
evidence which he had given on the
previous hearing.
Inspector M'Caig, examined by Mr..
Reardon, said he proceeded to White.
hall on the 18th of October with
number of police, and going along
laneway towards a field he heard
words of command given, such as
fright forward" left forward" right
turn" rest" On looking through
breach in the hedge he saw about $50
men daughter by some of the ac-
cused) lined up in military formation.
They obeyed a military command Civ
en- by man standing apart.
Encounter With Police.
Inspector Barrett stated that he was
with the Superintendent on this date,
and took part in the capture Of the 81
men. One of them, Mr. Alexander.
asked what they were arrested for,
and witness said illegal drilling An
other prisoner whom he asked whore
he lived said, "Nowhere and every
where" and still another said, Back
to the cells again."
Mr.. Alexander, one of the prisoners,
said they could contradict good deal
of this evidence, but they would not
take the trouble. The magistrate was
perfectly right in suggesting that they
did not recognize the jurisdiction of
that court. 1--WE committed no crime"
he said, eve are guilty of no act of
dishonesty; we have injured no man.
The charge is a political one, and we
claim political treatment"
Mr.. Swifte said the evidence was
perfectly clear, and even if it we're
not no defense had been set up. From
the point of view of the law he thought
the view and the conduct of these
men, to put it mildly, was misguided.
If the idea was to bring about an Irish
Republic they should go about it con-
stitutionally. This drilling could only
have one object, as far as he could
see, and that was at some time to rise
up in arms against the King. If these
men were possessed Of military ardor
there was plenty of opportunity for
them If they joined his Majesty's
forces.
Sentence Reconsidered.
This statement was greeted with de-
risive laughter by the prisoners. and
Mr.. Swifte said that it would be evil
IDENTIFY contrary to the principles of
these men to offer bail or anything of