A Dawn of Terror — Frenzied Constabulary Wreck Cathedral in Town in Revenge for Dead Comrades — Building Burned, Houses Bombed, Townsmen Threatened — Wild Orgy of Outrage — £100,000 in Damage Done Within an Hour — The Archbishop's Protest — His Grace's Efforts for Peace

The Connacht Tribune, Saturday, August 21, 1920

Introduction

As police van was proceeding to Dunmore from Galway ?? On Monday evening, with four armed constables it was ambushed at Gallagh, three miles beyond Tuam, and two of the occupants — Constables Burke and Carey — were shot dead.

At 10 o clock on Monday night the police were taken to the police station at Tuam and waked by their comrades during the night.

All was peaceable until five o'clock on Tuesday morning, when the sleeping inhabitants of the town were started by volleys of musketry fire, at first only a few shots were fired, then the fusillade became terrified and it was accompanied by explosions as if bombs and hand grenades were being hurled. It soon became evident that the firing was general through the town.

Children and women screamed, and all sought shelter in the rear of their premises where they lay flat on the ground.

Subsequently, cheers broke out, and the town hall was found to be in flames, apparently the cheering was the signal for the conflagration. Soon after the outbreak the military who are stationed in Tuam came upon the scene, but were immediately afterwards withdrawn. Mr. Quinn, a well known solicitor, who witnessed the thrilling scene from the midst of two houses which were in flames, declared on Tuesday morning that he distinctly heard the officer calling off his men, and shouting, "This is not our job," the inference being that the military did not wish to be associated with the outbreak. About 6 o clock the orgy of outrage ceased, and townsmen who ventured abroad found many houses in flames. Policemen were then moving about in groups and appeared to be perfectly cool. But some difficulty was experienced in getting the town hose to play upon the burning buildings, as the water ran out during the night, in order to make a saving. However willing volunteers were quickly at work, and by providently dispensation, the flames were isolated, and a great portion of the town was saved from destruction.

As it is, however, damage estimated at nearly a £100,000 has been done.

The town hall has been gutted and there is evidence that paraffin or some other inflammable liquid was used by the incendiaries. The building was partially detached, and its walls were self contained, so that the fire was isolated. The clock tower is made of wood , and the sparks from the lower portion of the building quickly caught the wooden tower. The two beautiful billiard tables were destroyed. Only last week the first public district Sinn Fein court was held in the town hall, Professor Whelan, a popular member of the town counsel, and a teacher at St. Jarlath's college, presiding, and a further court was to have been held in the building on Thursday.

The Canny brothers, drapery establishment at the corner of Vicar Street, was gutted, and about £20,000 worth of stock destroyed. The flames swept across the narrow street and a fire broke out in the premises of Mr. Frederick Stafford, chemist, but this was extinguished at the outset by the police. The windows in the branch office of the "Connacht Tribune" were wrecked.

The premises of Mr. James J. Nohilly, and Mr. John Burke, groceries and publicans, were fired into, and without conflagration here did much damage. Practically every window in Shop Street was wrecked. No attack was made on the police barracks, and the friendliest relations existed between the police and the people in Tuam town. This was in large measure due to the good officers District—Inspector Comerford, who upon his recent retirement received sincere tributes from all classes in the township.

The story in Detail — Scenes of Terror Described

The Cathedral town of Tuam with its impeccable population of under 4,000, went "through a perfect hell," in the words of a leading resident in the early dawn of Tuesday. Following the shooting of Constables Carey and Burke, who were ambushed while motoring to Dunmore the previous evening, and at the removal of the dead bodies to Tuam, policemen were rushed to the district from Galway and Dragoon Guards came from Claremorris. About 3 o clock on Tuesday morning, the patrol parties, which had scoured the country without result, returned to Tuam, and the policemen, having viewed the dead bodies of their comrades appeared to have got completely out of hand. Fully armed, they marched into the streets, smashed public—houses, and it is alleged booted their contents freely; dragged young men out of bed and threatened to shoot them then and there; set fire to some of the most valuable properties in the township, and only retired to their quarters after they had become sated with a regular orgy of destruction.

