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Marchhouse Ballymore Co.Donegal 31 May 1916. Dear Miss Griffin I have had the
statement you sent me with
regard to Mr.Desmond Fitzgerald. The sentence in his case
certainly seems to be very severe.
I am afraid there is not
much chance of getting such
sentences revised just at present
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while Martial Law is still in
force & feeling is still naturally
strong against the rebels. But a little later on
we may be able to do something
at any rate on behalf of those
who did not take an active
part in the insurrection. Anyway I'll keep the matter
in mind & consult with my
colleagues on my return to London
early next month (June). My then Mrs .Law
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desires to be remembered to you. All the children as well,
including our boy who has been
at the French front for nearly a
year with the Irish Guards. Very sincerely yours Hugh A.Law
A letter from Hugh Law (1872-1943) to a Miss Griffin. Law is responding to a letter
written by a Miss Griffin on behalf of Desmond Fitzgerald (1888-1947). Mr. Law agrees
that Fitzgerald's sentence is very severe but that there is very little chance of
getting sentences revised yet. He does think that later it should be possible to do
something - at least for those who hadn't taken an active part. He will discuss it
with his colleagues in London next month. He concludes by mentioning that all of his
children are well, including his son who has spent nearly a year on the French front.Hugh
Law was an Irish nationalist MP representing County Donegal in the British House of
Commons from 1902 to 1918, and subsequently served as a TD in Dáil Éireann. Desmond
Fitzgerald had served in the GPO during the Easter Rising, being placed in charge
of the garrison's food supply. He initially escaped arrest after the Rising but was
soon rounded up and imprisoned in Mountjoy, Dartmoor, Maidstone, Lewes and Portland.