AFTERMATH
OF EDWARDS’ DISMISSAL
After Edwards' dismissal, Waterford Corporation held a
special meeting and agreed, unanimously, a resolution of
loyalty to the bishop. It was quickly followed by similar
resolutions from the Ursuline Convent, Ballybricken Church
outdoor collectors, De La Salle Pioneers and Past Pupil's
Union, Mercy Convent Children of Mary, Mount Sion Sodality,
Waterford Legion of Mary, etc., etc.[1] Commandant Cronin of
the League of Youth (The Blueshirts) also issued a statement
on the issue and called on all its members to 'uphold
Christian principles, and to oppose strenuously and uproot
Communism.'[2] However, in an extraordinary development the
Dungarvan Urban District Council, by eight votes to six,
supported its chairman in refusing to accept a resolution
pledging allegiance to Most Rev. Dr. Kinane, Bishop of
Waterford. The dismissal of Mr Edwards, the Waterford teacher,
was mentioned during the discussion, a member remarking that
he believed Mr Edwards had been victimised.[3]
The Waterford News ceased reporting on the case and considered
it closed. In its issue of 18 January 1935 under the by-line
'Local & District Gossip' it printed
|
Although
we regret that, so early in his career, Mr. Frank
Edwards, a popular young man of brilliant
attainments, has been faced with the ordeal known to
the Dublin press as 'the Waterford controversy,' we
should like to say that the position is such that
one particular misunderstanding should be removed
from the mind of anybody who happens to have
misinterpreted this aspect of the points at issue.
This is the aspect as to the respect in which His
Lordship is held by his whole flock. We should like
to say that His Lordship the Bishop has no more
loyal and faithful body in his diocese than those
who are supporters of the Government. They
acknowledge in the fullest possible manner his
jurisdiction over them, and accept his teaching on
faith and morals unreservedly.
We have received from Mr Frank Ryan, with a request
for insertion in the 'News', a copy of his letter
published on Wednesday in the 'Dublin Press.' Owing
to the pronouncement made by the Bishop, addressed
to all under his jurisdiction in this diocese, and
binding on all Catholics, we are precluded from
publishing Mr Ryan's comments. We think that the
Bishop's pastoral letter should be received in the
proper spirit by all. It was clearly intended to be
the final pronouncement in this controversy.[4]
|
The
controversy had now become a national one and a war of words
exploded in the national press. The Irish Times was to
the forefront and published daily reports from its Waterford
reporter.
On
Saturday 26 January 1935, a private meeting of Catholic
teachers in Waterford took place. A resolution was passed
expressing loyalty and unswerving obedience to the Bishop
| as
guide and teacher in matters of faith and morals.
When Mr Frank Edwards, the dismissed teacher,
endeavoured to address the meeting from the platform
there were repeated interruptions, and for several
minutes pandemonium reigned. After the resolution
had been adopted, Mr Edwards, who was accompanied by
members of the Republican Congress group, left the
Town Hall.[5] |
The
following day saw a massive show of support for Edwards when
eight hundred members of the IRA, marching four deep and
accompanied by two pipe bands, took part in a torchlight
parade and two thousand people subsequently attended a
republican meeting on the Mall. Contingents of the IRA were
present from Waterford city and county and from the adjoining
counties of Wexford, Kilkenny, Tipperary and Cork. A large
force of Civic Guards was on duty but the meeting passed off
without incident.[6]
This meeting went ahead despite a warning from the bishop read
at all Masses that morning but the most extraordinary fact
about the meeting was that Mr Patrick Kinane, the bishop's
cousin, was billed as one of the speakers. In the event, the
meeting chairman read a letter from Mr Kinane in which the
latter apologised for his inability to attend and stated that
he stood firmly for the IRA and its policy, as outlined and
recently expounded by the Army Council. The principal speaker
was Maurice Twomey, Chief of Staff, IRA. Tom Barry, the West
Cork republican leader, also spoke.
The public controversy petered out eventually and the Gárdaí
and detectives were withdrawn from Mount Sion School. They had
patrolled the school and grounds for the previous three
months. Edwards was given another opportunity to argue his
case, this time in Dublin. On 2 February 1935, the Irish
national Teacher's Organisation (INTO) executive met
and the following is the minute of the section of that meeting
which concerned itself with the Edwards dismissal:
| A
report was submitted of the action taken since the
last meeting in connection with this case, including
an account of the interview with the Bishop of
Waterford. The Secretary reported that all the
members of the Executive had approved of the action
taken by the President and himself in advising Mr.
Edwards to sign the document presented to him by the
Bishop. A very long discussion took place in regard
to the case, but no action was taken.[7] |
APPEAL
TO INTO CONGRESS
The committee considered the case closed but Edwards had
one final chance to speak. At the INTO Congress, Edwards, as a
delegate, was allowed to speak on the committee's report
concerning his dismissal. He was the only speaker and he was
greeted with some applause as he rose.
|
I
would like to say that in coming to you, I am not
coming before you as a pathetic case looking for
sympathy and trying to convert you to my political
views. I will state my side of the case … I have
been dismissed for my political opinions.
At this point a delegate interjected; 'You should be
thrown out. You have no political opinions.' This
delegate was later escorted from the hall after a
third interruption.
Edwards
continued
I
have been dismissed because of my political opinions
expressed outside the school. The Bishop admitted I
never introduced political opinions inside my
schools ... therefore my dismissal raises an issue
of whether a teacher has the right to hold political
opinions.[8]
|
He went on
to tell of his attacks on local slum landlords, and of Brother
Flannery's warning to him. He said that at that time, although
his support for the Republican Congress was known, he was
given the Confirmation class. 'Why did they do that if they
thought I was teaching anti-Catholic doctrine?' he asked,
alleging that the Bishop's condemnation of the Republican
Congress was done to provide a reason for his sacking. At the
conclusion of his speech, Edwards said
| I
am very sincere in appealing for a backing not
merely because I have lost my job, but it is more
than that. Liberty to hold political opinions
outside the school. This is at stake. I would ask
you to reconsider the decision of the C.E.C.
[committee] advising me to surrender that right to
hold political opinions. It is not on the side of
the manager but on the side of the teacher that the
C.E.C. should come in, in such a case. If I did sign
that document, I would feel that I had betrayed not
only my own convictions but the INTO in general. I
thank you very much for the hearing you have given
me.[9] |
The
paragraph in the committee report outlining the steps taken by
the executive was then put to Congress, and agreed to, only
one delegate dissenting.
After the dismissal, Edwards went to Dublin where he helped
Frank Ryan edit the Republican Congress. He got a
month's work in a school in Sligo and then got a job digging
ditches in Dublin for a pipe-laying company. On the outbreak
of the Spanish Civil War, he went to Spain where he fought
with great courage against Franco's fascists. On his return to
Ireland, he eventually secured a teaching post in Mount Zion
Jewish School in Rathgar, where he taught until his
retirement. He had completed his journey from Mount Sion to
Mount Zion. He died on 7 June 1983 and his remains were
cremated at Glasnevin. In a graveside oration Peadar O'Donnell
said
| I
think Frank Edwards will become a legend and his
legend and his name will live on long after most of
us here are forgotten.[10] |
