Letter from James O'Shea to John Grenfell Maxwell, 9 May 1916 Letters 1916-1923 James Canon O'Shea

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This letter was written by Fr James O’Shea (1873 – 1927), to General John Grenfell Maxwell (1859 – 1929). This letter concerns the conduct of Fr Michael Hayes (1873 – 1934), and Fr Thomas Wall (1877 – 1956). According to the letter Maxwell considers both Hayes and Wall a dangerous menace to the peace and safety of the realm. In the letter O'Shea reports that the bishop of Limerick, Edward Thomas O'Dwyer (1842-1917), has been made aware of the complaints but has no right to punish the priests in question except on definite charge supported with evidence. Maxwell had been appointed commander in chief of the British forces in Ireland after the outbreak of the Easter Rising. He arrived in Ireland on Friday 28 April, the fifth day of the insurrection. As acting military governor of Ireland, Maxwell dealt with the rebellion according to his understanding of martial law which had been earlier declared by the Lord Lieutenant.

 Limerick Diocesan Archive LDA/BI/ET/239/1/2, LDA/BI/ET/239/1/2 https://letters1916.ie/item/639 English James Canon O'Shea 1916-05-09 Abbey View, Kilmallock, County Limerick, Ireland John Grenfell Maxwell Irish Command Headquarters, Parkgate, Dublin, Ireland Male Easter Rising Ireland 1916 Faith

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 Abbey View Kilmallock May 9th, 1916 Sir I am directed by the Bishop of Limerick to acknow ledge the request on this receiv ing of your letter of the 6th inst. which has been forwarded to him at the above address. The Bishop desires to point out that the actions which you suggest to him to take towards Rev Father TheWalland Rev Father MichaelHayes would be a very severe punishment which the Bishop has no right to inflict on these priests except on a definite charge supported by evi- dence. If then you are good enough to specify the grounds on which you con- cider their presence in the neighbourhood of Dromcollogher and NewcastleWest is a 'dangerous menace to the peace and safety of the Realm' The Bishop will investigate the matter and inform you of his decision. But whatever may be the rights of the Military authorities acting under martial law, a Bishop in the exercise of his au- thority has to follow the rules of ecclesiastical procedure. I have the honour to be Sir Your obedient servant James Canon O'Shea Pro. Secretary To, To Right Honorable General, Sir J G Maxwell, General Commandant in-chief of the Forces in Ireland. James Canon O'Shea Letter from James O'Shea to John Grenfell Maxwell, 9 May 1916 John Grenfell Maxwell Letter from General John Grenfell Maxwell to Bishop Edward Thomas O'Dwyer, 6 May 1916Letter from James O'Shea to John Grenfell Maxwell, 9 May 1916Letter from General Sir John Grenfell Maxwell to Bishop Edward Thomas O'Dwyer, 12 May 1916Letter from Lord French to Sir John Maxwell, 3 May 1916Letter from Lord Wimborne to Sir John Maxwell, 1 May 1916.Letter from Lord Wimborne to Sir John Maxwell, 1 May 1916Letter from Robert John Lynn to Sir John Maxwell, 2 May 1916Letter from Lord Wimborne to Sir John Maxwell, 3 May 1916Letter from Sir John Maxwell to Lord French, 4 May, 1916Letter from John Dillon to Sir John Maxwell, 8 May 1916.Letter from Sir John Maxwell to Herbert Henry Asquith, 12 May 1916.Letter from Lord French to Sir John Maxwell, 19 May 1916Letter from Sir John Maxwell to Lord French, 16 May 1916Letter from Bishop Edward Thomas O'Dwyer to General John Grenfell Maxwell, 17 May 1916Letter from Lord French to Sir John Maxwell, 29 April 1916Letter from Lord French to Sir John Maxwell, 1 May 1916Letter from Lord Wimborne to Sir John Maxwell, 29 April 1916 Abbey View, Kilmallock, County Limerick, Ireland Letter from James O'Shea to John Grenfell Maxwell, 9 May 1916 Irish Command Headquarters, Parkgate, Dublin, Ireland Letter from Colonel F. M. Taylor to Alderman Thomas Kelly, 13 June 1916Letter from Captain T. C. R. Moore to Alderman Thomas Kelly, 15 July 1916Letter from General John Grenfell Maxwell to Bishop Edward Thomas O'Dwyer, 6 May 1916Letter from James O'Shea to John Grenfell Maxwell, 9 May 1916Letter from General Sir John Grenfell Maxwell to Bishop Edward Thomas O'Dwyer, 12 May 1916Letter from Bishop Edward Thomas O'Dwyer to General John Grenfell Maxwell, 17 May 1916