Letter from Desmond FitzGerald to Arthur Patrick O'Brien, 26 June 1916 Letters 1916-1923 Desmond FitzGerald

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Letter from Desmond FitzGerald to Arthur Patrick O'Brien written on behalf of Earnest Blythe. The letter contains details of Mr. Blythe's desires to get into a camp with the other deportees and his request that Laurence Ginnell also be informed of his desires. The author refers to George Gavan Duffy's defence of Roger Casement. Desmond FitzGerald (1888-1947) was a poet and a journalist belonging a group of Irish poets now known as the Imagists. Following his marriage to Mabel Washington McConnell (1884–1958) he became involved with Irish politics, arranging meetings for the Irish Volunteers. He later 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. In the wake of the 1916 Rising, Arthur Patrick O'Brien founded the Irish National Relief Fund in London to provide assistance to the families of Irish rebels.

 National Library of Ireland MS8434:17-4-a MS8434:17-4-b https://letters1916.ie/item/4018 English Desmond FitzGerald 1916-06-26 128 Earlham Grove, Forest Gate, London, United Kingdom Arthur Patrick O'Brien Male 1947 Easter Rising Ireland 1916 Politics

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 128 Earlham GroveForest Gate June 26th 1916 Dear Mr. O'Brien, I saw Ernest Blythe onSaturday. As he is most anxious tohave his case taken up without delayand as there is no Committee Meeting onWednesday at which to report this, Ihasten to do it now. He is most desirous of getting into acamp with the other deportees, and I seeno reason why that should not be securedto him without a little push. He feels powerless to do anything forhimself and leaves everything in ourhands. He did ask, however thatMcGinnell might be told of his desires.He has also written my sister-in-lawto the same effect She writes me today to say that beforemoving in the matter herself, she willawait my news of what the LondonCommittee will do in the matter.I give her suggestions:I think the case ought to be put in the hands of a Solicitor at once. AsMr. Gavan Duffy is too busy over Sir RogerCasement, I think he should be askedto name another man who would do it.Of course it does not necessarily entail anysympathies with our people. Just tostate the case, and make the Authoritiesfeel that it would be less trouble to dosomething to satisfy these troublesomepeople than to leave things alone.The I imagine other channels couldbe worked, M.P's etc. I have written Mabel telling her thatI would communicate with you at once.She will therefore take no steps until shehears from me again. I am,Yours Sincerely, Katherine Fitzgerald. 128 Earlham Grove, Forest Gate, London, United Kingdom Letter from Desmond FitzGerald to Arthur Patrick O'Brien, 26 June 1916 Desmond FitzGerald Letter from Desmond FitzGerald to Mabel FitzGerald, 8 November 1915Letter from Desmond FitzGerald to Arthur Patrick O'Brien, 26 June 1916Letter from Desmond FitzGerald to Mabel FitzGerald, 7 March 1916Letter from Desmond FitzGerald to Mabel FitzGerald, 30 December 1915 Letter from Desmond FitzGerald to Mabel FitzGerald, 8 February 1916