the time of the trouble 1919-21: armagh, south down and north louth part 1

Cumann Seanchais Ard Mhacha/Armagh Diocesan Historical Society

The Time of the Trouble 1919-21: Armagh, South down and North Louth Part 1Author(s): Kevin McMahonSource: Seanchas Ardmhacha: Journal of the Armagh Diocesan Historical Society, Vol. 15, No.1 (1992), pp. 217-271Published by: Cumann Seanchais Ard Mhacha/Armagh Diocesan Historical SocietyStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/29742539 .

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The Time of the Trouble 1919-21

Armagh, South Down and North Louth Part 1

By Kevin McMahon

Introduction

This is the first of two series of articles on the 'trouble' in County Armagh, South County Down and North County Louth during the

years 1919-23 ? the period of the Anglo-Irish War and the Civil war in Ireland.

It covers events during the years 1919-21 ? the period of the

Anglo-Irish War.

Although my name appears under its title, the reports of which the series is chiefly composed were written by reporters and editors of the

Newry Reporter, the Dundalk Democrat, the Armagh Guardian and the Frontier Sentinel during those years.

I simply read the reports, copied them, abbreviated some of them to avoid excessive lengthiness or repetition, dated the incidents described in them where possible and arranged them in chronological order as a

comprehensive compilation of reported events of the two wars in

County Armagh, South County Down and North County Louth. The area chosen was the area of operation of the 4th Northern

Division of the Old IRA, under the command of Frank Aiken. Some incidents occurring outside this area have also been included

because of their links with, or reprecussions on, the area or because of the difficulty at times of identifing exact geographic boundaries!

Where necessary, or appropriate, I have amplified and indicated links between some of the reports.

No apology is made for the format of the series. The reports

? sometimes inaccurate, perhaps, often biased, certainly ? are unique and important historical documents in their own right, describing in graphic and sometimes gory detail the events of five of the most dramatic and traumatic years in Ireland's history

? the years

during which the fight for a Republic was lost and Ireland was

partitioned, the years during which the seeds of today's and, perhaps, tomorrow's trouble were sown.

No apology is made either for the inclusion of reports of relatively minor incidents in the series.

These generally neglected stories of history must be told in order to

give a more complete picture and a better understanding of the period. My aim in compiling this chronology of events is two-fold: to present,

217



218 Seanchas A rd Mhacha

hopefully, a factual, if coloured, record of the day-to-day events of the conflicts in Armagh, South Down and North Louth in their proper time-sequence for the general reader and to provide a ready-made framework for some future historian, with full and free access to all the documents and memoirs of the period, to write a more definitive

history. The title of the series are words my late father, Patrick McMahon,

often used to preface a story of those turbulent times. I dedicate the series to him and to his living and deceased comrades of

the 4th Northern Division of the Old IRA. I hope that it will also serve as a memorial to all who suffered and died

in the incidents described and as a tribute to the anonymous reporters and editors of the four newspapers, who individually and collectively if,

perhaps, unwittingly, recorded a history of the trouble for posterity. I wish to thank the following, without whose help the series could not

have been compiled: Staff, Reference Library, Newry; Staff, Reference Library, Dundalk;

Staff, Local History Library, Armagh; Staff, British Library, London; Editor, Newry Reporter; Editor, Dundalk Democrat; and Rory Kieran,

Crossmaglen, for his encouragement and advice and for reading and

correcting the typescript.

Chronology Of National Events

14 December:

21 January:

3 February:

6 March:

1 April:

1918

General election: Sinn F?in 73 seats; Unionists 25

seats; Irish Party 6 seats.

1919

Meeting of First D?il ?ireann, at which a provisional constitution and a declaration of independence are

adopted.

Ambush at Soloheadbeg, Co. Tipperary, in which two RIC men are shot dead ? the first deaths of the

Anglo-Irish War.

Escape of ?amon de Valera from Lincoln Jail.

Death of Pierce McCann, TD, in Gloucester Jail.

Decision taken in British House of Commons to

release Irish internees and convicted prisoners.

Election of ?amon de Valera as President of D?il

?ireann.



Armagh, South Down, North Louth 1919-21 219

13 May: Rescue at Knocklong Station, Co. Limerick, of Sean

Hogan, arrested and charged in connection with the

Soloheadbeg ambush.

? June: Departure of ?amon de Valera for USA.

12 July: Threat by Sir Edward Carson to summon the Ulster Provisional Government and to call out the Ulster

Volunteers, if any attempt is made to change the status of 'Ulster'.

20 August: Adoption by D?il ?ireann of motion that every TD, officer and clerk of the D?il and every member of the Irish Volunteers should swear allegiance to the Irish Republic and D?il ?ireann.

The Irish Volunteers become known as the IRA.

10 September: Suppression of D?il ?ireann.

25 November: Suppression of Sinn F?in, the Irish Volunteers

(IRA), Cumann na mBan and Gaelic League in 27 counties.

15 December: Ambush by IRA of Lord French, the Viceroy, at Ash town, Co Dublin.

22 December: Introduction in British House of Commons by Lloyd George of 'Better Government of Ireland Bill'

(Partition Bill).

1920

15 January: Municipal elections, resulting in an overwhelming vote of confidence in the Republican Government.

20 March: Murder by RIC of Tom?s Mac Curtain, Lord

Mayor of Cork.

14 April: Unconditional release of Mountjoy hunger-strikers.

June: County Councils, Rural District Councils and Boards of Guardians' elections, resulting in an

overwhelming victory for Sinn F?in.

July: Start of pogroms in Belfast and other Northern

towns, resulting in numerous burnings, expulsions and deaths.

8 August: Arrest on high seas by British agents of Daniel

Mannix, Archbishop of Melbourne, Australia.

3 September: Coroners' inquests abolished.



220 Seanchas Ard Mhacha

25 October:

1 November:

21 November:

23 December:

25 December:

Death in Brixton Jail, on the 74th day of his

hunger-strike, of Terence Mac Swiney, Lord Mayor of Cork.

Execution by hanging, in Mountjoy Jail, of Kevin

Barry.

Execution by IRA of 14 suspected British agents.

Reprisals at Gaelic football-match, in Croke Park,

by Black-and-Tans, during which 12 people are shot dead and dozens wounded.

Government of Ireland Act becomes law.

?amon de Valera back in Ireland.

1921

19 May: General election to Southern Ireland Parliament: not necessary, as the 124 Sinn F?in and the 4

Independent candidates nominated are returned

unopposed.

24 May: General election to Northern Ireland Parliament: Nationalists 6 seats; Sinn F?in 6 seats; Unionists 40 seats.

25 May: Destruction by IRA of Dublin Customs House, the centre of nine departments of the British Adminis? tration in Ireland.

7 June: Meeting of Northern Ireland Parliament, at which a

Cabinet is elected, with Sir James Craig as Prime

Minister.

22 June: Official opening by King George V of Northern Ireland Parliament.

Arrest and release of ?amon de Valera.

25 June: Letter from Lloyd George proposing conference, with view to peace, received by ?amon de Valera.

11 July: Truce between the IRA and British Army becomes effective at noon.

16 August: Meeting of Second D?il ?ireann.

26 August: Re-election of ?amon de Valera as President of the Irish Republic.

7 October: Appointment of Irish delegates to Treaty negotia? tions.




6 December: Signing of Anglo-Irish Treaty.

1919

1 January

The Sinn F?in Victories

In celebration of the recent victories of their party at the General Election in Ireland, the Sinn F?iners of Newry had a torchlight procession last night . . . Several speeches were delivered, the

proceedings concluding with the 'Soldier's Song'. Afterwards, Irish dances and other Gaelic amusements took place in the Town Hall.

(Extracts, Newry Reporter, 2 January 1919)

3 January Sinn Feiner Freed, Scenes On Arrival In Armagh

The release of Michael Daniel Nugent, Drumarg or Downs, on Friday from Belfast Jail, where he had been imprisoned for six months in connection with illegal drilling on 23 June last, caused a great demonstration by Sinn F?iners and sympathisers on his arrival in

Armagh that night. Some hundreds congregated at the railway station, who kept the excitement up by singing Sinn F?in songs and shouting disloyal expressions. A large force of armed police was present ... to

prevent disturbances, it being announced that a torchlight procession and bands intended to parade through the principal streets of the city. Early in the evening, the authorities intimated to the leaders that no such parade would be allowed and, although a band from the

Middle town district arrived, it was considered advisable to obey the

police warning. Consequently, the great outburst that was intended did not come off. As soon as Nugent emerged from the carriage, he was hoisted on the shoulders of members of the crowd and conveyed to a

waiting brake outside the station, amid the most boisterous scenes. A halt was made opposite the Sinn F?in Club-rooms in Mill Street, where

speeches were delivered by Messers S. O'Reilly and E. Donnelly, both of whom praised Nugent for his spirited and 'patriotic' action in support of the cause of Ireland. The latter speaker mentioned that Austin Stack had described Nugent as one of his most trusted lieutenants and that it was he (Nugent) who planted the Sinn F?in flag on Belfast Jail. Mr

Donnelly then boasted of how the Sinn F?in cause was winning and advised the crowd to keep cool and control themselves that night in spite of any provocation, so that it could not be cast up to them that they did

anything to injure their cause. Subsequently, the crowd started

marching up Lower English Street, jeering and boohing the police as




they went along. At the City Hall, the police formed a cordon across the street and issued the order 'thus far and no farther'. The crowd became somewhat hostile and freely expressed their indignation and, at this

time, very little would have caused a collision. However, the appeals of Mr E. Donnelly and others of the Sinn F?in leaders appeared to be effective and, after Nugent left in a motor car shortly afterwards for his

home, the crowd quickly dispersed. To mark their hostility towards the

police, a bottle which was flung at them when passing Banbrook Hill hit Constable Lloyd on the head, causing slight injuries. At the Post Office, where a number of police were on duty, a specially prepared bludgeon with a piece of iron attached was thrown but . . . missed its mark in

lighting just at the County-Inspector's feet. At night, Nugent was entertained at supper in the City Hall, where a dance was also held, a

very large crowd attending.

(Extracts, Armagh Guardian, 10 January 1919)

5 January

Release Of Sinn F?in Prisoners

About seventy Sinn F?in meetings were held in different parts of Ireland on Sunday, when a resolution was passed demanding the release from English prisons of Irishmen and Irishwomen because they dared to

declare for Ireland the rights that her people should self-determine the

sovereignity under which they wished to live. At a large meeting in the

City Hall, Armagh, Mr P. McKnight, Keady, presided and the resolution was proposed by Mr E. Donnelly, President of the local Sinn

F?in Club, seconded by Mr J. O'Reilly and supported by Mr Allan,

Armagh, and passed.

Proud Of Being Rebels

At a meeting at Silverwood, Lurgan, Rev J. J. Lennon, CC, declared that Ireland was not on her knees. She was up and intended to remain

up and would never cower before England. They were all proud of

being rebels, standing out before injustice and tyranny . . .

(Extract, Armagh Guardian, 10 January 1919)

7 January1

Outrage Near Newry/Raid By Masked Men On Adavoyle Orange Hall

A daring outrage was perpetrated last week at the Orange Hall in

Adavoyle, about five miles from Newry . . . The hall is the meeting

1 Incident dated 7 January 1919 is linked with incident dated ? May 1919.2.




place of the Adavoyle Orange Lodge No. 672 and the caretaker is Br R.

Donnelly, who is over 80 years of age and resides on the premises with his wife. It appears that between 7 and 8 o'clock on the night of the 7th ins t., there was a knock, six men, who wore masks on their faces and

were otherwise disguised, rushed on him. Two of the men held him with revolvers pointed at him while the other four entered the lodge room,

where they smashed open the boxes and made a thorough search. They informed the caretaker that they wanted arms but all they got were two

old guns, two swords and a bayonet, which they took away with them.

They also pulled a Union Jack off the wall. The caretaker's own

apartments were next raided . . . The outrage generally is believed to be the work of Sinn F?iners. The matter has been reported to the police . . .

Up to the present, however, no trace of the perpetrators has been discovered . . .

(Extracts, Newry Reporters, 16 January 1919)

21 January

(1) Irish Independence, An D?il ?ireann Meets

The opening of An D?il ?ireann in the Mansion House, Dublin, on

Tuesday marked a new epoch in Irish history. The assembly, which was conducted with order and dignity, adopted a Declaration of

Independence for Ireland as a nation and addressed a memorandum to the free nations of the world setting forth Ireland's position and claims, the acknowledgement of which was asked for . . .

(Extract, Frontier Sentinel, 25 January 1919)

(2)2 Policemen Shot In Tipperary

Constables McDonnell and O'Connell were shot dead by masked men on Tuesday, while escorting a quantity of gelignite to Soloheadbeg Quarry, about 3 miles from Tipperary town. The attackers seized the

gelignite and drove away ...

(Extract, Frontier Sentinel, 25 January 1919)

24 January

Play Banned In Newry

Last night, the play, 'For the Cause - A Story of '98', which was to have been performed in the Town Hall, Newry . . . was, in consequence of a notice served by the police, not produced . . . The police . . . were

evidently acting under orders from Dublin Castle . . .

(Extracts, Newry Reporter, 25 January 1919)

2 Some hisorians regard this incident as being the start of the Anglo-Irish War.




1 February

Newry's Welcome To Released Sinn F?in Prisoners

On Saturday last, the seven men, who last autumn were sentenced to four months' imprisonment for 'unlawful assembly' at Colonel Lynch's recruitment meeting in Newry, returned home and were accorded an

enthusiastic welcome . . . The men referred to were: Messers John

O'Hare, Kilmorey Street; Dominic F. Fitzpatrick, William Street; James Jennings, Chapel Street; James Monaghan, Scarva Street,

Banbridge; and Hugh Patrick Crawley, Crowreagh, Bessbrook. All of them referred to their treatment in Crumlin Road Jail, Belfast, as cruel in the extreme and a violation of the undertaking given regarding the treatment of political prisoners. At Edward Street station, there was a vast gathering of townspeople who, as the train steamed in, cheered to the echo. The released prisoners, on alighting, were surrounded by a big throng, all of whom were eager to shake hands with them and welcome them back. Some of the men were carried on the shoulders of the crowd to Railway Avenue, where the Sinn F?in Fife and Drum Band was in

waiting, and, playing several national airs, led an imposing procession through the town to the Sinn F?in Hall in William Street, where a halt

was made. The 'Soldier's Song' was here sung, followed by 'Wrap the Green Flag Round Me' and 'Felons of Our Land'. Cheers were again raised for the released prisoners, De Valera and the Republic and the

proceedings terminated . . .

