IRISH BLUE SHIRTS

Hokitika Guardian, 23 August 1933, Page 5

IRISH BLUE SHIRTS

O’DUFFY’S bSifFNCE

MAY BE DECLARED' ILLEGAL.

(United Press Association —By Electrio “ Telegraph—Copyright).

f I LONDON, August 22. General O’Duffy declares that the %- fNational Guard will continue to work j in the open, though j its imenibefs may face imprisonment and every other form of peaisecution in the interests of truth .and individual liberty. It was not illegal for ycitizeils to assemble .peacefully without aims. On the contrary the Constitution guaranteed this fight. Similarly it was not •illegal to march peacefully ,on a public highway. . .•• ~

He feaid the Government’s treatment of the I.R.A, with ..illegal,.amis and rblicly cqnducting unlawful military training, ~' jnarkedy ;>•. contrasted, with the treatment bf> the ; . National

""Ha Guard. • ; •issued an order; prohibiting officers in the Free .State Army Reserve from being Blue'. Shirts.' It ig 'stated that many of General O’Duffy’s .prominent supporters, including Commandant C r onin, the Secretary of the National Guard, belong to the reserve officers. It i* expected that ■ the ' executive council will to-day proclaim the Blue Shirts an; illegal organisation. If so, then uhlefla General- O’Duffy end his colleague* resign, they will’be liable to be'arranged before the Military Tribunal with power > to 'lnflict any sentence,, including death. • General O’Duffy i s now imaking plans to address'branches of'‘ the National Guard in : all pa.rts of the country Guard in .all parts of ■•’the country.