British used diaries to sully Roger Casement’s name

Despite literary figures’ pleas for clemency, Roger Casement was hanged for his part in the Rising after a four-day trial in London, says Ryle Dwyer

Following his transfer to London on Easter Sunday, Roger Casement was questioned by Basil Thompson, head of the Criminal Investigative Division at Scotland Yard, and Admiral William ‘Blinker’ Hall, the head of Naval Intelligence.

They knew the rebellion was planned but rebuffed Casement’s effort to be allowed plead with those in Dublin to call off the Rising.