As I entered Tuam on Tuesday afternoon (writes our special correspondent) it recalled nothing so much as some of the Belgium and French towns that the war had blighted.

"Mind you are not shot; the police barracks are up there," shouted a Volunteer in derision to the sullen crowds that walked down Vicar Street. The tension was altogether suspended. Rude, hastily—constructed wooden shutters marked the wreck of valuable plate—glass that lay strewn about the streets. Grey smoke still went up from the ruin of the Town Hall, and the debris of the magnificent drapery premises of Messrs. Canney Brothers, from which the inmates had escaped by getting out through a window at the back.

The tragedy had led up to the horror of Dawn briefly told. Sergeant Beatty, Constables Brennan, Carey and Burke left their station in Dunmore in a police van at 9am on Monday morning. Sergeant Beatty and Constable Brennan remained at Tuam, and the van took an additional escort of police from Tuam to Galway assizes. They returned to Tuam about 8 pm and took Sergt. Beatty and Constable Brennan back to Dunmore. Constable Burke was driving and Constable Carey was seated beside him in front of the van nearing Gallagh Wood, they observed the road barricaded with felled trees. Before the driver had time to pull up shots ran out from behind a lodge, and as Carey and Burke were jumping from the car, they were shot and mortally wounded.

The other two police slighted, and, it is stated, discharged all their ammunition at 40 or 50 men who had been in ambush behind the wall. These police overpowered and their rifles taken from them.

They were then blindfolded and told to go back in the Tuam direction. Reaching that town in a short time, they reported the matter at the police barracks. Soldiers and police immediately proceeded to the scene in charge of District Inspector O' Callaghan. Hearing that the two policemen had been shot, Dr. Hosty proceeded in haste to the scene and found that one of the police men had expired. He attended the other, who was in a very weak position, and then motored back to Tuam and brought out Rev. Fr. Meane, C. C. When they arrived they found the other policeman had also breathed his last.

Neither of the two policemen were married. Constable J. Burke who was about 32 years, had twelve years service, and was a native of Birr. Constable Patk. Carey was about 28 years, had 8 years service and was a native of Skibberean. Constable Carey's sister, who had been a nun at the Convent of Mercy, Galway, was the first victim to die from the mue in 1918. The police motor car was burned on the road. Later District—Inspector O'Callaghan motored to the scene, and returned to Tuam with the bodies rolled in a white sheet. Awed spectators, who watched the procession passed, lifted their hats reverently. A bullet had entered behind Burke's car, coming out at the other side. He must have been killed instantly. Carey was shot in the heart.

Whilst the dead bodies were being laid out at the Barracks in Vicar Street, Dragoon Guards from Claremorris and three lorry loads of Constabulary from Galway were proceeding at full speed to the scene. The district for miles was patrolled without result. Several houses adjacent to the scene of the tragedy were searched. The police were in charge of County—Inspector Rustledge and District—Inspector Oraise, Galway, and District—Inspector O'Callaghan, Tuam, and the military had their own officers. The police appeared to have patrolled independently, and returned to Tuam shortly before dawn.

It is said that they visited the dead bodies of their comrades, and within a short time got completely out of hand.

Red Ruin and Terror

In the succeeding hour damage estimated provisionally at nearly £100,000 was wrought, and a reign of red ruin and terror prevailed. Uniformed police, variously estimated at between 50 and 100 rushed into the streets shouting, "Where are the B— Sinn Feiners now, let the coward come on." An attack had been anticipated on Tuam police barracks for the last three weeks, and the Garrison of fifty men were fully prepared. Shortly before five am about a score of rifle shots discharged at random startled the sleeping inhabitants. After a brief lull, a score of further shots rang out then followed the march of men, and the breaking of glass. Soon the shooting broke into a regular roar, and was intermingled with the dull thuds of hand grenades.

Terror—stricken inhabitants, who had presupposed an attack on the barracks were speedily disillusioned for whenever a face appeared at a window there was a sharp command, "Get back or you will be shot," followed in most instances by a discharge of musketry through the glass. Women and children screamed and some fainted. Most of them huddled together on the stairs or in the back portions of the houses, and recited the Rosary. The streets remained in undisputed possession of the police. For no—one dare venture abroad.

