A State of Insurrection

Galway Pilot, April 29, 1916

Public Meeting of the Citizens — Important Resolutions — A Policeman Shot Dead — Forcible Speeches — A Committee of Public Safety Appointed

A Public Meeting of the Citizens was held in the Town Hall, Galway on Wednesday evening at four o'clock. It was hastily summoned on a circular issued at a few hours notice. At fist the meeting was intended to be held in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall, but that apartment having been filled up in a few minutes, it was decided to change into the Theatre in order to have more room for the crowded assemblage. Seats were arranged on the stage, and the chair was taken by M. MacDonogh, Esq., J.P. Chairman of the Urban Council. Amongst the others present were observed—Rev Father Foley, SJ, M. Healy, HMC, M. Hardiman, Very Rev Fr_________SJ, Professor Kinkead, M.D., Thos. Walsh, Very Rev. Fr. Davis, PP, M. Moloney, WCPLG, T.A. MacCullagh, W.G. Fogarty, S.P. Corbett, UCHC, Professor Pye, MD, M. Commins, P. Cloherty, P. O'Gorman, Thos Grealy, HC, Martin Cunningham, UC, T. Emerson, Sir Acheson McCullagh, G. Cloherty, Clerk of the Crown and Peace, M. Hynes, J. Feeney, O'Dochery, MT Donnellan, JPHC, T.O. McDonagh, JP Professor Mahon, MD, WN Binns, CE, B . Morgan, J. Comerton, MJ Crowley UC, M. Walsh, Harbour Master, J. Young, JP, T.M. Kenny, Solicitor, Martin Hynes, HC, J. Kilbride, RJ. Talputt, A. Ryan, M.J. Leech, Professor MacElderry, J. Cremen, T. Waters, J. Griffin, U.C. P.L.G., P.J. O'Malley, Co. Councillor, J. Cosgrove.

The Chairman who was greeted with applause on rising to open the proceedings said they were all pretty well aware of the object of the meeting. A circular had been sent round to call them together on that important and serious occasion when it was incumbent on every man to do his part. A series of resolutions had been formed and he did not wish to occupy their attention any longer, but he would ask Mr. Kenny to prepare the first resolution (applause).

Mr. T. M. Kenny, Solicitor, who was received with others, then came forward and read as follows the first resolution—

That this public meeting deplores the action all ill—advised persons in the County of Galway who have at a time when the valour of Irish troops has done so much to shed glory on the armies of the Empire chosen to shock and outrage public feeling by bloodshed and civil strife, that we declare our opinion that the advice of Mr. John Redmond indicated the course of true political wisdom, and that we call on the authorities and the Irish people to co—operate to crush by every possible means the efforts of the disaffected fanatics and mischief makers who threaten to undo the practical constitutional work of years.

Mr. Kenny, in moving the resolution said he was sure they were all filled with horror at the incidents that had occurred so near their city and which had plunged the community into civil war. A number of mistaken and deluded people have actually tried to hold up civil authority and to levy war against His Majesty's forces and of course, anything like that could not be tolerated. He (Mr. Kenny) was perfectly willing to admit that some of those connected with the movement which had such an unfortunate result as that which had occurred within the last couple of days, were absolutely just in their desires to serve the interests of the country. But what has it led to? It has simply brought people into trouble and conflict with the authorities. They were all aware of what Irishmen had done at the front. They were all aware of the splendid valour displayed by the Irish regiments and the courage and bravery shown by Irish men in the present war (hear, hear). He was glad to know that three men of his own name won Victoria Crosses (loud cheers). But while this was going on by Irish men abroad at the different fronts on which the armies of the Empire were engaged, he was sorry to find that here at home some people were so blinded as to try to hold up the officers of the authorities who are engaged in carrying on the administration of the country and preserving the peace. Some people speak about the English flag. But what is it? Might it not as well be called the Irish flag as the English? (hear, hear). It consists of three crosses—the cross of St. George, the cross of St. Andrew and the cross of St. Patrick (cheers). Under that flag some of the most illustrious Irishmen that ever lived attained their greatest successes; and he had now before his mind one of the most distinguished Irishmen who was brought up in the very town in which they stood and who for years had ruled over the North Western Provinces of India (great cheers). Only for the support that the British flag got from Ireland it would not attain the high position it holds to—day (applause). It was very unfortunate that a poor Constable engaged in the discharge of his duty — doing what he had a right to do and what he was bound to do — had been shot dead within a few miles of this town last night. It showed them what a terrible thing had occurred, and he would, therefore ask them to pass unanimously the resolution (applause).

Mr. P.J. O'Malley, Co. Councillor, said he was charged with the duty of seconding the resolution. He was sorry that it became necessary to propose such a resolution, but he deemed it necessary to do so as a number of men have started a rebellion and spoiled the work that it had taken thirty years to accomplish in Ireland. They had, therefore, to try and counteract as far as in their power lay the appalling results of the outrage that has occurred. Irishmen are not fools. He, for one, did not half blame those who took part in this rising, but he did blame those who led them on to this. The men is not so much to blame as the leader. It is for us to try and meet it and do the best we can under the circumstances. If this state of affairs continues we have nothing to face but starvation; but he hoped they would act in a very vigorous manner and put an end to it (applause).