(Extracts, Frontier Sentinel, 8 February 1919)

1, 2 February3

Louth Mansion Entered, Old Guns And Sword Taken

News reached Dundalk today that the mansion of the Earl of Arran . . . at Ravensdale, Co. Louth, had been raided for arms late on Saturday

night or early on Sunday morning. A number of old and practically useless weapons were taken. His Lordship was absent from home and the servants in the building were not disturbed by the raiders. The

building was entered at a wing a considerable distance from the servants' sleeping apartments. From information to hand, it appears that the raiders cut a pane of glass out of a window at the rear of the house and, getting through the window, unlocked the door. They seized the following which were hanging in the hall: two old rifles; two old

shotguns; a couple of old swords; and a number of daggers and

bayonets. The delinquents evidently conducted their operations by

candle-light, there being traces of candle grease about the place. The

3 Incident dated 1, 2 February 1919 in linked with incidents dated 2-5 February 1919; 11

March 1919; ? May 1919.1; ? May 1919.2.




police ... are investigating the matter and already they have visited

several houses.

(Extracts, Newry Reporter, 6 February 1919)

2-5 February

County Louth Arms Raid, Energetic Police Investigation

The sensation caused by the raid for arms at the mansion of the Earl

of Arran . . . Ravensdale, Co. Louth, has been revived and accentuated

by the action of the authorities in investigating and carrying on a

vigorous and systematic search of houses in the locality. Immediately on

the report of the occurence to the constabulary in Dundalk ... a large number of the Dundalk district force visited the scene of the occurrence

and, following their investigations, a number of houses within an

extensive radius have been visited. On the 4th and 5th inst., the search was continued and a number of RIC cyclists were set in motion but, so

far, none of the missing guns or swords have been located. The search,

however, has revealed the extraordinary fact that a very large number of

shotguns were being held throughout the country without permits. These the police took possession of and had removed to Dundalk.


3 February

SINN FEIN PRISONERS, NEWRY COUNCIL'S RESOLUTION

At the Newry Urban Council on Monday . . ., Mr D. Sheridan . . .,

Secretary of the Sinn F?in Club. William Street, Newry, forwarded the

following for adoption: That we regard the imprisonment by the

Government of England of several of the leaders and important workers

of the Sinn F?in movement as an outrageous attempt to perpetuate the

enslavement of Ireland by restricting the lawful activities of the

organisation in which the vast majority of the Irish people place the

fullest confidence and, in unison with our fellow-countrymen elsewhere, we appeal to the free nations of the world to procure their release' . . .

The adoption of the resolution was agreed to.

(Extracts, Frontier Sentinel, 8 February 1919)

5 February

O'RAHILLY SINN F?IN CLUB, MULLABAWN

At a meeting of the above on Wednesday night the 5th inst., the

following vote of sympathy was passed to the family of the late Stephen McManus: That we, the members of the O'Rahilly Sinn F?in Club, offer our sincere sympathy to the parents and brother of our

fellow-member, Stephen McManus. By his death the club has sustained




a great loss and the cause of Sinn F?in generally loses an enthusiastic

supporter. May the Lord have mercy on his soul .

(Frontier Sentinel, 8 February 1919)

7 February

BANBRIDGE PRISONER'S RETURN, RECEPTION BY SlNN F?IN CLUB

A social re-union and ceilidhe under the auspices of the Banbridge Sinn F?in Club was held in St Patrick's Hall, Banbridge, on Friday evening last in connection with the return of the club secretary, Mr James P. Monaghan, Scarva Road, Banbridge, after serving four

months' imprisonment with six other prisoners for alleged unlawful

assembly in Newry in September last . . .

(Extract, Frontier Sentinel, 15 February 1919)

8 February

Sinn F?in Prisoners, Newry Guardians' Sympathy

The South Down Executive of Sinn F?in, per Mr P. Murney, Killowen, Secretary, forwarded for acceptance the following resolution:

'That we declare English rule in Ireland a violation of our national rights and, in unison with our fellow-countrymen elsewhere, we declare to the

world that proof positive, if no other were descernible, of England's illegal conduct here is furnished by the imprisonment of the leaders and

principal workers of Sinn F?in, in whom the people of Ireland place implicit confidence, and ask all freedom-loving nations to demand their release'. Mr McGuill moved the adoption of the resolution. The treatment of these prisoners, he said, was nothing short of barbarism.

He had a cousin who was in jail along with De Valera. A bucket of cold tea and dog biscuits were put down for them. There was no other vessel in the cell ... Mr John Smith said that although he differed in politics from them he was determined to see these men released. No man could have a more bitter feeling over a matter of the kind than he had. In

1883, his father was arrested in connection with what was known as the

'Crossmaglen Conspiracy',4 was tried in Belfast and transported for ten

years . . . His corpse subsequently came home from Mountjoy Prison. But he was as innocent as the speaker, who was then only ten years old .

. . The resolution was then put to the meeting and declared passed by the majority, several members dissenting.


4 The 'Crossmaglen Conspiracy' was an alleged conspiracy by members of the Land

League to murder a landlord and a landlord's agent in the Crossmaglen district of Co

Armagh.




2 March

Cardinal Condemns Socialism, Drilling Is Tomfoolery

Cardinal Logue, in his Lenten Pastoral read in all Roman Catholic churches on Sunday, says

? Socialism in any of the forms in which its advocates propound it is inconsistent with Catholic teaching. It seeks to subvert the order which God has established, inducing men to seek their end and entire happiness in the things of this life, to the neglect of their eternal destiny. It conflicts with justice by trenching on the right of

private property. It would invade the sanctity of the family and cripple parental control. It is hostile even to material progress by discouraging individual effort to the ruin of trade and industry and, were its dreams

finally realised, it would end by reducing all to the same dead-level of

poverty and misery, thereby militating against the common good. Some of its extreme apostles would abolish the law of marriage and make the children of the people the property of the State. One speaker, has even

gone so far as to claim alliance with the Bolshevics, a body whose blood-stained career has shocked the sensibilities of Christendom,

reviving in this 20th century and in an exaggerated form the worst horror of the reign of terror during the French Revolution. A nice alliance truly for the sons of Holy Ireland! . . .

Ireland In 'Straight Jacket' Our own country stands in pressing need of the peace which it so

earnestly desired for the whole world. It is now in a most distracted

state, nor as far as human foresight can forecast is there any prospect of

improvement in the near future. Improvement cannot reasonably be

expected while the country continues, as in the past, to be governed almost exclusively in the interests of a small minority of the people: unfairly discriminated against in the allocation of the public funds, to which it so largely contributes; and deprived of what is now

emphatically proclaimed to be the birthright of every free nation, full and adequate control of its internal affairs. One would have little confidence in a physician who would put his patient, when he became

delirious, in a straight jacket, instead of applying those remedies which

go to the root of the disease. That is precisely the treatment to which Ireland has been subjected, far beyond the range of living memory; neglect of every remonstrance, reproach, or evasion of every just claim, violation of every promise, till the people were goaded into wild

courses; and then stern repression.

Sinn F?in Tomfoolery It is to be feared that the young and thoughtless often bring

themselves into serious trouble by practices which are quite useless.

Drilling is a case in point. It has lately been termed by a learned judge, 'tomfoolery', and it is so. They might practise the goosestep to the

Greek kalends but it would never bring them one step nearer freedom.




It may be a fine thing to pose as martyr, but martyrdom, even for a

higher or holier cause, would have little merit if suffered in a spirit of

vanity and display. There is one danger against which I think it is

necessary to give a solemn warning. When a country is in a disturbed

state, designing men often avail themselves of the disorder to introduce

secret societies. Such societies, exposing their members to the

proximate danger of crime, are against the law of God and are solemnly banned by the Church. The past experience of them in this country should be, of itself, a sufficient deterrent. They are seldom without a

paid spy among their members. Sometimes, they are organised by the

paid agent himself, in order that he may secure unholy gain by betraying his dupes

. . .

(Extracts, Armagh Guardian, 1 March 1919)

7 March5

Fiasco In Newry, Centre Partys Meeting

Remarkable scenes took place in the Newry Town Hall on the night of the 7th inst., when Captain Stephen Lucius Gwynn, who had come to

speak on the policy of the new Centre Party, was refused a hearing . . .

The lecturer . . . beat a hasty retreat from the platform . . .

(Extracts, Frontier Sentinel, 15 March 1919)

9 March

INTERNEES' RETURN, REJOICING IN DUNDALK

The homecoming of Mr Peter Hughes, Chairman of the Dundalk

Urban Council, and Mr P. J. Berrill, who were interned in English

prisons since the Sinn F?in round-up in May last, was marked by a great demonstration and much rejoicing by the townspeople on Sunday night last.

(Newry Reporter, 11 March 1919)

11 March

Forkhill Petty Sessions

At these monthly sessions on Tuesday last . . ., Head-Constable

Groves . . . prosecuted four men named Tomany, Walsh, Murphy and

O'Rourke for having firearms in their possession without a permit . . .

The firearms were discovered as a result of the investigations on the part of the police with a view to the detection of the perpetrators of the

5 Incident dated 7 March 1919 is linked with incidents dated 22 March 1919; 1 April 1919;

2 April 1919; ? April 1919.1; ? April 1919.2; ? April 1919.3; 8 May 1919.




recent raid for arms at Ravensdale Castle, the residence of the Earl of Arran . . . Fines ranging from 2s. 6d. to 10s. and costs were imposed.

(Extracts, Newry Reporter, 13 March 1919) 15 March

Keady Sinn F?iners Released, Big Welcome Home Demonstra? tion

On Saturday evening last, great excitement prevailed in Keady owing to the release of two Sinn F?iners ? Messers D. Dumigan, Keady, and James Walsh, Darkley

? from Belfast Jail, where they had undergone sentences of six months' imprisonment each, in default of giving bail in connection with an unlawful assembly in Keady on the 15 August last.

Motoring from Armagh, and on arrival in Keady were met by a very

large crowd of Sinn F?iners and sympathisers, bands and contingents from Middletown, Clontibret, and Ballymacnab taking part. A

procession was formed and marched through the streets, the crowd

singing, shouting and waving Sinn F?in colours and bannerettes, on one

of which was the inscription, 'We love thee yet, we can't forget the felons of our land'. A halt was made opposite Mr Dumigan's house and addresses were delivered by Mr Peter Leenagh, who presided, Mrs

Sheehy-Skeffington, Messers D. Dumigan and E. Connolly, Armagh. Excitement ran high during the proceedings. However, at the

conclusion, the crowd quietly dispersed and no disturbance or scene

occurred.

(Armagh Guardian, 21 March 1919)

16 March

Armagh City Hall was packed on Sunday night, when a meeting in connection with the Sinn F?in organisation was held, the principal speaker being Mrs Sheehy-Skeffington, whose husband was shot during the 1916 rebellion . . .

(Extract, Armagh Guardian, 21 March 1919)

17 March

Keady AOH Rally

There was a fairly good turn out at a Hibernian demonstration held in

Keady on Monday, at which bands and contingents from Monaghan, Darkley, Carnagh, Granemore, Derrynoose, Corran, Madden, Clady, Derryhaw, Cullyhanna, Crossmaglen, Armagh, Ballycrummy and

Keady were present. It was noticeable that the numbers from these

places were not of such large dimensions as in former years and

apparently, the Sinn F?in organisation has caused many secessions from




the Order in most of the districts named . . .

(Extracts, Armagh Guardian, 21 March 1919)

20 March

United Irish League, Newtownhamilton Branch

A meeting of the above branch was held in the Tullyvallen Hall on the

evening of the 20th, inst. and was presided over by Mr Peter Slane. There was a large and representative attendance. The Chairman addressed the members on the necessity of organisation. The townland collectors handed in their returns which proved that their branch had a record membership this year and was ample proof that the Nationalists of Tullyvallen were loyal followers of the constitutional movement and

upholders of the policy that Parnell, Davitt, Redmond and Dillon

fought for . . .

(Extracts, Newry Reporter, 14 April 1919)

22 March

Echo Of Irish Centre Party Meeting In Newry, Arrest Of Four Sinn F?iners

On Saturday morning last . . ., four Newry Sinn F?iners . . . Daniel

Sheridan, Secretary fo the Newry Trades and Labour Council, John

Southwell, Queen Street, Thomas Tait, Doran's Hill and Peter Kane,

Mary Street, were arrested by the police on the charge of having been

guilty of conduct calculated to provoke a breach of the peace at a

meeting in the Town Hall, Newry, on the night of the 7th inst. ? the

meeting which was held under the auspices of the Irish Centre Party, and at which the principal speaker was Captain Stephen Gwynn. The accused were conveyed to Canal Street Barracks where ... a special court was held by Mr J. Woulfe Flanagan, RM ... DI Barrington . . .

alleged that at that meeting a large body of persons, headed by the

accused, gathered at the back of the hall and carried on such disorder . . . that the meeting had to be abandoned . . . His Worship . . . said ... it

appeared to him that the defendants did break up the meeting ... He would order them to enter into ?20 bail, with two sureties of ?10 each, to

keep the peace and be of good behaviour for the next twelve months. All the defendants refused to give bail and, later on, were removed under escort to Belfast to undergo imprisonment there.