Soon a new terror was added to the shooting for fires sprang out in various parts of the town, which in shape bears a crude resemblance to a cross. Cheers broke out from the rioters, when the quaint old Town Hall, in which a most successful district Sinn Fein Court had been opened to the pubic last week, caught fire. It stands roughly near to the centre of the cross. Today nothing remains but walls, but most of the official papers have fortunately been rescued by Mr. Cannavan, the Town Clerk. At the corner, between Vicar—Street and Dublin road, stood the palatial drapery warehouse of Messrs. Canny Brothers, recently renovated at considerable expense, and probably one of the finest houses of its kind in the province. Mr. and Mrs. Canny and a family of little children were sleeping in the premises when the shooting started. Soon the shop under the rooms was found to be in flames. Clad only in such scanty apparel as they had time to collect, they fought their way down the stairs licked by on rushing flames to the front door, only to find escape barred by loaded rifles. Dashing back, they clambered on to the roof, and after a perilous climb escaped by a window to a neighbours house. When the shooting ceased they were given clothes and succour by neighbours, and Mrs. Canny was taken to her home in Sligo by motor suffering severely from the terrible ordeal. The stock and fishing in the shop were worth well over £20,000. The grocery and provision stores of Mr. John Burke and Mr. J. Nohilly, higher up on the Dublin—road, were set ablaze and the former came out on the street under fire, and endeavored to allay the flames with a mini—max extinguisher.

An incendiary bomb is alleged to have been thrown into Burke's. Practically all the business premises in Shop Street, including that of Mr. Patrick Murphy who recently refused as a member of the water works committee to sign the declaration pledging allegiance to the Dail Eireann, were wrecked. As the rioters marched along, they smashed in the glass with rifle butts, and discharged shots indiscriminately at upper windows. Many thrilling stories were told of the hair—breathed escapes of the inhabitants, and the most remarkable feature of the whole dreadful affair is that no one appears to have suffered actual physical hurt. Windows were shattered to fragments in the following premises:

McHugh's and Guy's Hotel, Hosty's, Kennys' Bar, McTigue's, Miss Maher's drapery, Fahy & Co., D. H. Burke, Heskin's, John Conolly's, Waldron's, Begley's, Patk. Murphy, O'Connor's, Saddler's (eight bullet holes in one upper window, and an attempt made to set on fire), Cunningham's, Naughton's, and Rooney's garage. Traces of looting, and glasses that had been used were found in the morning in public houses. As Mr. P. J. Lynch, boot factor and his daughter, were leaving their house, to go down shop street, when outside Mrs. Maher's they saw a policeman raise a bottle to his lips and take a drink, and there upon sink on to one knee and fire in their direction. But the most sensational stories told are of the arrest of local Sinn Feiners, who were threatened to have been shot a threat which the victims believed would have been carried out but for the intervention of Constable Colleran, who has been stationed in the District for many years, and Head—Constable Bowles.

Mr. Neville's Story — "Have You Made an Act of Contrition?"

Mr. John Neville, an electrician, lodging in High Street, gave his own account of the sensational incident referred to above. He stated that between 4.30 and 5 o'clock there were from ten to fifteen policemen in uniform armed with rifles outside his lodgings. They knocked at the door and asked the landlady for him. Before Mrs. Starr, could open the door some one of them said, "Fire," Constable Colleran, who appeared to be in charge said, "It is all right, Mrs. Starr, you need fear nothing."

