Galway In Days Gone By

1920

Arbitration courts

Every well-meaning person in the community must welcome the arbitration courts which have been set up throughout the county to end the system of acquiring possession of lands belonging to others by methods of seizure accompanied by violence and terrorism.

These courts are an exemplification of the fact that Irishmen are inherently law-abiding and peaceable, and that under a purely Irish administration, even-handed justice would be meted out without fear or favour.

Many Unionist landholders have confidently submitted their cases to them, and in no single instance have we heard the justice of decisions challenged.

Last week, we published the Southern Unionist statement to the Government in which it was asserted that Bolshevism was spreading throughout Ireland. The treatment of Mrs Palmer, of Glenlo Abbey, was quoted in proof of this.

But Mrs. Palmer submitted her case to an arbitration court that sat in Galway last Thursday, and we do not think she has any reason to complain of its decision.

Her interests are amply safeguarded, and an accommodation founded on justice has been arrived at.

Although the Press was invited to attend Sinn Féin courts held in Galway some time ago and its representatives were requested to remain while decisions were being considered, the practice of excluding the reporters has been followed in some of the arbitration courts.

In the difficult circumstances with which the arbitrators have had to deal, we do not wish to appear censorious, but we would suggest that the presence of the Press at these tribunals affords a real safeguard to all concerned.

The record of the proceedings is the criterion by which the public can best judge. In certain circumstances, full publicity might raise difficulties, but the sooner these difficulties are overcome and the arbitration proceedings conducted in the full light of day, the better.

The Press is the greatest pillar of liberty that exists. We who claim that it should remain unfettered and who detest secret tribunals should secure as far as in us lies that justice shall be practiced in the open and that all people shall benefit by the knowledge that this is being done without fear or favour by Irishmen in Ireland.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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