As revealed throughout the 26 years of Cruiskeen Lawn, the character of Myles na gCopaleen was several centuries old and had a quite bewildering range of talents. He was a scientist, statesman and an all-round genius who, in his time, had rubbed shoulders with many almost equally famous men. But he was also on occasion a mere drunk, albeit a drunk who could abuse arresting gardaí in fluent Latin. Here he is on one of a series of court appearances in 1944 - FRANK McNALLY.
IN THE Dublin District Court yesterday, an elderly man who gave his name as Myles na gCopaleen was charged with begging, disorderly conduct, using bad language and with being in illegal possession of an armchair.
He was also charged with failing to register as an alien.
A Detective Sergeant gave evidence of finding the defendant in the centre of a crowd in Capel Street.
He was sitting in the chair, cursing and using bad language. He became abusive when asked to move on and threatened to “take on” witness and “any ten butties” witness could find. Defendant was exhibiting a card bearing the words “Spare a copper, all must help each other in this cold world”. Defendant lay down in the gutter when witness went to arrest him; he shouted to the crowd to rescue him, that he was a republican soldier. Witness had to send for assistance.
Defendant: Quid immerentes hospites vexas canis ignavus adversum lupos?
Detective Sergeant: This man had no difficulty in speaking English when he was lying on the street. This sort of thing makes a farce of the language movement.
Justice: If defendant does not deign to convenience the court, we will have to get an interpreter.
Defendant (to Justice): I knew your ould one.
Detective Sergeant: Your Honour can see the type he is.
Defendant: I seen the sticks of furniture on the road in 1927, above in Heytesbury Street. Now seemingly things is changed. Fortuna non mutat genus. (Laughter).
Justice: You would be well advised to behave yourself.
Defendant: Of all people.
Justice: Where did you get this chair you had?
Defendant said he got the chair from a man he met in Poolbeg Street. He did not know the man’s name. The man was on his way to pawn the chair and witness agreed to take it off his hands. He bought the chair.
Justice: For how much?
Defendant: £45.
Justice: It’s a pity a tallboy isn’t the subject of a tall tale like that.
(Laughter).
Defendant said he was trying to go straight but the Guards were down on him. He was holding a political meeting in Capel Street when he was savagely assaulted by the Sergeant. He was discussing monetary reform and mendicancy. He had as much right to obstruct the thoroughfare as the “Fianna Fáil crowd”.
He was kicked in the ribs by the Sergeant while lying on the ground. He would settle his account with the Sergeant at another time and in another place. This much only would he say: Cave, cave: namque in malos asperrimus parata tollo cornua.
Detective Sergeant: This type of person gives the police a lot of trouble, Your Honour.
Justice: I can see that. (To defendant) Are you married?
Defendant: Are you?
Justice: Impertinence won’t help you.
Defendant: It won’t help anybody.The question you put is apparently equally offensive to both of us. I am a victim of circumstance. Maloribus praesidiis et copiis oppugnatur res publica quam defenditur propterea quod audaces homines et perditi nuta impelluntur et ipsi etiam sponte sua contra rem publican incitantur.
Detective Sergeant: This is a very hardened character, Your Honour. He was convicted for loitering at Swansea in 1933.
Justice: I must convict. There is far too much of this sort of thing in Dublin and I am determined to put it down.
Defendant: What sort of thing?
Justice: The larceny of armchairs.
Defendant: It wasn’t an armchair. There were no arms on it.
Justice: You will go to Mountjoy for three weeks.
Defendant asked that 6,352 other offences should be taken into consideration.
Justice: I refuse to hear you further.
Defendant: Very well. I’ll appeal.
Defendant was then led below, muttering.
A sequel is expected.
To celebrate the work of Myles na gCopaleen, The Irish Timeswill print one of his Cruiskeen Lawn columns each day during October