"While I was dressing," proceeded Mr. Neville, "Colleran came into my room and mercy that either you or some of your chums showed to my comrades." When I came to the door, preceded by Colleran, the armed police on the opposite side of the street raised their rifles and covered me. Some of them called out to me. "Have you made an act of contrition? If not make it." The police were about to fire at me when Colleran stood between me and them, put up his hands, and persuaded them not to fire"

"After that," Mr. Neville said, "I walked away to the barracks with Colleran, but was followed, by police, one of whom fired a shot, and there was a volley. Some bullets went over my head, others whisked by me. They kept firing until I turned a corner, where I met another body of police coming from the Barracks. Some of these carried 'tins of petrol' Mr. Neville said he was then taken to the police barracks, where a man who appeared to be in charge made enquiries about him, and he was searched, and his property taken from him before being put into the lock—up, where he was detained for several hours and released. Mrs. Starr, from whose house Mr. J. Neville was taken to the barracks, said the police surrounded the house in the front and in the back. Another prominent citizen who had a remarkable adventure and escape from police vengeance was Mr. Emanon Casey, the registrar of the Sinn Fein tribunal of the west district. About four thirty o'clock, he said, he heard a knock, and before he had time to open the door the police burst in and crying "where is the murderer?" "I proceeded from my bedroom and the head Constable told me I was wanted in the barracks. As I left the house with him, police who were in the far side of the street, covered me with their rifles and revolvers. They did not fire, but as I passed down they said they would get me within three weeks" So extensive was the damage to business houses, over a dozen of which were badly wrecked in the principal section of the town, that the area is not at all unlike part of the destroyed portions of Dublin after the rising of 1916. The police have raided the houses of several prominent Sinn Feiners, including that of Mr. Maloney, which was visited three times, but he was away on holidays. In some of the houses attacked on Tuesday morning it is stated that bombs which failed to explode were found during the day, having been thrown through the windows after they were broken.

A Mother Faints

The police knocked wildly at James Maloney's door, and threatened to blow it in. His mother, the only occupant, opened it, and being asked where her son was, said she did not know, and fainted. The police upset the house in a vain search, and as they left broke in the two windows.

They then proceeded a few miles out, and burned down Addergoole Sinn Fein hall, and riddled with bullets the house of Mr. Moran, Carrowmoneen.

A Wife's Terrible Ordeal

Mr. E. Casey, Irish national assurance agent and registrar arbitration court, stated he heard knocking at his door, and was coming out when the door was burst in. "I heard," he went on, "a voice saying, where is he? I answered, I am here. The head constable said I want you. The next thing I heard was a rush of police. The heard constable stood in the door and tried to prevent the other police from entering, but they made repeated efforts to gain admittance, stating their orders were that I was to be shot. The head constable said he would countermand that order. Shots were at this time being fired through all the windows of the house, and the bomb was thrown thought the top window".

"My wife, standing in the hall, implored the police, one of whom raised his rifle to strike her, not to kill me. I said I was quite prepared, provided they did not do so while I was inside the house. Eventually the head constable induced the police to go away. A machine gun was trained on the house and we could hear repeated shots of 'Blow them up.' Passing down Vicar Street, later the police fired another volley at Mr. Casey's house. Many townsmen, concur in the statement that when the Dragoons heard the shooting, a detachment was marched out on the streets, but when the officer saw what was afoot, he declared 'This This is a police job, not ours,' and withdrew his men. When Dr. Costello and his men ventured abroad to take the firehose to Canney's, raiders threatened to fire upon them, and it is said that shots wee actually discharged. Subsequently, rescue work was organized by townsmen and Volunteers but little could be saved from the wreck of the burning buildings, and efforts were confined to isolating the outbreak of fire.

The Protest Meeting

On Tuesday night a meeting of protest was held by the residents in the Swore, and the people afterwards quietly adjourned to their homes. But the feeling of alarm and terror is so intense that many timid people had fled the town , fearing to undergo a repetition of the terrible experiences to which they were subjected his morning.

Rev. O' Hannon, Adm. , addressed the protest meeting of townspeople in the Square and advised them to present their peaceable demeanor notwithstanding provocation to dispense quietly and remain indoors for the night. It is understood the Volunteers also have made arguments for keeping order. Shops were closed 'or in many cases boarded up' on Tuesday. The Volunteers were instrumental in keeping order. No drink was allowed to be consumed, and there was not an single instance of an attempt of looting. The wanton action of the police was condemned by all sections of the community.

