Letter from Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington to John Dillon, 4 November 1917. Letters 1916-1923 Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington

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A letter written by Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington (1877-1946) to John Dillon (1851-1927). Mrs. Sheehy-Skeffington wants Dillon to press for publication of the evidence. She says that about a third of the property uplifted in the raids on her home by Bowen-Colthurst’s men has been returned and she lists, as best she can, what is still missing. Her solicitor has put in a claim for compensation and there has been a payment which was less than the claim. She comments that all of this is trivial compared with ‘the bigger question’ and asks when the report is likely to be debated (in the House).Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, suffragette, nationalist, language teacher, was the widow of Francis Sheehy-Skeffington (who was summarily executed on 26 April 1916). She was active during the Rising, bringing food to the Volunteers in the G.P.O. and the College of Surgeons. Four days passed before she found out what had happened to her husband and it wasn't until almost two weeks later that the full detail emerged. John Dillon was an Irish Party M.P. in the House of Commons. Dillon issued a speech in the House on 11 May 1916 he strongly condemned the British handling of the Rising which had been put down “with so much blood and so much savagery”, and called for an immediate end to executions. Mr. Dillon assisted Mrs. Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington in her plea for a public inquiry and in various correspondence relating to the incident and raids on her home.

 Trinity College Dublin , Ms. 6837/33/1 https://letters1916.ie/item/1510 English Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington 1916-11-04 43 Moyne Road, Ranelagh, Dublin, Ireland. John Dillon 2 North Gt. Georges Street, Dublin, Ireland. Female Easter Rising Ireland 1916

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 4 Mar. 1916 43 Moyne Rd Ranelagh Dear Mr. Dillon, I note Mr. Asquith's reply to Mr. O'Brien re publication of evidence of report when latter asked question on your behalf. I suppose you will press the matter, as the evidence & various documents bearing on the case should have the fullest publicity. I know the matter is safe in your hands. The evidence will be valuable for debate. You asked me to inform you re property papers taken from my house by Capt. Colthurst & his party. About one-third of the papers & other documents have been returned since, but much of the property ( 2 large trunks, attache case, portfolios, stock of household linen etc) have never been returned : I understand the Royal Irish Rifles took with them to Victoria Barracks, Belfast much passable books from houses raided & it is probable that the authorities have never thought of searching there. My solicitor put in a claim for compensation for such of my goods as could be estimated in terms of money: the sum was £49 odd. I received last week order for £44 - I suppose the assessor feels it his duty not to award the full claim. Mine was a perfectly honest estimate & was, if anything, un der stated. Quantities of private letters of my own, letters from my husband to me before our marriage, manuscripts of his, including articles for press, poems & an unfinished play on which he had been working for a couple of years) & various other documents of literary value, several educational books (scraps, pictures, etc) of my own, necessary for my work & now difficult to replace owing to war conditions, have not been restored, as well as many private relics & souvenirs of my husband which were very precious to me have never been returned: on such things no money value can be put & it would mean a great deal to me if they could be traced & restored. Lieutenant Morris stated in his evidence at inquiry that Capt. Colthurst has passed round to him & other officers a number of papers found in my house - apparently as curiosities. Of course, I do not consider any questions re property as anything but trivial, compared with the bigger question & merely forward these details at your request. I shall be glad to know when it is likely that the report will be debated. Yours Sincerely, H.S. Skeffington Sheehy John Dillon Esq M.P. 2 North St George St Dublin Blank back of envelope 43 Moyne Road, Ranelagh, Dublin, Ireland. Letter from Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington to John Dillon, c. October 1916. Letter from Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington to John Dillon, 21 October 1916.Letter from the Secretary, Office of the Chief Commissioner of Police, to Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington, 26 October 1916Letter from Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington to John Dillon, 28 October 1916. Letter from Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington to John Dillon, 4 November 1917.Letter from Alice Schmutz, 28 October 1916. 2 North Gt. Georges Street, Dublin, Ireland. Letter from Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington to John Dillon, 4 November 1917. Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington Letter from Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington to John Dillon, c. October 1916. Letter from Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington to John Dillon, 21 October 1916.Postcard from Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington to John Dillon, 23 October 1916.Letter from the Secretary, Office of the Chief Commissioner of Police, to Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington, 26 October 1916Letter from Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington to John Dillon, 4 November 1917.Letter from Hanna Sheehy Skeffington to Owen Sheehy Skeffington, 7 July 1916 John Dillon Letter from Philip J. McArdle to John Dillon, 21 May 1916.Letter from Henry Lemass, solicitor, to John Dillon, 23 May 1916.Letter from Henry Lemass, solicitor, to John Dillon, 16 June 1916.Letter from Francis Vane of Hutton to John Dillon M.P., 3 October 1916.Letter from Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington to John Dillon, c. October 1916. Letter from Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington to John Dillon, 21 October 1916.Postcard from Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington to John Dillon, 23 October 1916.Letter from Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington to John Dillon, 28 October 1916. Letter from Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington to John Dillon, 4 November 1917.Cablegram from John Dillon to John P McGoorty, 20 May 1916Letter from John Dillon to John Redmond, 19 June 1916Letter from John Dillon to John Redmond, 29 June 1916Letter from John Dillon to John Redmond, 29 June 1916Letter from John Dillon to John Redmond, 30 June 1916Letter from John Dillon to John Redmond, 30 June 1916Letter from John Dillon to John Redmond, 2 July 1916