(Extracts, Newry Reporter, 25 March 1919)

23 March




(1) Want Sinn F?in Prisoners Released, Cardinals Message To Armagh Meeting

A meeting of protest against the treatment of Sinn F?in prisoners was held in the Seminary Hall, Armagh, on Sunday and was largely attended

by members of the various Nationalist organisations in the city and district. Mr T. McLaughlin presided and resolutions expressing amazement at the equivocation and denials of the two Chief Secretaries

regarding the transference of the prisoners to internment camps and

demanding their immediate release in consequence of the treatment accorded them was adopted on the motion of Rev J. Ward, seconded by

Mr P. Lavery. The Chairman announced that the meeting was held under the sanction and with the approval of the Cardinal, who was

unavoidably absent on Episcopal duties in Dundalk. At the meeting at

Tullysarran, Rev. J. Brady, Adm., Armagh, who presided, said his Eminence had personally expressed to him the previous day that this was no question of mere party politics but one in which all Nationalists should unite in the cause of common humanity . . .

(Extract, Armagh Guardian, 28th March 1919)

(2) MULLABAWN MEETING

A meeting was held on the Church grounds at Mullabawn on Sunday. The object of the meeting was to convey to the parishioners the statement issued by Dublin Corporation in connection with the ill-treatment of the Sinn F?in prisoners now in Belfast Jail. Rev. E.

Clarke, PP, presided and read statements signed by the Lord Mayor of Dublin as to the treatment of those prisoners and also read

correspondence from the Most Rev. Dr McRory, Bishop of Down and

Connor, with regard to the attitude taken up by Mr E. Shortt when Chief Secretary and his successor as to the carrying out of the

undertaking declared to have been given to remove these men to an internment camp and to treat them as political offenders. The following resolution was submitted and adopted: 'We have listened with amazement to the equivocation resorted to by the two Chief Secretaries to deny the promise made to the Rev. Dr McRory, Lord Bishop of

Down and Connor, and the Lord Mayor of Dublin, in reference to these

prisoners. We hereby express our unanimous belief in their version of the facts. We view with horror the treatment of these prisoners and we call upon the Government to immediately release them'.

{Dundalk Democrat, 29 March 1919)

30 March

Armagh SF Meeting Proclaimed, Police Occupy City Hall

A public Sinn F?in meeting was announced to be held in the City




Hall, Armagh, on Sunday night . . . but it did not take place, as the authorities proclaimed it... At 8 o'clock on Sunday morning, the police . . . took possession of the hall, and remained on guard fully armed

throughout the day . . . The Sinn F?iners . . . decided to abandon the

holding of the meeting there. About 10 o'clock that night, a crowd of them assembled at Lurgyvallen, a short distance outside the city, where

they were briefly addressed by Messr E. Donnelly and M. O'Mullane . .

(Extracts, Armagh7 Guardian, 4 April 1919)

1 April Newry Sinn F?in Prisoners, Protest Against The Matter Being Mentioned In Parliment

At a meeting of Newry John Mitchel Sinn F?in Club on Tuesday night last . . ., a discussion took place relative to the imprisonment of four of the members who were committed to Belfast Jail for six months (in default of giving bail for their future good conduct) on a charge arising out of the disorder at the recent Irish Centre Party meeting in Newry,

which was attended by Captain Stephen Gwynn. A resolution was

unanimously adopted declaring that it was a mere incident in the

English occupation of Ireland and protesting against the interference of Mr Jeremiah McVeagh or any other member of the English Parliament

in their affairs, especially as it was their conviction that the ventilation of the matter in London was calculated to create the impression that it was an unusual occurrence, while it misrepresented the sufferers craving for

pity and invested the unwarranted status those Irishmen who, as

members of England's Parliament, gave moral sanction to the doctrine that Ireland was an English domestic question.


2 April Newry Sinn F?in Prisoners, Mr McVeagh'S Interference

We have received the following communication: 'We, the

undersigned, protest most emphatically against Mr Jeremiah McVeagh of London speaking or asking questions in our behalf in the English House of Commons, as we believe he is aiding by his presence in Westminster the oppression of our country by foreigners. (Signed) D. F.

Sheridan, J. Southwell, T. P. Tait, P. Kane, Belfast Jail, P. Lavery, Elsewhere, 2 April 1919'. . .

(Extract, Frontier Sentinel, 5 April 1919)




? April

(1) Newry Sinn F?in Prisoners, The Dependents' Fund

The fund for the dependents of the Newry political prisoners is being extremely well supported by sympathisers throughout the town and district . . .


6 April Political Prisoners, Mayobridge Protest

On Sunday evening after devotions, a procession representative of the district, was formed and, headed by the St Patrick Fife and Drum

Band, marched to the village, where a meeting of protest was held . . .

The following resolution was proposed: 'That in the name of justice and

humanity we express our horror at the indignities and cruelties to which Irish prisoners in English jails are subjected'. . . The resolution . . . was

passed with acclaimation . . .

?(Extract, Frontier Sentinel, 12 April 1919)

? April

(2) Mr McVEAGH And The Newry Prisoners

Mr Jeremiah McVeagh, MP for South Down, recently received a

letter from Mr Dan F. Sheridan on behalf of himself and the other three

Newry prisoners undergoing six months' imprisonment in Belfast Jail. . . In that letter, Sheridan stated: 'We absolutely dissociate ourselves with

any question or action you may be taking or about to take on our behalf in the British House of Commons'. Mr McVeagh, in reply, stated: 'I have all along made it perfectly clear that in criticising the sentences

passed in the Newry cases I have not been acting at the request or even the knowledge of the prisoners or any of their friends. However, I have not the remotest intention of asking for your release as a favour. But let

me make it equally clear in view of a certain resolution which has been

published that without asking any man's permission I shall continue to denounce at every opportunity the shameless despotism of the Government in Ireland and the prostitution of the administration of what they are pleased to call 'justice'. That is alike my right which I intend to exercise and my duty which I intend to discharge. In doing so, I neither expect nor desire thanks but there can be no monopoly in the national right to condemn tyranny'.

. .





(3) Newry Political Prisoners Removed To Derry Jail

The four Newry men ? Messrs D. F. Sheridan, J. Southwell, T. Tait and P. Kane ? ... have been transferred from Belfast to Derry Jail. . .


17 April Sinn F?in Film Seized

A film . . . entitled, 'Sinn F?in Review', which had been on exhibition for two days at the Boyne Cinema, Drogheda, was seized by the police on Thursday. They gave the Manager, Mr J. Stanley, a receipt for the

film, which represented events of Sinn F?in interest since 1916.


? April

(4) Co. Armagh Arms Raid, Farmers House Entered

Last week, the house of Mr Robert Turner of Adavoyle, in the Forkhill sub-police district of County Armagh, was raided by eight men, most of whom wore masks. On entering the house by the back door, one of the men in charge of the raiders shouted, 'Hands up', and ordered the remainder of the party to search the house. In the room over the

kitchen, they found a single-barrelled breech-loading gun which they took away with them. Mr Turner, who is a well-known member of the

Orange Institution, was unable to identify any of the men. This is the third raid which has taken place in that part of the country within the

past few months, the other two being Adavoyle Orange Hall and Ravensdale Castle.

(Newry Reporter, 3 May 1919)

8 May Newry Sinn F?in Prisoners RELEASED By The Government

The release took place on Thursday evening last of the four Newry Sinn F?in prisoners

? Messrs D. F. Sheridan, John Southwell, Thos. Tait and Peter Kane . . . Since the men went to jail, Mr McVeagh, MP for South Down, had been untiring in his exertions in the matter

(despite protests of the men against his interference) and, no later than

Thursday afternoon, in the House of Commons, he asked the

Attorney-General for Ireland whether he . . . would arrange facilities for the debate in the case of the imprisonment of the four men at Newry.

Mr Samuels, in reply, said that with regard to the . . . question there was




no necessity to debate the matter, as an order for their release had been issued. They would be released that evening. The released prisoners,

who were discharged from Derry Jail, arrived in Newry last evening at 7 o'clock. They were met at the Edward Street Railway Station by the local Sinn F?in Band and a miscellaneous crowd who, after singing the 'Soldier's Song', escorted them to the Sinn F?in Hall in William Street.

The Sinn F?in flag and the Stars and Stripes were displayed in the

procession, which also included the Camlough Pipers' Band.

Subsequently, at the hall, a meeting was held, over which Mr Robert

Kelly presided. Messrs J. H. Collins, Soir, P. J. McQuaid, Soir, J.

Southwell, D. J. Sheridan, Joseph Connellan, Thomas Tait and Patrick

Lavery also addressed the meeting. The appearance of the latter (To -whose ability and agility in evading the minions of the law Mr Sheridan referred to in appreciative terms), created a sensation. During the

progress of the meeting, an ex-soldier, evidently incensed at the enunciation of Sinn F?inism, entered a protest which called for the intervention of the police. Considerable excitement ensued and, during the course thereof, a stone was thrown at the police while they were

removing the ex-soldier. The disturbance had the effect of somewhat

upsetting the meeting, the larger portion of the spectators following the

police who, on reaching Upper William Street corner, promptly drew a cordon across the street and thereby effectively barring any further

following. The meeting was then resumed and continued without further interruptions. All the returned prisoners repudiated any thankfulness to Mr McVeagh for what he had done in the House of

Commons, describing their release to the presence of the American

envoys in the country.

(Extracts, Newry Reporter, 10 May 1919)

11 May6

Daring Raid For Arms, Sinn F?iners Attack Ballyedmond Castle Near Rostrevor

Ballyedmond Castle, which is about three miles from Rostrevor, on the right hand side of the main road leading to Kilkeel, was, between 12-30 and 3-30 a.m. on Sunday morning, the scene of one of the most

daring Sinn F?in raid for arms that has yet occurred. The castle is the residence of Mrs Nugent, widow of the late Major Nugent who, prior to his death on 4 November 1914, was Commandant of the 3rd Battalion of the South Down Regiment of the Ulster Volunteer Force. Mrs Nugent,

her eldest son, Captain Nugent, and her three daughters were in the ?astle at the time of the raid. The raiding force was composed of over

"Incident dated 11 May 1919 is linked with incidents dated 13 May 1919.2; 13-14 May 1919; 24-25 May 1919; 4 June 1919.1; 6 August 1919; ? August 1919.2; 4 September 1919; 18 October 1919.



236 Seanchas A rd M hacha

one hundred persons, most of whom were disguised. They arrived on the scene in several motor cars and on a large number of bicycles and, accompanying them, was a motor lorry which was brought for the

purpose of carrying off the 'booty'. Their first act was to cut the

telegraph wires between Rostrevor and Kilkeel, thus preventing any communication with either town. Next, they posted sentries and guards for a distance of two miles along the road on each side of the castle. Any belated way-farers (and there were quite a number) were seized and bound with ropes and held captive until the marauders had completed operations . . . The raiders, having cleared the road and taken all

precautions, posted sentries round the castle and its approaches and put a guard over the coachman. They effected an entrance through the back door and seized the inmates in the rooms upstairs. On being awakened

by the noise and alarm given by one of the three maid-servants in the

house, Captain Nugent came downstairs to be met by a party of

disguised men who held him at the point of the revolver. The search for arms was then undertaken, the raiders evidently believing that the house contained some of the rifles of the Ulster Volunteers. In this they were disappointed. They had come prepared with pick-axes and, after

ripping up a couple of tiles in the floor, they proceeded to similarly deal with the cement floor of the cellar in the belief that arms were secreted

underneath, but their efforts proved fruitless. All they got were six

shotguns and a valuable rifle which was hanging in the castle . . . None of the rooms upstairs was searched. The raiders remained on the

premises for over two hours and made a meal of sandwiches which they had brought with them. During that period, a keen look-out was kept by the sentries and communication by signal was maintained with a steam launch in Carlingford Lough, which the castle overlooks. Finally, seeing their quest was hopeless, the party left as they came, except that the

motor lorry was used on the return journey to carry some of the bicycles and those who had ridden them. On the departure of the raiders, Captain Nugent drove to Rostrevor Police Barracks and informed the

police there of the occurrence. Within a few hours, all the available

police force in the district. . . were on the scene pursuing investigations. It is supposed that the raiders came from County Louth and, in that

connection, it is significant to note that Mr P. J. Berrill, Commander of the Irish Volunteers in Dundalk, was arrested on Sunday morning at his

home in Williamson Place by a body of police . . . The prisoner was handed over to the military authorities, who conveyed him to the barracks in a motor van. Berrill's house was also searched. The charge on which he was arrested was not disclosed. Another significant fact is that the telephonic communication on County Louth side of Carlingford

Lough was out of order on Saturday evening. During the progress of the raid, a wayside cottage on the same side of the lough was seen to be on fire. It is not known if this had any connection with the affair and searches were made at houses in the Greenore and Carlingford districts.




The cut telegraph wires between Rostrevor and Kilkeel were on Sunday evening repaired by a GPO lines-man from Newry. Several of the ropes used to tie the captives, together with a brand new pick-axe which the raiders left behind them, were taken to the Canal Street Barracks in

Newry during the day . . .


12 May

Cardinal Logue And The SF Delegates

According the daily newpapers, his Eminence Cardinal Logue sent his regrets to the Lord Major of Dublin at not being able to meet the

Americans ? who say they have come over to Ireland to find out if a

Republic is wanted ? and Mr De Valera. The latter were coming to

Armagh on Monday to interview his Eminence, when they learned that he was in Ardee holding Confirmation, so they did not come on. On

Monday night, the Lord Mayor of Dublin and Messrs Walsh and De Valera had conversations on various questions with Cardinal Logue at Louth, and suggested that the Hierarchy may take action in regard to the self-determination principle. His Eminence blessed his visitors but his views on political matters are not disclosed. Mr Walsh, at a

Drogheda demonstration, stated that the delegation had 'no authority to demand less than the recognition of an Irish RebublicV

(Armagh Guardian, 16 May 1919)

13 May

(1) Fight At Co. Limerick Station, Police Constable

Murdered, A Sergeant Shot And A Prisoner Rescued

A shocking tragedy was enacted on Tuesday night at Knocklong, Co Limerick. A sergeant and three constables were escorting a Sinn F?in

prisoner named John Hogan, a farmer's son, of Greenane, Tipperary, who had been 'wanted' by the police for some time, from Thurles to

Cork Jail. When the train reached Knocklong Station, the carriage occupied by the policemen and their prisoner was attacked by a party of armed Sinn F?iners, who opened fire without warning. One of the

policemen was killed and the sergeant seriously and a third man slightly wounded. The rescue party got away with the prisoner, although it is believed that during the struggle one of the Sinn F?iners was injured.