The Archbishop Intervened — District Inspectors Reply to His Grace's Representations

Early on Tuesday morning, His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Gilmartin, Archbishop of Tuam, Galway accompanied by Rev. O'Hannon, Adm., and Rev. Father Canton, President, St. Jarlath's, visited the damaged buildings, and called at the police station to interview District Inspector O'Callaghan, and got an assurance from him that the police would be kept under control. I saw His Grace at the Palace on Tuesday afternoon (writes our special correspondent), and he told me that he had informed the District Inspector that he intensely deplored and condemned the shooting of the two policemen, whose dead bodies he had seen. It was the first case of shooting police men in that district, and his Grace did not think such an occurrence would have taken place in view of his frequent condemnations of crime. But whilst deploring this, he must add that two wrongs never yet made a right, and he protested in the strongest possible manner against the outbreak of police, the indiscriminate shooting and wrecking of property, and the threats to life. He asked that the police should be kept off the streets or that they should be kept in check during this period of extreme tension and danger. District Inspector O'Callaghan replied that he could not keep the police off the streets, as he had orders to patrol them at night. Nor could he keep the police under control the previous night. Under the provocation they got completely out of hand, but he gave his Grace an assurance that there would be no further shooting on the part of his men if they were not attacked "You may say," added the Archbishop to me, "that the terrible wrongs already committed by both sides can not be made right by reprisals, or the commission of greater wrongs; and that I hope and pray the people will restrain themselves under whatever provocation, and accept the advice given, in the "Freeman's Journal" of today and be patient. His Grace continued to say that the relations between police and people in that district were as good as could be expected in the present circumstances of the country, and there was no justification for jeopardizing those relations by the events of the morning. A few weeks ago when the military patrol discharged shots on the streets, Dr. Gilmartin requested General Sir Neville Macready, to withdraw the night patrols of soldiers. Sir Neville did so and the town has enjoyed uninterrupted peace since, the streets being cleared after 11pm by Volunteers.

A Protest and Demand — Letter to General Macready

On Tuesday the Archbishop dispatched the following letter to General Macready; "I regret to have to trouble you again, and that this time the matter is serious. Two policemen were shot dead yesterday evening about 3 miles from Tuam on their way home to Dunmore where they were stationed. This is a dastardly crime, which we deplore and condemn. It is the first of its kind in this district. I am satisfied the good people of Tuam do reprobate this deed. But the sequel is calculated seriously to imperil the peace and order of the town. The sequel is that about 5am this morning in revenge for the deaths of their comrades, the police raided the town almost from end to end. They burned our beautiful Town Hall to the ground. They set fire to one large shop which is now completely demolished they tried to set fire to at least four other shops and they ruthlessly broke plate—glass windows. Shots were fired, into several houses, and the bomb was thrown into an upper room of at least one house. I heard bombing and firing from 5am to about 5.45am. I have just visited the whole scene of destruction. I have interviewed the police authorities, who tried to put the blame on police who came from Galway under the County Inspector. One man (Casey) alleges that it was the Tuam Head Constable who kept him from being shot by other police. You may imagine the state of terror and indignation that exists today in what was yesterday a peaceful and prosperous town where relations between police and people were as cordial as could be expected. I hope you will see that a sworn into inquiry is opened immediately with the view of bringing all culprits to justice and making reparations to the town as far as such is possible."

General Macready's Reply

This following is General Macready's reply to his Grace:

"Dear Archbishop, I received your telegram last night, and read your letter of yesterday's date in the press before receiving the original which has now reached me, I need hardly say that no more than yourself I deplore the dastardly crime which has occurred in your dioceses because I feel strongly that cold blooded murder of those who are endeavoring to do their duty can only result in delaying still further the settlement of this country, in your letter you say that you are satisfied that the good people of Tuam would reprobate this deed. That there are people resident in the district that condemn such crimes as deeply as you or I there is no doubt; but at the same time there is I think, equally no doubt that such crimes could not take place without, at all events, the tactic consent connivance of a large section of the population. The resulting damage to the town followed, owing, presumably, to the police being incensed at the calculated and cold blooded murder of their comrades, is certainly to be deplored, seeing that retaliation can never be a remedy for crime. In view of the fact from all accounts no military were involved, the matter is not one within my province in regard to the sworn inquiry which you suggest should take place. I am, therefore, at once forwarding your letter and telegram to the proper authority for such action as they may think to take in the matter, Yours very faithfully.

