1 'Very Confidential.' Bridge St. Cahirciveen 31/5/16 To the Right Honourable The Under-Secretary Dublin Castle Sir/ The loyal inhabitants of this town are astounded
why 800 military were sent here on 23rd inst. and left
on 27th inst. without arresting any Sinn Féin traitors.
The traitors of this town were the most demonstrative in Kerry,
and this is exemplified by the evidence of Co. Inspector
Hill before the Commission. Though they did not make
any open demonstration against recruiting, they did
everything possible secretly to discourage recruiting,
and for a considerable time past the Recruiting
Sergeant has been unable to obtain any recruits. There was great unrest in this town and neigh-
bourhood on 28th ult. on that night or on the follow-
ing morning the Sinn Feíners intended to cut all the telegraph
wires, tear up the railway line, take possession of the
P. O., and Police Barracks, and if possible blow up the
Cable Stations at Waterville, Valentia, and Ballinskelligs.
Knowing the critical state of affairs the District Inspector
brought a force of military into the town late in the evening
and their presence had the effect of nipping the
insurrection in the bud. For his action on that
occasion he deserves great credit, but his subsequent
conduct does not redound very much to same.
The military were withdrawn on evening of 29thult.,
and on 4th inst., Mr James Leslie of Cahirciveen,
publican and agent for Messrs Guinness's porter
rumoured through the town that none of the Cahirciveen
Sinn Feiners would be arrested as he had squared the
matter with District Inspector Hicks, and subsequent
events have proved this. Mr Leslie is no Sinn Feíner,
but if arrests had been made, there were threats 2
by the Sinn Feíners that as agent for Messrs
Guinness he would be boycotted. Mr Leslie is a man
of influence in the town, though a few years ago he
was imprisoned under the Bankruptcy Laws for fraud. Out of 53 rifles the Sinn Feíners had
parading the streets only 34 were given up to the
police, the National Volunteers have 2 of them, and 17
are unaccounted for. They have also a number of
Colt automatic Pistols, but none of those have
been given up. The loyal inhabitants have lost
all confidence Dist Inspector Hicks and
Head Constable Howe. It is well-known that the
latter had a leniency towards the traitors, and
this is attributed to the fact that his son is
Manager of the Co-operative Store here, and that
he is about to retire shortly having about
39 years' service. The sooner these officers are
transferred the better it will be for the peace
of the district. The following is a list of extreme
Sinn Feíners here: —
Capt. James J OShea (Publican & Shoemaker) Main St. Cahirciveen.
Lieut Jeremiah OReardon (Butcher) Do
Denis J. O'Connell (Publican & M. C. C.) Do
John Reidy (Chemist) Do
Michael Mc Carthy (Publican) Newmarket St. Do
Sergt Major Daniel ODonoghue (Cart Maker) ... Quay St Do
John Kellegher (Tailor) ... Railway St Do
Lieut. John Conway (Shoemaker) ... High St Do
Corporal Patrick Connor (Do) West New St Do
Michael Walsh (Gaelic League Organiser) Carham Road Do
Michael Keating (R. D. C.) Coomduff Do 3 Michael Keating R. D. C. took no part in the parades, but
he delivered strong Sinn Feín speeches at the meetings
of the District Council. O'Reardon & Walsh were organising
in Tralee the week the Germans were expected to land
arms there; and Donoghue was organizing in Castle-
island. Since the insurrection Capt. James J OShea
has named his public-house – 'Liberty Hall.' Most of the
abovenamed were manoeuvring in the Galtee Mountains
last Summer. This treasonable organisation was formed
here in 1913 by a National Teacher named Jeremiah OConnell,
but he was later on prevented from continuing his activities at
the head of same by the Commissioners. The Sinn Feín organization here is looked upon as a
dangerous secret society. It has connection with the A. O. H.
(Irish American Alliance) and Clann-Na-Gael.; and loyalists
are puzzled why arrests were made in Tralee, Killarney,
Dingle, Listowel, and Castleisland, and none in Cahirciveen.
While arms and ammunition are in the possession of the traitors,
the lives of loyalists are not safe.. A District Inspector
and Head Constable who will perform their duties without
fear or favour should be sent here at once. Four traitors
named Daly, Clifford, Connell, & Donoghue from this locality,
some of whome, were only a short time in Dublin before the
rebellion were arrested there and deported to England, and Cornelius
Keating was drowned in the Motor Car accident at Killorghin
Those were not half so extreme as some of the Characters
who are at large here. On the occasion of Cornelius
Keating's funeral here about 100 Sinn Feíners marched in
military order to the place of burial. You can make any use you please of this information
provided my name is not revealed to the District Inspector
here. Mr W. J. Leslie J. P., Railway Hôtel Cahirciveen will
corroborate most of this statement. I am, your obedient Servant T. B. Garvey
R. D. C.