FATHER O’DONNELL.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3324, 31 October 1919, Page 5

FATHER O ’DONNELL.

S'I‘ATE=MENT OF HIS CASE.

LONDON, Oct. 294

Father 0 ’Donnell, intervelwed by"the Allstl'alian Press Association, detailed his movements in Ireland" prior to his a,n-est. He said he discoverecl he was being followed, and decl-ared that he would be pleased to repeat evreything he said in the King-’s and Mr -Lloyd G'corge’s presence. When an -offieer came up and asked me not to talk so loudly, I explained that tlle'o’ther man was deaf, and told the officer to mind his own business: The charge made when I was imprisoned at Dublin Castle was contrary to niilitxaty law, inasmuch that it did not specify the exact» act with which I was charged. I was confined in a filthy cell attached to Dublin Castle. There was no fire, and only a few dirty blankets, -and I was not permitted to communicate with friends. Two days later the Irish Times, the ofiieiaT organ of the Government, announced that I had been arrestetl under a misunderstanding, but released next day. The Irish Times stat.ed that I was boring immediately d'ep'orted to Australia. My legsal advisers took action in the High ‘Court, Dublin, with the result that an Australian escort brought me to London.‘ I was amazed to find myself imprisoned in the Tower. This morning I was taken to the Australian In'ilitary heaclquarters, where I was placed under open arrest. After my endeavours in the interests of Aus tralia during the war, every fair-mind-ed person will be convinced That I am not a traitor, but ‘I feel sure every lihel'ty—Lovin,g All.-s*t'lla.lian will regret that after a war fought for the liberty of peoples, great and small, that the land of my forefathers is to-day snfi’ering under militzary despotism.