Life in Detention Camps

 

Snippet from the East Galway Democrat 22 July 1916

 

Snippet from the East Galway Democrat 22 July 1916

 

Snippet from the East Galway Democrat 22 July 1916

Home Again – Thirty Galway Prisoners Released

Life in Detention Camps

Although the pleasant sounds of the sickle and mowing machine are hard throughout the land and the scent of new-mown hay gladdens the summer air, many of the Co. Galway boys arrested after the recent Rising still lie in English detention camps.  The process of hearing the appeals of those who claim release is being put through unnecessarily slowly having regard to the large number to be dealt with.  Messers Duffy and Cosgrave M.P.s have been doing everything possible to enlist the aid of those in a position to help the men detained.  Further these two Galway members have frequently visited the detention camps and obtained papers and other comforts for the prisoners.  A general investigation of the claims of the Galway prisoners seeking release was provisionally fixed for Monday last and during the past week the following have been released.

Athenry- Peter Mahon, Newcastle; Patrick Lawless, Attymon; James Kelly, Coldwood; Martin Regency, Cahereerin; John Rooney do; Patk Kennedy, George Fahy, Patrick Forde, Kiltulla.

Ardrahan- Patrick Silver, Rathbane; Michale Silver, do; John Coen, Ballymaguire and Peter Howley

Castlegar- John Ryan, Martin Wall.

Claregalway – Martin Casserly, Kiniska.

Clarenbridge – John Egan, Cove; Goo Felming , Ballinamana, John Brandon, Stradbally

Craughwell – John Fahey, Templemartin

Gort – John Fahy, Lurgan

Kinvara – Patrick Kilkelly, Martin Hynes, Doorus; Patrick Burke, Lougheira; Michael Kilkelly, Wm Quinn.

Loughrea – Bernard Fallon, Moore St.;

Monivea – Michael Nestor, Rockfield; Patrick Donnellan, Newcastle

Oranmore – Michael Walsh, John Wall,

Kilcolgan – Patrick Kelly, Martin Hawkins, Moneymore

Some of the men arrived home quietly on Saturday and others came the early part of this week.  There was no demonstration of any kind, and they went quietly to their homes.  They all appear to agree that recently they were exceedingly well treated.  Others were released earlier.  It is of course an illuminating commentary on the administration of the law in Ireland and incidentally a revelation of how pretty spites were paid off during the recent Rising, that a majority of those arrested took no active part in the rebellion, and remained peaceably in their houses during its progress while a goodly number had no sympathy whatever with the policy that would resort to physical force.

From the Connacht Tribune, 22 July 1916