Great excitement and alarm prevailed amongst the passengers during the progress of the sensational occurrence and the carriages bear numerous bullet marks, bloodstains and other evidence of the struggle.




23 8 Seanchas A rd M hacha

(2) The Raid On Ballyedmond, Military Search For Arms

Early on Tuesday morning, a large force of police and military . . . raided thirteen houses in Dundalk for arms. The houses were situated in various parts of the town and included the homes of several prominent Sinn F?iners. It is stated that the residence of a local magistrate was also visited. So far as can be ascertained, no seizures were made.


13-14 May

The Rostre vor Raid, Police Activity In North Louth

On Tuesday, a large body of RIC visited Omeath (North Louth) and

Jonesborough (South Armagh) in three constabulary vans, driven by Dublin police. A large number of homes in those districts were searched for arms and seditious literature. It is believed the search was fruitless . . . Yesterday, the districts of Carlingford and Greenore in North Louth

were visited. An exhaustive search was also carried out in the Rostrevor district. A couple of masks were found in a house in the district.


14 May The Co. Limerick Outrage

Sergeant Peter Wallace, who was shot in the stomach during the

affray at Knocklong on Tuesday evening when a party of men rescued a

prisoner from his custody and killed Constable M. Enright, died on

Wednesday evening at Kilmallock Hospital. He was a native of Roscommon and was stationed near Thurles . . .

(Extract, Newry Reporter, 17 May 1919)

22 May Newry Gathering Proclaimed

On Thursday last, Brigadier-General J. F. Erskine . . . issued a Proclamation prohibiting the holding of a Sinn F?in concert or any procession in connection therewith within or in the vicinity of the town of Newry on or about the 27 May ... It had been previously announced . . . that Mr Gerard Crofts and a concert party from Dublin would

appear in the Town Hall that night and that Mrs Sheehy-Skeffington would supplement the musical programme with an oration but, in

consequence of the Proclaimation, the function did not take place . . . Extra police and troops were drafted into town during the evening.

Military detachments, with full service equipment and machine guns, took up positions opposite the Town Hall and also at the Sinn F?in Hall




in William Street but no attempt was made to defy the Proclamation.

Large crowds of people visited both places more out of curiosity than

anything else but, beyond some cheering and singing in William Street,

everything passed off quietly.

(Extracts, Newry Reporter , 29 May 1919)

24-25 May

Down Military Hold-up, Mridge Sensation

On Saturday night, a regular hold-up by military cyclists of all

pedestrians to and from the village of Mayobridge, Newry, took place and created a small sensation in the countryside. The cyclists, who are

quartered in Newry, proceeded to the village shortly before 11 o'clock,

accompanied by two policemen who knew the residents of the locality. Sentries were posted at all the cross-roads and all belated pedestrians were called upon to 'Halt' and render an account of themselves. Some

parties challenged in the dark paid no attention, thinking it was a joke by Sinn Feiner Volunteers, but they were speedily dissolusioned when a

bayonet was presented. Old time is observed in the district, which

enjoys a peaceable and orderly character. Those who said they were

going home were allowed to pass on being identified by the police but those who were going to the village to do some shopping were, it is

stated, turned back. No one was immune and it was not till close on 4 o'clock in the morning that the military returned to Newry. The demonstration is regarded as a sequel to the recent raid for arms at

Ballyedmond.

(Dundalk Democrat, 31 May 1919)

? May

(1) Recovery Of Stolen Arms

The activity of the police and military in searching for arms alleged to

have been stolen by Sinn F?in raiders in South Down and South

Armagh has been rewarded by the discovery of about ten shotguns and

rifles and some swords which were found secreted in the thatch of a

disused house in the townland of Faughilotra, Jonesboro'. The weapons were taken possession of by the military and it is stated that some of

them have been identified as having been stolen from the Earl of

Arran's residence at Ravensdale. Interesting -developments are

expected.


(2) Recapture Of Arms In Armagh

Some additional particulars are forthcoming regarding the recent




seizure of concealed arms in Co. Armagh. The discovery was made by two RIC constables from the Jonesboro' Barracks. The weapons were,

we learn, found between the ceiling and roof of a slated house which has been vacant for a considerable time, in the townland of Faughilotra, about one mile from this station. A miscellaneous collection was found,

consisting of guns, swords, pistols, pikes, spears, daggers, a telescope and a considerable quantity of ammunition. In the collection was discovered all the arms raided from the residence of the Earl of Arran . . . There was a large selection that did not belong to Lord Arran and it is

presumed the arms recently taken from Adavoyle Orange Hall were also in the find.


1 June7

SF Meeting Proclaimed At Middletown

Arrangements on a large scale were practically completed for a big Sinn F?in demonstration in Middletown on Sunday last for the unfurling of a new banner when,

. . . the authorities . . . proclaimed the meeting

. .

. A party arrived from Armagh . . . early in the afternoon and . . .

proceeded out the Monaghan road but were closely followed by . . . the

police ... At Annagola, just across the border of Co. Armagh, a halt was made and an attempt to address the few persons in the vicinity was made by Denis McCullough but he had only spoken a few words in Irish when Sergeant Kemp, Armagh, informed him that he would not be allowed to proceed . . . Several scouting police parties in motor cars toured the district during the evening but no further attempt to hold a

meeting was made . . .

(Extracts, Armagh Guardian, 6 June 1919)

4 June

(1) Sinn Feiner Removed From Dundalk To Belfast

Mr P. J. Berril, a prominent Sinn Feiner and Commandant of the Dundalk Order of Irish Volunteers, who was arrested at Dundalk

immediately after the Sinn F?in raid at Ballyedmond Castle . . ., was

yesterday removed from the military barracks at Dundalk to Belfast Jail. He was conveyed to the railway station in a military wagon followed by a police motor and military cyclists.

(Extracts, Newry Reporter, 5 June 1919)

7 Incident dated 1 June 1919 is linked with incident dated 5 June 1919.




(2)8 extraordinary military and police activity, young Dundalk Man Shot

Dundalk and its vicinity had an extraordinary experience on

Wednesday night. During the evening, there was rather unusual activity on the part of military motor-cyclists, who were observed speeding in

every direction, but no particular interest was aroused by this. At

midnight, however, those living along the main line of streets were somewhat alarmed by the rapid passage of a number of motor lorries in

which fully-armed soldiers could be seen, while, at the same time, large numbers of police turned out. The special object of their activity seemed to be the country district north of Dundalk but it is stated that at all the entrances and exits of the town guards were mounted and that all

wayfarers who chanced to be abroad after midnight had to submit to severe interrogation as to their identity and business. It is certain that

military guards and pickets were placed on all the main roads north of Dundalk and nobody was suffered to pass without being stopped and

questioned. One of these pickets was stationed at New Inn, where the roads from Newry and Faughart meet, and this was the scene of a

deplorably tragic occurrence. A young man named Mathew Murphy, son of Mr Frank Murphy of St Mary's Road, was returning to Dundalk

by motor from Newcastle, where he had been doing business on behalf of his firm, Messrs P. J. Carroll and Co, tobacco manufacturers. The car was delayed on the road by the accidents common to motorists and it was very late when they reached the outskirts of the town. As they approached the cross-roads, it is alleged that the military guard there

challenged the driver to stop but the driver states that he heard no such

challenge and did not observe any party on the road and consequently drove on. One of the soldiers then fired at the approaching car and the

bullet, after passing through the front of the car, entered Mr Murphy's thigh. The car was stopped and it was found that the wounded man was

bleeding very profusely. The lieutenant in charge of the military party directed the driver to bring Mr Murphy to a doctor as quickly as possible and this was done. Dr O'Brien dressed the wound and the injured man

was then brought to the County Infirmary. When admitted, he was in a

very weak state from shock and loss of blood . . . The driver of the motor car interviewed by a press representative, made the following statement: T was coming along driving when the first thing I heard was a

report and Mr Murphy shouted, "I am shot". When the car was

stopped, a number of soldiers came up and shouted to us. After they came forward, I asked one of the soldiers, "Who fired that shot?", and he said "What do I know who fired it". A lieutenant then came up and asked me who I was. I told him I was O'Hagan of Dundalk. He then told

me to go to a doctor at once. Murphy and I then started off. After going

8 Incident dated 4 June 1919.2 is linked with incidents dated 7, 9 June 1919; 10 June 1919;

24, 25 June 1919; 26 June 1919.




a short distance, I was nearly running into a military wagon which was drawn across the road as a barricade. I was again held up at the Big Bridge but I was allowed to pass when I told the sentry who I was. I then

brought Murphy to Dr O'Brien, who dressed his leg, and I later

conveyed him to the Louth Infirmary'. . .

(Extracts, Dundalk Democrat, 1 June 1919)

5 June

Armagh Sinn Feiner Sentenced, Policeman Deliberately Attacked

'He was just doing the "candy" man all the evening', was the

description given by Sergeant Kemp to the magistrates at Armagh Petty Sessions yesterday, on the conduct of Michael Daniel Nugent of

Drumarg or Downs, near Armagh, in Middletown last Sunday. Nugent, who is a well-known local Sinn Feiner, was a few months ago released from Belfast Jail, where he underwent six months' imprisonment for unlawful assembly. He was in Middletown last Sunday, where a Sinn F?in demonstration was to have been held, but was proclaimed by the authorities. Sergeant Kemp, Armagh, was with other policemen on

duty, when it appears Nugent assaulted him and for which the Sergeant summoned him. The defendant did not appear at the Petty Sessions . . .

The Chairman said that the magistrates were satisfied that ... it was

clearly established that the premeditated deliberate and determined assault was committed by the defendant on an officer of the law . . .

Defendant would be sentenced to two months' imprisonment with hard labour and, at the expiration, he would have to give security to be of

good behaviour for twelve months ? himself in ?20 and two sureties of ?10 each ? and in default a further period of two months' imprisonment

(Extracts, Armagh Guardian, 6 June 1919)

7, 9 June

Dundalk Shooting Affair, Death Of Wounded Man

A painful sensation was created in Dundalk on Saturday night at the announcement of the death ... of Mr Mathew Murphy, the young commercial traveller who was shot in the thigh by a military sentry late on Wednesday night . . . Yesterday, the inquest in the case was opened by Mr D. O'Connell, Deputy Coroner for North Louth, and, after evidence of identification, was adjourned until Tuesday the 24 June . . .





10 June

Dundalk Shooting Affair

The funeral on Tuesday of Mr Mathew Murphy, who was shot by a

military sentry at Dundalk, partook of the nature of a public demonstration of sympathy. All business in the town was suspended whilst the cortege passed from St Patrick's. Cathedral to Castletown

Cemetery, where the interment took place. The municipal flag and those of the AOH and Foresters were at half-mast and all shops were shuttered. Close on 2,000 people marched in the procession. The

Emmet Band, with muffled drums, played funeral music. Members of the clerical staff of Messrs P. J. Carroll & Co acted as pall-bearers and the hearse was covered with natural flowers. Following the hearse were the father of deceased and his brothers, accompanied by a number of

priests. The Dundalk Urban Council adjourned without transacting any business.

(Newry Reporter, 12 June 1919)

21, 22 June

Sinn F?iners In Cooley, Meeting Stopped By Police

What was announced as an Aeridheacht was arranged for Sunday last at Riverstown in reality would appear to have been designed to give Rev

M. O'Flanagan and Mr J. J. O'Kelly, Sinn F?in Member for Louth, . . .

an opportunity of expounding Republican principles. The Government on Saturday proclaimed the meeting. Rev. M. O'Flanagan and Mr

O'Kelly arrived on Sunday and motored to Cooley, in company with Mr Peter Hughes, Mr P. J. Daly, Mr J. McKinley and other local Sinn F?iners. They proceeded to Grange, where it was decided to hold the

meeting prohibited at Riverstown. At first, the people gathered in the hall. . . but eventually adjourned to a field. Here, Mr O'Kelly delivered a speech and Rev. M. O'Flanagan was about to speak when the police arrived and a force of military took up position at the back of the crowd.

The County-Inspector came forward and stated that he had orders not

to permit the meeting. The Chairman protested that it was the Riverstown meeting that was proclaimed but the County-Inspector said he would give the people ten minutes to disperse. The Chairman said that would give Fr O'Flanagan ten minutes to talk. The County

Inspector asked Fr O'Flanagan to advise the people to disperse at their

ease, which they did. At Whitestown, subsequently, Rev. M.

O'Flanagan addressed another meeting and, afterwards at a concert in

Lordship under the chairmanship of Mr J. H. McArdle, MCC, both

speakers delivered addresses.

(Extracts, Dundalk Democrat, 28 June 1919)




24, 25 June

The Dundalk Tragedy

The inquest on the body of Mathew Murphy, commercial traveller, shot by the military on June 5, was resumed in Dundalk on Tuesday before Mr D. O'Connell, Deputy Coroner. Mr T. M. Healy, KC, . . .

for the next-of-kin, said it was his intention to seek no extravagant verdict from the jury beyond that the homicide was unjustifiable and that the famiy were entitled to compensation, as the loss of the life of the principal bread-winner in the family was caused by military or police action. Sergeant McSweeney . . . RIC and military authorities, said that there had been in the district recurring instances of outrages of a very lamentable character and people's houses had been attacked for arms.

The precautions taken on this night were taken after consultation with the County-Inspector and the authorities regretted that a young man,

who was an innocent and law-abiding citizen, should have lost his life . . . The inquiry was continued yesterday and has not yet been concluded.


