THE CASE OF FATHER O'DONNELL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 37, 7 November 1919, Page 7

THE CASE OF FATHER O'DONNELL

PRELIMINARY INQUIRY OPENED.

(Kec. November 5, 5.5 p.m.) London, November •!. The Australian njilitary authorities have commenced a preliminary inquiry into the O'Donnell case in order to decide whether there- is a case for courtmartial. The latter will lie held forthwith if the authorities consider that tho nvidence justifies proceeding, otherwise Father O'Donnell will be immediately released. The authorities would not countenance father O'Donnell's repatriation before the matter has been fully investigated. It is a serious charge, which must either be substantiated or dismissed.

Tho Australian Press Association understands that the case for tho prosecution is chiefly based on the testimony of three witnesses, one of whom offers apparently .strong, evidence. Tho principal witness has already arrived, and tho others are travelling from Ireland. Father O'Donnell to-day is undergoing examination by the legal adviser, whoso report will be submitted to the authorities: It is likely that Father O'Donnell will decline to speak at the preliminary intiitirv. but will reserve his defence for the court-martial.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PRINCIPAL WITNESS EXAMINED. (Rcc. November 7, 0.20 a.m.) London, November -1. The O'Donnell inquiry was devoted to tho examination of the principal witness, Second-Lieutenant Chambers, of the King's Liverpool Regiment, attached to a depot at Cork. Father -0 Donnoll crossexamined the witness for three hours in a lively manner. Lieutenant Chambers literally repeated the conversation upon which the charge was based, which ho said he took down in shorthand during dinner whilo Father O'Donnell was talking. Father O'Donnell accused the witness of lying. The statements of two further witnesses from Cork are expected tomorrow. when the preliminary investigation ends.—Aus.-N.'Z. Cable Assn. ITho formal charge against Father O'Donnell alleged that he used traitorous and disloyal language when, speaking in the 'presence of a British officer at, ICillarnev. Ho is alleged to have said: "The time is coming, and that very soon, when Ireland will strike out for herself and claim that glorious independence so long dear to every patriot's heart. I shall couie forward to tho help of the people here in their struggle against tho tyrannical English Government. We Australians fought for independence, and the right, of sell-government by small nations. which is denied to tho finest, oldest, little country ill the world by a few servants of King George, who are filling their own pockets at the expense of the working people, and whose hands are red with the bloctf of the Irish patriots. The King and the Royal Family nre not a bit of use to this or I' any other country. J had hopes -that the recent railway strike was tho con--mencemeint of a revolution in England. The King, fearing tho same, commanded Mr. Lloyd George to squash it with a firm hand."!