Very Rev. Fr. Davis, PP who was received with cheers, rose to support the resolution. He said he in common with all others was appalled at the deplorable events of the last couple of days and he felt bound to support the resolution. As a minister of religion, he was bound to support the cause of law and order and the prevention of bloodshed. How they were to accomplish that end he did not know, but he trusted the meeting would arrive at something definite and take such steps as would bring about a restoration of the peace and good will which unfortunately was disturbed by the regrettable incidents that had happened., and that those misguided people who had entered on such a foolish course would again return to their homes (applause).

Mr. Philip O'Gorman proposed the next resolution—

That a Committee of Public Safety, consisting of Messrs M. McDonagh, Jas MacDonnell, W G Fogarty, T M Kenny, P J O'Malley, J Young and others be formed to take any steps that may appear to be necessary to deal with the existing situation in co—operation with the authorities.

Mr. O'Gorman, speaking to the resolution, said he was very pleased to have an opportunity of proposing it. The present was a moment when every man should be prepared to show the spirit that is in him (hear, hear). This country has steadily advanced for the last ten years and has made wonderful progress and how it is proposed to hand over the country to Prussia. Now, every man's home in this country has become his castle. The farmers had purchased their land. They were never better off than they are now and it is at such a moment when our country is happy and prosperous that it is proposed to sever the good relations that exist (hear, hear). He considered it nothing short of lunacy and he hoped that those responsible for it would be dealt with in a manner they would ever remember (cheers).

Mr. T. C. McDonagh, JP, said he had much pleasure in seconding the resolution, but he was very sorry for the circumstances that led to the necessity for such measures. The work of O'Connell of Parnell and of Redmond had been lost by the disastrous action taken by those deluded people who have risen up in rebellion against the lawful authorities. The hands of the clock have been turned back and now, when the farmers are better off than ever they were before an awful set back has occurred. The farmer in Ireland is much better off than the farmer in other countries. In France the farmer has to work from morning till night and yet he is not anything like as well off as the Irish farmer (hear, hear). Yet at the bidding of people who have no stake in the country, they have risen up in rebellion, and measures should be taken to put an end to it. He hoped the resolution would be carried unanimously (applause).

Professor Pye moved the following resolution—

That we invite the Citizens of Galway to offer themselves for Enrolment as Special constables and in any way the authorities consider they may be useful in the present circumstances.

Speaking on the subject of the resolution Professor Pye said he for one did not blame the poor mistaken people who are not behind the walls or the ditches, but he did blame the people who led them on (hear, hear). We are, as Mr. Kenny said in the habit of placing ourselves under the flag of Ireland. But we had now the flag under which all Irishmen had the plighted word of a great English Statesman that justice would be done to Ireland. That word was as deeply pledged as nay nations word could do. Every nation had to work under a leader, and in the words of a great Englishman the speech of Mr. Redmond, in accepting the arrangement was one of the finest and most Statesmanlike ever made in the House of Commons (cheers). He hoped, therefore that everyone at that meeting would do his best to support the Committee in preserving order and safety (applause).

Mr. Crowley, seconding the resolution, said they were bound in their own interest as well as in the interest of the country to everything they possibly could to put an end to the disturbance.

Mr. W.G. Fogarty said he had been called upon quite suddenly to support the resolution. It was not a time for set speeches. Rhetoric was not required. After what he had seen, he was convinced that prompt action was necessary to put a stop to the serious state of affairs that had arisen. He sae a fine young man go out to do his duty, and in one half hour after he assisted to bring him home corpse. The resolution invited them to enrol themselves as special constables to preserve the peace, and he sincerely trusted that every man would do his part on this most serious occasion.

The Chairman in putting the resolutions said he had been pointed out by the various speakers who had already addressed the meeting, it was not the poor ignorant peasants who took up arms that were to be blamed, but it was the teachers and Professors who organised them and he heard that there was a great deal of German money going into these people. It was a terrible state of affairs at such a crisis in the history of our country that such a thing should occur. We had been taught that we should not put much store in English rule, but for the last thirty years the Irish farmers had obtained such benefits in the way of legislation that they are now much better off than the farmers in England and Scotland.

Mr. Michael Costello, speaking off the gallery said he heard it stated there that teachers and Professors were at the bottom of this, and he wanted to know if these people were still allowed to go about or if any drastic measures would be taken against them.

Chairman — I agree with what you say, but it is not for us to take action. Mr. Fogarty read again the first resolution and stated that it covered everything suggested by Mr. Costello.

Professor Kinkead, MD, next addressed the meeting and in the course of a very forcible and argumentative speech, urged that the Government were to blame for permitting such a condition of affairs to go on for the last three years. They saw on the papers that there was to be a rising in Dublin in four days. Did the government know that and if they did why didn't they prevent it and if they did not know it they were equally deficient and they could not say anything strong enough to condemn them (hear, hear), Concluding, the speaker referred to the death in Mesopotamia of Capt. Berry, son of the Rev. Mr. Berry, Protestant Rector, and said that all deeply regretted his death.

Mr. Crowley proposed a resolution of condolence with the relatives of Constable Whelan.

Mr. Young seconded the resolution which was carried unanimously.