Court Martial finds Capt Bowen-Colthurst ‘guilty but insane’

Dublin, 12 June 1916 - Captain J.C. Bowen-Colthurst has been found guilty of the murder of Francis Sheehy Skeffington, Thomas Dickson and Patrick McIntyre at Portobello Barracks on 26 April last.

The court-martial has also found , however, that he was insane when committing the murders.

During the trial it emerged that Captain Bowen-Colthurst had been sent home from France. Due to his ‘eccentricities’ his commanding officer feared that he might lead his men to ‘annihilation’ at the hands of the enemy.

Major Lord General Cheylesmore K.C.V.O., who was presiding over the court martial of Capt Bowen-Colthurst, leaving Richmond Barracks where the proceedings were held. (Image: Irish Life, Vol 17, 16 June 1916. Full collection available at the National Library of Ireland.)

In light of this, the Irish Independent asks: ‘How is it military discipline allowed this officer to be in charge of a party of men at a time of great excitement?’

The court-martial at Richmond Barracks had heard evidence of how the three men – all of whom were journalists and none of whom were involved in the Rising – had been brought to Portobello Barracks where they were interrogated by Captain Bowen-Colthurst before being lined up against a wall and shot.

Captain Bowen-Colthurst had pleaded ‘Not Guilty’ to all charges of murder and manslaughter.

[Editor's note: This is an article from Century Ireland, a fortnightly online newspaper, written from the perspective of a journalist 100 years ago, based on news reports of the time.]