1 NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE COMMISSION (IRELAND), PEMBROKE HOUSE, UPPER MOUNT STREET, DUBLIN. 18th May, 1916. My dearest May, I intended writing to you yesterday but I couldn't
manage even five minutes all the morning and as the post still
closes at 3 p.m. it was too late when I managed to have you
a few minutes to myself in the evening. John FitzGerald was in
the office yesterday for a while recounting his experiences in prison. The
only charge against him was that he 'spoke Irish continually in his home
and played Irish and German music on his piano' and his neighbour,
a man named Casey over 50 years of age, was charged that 'between
the 22nd April and 1st May he was seen speaking to people who were
believed to be Sinn Feiners'. Absolutely nothing else on the charge sheet of
either party and although they were kept in prison for five days, they were
never examined or called upon to answer any charge whatsoever. Both
were released on Tuesday morning. They slept 25 in one room on the floor
with one blanket each and neither chair, table, pillow, knife, fork, spoon
or 2 or any other means of making themselves clean or comfortable. When they
wanted to sit down they could sit on their pug He tells me also
that there were 7 men in all shot without trial in Portobello Barracks,
that is Sheehy—Skeffington and 6 others and that Skeffington was not shot by
a firing party but by a Captain Colthurst (one of the Coltshurts of Cork)
by his own hand with a revolver. I haven't seen any news of the
Casement trial worth relating. Up to the present the only evidence produced
was the usual tall yarns about his founding an Irish Brigade in Germany
and his landing at Ardfert. About Father Moran, I will write to him to day asking
him to do the job for us. Why do you hope it will go off all
right. I'm quite sure now that we will be all right after all the dangers
and troubles we have all been through and I am trusting therefore in
God's goodness that for some reason or another I have been thought worthy to
be married to you. We were all delighted to hear about Johnnie's journey and
hope that his troubles are now over. Glad to hear that you are all
busy with the spuds. This weather is grand for all the spring work. How did
you manage to get the pains in your legs. Aren't you very silly to be running
the risk of getting your death of cold. I'll have to take better care of you
than you do yourself when I get possession of you. No news otherwise
except that we are nearly evicted out of house and home these days with the
painters. Regards to all and with fondest and dearest love to my dear & darling. Ever your loving James.