Irish Military Courts

Irish Military Courts

The Galway Observer, 30th September, 1922

Steps to secure the public — ministry's plans — powers for dealing with present position The government has sanctioned the setting up of Military Courts or Committees to deal with persons charged with interfering with the restoration of order or endangering the public safety.

Every such Tribunal is to include one member certified by the Law Officer to be a person of legal knowledge and experience.

The offences which these courts are to try include attacks on the National forces, arson, looting, destruction, and possession of arms, ammunition or certain explosives, without authority.

Tribunal Powers

There courts are empowered to inflict the death penalty in extreme cases. The punishment in other instances is cited as imprisonment or a fine, with or without authority imprisonment.

Dail Eireann Approves of Government Motion

There was a long discussion at Dail Eireann on Wednesday on the Government motion authorising the creation of Military Courts, and investing the Army with other powers to deal with the present situation.

The motion, on a division, was approved of in principle.

Vigorous speeches were delivered by members of the Ministry. President Cosgrave declared that if murderous attacks took place, those participating in them must learn that they would have to pay the penalty.

Mr Desmond Fitzgerald, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the reign of law was going to be enforced.

Dealing with a suggestion by Mr Fitzgibbon, K.C., the President said that neither he nor the Minister of Defence would object, in cases where the death penalty was imposed, to having the papers laid on the table of the House, the sentence to take effect within four days unless the Dail passed a resolution disallowing it.