THE IRISH REBELLION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 54, 7 June 1916, Page 6

THE IRISH REBELLION.

SKEFFiN CTCm’S DEATH. s*«'r' , : T!»bni’ l.arrjL'Jj: /wu EVrOENCE AT THE ENQUIUViiT A CCLD-ffLOODEIJ ACTION. SENSATIONS IN COURT. ; l*E8«» An«OO r -ATION.] (Received 1.4 b p.m.) London, June 6. At the court-martial on Captain CoMirUrstV who is charged with the murder 4pf, Skeffiugton, ‘ Sir Rickson Mclptyre, for the prosecution, i said - tjt,at view;; of. the evidence, he verdict.,of murder. Ac-cused-s, stationed; at, Barracks. Tlireernen ; „wers 4 :brought in. on the evening of the 25th, and next morning Coithurst remarked; “1« am taking three prisoners odts'ol the guard room and goipg^tdisjhoot them.” The guardroom orderly reported the matter to the Adjutant-General, who sent a message to C'olthorst. The men, however, had already been taken to the yard and plasced twelve feet from the walk Coithurst formed a firing party of seven' soldiers and ordered them-to fire. ■ ■ At this stage, Mrs Skeffington, who was present - in ebrffi, broke down, and accused hung bis head and turned

awa;/f V •■t,,-- 1 CoUnsel,|or the prosecution continued: Cblthurst* later explained that he wished .to ■ prevent Skeffington’s escape'or rescue. Lieutenant Dobbin, of the Irish Rifles, gave evidence that he heard the firing and went to the yard where he found three men C-n the ground, and noticed a moVijment in Skeffington’s body. He sent a message to accused, and the reply came back ’: “Shoot again I”

This caused a sensation in the Court, and women shrieked, notably Mrs Skeffingiqhj/arid'acoixsefl hid his fate. Lieutenant Dobbin added: Accused seemed very excited: Majifr’Roxburgh gave evidence that Colthursb gaid he- shot the prisoners and expected He would get into trouble, and phssiblv- Would hang for it.