(Signed), C. F. N. Macready, General, Commanding in Chief, the forces in Ireland.

His Grace's Horror

In a subsequent interview Dr Gilmartin stated; "the first indication I got of the trouble was to hear the bombing and the shooting this (Tuesday) morning at 5 oclock. I thought it was the usual attack upon the police barracks, but on making enquiries I found it was the police that had wrecked the Town, burning the Town Hall, and the magnificent shop of Mr. Canney, both of which were destroyed, and having attempted to burn three or more other shops they fired shots indiscriminately into the houses and broke plate—glass windows.

"On inquiring the cause of this I found that two policemen were shot dead last evening about three miles from Tuam on their way to Dunmore. After walking round the town I called at the police barracks and saw the remains of the deceased which presented a very sad spectacle. Having expressed my horror of this foul deed, I protested against the retaliations to the District—inspector which I though were altogether unjustifiable, and entirely wanton and provocative to an extreme disagree. The District—Inspector did not attempt to justify the wreckage, but said that it was police who were here from Galway who were principally responsible for it".

An Unfounded Allegation

Interviewed on Wednesday by the special correspondent of the "Independent", Dr. Gilmartin expressed his surprise on reading in the official report that the police allege they were fired at. "I cannot," he said, "get the slightest confirmation of that allegation".

His Grace remarked that the claims of the townspeople whose property was destroyed appeared to be unanswerable, now that the police "got out of hand." the good behavior of the townspeople in the trying ordeal to which they were subjected was admirable. "I hope," said Dr. Gilmartin, "they will continue to observe the same magnificent restraint, and I trust the authorities will see the way the people behaved under such provocation but it is only what I expected from the peace—loving Catholic people of Tuam."

Lamp Shot From Lady's Hand

Our North Galway correspondent, who lived through the horrors of the morning, writing on Tuesday evening, says the firing was sustained for an hour. Only an occasional house in any street escaped the volleys. In some cases from sixteen to thirty bullets pierced the windows and ceilings, and it was marvelous that people escaped injury.

Mrs. Nohilly's house, Dublin—rd., was riddled with twenty shots. She stated that when removing an altar lamp over her bed it was shattered in her hand by a direct hit. The bar of her shop, she alleged, was pillaged, and glasses with whiskey and wine left on the counter.

The walls of the Mercy Convent school showed marks of bullets; but it is stated that the police were called off when about to attack the building. Mr. O'Connor's saddlery establishment was gutted. There was terrific cheering and shouting when Canney's burst into flames.

A Sinn Fein flag, which had been hoisted on the town hall since the visit of the American Commission, was the last to be caught in the flames. A loud cheer went up as it fell to the ground.

Country people who came to Tuam during the day offered the hospitality of their homes to the townsfolk "afraid there would be another outbreak that night." Some police had been heard to declare after shooting. "It will be worse tonight." In a few instances people sought refuge outside the town for the night.

No Jurors at Inquest — Head—Constable Bowles on the Attitude of the Town People

"One may accept it that the people of Tuam take it to be the right course to murder the police," said Head—constable Bowles at Tuam on Wednesday, commenting on the fact that no jurors had turned up for the inquiry of Constables Carey and Burke. The head—constable added that it looked as if the townspeople had "no more regard for a policeman's life than if a dog was killed." When the Coroner declined to offer any comment , the policeman said: "We will draw our own conclusions."

In Tuam, Wednesday Afternoon

The inquests on Constable Burke and Carey, arranged for at the barracks here today, fell through. None of the citizens summoned by the police as jurors attended.

The Coroner, (Mr. F. B. McDonogh, solr.), said under the circumstances he could do nothing.

When proof of the service of the summonses were given, and it was intimated that there was no response.

