Trial of Captain of Ballina Sinn Fein Volunteers
Thomas Ruane was sentenced to two months for unlawful assembly, for leading a company of men in military formation in Crossmolina on March 3rd. A large number of Sinn Fein supporters sang “A Soldier’s Song” outside the courtroom, and a large force of police and soldiers kept them at bay while the trial was in progress. When asked by the judge if he had any questions, the defendant replied¹ :- I am a soldier of the Irish Republican Army and I cannot put a question in this foreign court. A fire has been lighted that cannot be extinguished no matter what the oppression is used.Read More →