Sir, - There is something very strange in Sean Mac Connell's report of the discovery of a letter written by Roger Casement from his prison cell to Jack Kelly, a Longford bookmaker (Midlands Report, August 12th).
According to Johnny Kelly, his father was present at Limerick Junction in April 1916 when Casement and his escort of "eight to ten" members of the Royal Irish Constabulary were passing through. For some reason, the "handcuffed" prisoner was being assaulted by his escort, using their fists and rifle butts. The account of this alleged outrage is apparently confirmed in the Casement letter, "which is now being kept in Essex, England".
It was "strange", Casement is reported to have written to Jack Kelly, "that the only kindness I received since my capture was from an Englishman and a Longfordman."
On Good Friday Casement was in custody in Tralee RIC Barracks where he was received with the utmost courtesy by District Inspector Frederick Briton, and by Head Constable John Kearney and other members of the station party. Mrs Kearney provided a meal for the prisoner in her own home. In acknowledgement of their kindness, he presented his pocket watch as a keepsake to Kearney (afterwards returned) and left small gifts for the family and others. The "Chief [sic] Constable of Tralee was v. friendly," he told his counsel, Serjeant A.M. Sullivan, at his trial.
On Kearney's recommendation, District Inspector Britton spared the prisoner the indignity of handcuffs as Casement, with a light escort, made his way on foot to the railway station. Under a gentleman's agreement, he travelled to Dublin without restraint, accompanied by one constable.
During all the time he was in custody, no attempt was made to rescue him, despite the efforts of Dr Michael Shanaghan to spread the news of his capture. The local senior Volunteer officer, Austin Stack, surrendered himself at the barracks and spent the night under the same roof as Casement. (They did not meet.)
As Minister for Home Affairs in the Dail cabinet, Stack directed the organisation of the Irish Republican Police, and opposed the formation of the Civic Guard. Kearney, now District Inspector, Roscommon, was invited by Michael Collins to join the police organising committee, and was appointed a superintendent in the new police.
At the instigation of Stack's supporters among the early membership of the Civic Guard, Kearney was scapegoated as the archtraitor in Casement's arrest, and was drummed out of the Civic Guard. In the Dail, Stack in a disgraceful calumny condemned Kearney as "one of the most vigilant servants the enemy had in this country".
Allowing for Stack's bitterness at the rejection of the undisciplined Republican Police, his attitude to Kearney was inexplicable, unless as a smokescreen for his failure to rescue Casement.
The report of discovery of new evidence in the affair is so much at variance with the truth - see Rene MacColl and B.L. Reid; and in The Kerry Magazine, September 1998, former Chief Supt Donal O'Sullivan, Tralee, who has studied the life and times of J.B.
Kearney - that the provenance of the letter must be challenged. Did your correspondent have an opportunity to inspect the document?
Is the gentle Roger Casement to have no rest at all?
Gregory Allen, Upper Kilmacud Road, Blackrock, Co Dublin.