The Observance of the Truce
Galway Observer, 15th July, 1922
The truce is being well observed in the western area, but although there have been no avert acts of hostility, communications remain interrupted, and railway men who have expressed a desire to repair broken bridges and rails, have been informed by the Executive I.R.A. officers that this will not be permitted, as the do not want the line to be utilised for the conveyance of Free State troops. A similar condition of things prevails in regard to post office services. Motors ply daily in some instances, to Ballinasloe, taking a circuitous route. In some instances, however, all their petrol supplies have been commandeered on the road, and they have been compelled to make their way home as best they could, utilising paraffin oil obtained by the roadside.
The curfew which was imposed some three weeks ago, is now over since the truce on Sunday last, and the people are at liberty at all hours.
Up to the present (Friday) none but Volunteers of the Dublin Brigade have been accepted in this city. These being trained are being embodied in the National Army; untrained men are forming the National Reserve.
On Thursday morning there was another tear up on the Curragh Road which prevented vehicular traffic from that side all the morning. Later on Military forces went out and commandeered every one they could get a hold of, till they got the trenches filled up again.
Arising out of the meeting of the Urban Council on Thursday, we are requested to state that a meeting of the merchants of Galway will be held on Monday next, at five o'clock, in the reading room of the Mechanics' Institute. Merchants will please accept this notice as no personal invitation is being sent.
While returning from the military funeral on Sunday night, two motors one full of passengers, were driving close after one another, the first one pulling up suddenly to stop at Claregalway, the other one dashed into it, and badly damaging the car. Fortunately the passengers on the car escaped uninjured, but some were thrown to the ground.
Early in the week a rumour went abroad that an attack by Irregulars would be made on the Railway Hotel. Several of the windows are protected by steel shutters and the entrance is covered with sandbags, while the back leading to the station is also well fortified. The same defence are put up at the County Club, and other places where the National troops are quartered.