26 June

The Dundalk Tragedy

The inquest concerning the death of Mr Mathew Murphy, commercial

traveller, was concluded in Dundalk . . . The jury returned the following verdict: 'We find on the medical evidence that the deceased Mathew

Murphy died at the Louth Infirmary on the 7 June from septicaemia as

the result of a wound caused by the firing of a military picket at New Inn

at midnight on 4 June. We are of opinion that reasonable precautions were not taken by the authorities on that occasion to safeguard the

general public and more effective and less dangerous measures should

have been adopted. We strongly recommend the parents of the

deceased to the fair consideration of the authorities and tender our

sincere and heartfelt sympathy to them in their sad bereavement'.


28 June

Soldiers And Civilians, Saturday Night Rows In Dundalk

An ugly row between soldiers and Sinn F?iners, which ended in the

patrolling of the town by armed detachments of the Norfolk Regiment, occurred in Dundalk on Saturday night last. Throughout the evening,

many soldiers marched the streets wearing Union Jacks and singing British songs to celebrate the signing of the peace terms at Versailles

that day. Little notice was taken of the men thus demonstrating who, by the way, formed only a very small portion of the military men of the



Armagh, South Down, North Louth ?919-21 245

street. Shortly after 9 o'clock, however, a row developed in a

public-house in Clanbrassil Street, where many soldiers and civilians were drinking. The report of what occurred there is that a private in the

Norfolks, rather the worse for drink, called for cheers for England and made slighting references to the Sinn F?iners. It is alleged that a lad

standing beside him hit the soldier a thump on the head and that the

soldier, turning round from the counter, struck with his bayonet the head of the first person near him who happened to be a lad named

Quigley from Distillery Lane. The blow knocked Quigley and a rush was made for the offending soldier. He was surrounded by an angry crowd and badly beaten. The flag was taken from him and he was kicked about the head and stomach. Two constables from the Bridge Street

Barracks, Meade and Sloss, endeavoured to get the soldier away but the crowd prevented this until he had been severely punished. When this

person had been disposed of, other soldiers, some of them under the influence and demonstrating on the streets, were followed and beaten and their favours seized. Two men attached to the Royal Field Artillery who were passing at the Market Square

? men who had not been involved in the row at Clanbrassil Street and who were returning quietly to their quarters

? were attacked by the crowd, knocked down and

badly beaten. One of these men bled profusely from the head and face and was later removed to the barracks in a car. A navy man home on

leave was also beaten. Other soldiers, who were unfortunate enough to come within 'the line of fire', received unwelcome attention from the crowd which, by now, was considerably augmented and which was

headed by a lad carrying a large Republican flag. Outside the Town

Hall, a halt was made and it was stated that some soldiers had run into that building for safety. The crowd had taken possession of several of the British flags and these were publicly burned along Clanbrassil

Street, while the spectators cheered wildly. The most picturesque incident of the night was the burning of one of the Union Jacks opposite

Market Street. The flag, which was captured from a soldier, was held by several young ladies, while a well-known local character, who had done

good service for the same flag in several corners of the far-flung British

Empire, applied the light which burned this symbol of England's power into ashes. The assembled crowd cheered wildly. From the Town Hall, the crowd chased after soldiers down Crowe Street and Jocelyn Street and several of the men charged into private houses on the way. In

Jocelyn Street, it is alleged that an officer fired his revolver into the air. The row with the soldiers was fierce while it lasted, the military men

endeavouring to protect themselves with their belts which they doubled round their arms. A cyclist conveyed word to the military barracks and, in a few minutes, a detachment of soldiers armed with rifles and

bayonets marched up the street and round the Square. On the approach of the armed men, the crowd, which up to then had taken possession of the town, cleared off the street and in a very few minutes the streets




were practically deserted. The soldiers were divided into two groups ?

one drawing a cordon across near the Post Office and the other

performing a similar movement at the junction of Park Street and Dublin Street. They, afterwards, paraded the different streets singing and cheering. At 11.30, while one crowd of soldiers was halted at the

Square, a small crowd of boys and well-dressed young women gathered at the corner and commenced to booh, on the approach of a policeman, these people, who should have been at home long before, made off. The

soldiers marched up and down the town until 1 a.m. but there were no

further incidents . . .

(Extract, Dundalk Democrat, 5 July 1919)

29 June

Nationalist Rally At Crossmaglen

A successful demonstration and meeting took place in Crossmaglen on Sunday, when a big turn out of the Nationalists of this historic

locality, accompanied by bands and banners, gave a welcome of much enthusiasm to Mr Patrick Donnelly, MP for South Armagh, who was

accompanied by Mr J. P. O'Kane, JP, Belfast, and Mr Hugh Martin, Chief Organiser, UIL. There were present, in addition to a large number of the residents of the town and immediate vicinity, strong

contingents from Doohamlet, Lough Egish, Cullyhanna and Glass drummond and in the parade through the town which preceded a public

meeting in the Square a conspicuous place was occupied by members of

the AOH in regalia, headed by the handsome banner of the

Crossmaglen division. At the public meeting, the chair was taken by Mr P. McConville, JP, .'.'. who . . .

briefly introduced the speakers . . .

(Extracts, Dundalk Democrat, 5 July 1919)

6 July9

Assault On Camlough Police

While accompanying a party of Camlough footballers home from a

Gaelic football match near Crossmaglen on Sunday evening last, Constables Doggett and Kearney of the Camlough police force were

attacked and beaten. The footballers were on cars and the constables on

cycles. At O'Hanlon's cross-roads, the men on the cars, it is stated,

jumped to the ground and a row or simulated fight got up between them. The constables intervened and, in the course of the m?l?e,

Constable Doggett received a kick in the mouth which displaced several of his teeth and he was rendered unconscious. While lying in this state, a

9 Incident dated 6 July 1919 is linked with incidents dated 7 July 1919; 12 August 1919; 27, 28 October 1919.




large stone weighing several pounds was let fall on his head, inflicting such injuries that several stitches had subsequently to be put in by Dr Scott of Bessbrook. Constable Kearney came off with comparative safety as, taking up a strategic position, he kept back his assailants until assistance arrived in the person of an ex-soldier named O'Hare and others. The bicycles of both constables were smashed beyond repair and the tyres were hacked with knives . . .

(Extract, Newry Reporter, 8 July 1919)

7 July The Attack On Camlough Police, Four Arrests And Remands

In connection with the attack which was made on Constables Doggett and Kearney of the Camlough police force on Sunday . . ., four arrests

were made on Monday last, the accused being Michael Byrne,

Camlough; Patk Osborne, 31 Gibson Street, Belfast; Owen McCreesh,

Eshwary; and Patk. McShane, Cross. In the evening, the prisoners were

brought up in custody at a special court in the Camlough Police

Barracks where . . . they were charged

. . . with having unlawfully and

feloniously done grevious bodily harm to Constable John Doggett . . .

and also with having . . . assaulted Constable Nicholas J. Kearney . . .

the accused were allowed bail ? themselves in ?100 with two sureties of

?50 each ? to appear at Forkhill Petty Sessions on the 12 August.

(Extracts, Newry Reporter, 10 July 1919)

8 July Peace Celebrations! Public Meeting In Newry, Sinn F?in

Opposition

On Tuesday night last. . ., a public meeting . . . was held in the Town

Hall, Newry, 'to consider in what manner the peace celebrations to be

held on the 19 July will be observed and to make arrangements

accordingly'. Mr H. J. McConville, JP, Chairman of the Newry Urban

Council, presided and he was supported on the platform by a number of

leading citizens . . . The Chairman . . . said ... it would be non-political ?

nothing but the celebration of the victory of peace, victory over the

Huns after five years of strenuous warfare. Seeing that Newry during that period took a leading part in the war by sending men out in great numbers, he did not think they should allow the day to pass without

showing their feelings in some way ... He had much pleasure in

proposing, 'That this meeting of citizens of Newry welcomes the

proposal to celebrate the coming of peace on Saturday the 19th inst. . .' .

. . As soon as the Chairman put the resolution to the meeting, Mr

Joseph Connellan rose from a seat at the back of the hall and requested that a count should be taken of the house before a decision was



248 Seanchas Ard M hacha

declared. He asserted that the meeting had been rushed and that it was

in no wise representative of the citizens of Newry, adding that nobody knew better than the Chairman that if he held a meeting of the citizens

of Newry, giving at least twenty-four hours' notice, such a resolution as

he intended putting to the meeting would not be carried ... It was

preposterous and false to say that freedom had been established the world over. There was only one white race in slavery at the present day and that white race was the Irish race ... If any resolution was to be put to the meeting, it should be . . . That there be no celebrations of peace in Newry until the freedom of Ireland is achieved'. (Applause) Mr

McQuaid, Solicitor: T beg to second the amendment ...'... The

amendment was then put ot the meeting ... A show of hands was then

called for and, as a result, the amendment was carried . . . The

proceedings terminated amid Sinn F?in cheers and the singing of the

'Soldier's Song'.

(Extracts, Newry Reporter, 10 July 1919)

? July Arms Raid In South Armagh, Two Farm Houses Entered

A daring and successful raid for arms in the townland of

Tullymacrieve, a lonely district between Forkhill and Bessbrook (-?) last week by a party of five armed and disguised men. The houses

entered were those of two farmers named Garvey and Murchan, from

which serviceable weapons were taken. Murchan surrendered his gun

only after being threatened with being shot. In the case of Garvey, the

weapon was hanging in the kitchen and the raiders cooly took

possession of it and cleared off.

(Armagh Guardian, 18 July 1919)

31 July

Courtmartial, Hilltown Man Sentenced

James Cullen . . . of Ballymaghery, Hilltown, Co Down, was charged

by District Courtmartial at Belfast on 31 July . . . and was sentenced to

three months' imprisonment without hard labour. The evidence showed

that the accused had seditious documents in his possession, including one number of the official organ of the Irish Volunteers . . .

(Extracts, Newry Reporter, 16 August 1919)

1 August

10 Incident dated 1 August 1919 is linked with incidents dated 7 August 1919; 6 September

1919.




Arms Raid At Greenore, Military Rifles Looted From Railway Transport Station

A band of men raided the railway transport station at Greenore on

Friday night, broke into a lock-up store and stole three sacks containing nineteen service rifles, which had arrived from England and were

addressed to the Commanding Officer, Royal Field Artillery, Dundalk. It is believed that motor cars were employed in the carrying out of the raid.

(Newry Reporter, 5 August 1919)

2, 3 August

Sinn F?in In Lurgan, Meeting Proclaimed And Held

. . . Last Sunday . . ., Lurgan was the scene of considerable

commotion which, during the afternoon, spread all over the

neighbourhood. A meeting was announced by poster to celebrate the third anniversary of Roger Casement's death. On Saturday evening, a

Proclamation was posted up at the Courthouse, the police barracks in the town and other places forbidding the holding of the meeting at or in the neighbourhood of Lurgan. Extra police were drafted into town from the Co. Antrim and these, with all the available men from the three stations in Lurgan, were brought out on Sunday. The promoters decided to hold the meeting elsewhere and a vast assemblage proceeded towards

Kilmore, about 3 o'clock in the afternoon. The police had gone by another route and a halt was made by the gathering on the roadway in

Kilmore . . . Some of the speakers had commenced to address the

meeting, when District-Inspector Ryan announced that the gathering would not be allowed, whereupon the police were hooted and groaned. A charge immediately followed and two rows of police drawn across the

roadway used their batons. Considerable commotion and confusion followed . . . Headed by the Aghagallon Pipers' Band and standard, the

party proceeded about two miles further on and held a meeting in the

parish of Aghagallon, where more than 3,000 people were addressed. The police returned to Lurgan, whither they were decoyed by a section of the crowd after the 'engagement' at Kilmore, and consequently the

Aghagallon meeting was undisturbed . . .

(Extracts, Frontier Sentinel, 9 August 1919)

6 August

Ballyedmond Castle Raid, Courtmartial In Belfast

A courtmartial was held in . . . Belfast on Wednesday to inquire into

charges against . . . Patrick Joseph Berrill, Williamson Place, Dundalk . . . to which he refused to plead . . . 'That at Dundalk on 17 May 1918 . . .




he had in his possession ... a document relating to bridges on the

railway north of Dundalk and with respect to the deposition of the forces guarding certain of said bridges. That he was in possession of a

document . . . relating to certain bridges between Dundalk and Dromiskin and the troops guarding Dundalk Station. That he procured, carried and kept in his possesssion a document containing the plans,

deposition and details of Ballyedmond Castle ...'... The

Judge-Advocate: 'Do you wish to say anything?'. Accused: '. . . I deny the right of the Court to have any jurisdiction over me whatsoever'. . .

The decision of the Court will be promulgated later.


7 August

The Grenore Arms Raid, Three Sacks Of Rifles Seized

In the House of Commons on Thursday, the Attorney-General, in

reply to Mr Moles, said a band of men a few days ago visited a railway transport depot at Greenore, broke open a lock-up store and seized three sacks of military rifles addressed to the Commanding Officer,

Royal Artillery, Dundalk. The missing rifles had not yet been traced and an inquiry was proceeding. No arrests have been made.

(Newry Reporter, 9 August 1919)

9 August11

Loughgall Arms Raid, Audacious Sinn F?iners Foiled

Rather a sensation was caused, when the news spread that an

audacious raid for arms had been made by Sinn F?iners in the peaceful and predominantly Unionist district of Loughgall, during the early hours of Saturday morning. The scene of the affair was Drumilly House, the residence of Mr J. G. Cope, JP, which was entered by a dozen

disguised men, two of them whom masqueraded as women, and

ransacked the house in the hope of getting Ulster Volunteer rifles but in

which . . . they were unsuccessful. About 2 o'clock, Mrs Cope heard men walking about the place. She arose out of bed, loaded a gun, also a

revolver which she handed to the butler. They went to the front door,

opened it and saw a man about ten or fifteen yards distant. Mrs Cope fired a shot and the man fell. The butler was behind her at the time.

