McSWINEY, DEAD.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 October 1920, Page 5

McSWINEY, DEAD.

M3NG HUNGER-STRIKE*.. S8 SgOD FOB j[4 DAYS, Received Oct. 25, 11.40 J.ifl, London, Oct. 25. McSwiney died this morning.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assn.

Alderman McSwiney, Lord Mayor ot Cork, waa arrested on August 12, and Immediately went on lunger-strike, for when he appeared before a court-martial four days later he was described as "looking ill owing to Ms having been hunger-striking." Assuming that McSwiney actually commenced - this fast on August 12, he has been hunger-striking for 74 days. On August 12 a military party raided the Cork City Hall during ithe sitting of a Sinn Fein Court and arrested 11 persons, including the Lord Mayor of Cork, other justices, and the litigants. McSwiney was brought before a courtmartial and charged Troth having made a seditious spoeoh, and having In his £os-' session tie police cypher code, and also documents whose publication -was calculated to cause disaffection, McSwiney •aidi "As Lord Mayor and Chief Magistrate, 1 declare this Court illegal and those participating liable to arrest under the Irish Republican laws." He was found guilty, sentence being deferred. McSwiney's case has baffled the doctow, who declared it wouH be impossible for him to survive mora than 40 days; in fact, medical opinion has remained sceptical, believing that McSwiney was taking nourishment secretly. Lately his condition has gradually become worse, and Us death was expected. Many grave threats have been I made as to •what would happen should McSwiney die, so that the schemes of the terrorists of Ireland will be watched with unusual interest in the future, McSwiney was brigadier of an organisation actively concerned Tii the murder of 80 Irish police, many of whom were ex-soldiers. The Government had positive proof that the brigade of the Republican Army, to which MoSwiney was attached, was concerned in these murders, and paper* signed by bis comjmandanw had come into the hand's of the Government. I McSwiney'a predecessor was murdered j because he would Sot fall in with the plana of this gang.