Frongoch Amnesty - 117 from Athenry and Oranmore

Food shortages in East Galway

‘AMNESTY

Sinn Fein Prisoners Released.

Large Numbers from Galway and the West.

Some Experiences of Prison Camp.

One hundred and forty-six Irish prisoners who had been detained Frongoch Prison Camp, Wales, were released on Friday evening.  The majority of them were very cheerful, and made no complaints about the hardships they had undergone.  Numbers of relatives kept an all night vigil at the North Wall and Westland row to welcome back the men.  They bore testimony to the ability and kindliness of the Prison Camp Medical Officer, Dr. Peters, who had committed suicide by drowning himself.

They also spoke highly of the Prison Camp Adjutant, who shook hands with several of them when bidding good-bye, and wished a “Happy Christmas.”

Many graphic tales were told by the released men about life and incidents at Frongoch for the last six months.  The spectacle in the early morning, with wind and rain following frost, was pathetic.  Ladies with umbrellas, sisters and brothers, fathers and mothers, these constituted the lonely groups standing outside the gates of L. and N. W. Railway, greeting their friends as they passed through the portals.  There was no demonstration, and just a quiet family meeting in every instance.

There were 146 in all released. Of these 117 came from Athenry and Oranmore.’

From Galway Express, 30 December 2016

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‘Resolution passed by the Mountbellew Rural District Council drawing the attention of His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant and the Chief Secretary to the exports of food stuffs from Ireland, and hoping they would see their way to take efficient steps to prevent a scarcity of food occurring later on.

Adopted unanimously.’

[Tuam Rural District Council Minutes, (30.12.16), GO/I/II/15, p. 555]

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