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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