December 15 1925
It was learned in Derry city yesterday that during the weekend there was a conference in the city of members of the “A” Special Constabulary, which was attended by representatives from all parts of the Six Counties outside Belfast. The position of the force in consequence of the Boundary Agreement and the Northern Premier’s subsequent statement was fully discussed.
It is understood that terms were drawn up for submission to Sir James Craig, and these have been forwarded to him. The exact nature of these terms, or representations, was not ascertainable; but it is believed they relate to the questions of gratuities, time and conditions of disbandment, etc.
Following the tripartite government agreement of December 1925, the “A” and “C” Specials were disbanded. However, the largest group, the “B” Specials, were retained until 1970.
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Pope Honours Ireland – Most Rev Dr O’Donnell created Cardinal
Pope Pius XI, in the Secret Consistory held this morning in the Vatican, created four new Cardinals, including most Rev Patrick O’Donnell, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, who succeeded the late Cardinal Logue.
Today’s ceremony assumed special importance, coming as it did almost at the close of the Holy Year, and it was of exceptional interest to all Irish Catholics, as it fulfilled one of their most ardent desires: that of having a representative of their Episcopacy in the Sacred College.
The Hall of the Consistory, where the ceremony took place, was at first filled with all the high dignitaries of the Church, including not only the Cardinals themselves, but also Patriarchs, Archbishops, Bishops, heads of religious Orders, etc., producing a most impressive and picturesque effect with their characteristic garments and their dignified bearing.
After a short interval the Pontiff appeared, dressed entirely in white, with white biretta and white slippers, the only note of colour being the gold chain, from which hung a pectoral cross, also of gold.
His Holiness offered a short prayer and delivered an Allocution, which deals chiefly with the success of Holy Year, and praised the Italian people for their contribution to that success.
He added that the pilgrims must have realised that the situation of the Pontiff was still far from what it should be, as he was still unable to leave the Vatican owing to present conditions.
Dr Patrick O’Donnell became a cardinal a year after he succeeded Cardinal Michael Logue as Archbishop of Armagh. He died less than two years later, in October 1927.