Immediately after the discharge of the shot, both Mrs Cope and the

butler were pounced upon and seized. Mrs Cope's sister, Mrs Hoy, who was on a visit, hearing the noise, came upon the scene and she was also

caught. All three were then bound securely hand and foot with strong

11 Incident dated 9 August 1919 is linked with incident dated ? August 1919.1.




ropes and carried to an engine-house about forty yards away. Here, they were placed under an armed guard, who threatened to shoot them if

they moved or spoke. The other intruders then searched the house but, much to their disappointment, could not find either rifles or

ammunition, the only reward for their trouble being the gun and revolver which they wrested from Mrs Cope and the butler. Mr Cope,

who was suffering from illness, awakened by the commotion, was

prevented from rendering any assistance owing to the raiders having locked his bedroom door. When they finished their search, they returned to the engine-house, loosed the bonds from the feet of the bound occupants but left their arms and hands still tied, bade them

'good morning' and remarked they were sorry for disturbing them. The man who fell after Mrs Cope fired subsequently rose and ran away. The other men went away in two motor cars which were waiting a short distance away. Earlier that night, some strange men were seen in the

vicinity of the place but could not be identified. Loughgall people who

know, laugh at the raiders' disappointment, as the rifles were close by. Now they are beyond reach. It is stated that Mrs Cope was, some time

ago, threatened by Roman Catholics, with whom she had some difference.

(Armagh Guardian, 15 August 1919)

9, 10 August

(1) Aeridheacht Banned, Big Display Of Force

An aeridheacht and sports announced to be held in the townland of

Ballysheal, a Nationalist district near Katesbridge, Co. Down, on

Sunday afternoon was proclaimed on Saturday evening. The

Proclamation, which prohibited the event in Ballysheal and specified four other adjoining townlands, 'or the neighbourhood', was signed by

Brigadier-General Hackett-Pain. There was a huge display of military force in the district on Sunday. A large body of armed police . . . and . . .

a contingent of Norfolks with trench helmets, rifles and bayonets arrived from Belfast in motor lorries and took possession of the

proclaimed area and roads leading to it. During the afternoon, a couple of aeroplanes equipped with machine guns hovered over Banbridge district for some hours but apparently failed to locate the venue of the

gathering, which took place in Ballynanny, about a mile outside the

proclaimed area . . . The proceedings concluded with cheers for the Irish

Republic and the singing of the 'Soldier' Song'. . .

(Extracts. Frontier Sentinel, 16 August 1919)

(2) Exciting Armagh Scenes, Police Attempt To Seize Drms At Proclaimed Meeting

A Sinn F?in meeting billed for Portmore, near Benburb, on Sunday




was proclaimed by Brigadier-General Hackett-Pain. Copies of the notices were served on the local leaders on Saturday night. Sinn F?in

contingents from Armagh, Keady, Lurgan, Middletown and Black

watertown, accompanied by bands, assembled at Tullygooningan Hill,

overlooking the battlefield of the Yellow Ford, and held a meeting there. Mr E. Donnelly presided . . . Just as the meeting was about to

conclude, a large force of police arrived on the scene and ordered the

people to disperse. The police had fixed bayonets and made an attempt to seize two drums. This led to a scene of great excitement and matters looked serious. A heated argument ensued between a District-Inspector and Mr Donnelly . . . The military then arrived. It was alleged that stones were thrown at the police and that attempts were made to

puncture the cars belonging to the authorities. Two men were arrested but subsequently released and matters cooled down. The procession was re-formed and proceeded to Armagh, closely followed by police and

military in motor lorries. At the Shambles, Armagh, close to the Sinn F?in Hall, the police and military remained for several hours, surrounded by a large and orderly crowd, but no incident of note took

place save that in Armagh Mr Donnelly was notified by the police that

any attempt to hold a meeting either in the Sinn F?in Hall or the City Hall would be prevented ... A number of aeroplanes hovered over the

proclaimed area . . .


10 August

(1) Aeridheacht At Newry, Visit From Aeroplanes

An aeridheacht under the auspices of Sinn F?in was held in the

Marshes, Newry, last Sunday and proved highly successful. Several

police were on the field but they did not interfere with the proceedings. Two aeroplanes visited the field before the opening of the function and one of them returned while the programme was proceeding and, having hovered over the field for some time, went away . . .

(Extracts, Frontier Sentinel,16 August 1919)

(2) Newtownhamilton Aeridheacht

The aeridheacht at Newtownhamilton last Sunday . . . was the best ever held in the district . . . Aeroplanes hovered overhead. Several bands were in attendance . . . There was a large number of priests present and stirring speeches were delivered.


12 August

Forkhill Petty Sessions, Alleged Attack On Camlough Police




These Sessions were held on Tuesday . . . Michael Byrne, Patrick

Osborne, Owen McCreesh and Patrick McShane were charged on

remand, on bail, with having done grevious bodily harm to Constable John Doggett . . . and with having . . . assaulted Constable Nicholas J.

Kearney . . . The Court remanded the accused on the same bail ? ?100,

with two sureties of ?50 each, to the next court.


? August

(1) Volunteer Rifles Are Handed Over

We understand that during the past ten days, a large number of the

Ulster Volunteer rifles have been handed over to the authorities in Co.

Armagh and these include the rifles which were in Drumilly House when the Sinn F?iners raided it . .

(Extract, Armagh Guardian, 22 August 1919)

(2) It is officially stated that Patrick Joseph Berrill... of Dundalk, tried

by courtmartial at Belfast on 6 August . . . was sentenced to one years' imprisonment with hard, labour.

(Extracts, Dundalk Democrat, 23 August 1919)

15 August

(1) Sinn F?in Attack Keady Band

Information only now comes to hand of the stormy reception which

Keady Pipers' Band experienced when they returned through Castleblayney on the 15th inst. from Blackrock Hibernian meeting. They were groaned and attacked by a crowd of Sinn F?iners but the

Keady men did not quietly submit and retaliated with any handy missiles till the police, of whom there were only three, got the parties separated for a time. Later, they came into contact again and there were several free fights, sticks and even band instruments being used as weapons. It

was with considerable difficulty that order was eventually restored.


(2) Sinn F?in Rowdyism In Ardee

The attacks on Hibernians and Nationalists returning from Mr Devlin's meeting at Blackrock on August 15 seem to have been made by preconcerted plan ... In Ardee, local Hibernians were met by a

howling mob led by a person who has made himself notorious latterly in the place and whose former association with the police force might have been expected to make him a better upholder of law and order. Stones and bottles were showered on the returning excursionists and some old




and respectable inhabitants of Ardee were badly injured. A number of windows in the houses of Nationalists were broken . . .

(Extracts, Dundalk Democrat, 25 August 1919)

21 August

Early Morning Raids

At 2 o'clock on Thursday morning, police and military raided the

recently acquired premises of the National Club in Seatown Place, Dundalk. Afterwards, a raid was made on the licensed premises of Mr John McGuill, Bridge Street, and the public-house of Mr James

McGuill in the Market Square. It is understood that some documents were seized. Nothing else was taken.

(Dundalk Democrat, 23 August 1919)

23 August

(1) Shouts Of 'Up Sinn Fein' Lead To Assault On Portadown Magistrate

The cry of, 'Up Sinn F?in', led to a serious street row in Portadown on

Saturday, in the course of which Mr John George Waugh, JP, Ballinary House, Birches, was dangerously assaulted. Mr Waugh was seriously

injured about the head and, in a deposition made by him, he stated

amongst the crowd in Warehouse Street that morning were a soldier in kilts and the prisoner, Grimley. Both of them shouted, 'Up Sinn F?in'.

A policeman afterwards led the man in kilts up the street, Grimley following shouting. Mr Waugh was advising Grimley to go home, when the latter is said to have struck Mr Waugh on the head with a stick.

Grimley was remanded in custody.


(2) Police Raids In Dundalk

Early on Saturday morning, a force of local policemen . . . raided several shops and private houses in Dundalk. The raid on this occasion

was apparently directed against the houses occupied or managed by the more prominent members of the Dundalk Cumann na mBan, the ladies' branch of Sinn F?in organisation. Some literature was taken from some

of the news agency shops visited, including a Fianna handbook and song books. The boot shop of Mr N. Murtagh, Park Street; the private house of Mr Felix McHugh, Vincent Avenue; the rooms occupied by Miss

Margaret McDermott in Dublin Street (the occupier of which is said to

be a prominent member of the Cumann na mBan); the stationery shop of the President of the Cumann (Miss Anglea Mathews) and the shop of

Miss Mandeville in Church Street were all raided. A visit was also paid




to the 'Examiner' office but nothing was taken from here or were the

premises searched. The raids took place between 7 and 10 o'clock on

Saturday morning and no military were employed.

(Dundalk Democrat, 30 August 1919)

30 August

Another Raid

On Saturday morning, five policemen under Head-Constable

Gallagher, visited the premises of James Brennan, Chapel Lane,

Dundalk, and searched for arms. A leather bandolier was taken.

(Dundalk Democrat, 6 September 1919)

4 September

Released

P. J. Berrill, the Sinn Feiner who was sentenced by a recent

courtmartial in connection with the raid on Ballyedmond Castle, near

Rostrevor, was released from Belfast Jail on Thursday. He had been on

hunger-strike since Thursday last.


6 September

The Greenore Arms Raid, Result Of Court Of Inquiry Into

Charge Against Sergeant

The decision has been promulgated of the Constabulary Court of

Inquiry which was held on the 6th inst. into charges of neglect of duty

preferred against Sergeant Daniel Deeny of Greenore in connection with the larceny of nineteen military rifles . . . from a store at the

Greenore Railway Station in August last. The accused has been reduced to the rank of constable and transferred to West Gate Police Barracks,

Drogheda. The charges against the accused, who has 23 years' service, were (1) That he failed to notify District-Inspector Carbery, Dundalk, at once of the arrival of the rifles or to take steps to have the military authorities at Dundalk informed of same, thereby allowing them to fall into the hands of disloyal and disaffected persons and (2) That he failed to have the arms removed to the RIC Barracks at Greenore or to take

adequate measures to prevent them falling into the hands of disloyal and disaffected persons'.

. .

(Extracts, Newry Reporter, 25 September 1919)




11 September12

D?il ?ireann Suppressed, Lord Lieutenants Proclamation

A Proclamation by the Lord Lieutenant, published on Thursday night in the 'Dublin Gazette', states: 'Whereas the association known by the

name of the D?il ?ireann appears to us to be a dangerous association and to have been, after the date of the special Proclamation of the 3 July 1918, formed and first employed for all the purposes of the associations known by the names of the Sinn F?in organisations, Sinn F?in Clubs,

Volunteers and Cumann na mBan: Now, we, the Lord Lieutenant General and General Governor of Ireland, by virtue of the Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act, 1887, and of every power and

authority in this behalf, do hereby by this our order prohibit and

suppress within the several districts specified and named in the schedule hereto the association known by the name of D?il ?ireann. The districts named in the schedule include the whole of Ireland'.

(Frontier Sentinel, 20 September 1919)

11, 12 September

Sinn F?in Suppressed, Police Raids In Co. Armagh

The drastic measures which the Government are taking to deal with Sinn F?in and its kindred organisations were revealed by a Proclamation issued on Thursday last, prohibiting and suppressing Sinn F?in, Sinn

F?in Clubs, the Irish Volunteers, Cumann na mBan and the Gaelic

League, throughout the whole of Ireland. D?il ?ireann (Sinn F?in

Parliament) which was formed and employed for the purpose of these associations has also been declared illegal and suppressed. On Friday, extensive raids were made by forces of police and military all over the

country. Sinn F?in Clubs, business premises and private houses were

searched for arms, ammunition and seditious literature and, with the

exception of Derry, no opposition was offered to the search parties. Co.

Armagh Sinn F?iners were rather surprised to find that the Proclamation included this county. On Friday, systematic searches of their clubs and the houses of prominent members of the organisation

were made. Armagh Sinn F?in Club, Mill Street, and the house of Mr Edward Donnelly, President, and of Mr J. Reilly, Milford, were

searched. No arms were found but a considerable quantity of literature was seized. Much of this, we understand, included dispatches from the

'Headquarters of the Republican Army of Ireland', couched in military terms. No incident of an exciting nature occurred during the raids and

very few people were in the vicinity of the places at the time.

12 Incident dated 11 September 1919 is linked with incidents dated 11, 12 September 1919;

12 September 1919; 20 September 1919; 20, 21 September 1919; 24 September 1919.2; 26

September 1919; 4 October 1919.




Keady Raids The premises of prominent Sinn F?iners in Keady and district were

searched on Friday morning by the local police but, with the exception of a quantity of Sinn F?in literature, nothing else was discovered. The

places searched were those of Peter Leenagh, draper, Daniel Dumigan, Peter McKnight, J. Hughes, rate collector, Patk Cassidy, John Rocks, Granemore, Patk Callaghan, Carrickabolic, Patrick Murray, Mullyard, and Clea Sinn F?in Hall. No opposition was manifested in any way towards the police during the course of the proceedings ... A large crowd collected outside of Messrs Burke's premises in Lurgan where, after an hour and three quarters' search, the police left, taking with them Sinn F?in papers, two large Sinn F?in flags and a small toy tin

pistol.

(Extracts, Armagh Guardian, 19 September 1919)

12 September

Military And Police Activity, Raids Throughout Ireland

Yesterday morning, raids on the part of the military and police took

place in numerous centres throughout the whole of Ireland. In Newry, the Sinn F?in Club, William Street, the Frontier Sentinel office, Hill

Street, and the residences of a number of well-known local Sinn F?iners

(including Messrs D. F. Sheridan, R. Kelly, J. Southwell, P. Rankin, J.

Connellan, P. Lavery, T. Mulligan and D. Fitzpatrick) were visited and searched. Some Republican literature was seized, also a Sinn F?in flag bearing the letters 'IRA', which had been displayed from a window above the Sentinel office as the military and police were leaving the

premises. Similar raids took place in the districts surrounding Newry. A

gun and some sporting ammunition were got in a house in

Carrickrovaddy and four guns were secured in a house in Dromantine.

