English Correspondent Experience in Ireland

The Galway Observer, Saturday, November 6th, 1920

Mr Hugh Martin, the special Correspondent of the "Daily News," sends undoubted evidence says the paper, that his life is in danger at the hands of the "Black and Tans." Mr Martin, describing his inquiries at Tralee with correspondents of other papers, says:—

"Upon leaving the Grand Hotel (Tralee) we noticed at once a party of from 20 to 23 men standing on the opposite side of the road, a short distance away. The night was very dark, but by the way in which the figures deployed in crescent formation it was plain that we had been sighted.

We greeted them with 'Good Evening,' and said we were journalists. Was it safe to go through the Main street.

From the men's bearing, I judged at once that the position was critical. One of them said: What have you come for — to spy on us, I suppose? He then asked what newspapers we represented. I gave him my name when it was demanded as that of an English journalist associated with the Coalition.

Is there a Hugh Martin among you? was the next question, because if there is, the man added, we mean to do for him. It's him we want, and we are going to get him.

Finally we were ordered to walk to the corner of the street, and read a typewritten notice affixed to the wall.

As it was too dark for reading, a policeman lit a match, which he held before the paper with fingers that trembled. To steady his nerves I handed him a cigarette. As I took the case from my pocket, I accidentally pulled out with it a letter which fell on the ground at my feet. By the light of the match I was able to read my own name. a constable stooped to pick it up politely, but I was too quick for him and breathed again.

He read out the notice, which I took down in shorthand on the back the envelope.

All true blues. Mr MacGregor, who accompanied Mr Martin asked what this meant. A policeman replied : It means after 10 o'clock to—morrow it won't be safe for anybody in Tralee whose face is not known. Another added the information that they were all true blues and had served in France, and that he himself had the Military Medal.

The afternoon of the same day, Mr Martin continued, I received a telegram from Cork.