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Carlow County - Ireland Genealogical Projects (IGP TM)


Pat Purcell Papers
British Soldier poses as Sinn Feiner
1920

By kind permission of Mr Michael Purcell


Carlow Sentinel.  21st Feb. 1920.

British Soldier poses as Sinn Feiner.

Extraordinary Occurrence in County Carlow.

At a special court in Tullow before Mr P.J. Griffin. J.P. Private Archibold who has a decided English accent, was charged with burglariously entering the house of Mrs Mary Deering, Knockaroo, Rathvilly, with intent to commit a felony.

Mary Deering stated that on Wednesday the 11th February at 12 o' clock, midnight, she was awakened by loud knocking at the door. She did not answer the knock and shortly after she heard a noise in a room. She got up and went to the hall, and on looking into the room saw a man standing in the centre with a lighted match in his hand.

She said “In the name of God what brought you here, or who are you?" at the same time approaching him. He replied "Do you know what Sinn Fein is?" and she told him she did.

He then said " Well I am a Sinn Feiner from Carlow: you house is surrounded by Sinn Feiners : we neither rob or steal, but I want ?7 from you". She told him she had no money and that she gave the last she had in the house, one shilling and six pence to a workman that evening.

He then went to the kitchen, she following him. When they arrived in the kitchen he asked her to light a light, but she told him there was no means of lighting. There was a lamp on the table and when he attempted to light it he failed.

She then lit the lamp and recognised him. He said he would go through the window, as he came in, but she opened the door and let him out. Archibold told the court that he was in a Rathvilly public house that night till 12 o' clock, and was not in Deering's at all.

He was remanded for eight days; he was conveyed to Kilkenny Jail in the evening.

(Note added 2010:-  An order was issued from the local Sinn Fein officer to the Irish Volunteer.
Army  that Private Archibold was to be sought out and shot dead on sight for attempting to besmirch the good name of Sinn Fein and a warning was issued to all agents of the enemy occupier to take heed of this warning forthwith.)

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Transcribed by M. Purcell c2011.
Old newspapers in the PPP.

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