(Newry Reporter, 13 September 1919)

20 September

More Raids On Sinn F?in, Six Newspapers Suppressed

On Saturday morning, raids by military and police were made

simultaneously on . . . printing presses . . . which turn out Sinn F?in

publications . . ., the further issues of . . . which were suppressed ... All

copies of that day's issue of the Dundalk Examiner were seized by the

police . . . It is understood that the paper contained the advertisement of

the D?il ?ireann Loan . . .




258 Se'anchas Ard M hacha

20, 21 September

A Proclaimed Aeridheacht

A Sinn F?in aeridheacht advertised to be held at Bridge-a-Chrin on

Sunday last was proclaimed on Saturday by an order bearing the name of General Hackett-Pain. Some soldiers and policemen motored to the venue but no attempt was made to hold the aeridheacht at

Bridge-a-Chrin. The members of a Dundalk band, who were to have

helped the Cullyhanna Pipers Band and the Crossmaglen Brass combination in supplying the music, turned up on Sunday morning but decided not to proceed to the venue arranged. A Sinn F?in meeting was

subsequently held in a field at Doyle's Fort, where an address was delivered by Mr J. J. O'Kelly (Sceilg), the Sinn F?in MP for Louth. A few local men also contributed.


21 September

Cardinal Logue And The STATE Of Ireland

Mr W. J. Larkin of the Dublin Town Tenants' Association, having recently written to Cardinal Logue calling his attention to attempted evictions in Dublin, has received the following reply: 'Ara Coeli,

Armagh, 21 September, 1919. Dear Sir, I beg to acknowledge receipt of

your letter with its enclosures. Between military rule on one side and the action of the Transport Union on the other, things have come to such a

pass in Dublin and the rest of the country that I do not understand them and cannot touch them. I see no prospect of revival of trade or progress in the country while the present state of confusion exists. One thing seems pretty plain to me ? that trade is being banished, prices forced

up so as to nullify any advantage from increase in wages and, if things go on as they are at present, I fear nothing awaits the workers and the poor of limited means but misery, suffering and, I fear, starvation. I am, dear

Sir, t Michael Card Logue. Mr William J. Larkin'.


23 September13

Closing Of Rostrevor ric barracks

Tuesday last marked an epoc in the history of Rostrevor when for the first time for a good many years the village was left without a police station and the barracks was locked and left to take care of itself. The

villagers are loud in their condemnation of such an action on the part of

13 Incident dated 23 September 1919 is linked with incident dated ? October 1919.1.




the authorities ... It is understood that military are encamped at

Ballyedmond.


24 September

(1) Armagh Sinn Feiner Goes To Jail

On Wednesday morning, Mr Edward Donnelly, Sinn F?in Organiser in Armagh, was arrested and conveyed to Belfast Jail, where he will be

imprisoned for fourteen days in default of payment of a fine of 15s

recently inflicted by the local magistrates on the defendant for riding a

bicycle at midnight without a light. Donnelly had previously been fined for a similar offence, which was paid, but this time he refused to pay.

(Armagh Guardian, 26 September 1919)

(2) 'Dundalk Examiner' Suppressed

Shortly before 7 p.m. on Wednesday evening, police and military visited the premises of the Dundalk Examiner and remained for two hours. The officer in charge of the police read a warrant from the

competent military authority directing the seizure and disablement of the machines, the reason given being 'the publication of seditious

matter'. An engineer, who accompanied the party, removed vital parts of the machinery and all the type which had been set for use this week was seized. The job printing machines were not interfered with but the

manager was warned that the officer in charge had an order to prohibit printing on the premises and, if this order was contravened, he would be

obliged to prosecute. The type, etc. was removed in a military lorry. A

large crowd witnessed the operations. Copies of newspaper containing a full page advertisement of the National Loan were seized by police on

Saturday.


26 September

Raids Near Newry

Yesterday morning, a party of the Norfolk Regiment, accompanied by police, carried out a number of raids in the Crowreagh, Savilbeg and Savilmore districts between Newry and Rathfriland. Beyond, the seizure of literature and portraits of Sinn F?in leaders at the Sinn F?in

Halls, nothing of importance was obtained.





28 September

Hibernian Demonstration At Derrynoose

A demonstration and open air meeting was held at Derrynoose, near

Keady, under the auspices of the AOH, on Sunday. The procession, which was of large proportions, included divisions from most of the

districts in the county, with bands and banners. Mr P. McKenna,

Armagh, County President, AOH . . . presided . . .

(Extracts, Dundalk Democrat, 4 October 1919)

4 October

Suppressed Dundalk Paper Manager Declines To Give Under? taking To DI

DI Neligan, Dundalk, waited on the manager of the Dundalk

Examiner on the 4th inst. and stated that he had been directed to inquire if he was prepared to give a guarantee that he would not publish 'seditious matter' in his newspaper, if re-publication were permitted.

The manager of the newspaper replied that, in the absence of a properly established censorship, he could not give any undertaking as regards the

matter which would be published . . .

(Extracts, Frontier Sentinel, 11 October 1919)

5, 6 October14

Sinn Feiner Arrested, Banbridge Boy Shot

. . .On Sunday morning, an aeridheacht was announced by posters . .

. to be held that evening at Tullyorier, Banbridge, at 3 o'clock. The

police removed the poster outside the gate of the Catholic Church,

Banbridge, and subsequently arrested a young man, James Monaghan .

. . The assembly took place at Tullyorier . . . The police present did not

interfere with the proceedings. On the arrival of the military wagon at

the police barracks, Banbridge, on Monday evening, a large crowd

assembled outside. Subsequently, the Head-Constable appeared on the

steps and ordered the people away. The crowd, largely loyalist, were in no way hostile but apparently did not comply with the order and the

police fired. A young lad named Coll, son of a local publican, was shot, carried home bleeding and medical assistance procured. His condition is

precarious.

Sinn F?in Houses Attacked Ebullitions of party feeling followed the firing on the crowd . . . writes

a Banbridge correspondent. A crowd, greatly augmented, assembled

outside the boy's residence excitedly discussing the event. Angry scenes

14 Incident dated 5, 6 October 1919 is linked with incident dated 11 October 1919.2.




occurred between individuals. Later, a disorderly mob took possession of the street singing 'Dolly's Brae' and cursing the Pope. The windows of the houses of Catholics in Scarva Street and Bridge Street were

smashed with stones and other missiles, This state of things continued to an advanced hour in the morning

. . . Monaghan

. . . was removed under

military escort to Belfast. Among the residences attacked was the house

of Mr James Monaghan Sr, father of the prisoner.

(Extracts, Frontier Sentinel, 11 October 1919)

? October

Rostrevor RIC Barracks, Strong Protest Against Recent

Closure

A memorial, which has been extensively signed by the magistrates, ministers of the different religious demoninations and householders of all creeds and classes in the neighbourhood, has been forwarded to the

authorities, protesting against the closing of the Rostrevor RIC Barracks and strongly urging upon them the re-establishment of the

Rostrevor Police Station . . .

(Extract, Newry Reporter, 14 October 1919)

11 October

(1) Raids For Arms In Co. Down, House Entered By Disguised Men

The house of James Lawson, Lisnamulligan, between Hilltown and

Rathfriland, was on Saturday night, between 10 and 11 o'clock, raided

by a party of six armed and disguised men. who stated that they had come in quest of arms. Mr Lawson, acting the part of guide, philosopher and friend, conducted his unwelcome guests around the house to show he was possessed of no such weapons. The party afterwards politely withdrew, after having created a sensation in the household.

Subsequently, the matter was reported to the police, who searched the district along with military.

(Newry Reporter, 14 October 1919)

(2) Banbridge Shooting Affair, Prisoner Discharged

In connection with the shooting affray in Banbridge on the evening of

the 6th inst., when the police fired on a crowd assembled to witness the

removal of a Sinn F?in prisoner, James Monaghan, and a young lad

named Joseph Coll was shot down and removed in a critical condition to

the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, it is learned that the injured youth is making satisfactory progress towards recovery. The prisoner,

Monaghan . . . was discharged from custody on the 11th inst. . .

(Extracts, Newry Reporter, 25 October 1919)



262 S canchas A rd M hacha

12 October

AOH Demonstration At Newtownhamilton

Mr J. Murphy, District President, AOH, presided at a Nationalist demonstration at Newtownhamilton on Sunday. Several divisions of the

AOH were present with bands and banners and an imposing procession passed through the town prior to the meeting . . .

(Extract, Dundalk Democrat, 18 October 1919)

18 October

Re-arrest Of Sinn Feiner, Stones Thrown At Police

At half-past-one on Saturday, there was a good deal of excitement in Park Street, (Dundalk), when a force of police marched into

Williamson's Place to arrest Joseph Berrill, who had been home on

leave for some weeks under the 'Cat-and-Mouse Act'.15 Berrill, when arrested at the time of the 'German Plot' round-up, was alleged to have had in his possession some plans relating to Ballyedmond Castle.

Months later, when Ballyedmond Castle was raided by masked men and some old shotguns taken away, Berrill was arrested. He was tried by courtmartial in Belfast Jail and sentenced to twelve months'

imprisonment with hard labour. After a hunger-strike, he was liberated on parole and was to have reported on October 3. It is believed that his failure to report was the cause of his arrest on Saturday. When the

constabulary put in an appearance on Saturday, Berrill was at his dinner and told his uniformed friends that he would not leave until a car was

provided for his conveyance. After some time, a military motor van was

driven up to Williamson's Place. By this time, a large crowd had assembled. When Berrill was informed that he was to be handcuffed, he refused to leave the house and had to be carried to the waiting van. As the police appeared with their charge, some delph and stone were thrown. Later, when Berrill had been placed in the van, further stones

were thrown and the crowd cheered and boohed. The prisoner was

conveyed to Anne Street Barracks and later to Belfast.

(Dundalk Democrat , 25 October 1919)

19 October1

15 The 'Cat and Mouse Act' was the popular name for Prisoners (Temporary Discharge for

Health) Act, introduced in 1913. It was used against hunger-striking Republicans as an

alternative to forced-feeding. The prisoners were released on parole but could be

re-imprisoned at any time, usually when they had recovered from the effects of their

hunger-strikes. 16 Incident dated 19 October 1919 is linked with incidents dated 13 November 1919.1; 13

November 1919.2; 20 November 1919; 19 January 1920; 19 February 1920.




Keady Sinn F?in Meeting Suppressed

A Sinn F?in meeting was announced to be held in Keady Town Hall on Sunday night. It was, however, proclaimed and, prior to the hour

named, some thirty police took possession of the hall so that no meeting took place. It was stated that Mr Plunkett ? the 'Count' ? was to have been present but he did not put in appearance.

(Armagh Guardian, 24 October 1919)

25 October

(1) Sinn F?in In South Armagh

To the Editor, Frontier Sentinel: A Chara, In a speech on the 12th inst. in the Newry Sinn F?in Hall, Mr P. J. McQuaid, solicitor, made the

following statement: 'If I were asked who they were whose labours were

responsible for the present marvellous strength of Sinn F?in in South

Armagh, I would say that they were principally Mr J. McGuill of Dromintee and Mr Frank Aiken of Camlough'. The men of South

Armagh know the man, the figure-head of Sinn F?in who, when others shirked their duty, fearlessly led his small forces against the fortified defences of Parliamentarianism, thereby meeting his death after fighting so bravely and well for the cause of an Independent Ireland. It was due to the efforts of the late Thomas A. Hughes of Bessbrook, a man

slighted by others but beloved and honoured by the plain people, that the Sinn F?in flag floats proudly today on the ramparts of South

Armagh. In July 1917, Frank Short and Eamonn Donnelly of Armagh, along with two Sinn F?in organisers, Campbell and Brown, arrived in this constituency to organise the movement. The first place they visited

was Bessbrook and the first man interviewed was Thomas Arthur

Hughes. On Monday evening, the 1 August 1917, a Sinn F?in meeting was held in Camlough (It is reported in the Sentinel of the 6 August), when the 'Eoin MacNeill' Sinn F?in Club was established, with Thomas

Hughes as President. From Camlough, Sinn F?in spread throughout South Armagh. I do not write thus to under-estimate the services rendered by Frank Aiken and others for the cause of a free Ireland.

There is no one in Armagh appreciates more than I do the silent,

thorough work performed by them in Sinn F?in and kindred

organisations but I believe in 'giving honour where honour is due'. Thomas Arthur Hughes entered the Sinn F?in movement in 1905. In the same year, he was one of a delegation that met Arthur Griffith in

Dundalk. Thirteen years ago, he was Secretary of a local Sinn F?in Club. Bulmer Hobson was President. Afterwards, with Hobson and

others, on the spot where Wolfe Tone first raised the flag of the Irish

Republic, he was one of the founders of Irish Freedom in Belfast, a

journal advocating a Republican form of Government in Ireland. At a

gathering of Gaels on Slieve Gullion in 1909, he hoisted the standard of Sinn F?in. The same year found him delivering lectures on behalf of the




Gaelic League. As I write, one of these lectures in manuscript form, which he delivered at Mullabawn, lies before me. It is entitled, 'What our young people can do for Irish Ireland'. A Gaelic speaker, he was

looked up to in Irish Ireland circles. He did a man's part in organising and forming Gaelic League branches throughout Armagh. Space does not permit to write at length of all he did for the land he loved. The day that Armagh ceases of honour or begins to forget the name of Thomas

A. Hughes, that day will Armagh scourge from her bosom Irish

Nationality for ever. Mise, agus mor agam ort, 'Celt'. (It is obvious that neither Mr McQuaid nor any other speaker on the occasion referred to

had any intention to ignore the magnificent services rendered by the

dead patriot above referred to ? services such as no living man in the

constituency has ever rendered. The presentation ceremony was

organised at almost a few hours' notice, the speeches were impromptu and there was no intention to sketch a history of Sinn F?in in South

Armagh ? a history in which the name of Seamus O'Hanlon also would

be prominent. Mr McQuaid, with his usual modesty, disclaimed credit for the good work which he has undoubtedly done at great personal loss, and for which the people of South Armagh can never be too grateful, and referred eulogistically to the performances of other living men. To

praise the men who are still working for Ireland is not to dishonour the men who died for Ireland, from Laurence O'Toole to Richard Coleman. Ed. TS\)

(Frontier Sentinel, 25 October 1919)

(2)17 Sensational Armagh Affair, Protestant Rector Shot By

Masked Man

Rev. E. A. Foy, Rector, Lisnadill, Armagh, was shot through the

lung at his residence on Saturday night and lies in a serious condition in

the County Infirmary. It appears that about 10 o'clock, Rev. Mr Foy

opened the rectory door in response to a knock. A tall man wearing a

mask asked for a jack to enable him to lift his motor car which had broken down on the road. Mr Foy said that the jack was in Dublin with his motor car. Mr Foy's son, Mr Havelock Foy, who was married on

Wednesday last, had his father's car with him on his honeymoon. The

man, without any further remark, immediately fired at and shot Mr Foy with a revolver. The bullet entered at the first button on his shirt-front and passed through his right lung. The assailant passed over Mr Foy,

who had fallen in the hall, and decamped. Mr Foy was subsequently brought to the County Infirmary and the bullet was extracted on Sunday

morning by Surgeon Palmer. The only occupants of the rectory at the time besides Mr Foy were his wife and a servant girl. The Rector, who

goes in extensively for farming and runs a scutch-mill, was a popular

17 Incident dated 25 October 1919.2 is linked with incident dated ? November 1919.1




figure in the district amongst all parties. The police are investigating the matter but up to the present no arrest has been made . . .

