The Gazette 1921-25

The Gazette of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland.

[DECEMBER, 1922

32

Mr. O h-Uadhaigh then complained that, although he repeatedly telephoned to the military authorities, he did not obtain admission to Kilmainham to interview his clients until twenty past twelve next day. When he went to leave the prison and got to the gate he was told that there was no authority to let him leave the prison, although he explained that he was a Solicitor and stated the object of his visit. After some time he was permitted to leave. If members of the profession trying to carry out their duties in serious cases were to be subjected to the farther disadvantage of being detained in military custody at the caprice of any officer, it would make things more difficult than they were already, and he thought, in the interest of the general body, that the profession should stand together in this matter and send in a protest. Mr. JAMES BRADY said that he thought Mr. O h-Uadhaigh's course should have been to bring an action for false arrest and imprisonment, and the whole thing would be threshed out. They knew that those in control had very difficult and arduous tasks to perform, and they were doing their duty to the best of their ability to all concerned. Some better arrangement should be made with regard to allowing Solicitors to interview prisoners, because at present the task was very objectionable. A similar difficulty arose after the rebellion of 1916, and as a result of the action of the Council and an interview with Sir John Maxwell they obtained permits which served their purpose. This matter should now be remedied. Referring to the election of members to the Senate, he was of the opinion that the selections should have been made by a vote of the entire body. Mr. THOMAS R. CRAIG said their Society should insist on their right to interview clients in custody at all times, especially in a matter involving life and death. Mr. T. G. QUIRKE said this matter should be very seriously taken up by the Council. If it had been brought before the Council at the time, representations would have been made with very good effect, as in the time of Sir John Maxwell. This grievance struck at the root of their pro fession. He thought that the matter should

to forget their past differences and, without any sacrifice of principle, agree to work together for their beloved land. He hoped that when his successor was addressing them next May he would be in the happy position of assuring them that many, if not all, of their difficulties had disappeared, and that their profession would be playing a large and honourable part in a new and happier Ireland. Mr. A. D. ORR seconded the adoption of the Report. SIR GEORGE ROCHE congratulated the Council upon their re-election for the coming year. Having regard to the troubled times they had gone through, he thought that the Council had furnished them with a very satisfactory report, which had been wonder fully supplemented by the address of the President. He sincerely trusted that their President would continue to occupy his position on the Council for many years to come. He was glad to see that many of the gentlemen upon the platform represented some of the junior members of the profession. He had heard a complaint from a number of country Solicitors that their interests were not looked after ; but when he was a member of the Council they did as much as possible to further the interests of the country Solicitors, but they found it very difficult to get them to make suggestions as to what they wanted. If they now stated what they required done, he was satisfied that the Council would appreciate any suggestions they made and carry them out. Mr. SEAN Oh-UADHAIGH said that there was a certain disposition in the city to refuse to render the facilities to members of their profession to which they had been accustomed. He might say that he had no personal feeling in the matter, but he would ask, in the interest of the profession, that the Society should take official cognisance of the matter; otherwise it might become a practice. On Wednesday last he had been engaged in an arduous case, which involved the liberties and lives of twelve or thirteen individuals ; he applied for an interview with his clients, who were in military custody, the case bringing into question the validity of military courts.