Letter from Alice Schmutz, 28 October 1916. Letters 1916-1923 Alice Schmutz

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The letter was written by Alice Schmutz and enclosed with Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington’s letter of the same date to John Dillon MP. Mrs. Schmutz gives her version of the visits to her house by detectives between 9 and 19 October 1916 and says that she cannot understand why Sgt. Megahey denies all of this. This note was enclosed in a letter dated 28 October 1916 from Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington to John Dillon MP. This letter also survives.Alice Schmutz was the landlady of Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, a suffragette, nationalist, language teacher, was the widow of Francis Sheehy-Skeffington. She was active during the Rising, bringing food to the Volunteers in the G.P.O. and the College of Surgeons. Francis Sheehy Skeffington (1878-1916) was on the streets trying to muster a civilian force to prevent looting during the Rising. On 25 April 1916, Skeffington, and two others, pro-British journalists, Thomas Dixon and Patrick McIntyre, were arrested by Captain J.C. Bowen-Colthurst (1880-1966), an Anglo-Irish officer of the Royal Irish Regiment. On 26 April all three were summarily executed by firing squad at Portobello Barracks.

 Trinity College Dublin , Ms. 6837/32/4 https://letters1916.ie/item/1514 English Alice Schmutz 1916-10-28 43 Moyne Road, Ranelagh, Dublin, Ireland. Female Easter Rising Ireland 1916

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 43 Moyne Road, Ranelagh Co. Dublin Oct. 28.16 Dear Sir/ With reference to a letter Mrs Skeffington which gave me to read (Mr Dukes safely -Parliament) I fear you have been misinformed about the real facts of the case. On Oct 11th Constable Devine came to my house and asked me if I was aware of the regulations with regard to registering lodgers, I told him I was , he produced a book of rules and regulations and showed me a paragraph in it; he then said he would like to see the forms I showed him two, one for M rs Skeffington & one for her little boy; when he read them he asked me why No's 10. 11 and 12 were not filled in, and I told him none of my lodgers ever filled in those numbers as I thought - they referred to aliens he told me I made a great mistake 'as I would be responsible for her address, I referred him to M rs Skeffingtons Father Darill Sheehy Esq. he then asked who received her letters and then asked for M rs Skeffingtons sister's name and address which I gave him and he took down notes in his note book On the same evening I went to the Rathmines Police Station and saw Sergt Megahey and told him what happened; he told me if I ever heard about M rs Skeffington or heard where she was I could keep the address, he also told me that 'if a question did arise as to her whereabouts' I would be held responsible. On Oct 16th Sergt Megahey came to my house himself and asked me if I had heard anything further and I told him I had not. He asked me if there was any furniture of hers in my house. On Oct 19th Mrs Skeffington returned home unexpectedly arrived at my homethrough family trouble. I then sent for to Sergt Megahey and told him M rs Skeffington was with me, thinking it was necessary on account of their recent enquiries. When Sergt Megahey called in person & made further enquiries. Why Sergt Megahey denies all this I cannot understand, and a Sergt Hearon also called also (between Oct11th and Oct 16th) and said he wanted to see M rs Skeffington privately and also asked for her address. On Oct 9th Constable Devine called with reference to my permit - I would also like to state that my Father is a retired member of the R I Constabulary,I have also (2) two brothers in France since the beginning of the war, and what would be my object to bring myself under the notice of the Police if I had not been annoyed by them? Hoping you will give my statement your careful investigation. I am Faithfully Yours Alice. Schmutz 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. Alice Schmutz Letter from Alice Schmutz, 28 October 1916.