(Extract, Frontier Sentinel, 1 November 1919)

27, 28 October

Alleged Attack On Camlough Police, Accused Found Not Guilty

... At Armagh Quarter Sessions on Monday

. . ., four young men

named Michael Byrne, Patrick McShane, Owen McCreesh, all of

Camlough district, and Patrick Osborne, 31 Gibson Street, Belfast, were charged with having on Sunday 6 July, at Tullymacrieve, . . . done serious bodily harm to Constable John Dogget. . . The jury after a long consultation returned a verdict of not guilty and the accused were

discharged.

(Extracts, Newry Reporter, 30 October 1919)

? November

Lisnadill Attempted Murder

Rev. E. A. Foy, incumbent of Lisnadill, whose murder was lately attempted, ... is still in a very serious condition . . . There is no doubt but that the object of the raid was to secure rifles which, during the

drilling of the Ulster Volunteers, were kept in the dining-room. The

intending murderer forced his way into this room and ran out when he found out they

were not there . . .

(Extracts, Armagh Guardian, 7 November 1919)

6 November

(1) Police Raid In Newry

The residence of Mr Daniel Keating, Catherine Street, Newry, was

raided by police and military on Thursday afternoon but nothing was

taken away.

(Frontier Sentinel, 8 November 1919)

(2) Police Arms Search Near Armagh

The premises of Mr Charles J. Garland, Ennisclare House, near

Armagh, were visited on Thursday last by Head-Constable Long, Sergeant Collins and four constables in search of arms. Mr Garland, who is the owner of a corn mill, was working in it and, on arrival at his

residence, intimated that he had a permit from the County-Inspector for a gun and fifty cartridges and that he had no other arms except an old revolver which he handed to the Head-Constable. The house was




searched and no other arms were found. Mr Garland's father, who died some years ago, was a magistrate for twenty-five years, was Coroner for the County and a member of the first Land Sub-Commission under the

Act of 1881 . . .

(Extract, Armagh Guardian, 14 November 1919)

10 November

Louth Nationalists, Conference In Dundalk

On Monday afternoon, in the Newsroom of the Town Hall, was held a conference of the leading Nationalists of Louth to consider the

political situation. Rev Fr Lawless, PP, the President of the North Louth Executive of the League, presided over a large and

representative attendance, which included delegates from both the UIL and AOH branches . . .

(Extract, Dundalk Democrat, 15 November 1919)

13 November

(1) Armagh Sinn F?iners ARRESTED

At an early hour yesterday (Thursday) morning, Edward Donnelly, President of Armagh Sinn F?in Club and Ulster Organiser of Sinn F?in, and Edward Hughes, Middletown, were arrested for offences under the

Defence of the Realm Act. Liam O'Brien, Galway, the Sinn F?in candidate at last Mid-Armagh election, was also arrested and has been

brought to Armagh.

(Armagh Guardian, 13 November 1919)

(2) Sequel To Co. Armagh Meeting

At a special court at Armagh on Thursday . . ., Edward Donnelly, Tullyard, President of the Armagh Sinn F?in Club and Sinn F?in

Organiser, Edward Hughes, an aged farmer from Tullyglushnevin, near

Middletown, and William O'Brien, a Professor in University College, Galway, Sinn F?in candidate for one week, Mr Hughes being granted bail, on the charge of having, as alleged, on the 19 October taken part in an unlawful assembly at Tynan, Co. Armagh, for the purpose of

soliciting subscriptions for the D?il ?ireann Loan.

(Extracts, Newry Reporter, 15 November 1919)

? November

Annalong RIC Barracks has been closed by the authorities in

consequences of the reorganisation that is being carried out. This makes the third barracks 'closed down' in Newry police district within the past




few months, the other two being Rostrevor and Mayobridge.

(Newry Reporter, 15 November 1919)

20 November

Sinn F?iners Sentenced At Armagh

At a Crimes Court at Armagh on Thursday . . ., Edward Donnelly . . .

and William O'Brien . . . were sentenced to three months'

imprisonment and Edward Hughes ... to two months, in default of bail, on a charge of having ... at Tynan taken part, after Mass, in an

unlawful assembly for the purpose of soliciting contributions for the D?il ?ireann Loan.

(Extract's, Newry Reporter, 22 November 1919)

28 November

Seizure Of Literature In Newry

On last Friday morning, the Newry police seized a quantity of literature dealing with the D?il ?ireann prospectus, in Margaret Street,

Newry. It was consigned to the Newry Mineral Water Company, Downshire Road. The seizure was made from a lorry belonging to

Messrs Wordie and Company, railway carters.

(Dundalk Democrat, 6 December 1919)

30 November

National Cause In Louth, Meeting In Kilcurry

On Sunday, after Mass, a public meeting was held at Kilcurry to

reorganise the local branch of the United League . . .

(Extract, Dundalk Democrat, 6 December 1919)

19, 21 December

Attempted Assassination Of Viceroy

... On Friday ... an attempt was made on the life of the Lord Lieutenant as he was motoring to the Viceregal Lodge . . . Lord French

escaped injury, though a private detective, occupying the seat beside the driver of his Excellency's car, was injured . . . One of the attackers,

Martin Savage, . . . was shot dead by the party of soldiers acting as escort to Lord French . . . The scene of the outrage was on the road between Ashtown Railway Station and Phoenix Park . . .

Armagh Church References Sympathetic references to the attempted assassination of the Lord



268 Armagh, South Down, North Louth 1919-21

Lieutenant were made in all the Protestant Churches in Armagh on

Sunday . . .

(Extracts, Armagh Guardian, 26 December 1919)

20 December

Cardinal Logue And Irish Crime

'The wish to have an end put to misgovernment, which lies at the bottom of all evil, gives no ground to infer that there is any sympathy with, or want of reprobation of, the unfortunate crimes to which

misgovernment leads', is a sentence from a letter which Cardinal Logue has sent to the Bishop of Nottingham (Rt Rev T. Dunn, DD) in reply to a letter from his Lordship enclosing an article from the Nottingham Guardian demanding that crimes in Ireland should be condemned by the Irish Hierarchy. Having remarked that the writer of the article seemed to have a very short memory for a journalist, the Cardinal says: 'He seems to forget all the efforts made by the Pope for peace and how

coldly they were received in England. The real spite against the Pope is because he did not take sides. Of course, he could not and it is well he did not. He would find himself in a very awkward position now when

light is being thrown on the real objects which inspired the war. In fact,

except in the case of America, the whole business seems to have been a

game of grab. This has occupied the so-called Peace Conference more

that a real effort to establish peace, each party trying to see what they can get out of the scramble'.

Don't Want Bloodshed 'As to Ireland, it is in a miserable condition ?

repression on one side and restive opposition on the other. But your Lordship may rest assured that the great body of the people feel nothing but horror and

reprobation for the murders that have been committed. Whether they side with Sinn F?in or with any other political party, they do not want violence or bloodshed. There is a constant cry: Why do not the bishops and priests denounce crime and put an end to it? Wherever crime has been committed, it has been denounced by bishops and priests in no

measured terms. But some people seem to think that the clergy and the

Hierarchy should be continually harping on that string'.

Crime Beyond Control Of Bishops 'Even if they did, crime would be beyond their control, while the state

of things which gives an opportunity and some kind of pretext for crime continues. Those horrible outrages are in all probability the work of secret socieities. Every day mades this clearer and, while repression continues so will secret societies, whose members will pay very little attention to bishops or priests. This is becoming daily more evident, and there could be no better proof of it that the unfortunate attempt which




was made yesterday on the life of the Viceroy. Another favourite theory of England

? and the writer of the article seems to draw largely on it ?

is that if an archbishop or bishop points out the causes of all this disorder and tries to have those causes removed, the conclusion is at once drawn that he sympathises with murder. It is a very lame and very unjust conclusion'.

(Armagh Guardian, 9 January 1920)

21 December

Cardinal's Warning, Midnight Assassins' Deeds Of Blood

In a letter read at all Masses in Armagh on Sunday, his Eminence Cardinal Logue said: T am glad to have this opportuntiy of addressing to the people for whom I am immediately responsible a word of advice and

warning. We are about to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace and hence the thoughts of all should be thoughts of peace and charity. We should especially direct our devotion at this holy season to seek through the Divine mercy for our distracted country that peace which she so

much needs. It is true we are subjected to a harsh trial, to drastic

repression, as has been seldom paralleled in modern times, even by autocratic Russia or overbearing Germany, without any serious effort on the part of our rulers to apply the remedies which would have

infallibly obviated the present condition and secure order and

tranquility'.

Reprisals Mean Ruin 'We have been treated like children, our nurses dangling before our

eyes empty toys and insincere promises, taxing their ingenuity to keep us quiet by devising some shadowy distraction. But our people should bear these trials in a Christian spirit. They should exercise patience, knowing that such unnatural and violent state of things cannot last.

They should exercise prudence, taking care to furnish no pretext or

justification for the treatment to which they are subjected. They should exercise hope, relying little on their own efforts and much on the Divine

protection confident that if they come not into conflict with His law, and

they earnestly appeal to His mercy, God will not fail in His own good time to bring relief. Above all, there should be no reprisals. That way lies ruin'.

Never By Midnight Assassin

'Holy Ireland, the land of St Patrick, should never be regenerated by deeds of blood or raised up by the hand of the midnight assassin, innocent blood crying to Heaven for vengeance and drawing down the

Divine wrath. It is hard to believe that the intelligent and responsible persons of any Christian political party could sanction or sympathise with crime. They cannot fail to be convinced that it is the greatest




obstacle to their legitimate aspirations. It is only revolutionists who,

denying or ignoring God, condemning His laws, putting His providence and His power outside their calculations, could resort to such means of

furthering their cause. I have little doubt that such crime as has been committed should be attributed either to ignorance, reckless hot-headed

enthusiasts, who have shaken themselves free from all control and

respect for the laws of God, or of habitual criminals, or of the members of secret societies which are the natural and unfailing fruit of repression.

Among the body of the people, these crimes inspire horror, contempt and reprobation. Their sympathies are with the unfortunate innocent

victims, not with the cowardly assassins. The author of crime can lay no

claim to the name of patriot. So far from serving his country, he is her

greatest enemy, tarnishing her fair name, depriving her of sympathy and

support and defeating her legitimate efforts to secure her just rights'.

Condemns Secret Societies 'At the beginning of last Lent, I anticipated the danger that

evil-disposed and designing persons would take advantage of the

existing confusion to seduce some of our young people into secret

societies and I warned the people against that. It is to be feared that my forecast then has been justified. Hence, I repeat the warning, earnestly

beseeching our young men to avoid this fatal danger, and reminding the

clergy, parents, and others responsible for the youth of this country to

guard them against this demoralising course. He who joins a secret

society may be said in the words of St Paul: 'To deliver himself to Satan

placing himself under the ban of the Church, depriving himself of those

supernatural gifts which would fortify him against evil'.

(Armagh Guardian, 26 December 1919)

22 December

Crossmaglen Fowl Dealer Held Up Near Dundalk And Robbed Of Over ?600

Early yesterday morning, while on his way to Dundalk fowl market, Mr Peter Martin, an extensive fowl-dealer residing at Crossmaglen, was

held up by four masked men and relieved of over ?600 . . .

(Extract, Newry Reporter, 23 December 1919)

? December

Cardinal Wont Talk, Will Keep Out Of Trouble

When the great controversy and dispute between the Parnellite and Redmondite party was being waged, Cardinal Logue maintained a

discreet silence. At the last election, he did depart from his rule by

insisting that the Ulster seats, in which there were a majority of

separatists, should be divided between the Sinn F?iners and Devlinites,




with the result that he was charged with supporting the Sinn F?in doctrine. Whether he regrets his intervention or not, he now refuses to be drawn on the present political situation in Ireland. T have put up my shutters, for when a person gets to his 80th year he has something else to think about besides polities', his Eminence Cardinal Logue is stated to have declared to a Morning Post correspondent in a brief interview last week and refused point blank to give his opinions on any matter relating to Ireland, adding, T will keep out of trouble as well as I can. I never like to have my name appearing in the newspapers because there is not a crank in the three kingdoms who does not write to me immediately afterwards. I am overwhelmed by shoals of letters. Some of them ? the abusive ones ? I throw aside, but the others, such of them as are worth

answering, I answer'.

(Armagh Guardian, 26 December 1919)



the time of the trouble 1919-21: armagh, south down and north louth part 1

Documents