Head—constable Bowles, who appeared on behalf of the police authorities, addressing the corner, said: "From their action in absenting themselves as jurors, one may accept it that the people of Tuam take to be right course to murder the police. We must take it that that is the general feeling in the town, and it looks as if they have no more regard for a policeman's life than if a dog was killed. Is that so?" The coroner: "I don't know. Take it any way you like. I attended here in my official capacity; that's all — Head—constable Bowles: "We will draw our own conclusions;"

The Town Hall Attacked — Further Details — Constable Leaves Barracks in Stockinged Feet

An interesting message from Tuam on Wednesday night states:

The anxiety of the people was evidenced by the number of refugees who have left the town. In some cases whole families fled, and many parents, fearing another outbreak, sent their children to friends in outlying districts.

A tour of the town yesterday, especially in the vicinity of the Square, gave one the impression that a hostile army had ravaged the place with fire and sword. Of the splendid Town Hall only the skeleton walls and gaping tower remain. A few yards further on is the blank space where stood Canney's fine drapery establishment. All around were the charred woodwork and hastily—boarded windows of other shops.

The Presentation Convent, though not deliberately attacked, did not escape unscathed. Two fragments of bombs or of spent bullets penetrated the shuttered windows. The Rev. Mother brought the nuns in the Dublin—road part of the building into the central portion of the convent as soon as she was aware of the outbreak in the town.

A resident declared that at the start, the fire at the Town Hall could easily have been subdued, but he and the town plumber (Mr. McCoy) were prevented from doing anything to stop it. The police kept firing in their direction, and warned them to clear away. It is alleged that Mr. McCoy was deliberately fired upon. There is no doubt a number of bombs were thrown into houses. One of these, which failed to explode, is now in possession of a shopkeeper, whose premises were wrecked.

Entrance to the Town Hall was forced by bombing the main door, the explosion carrying away a considerable portion of the stone frame—work. An actual witness states the building was set on fire by three uniformed policemen without caps, accompanied by a man wearing civilian clothes, a trench coat, and a soft hat, with the brim pulled over his eyes. One of the police——man had a tin of petrol, with which he saturated large cloths — apparently stage scenery found in the hall. The first attempt failed, and more petrol was poured on, and the billiard room got ablaze. The four men also set one of the upper rooms well alight.

Policeman Leaves the Force

Constable Hugh Roddy, Tuam has resigned, it is stated, in consequence of the conduct of the police. His wife and family reside in the town, but he was sleeping in the barracks on Monday night. Realizing what was taking place, he hurriedly dressed, left the barracks, and cycled by a circuitous route to his home. The shooting was then on, and a bullet went uncomfortably close to him. He has since returned to his native Foxford

Mrs. Roddy told a Press representative that on Monday night her husband slept in the barracks, and was aroused by wild shouting of men below who said, "Come on, men, and revenge this." Roddy declined to be a party to the wrecking of the town, and got up and left the barracks on a bicycle in his stockinged feet for his home.

The remains of Constable Burke have been taken to Birr, and the remains of Constable Carey have been removed to Skibbereen.

D. I. Leaves for Dublin

On Wednesday evening Divisional Commissioner Brookwell, Athlone, and County Inspector Rutledge, Galway, arrived at Tuam barracks, where an inquiry was held into the shootings, and the evidence of several policemen was taken.

District—Inspector O'Callaghan, the officer in charge of helical police force, left Tuam on Wednesday for Dublin. He has been in the district for about a fortnight, and was transferred to Tuam from Newcastlewest, County Limerick.

Some alarm was caused yesterday morning by a loud explosion in the police barracks , caused by the accidental discharge of a rifle by one of the men in the guardroom.

The Destroyed Property

The following shows the serious nature and widespread extent of the damage;

Dublin road — Canney Bros. — Nothing saved. F. Keane — Bullet marks on windows and glass smashed. J. J. Quinn solr., do Mrs. Nohilly — one window smashed and the goods inside scorched by fire; about 90 bullet marks in shop window. Burke's Window — smashed and bullet marks in upper rooms. (Mr. Burke saved his own and Mrs. Nohilly's premises from considerable damage, running out in the midst of the firing and throwing water and porter on the lighting windows.)

The Square — Patk. Brown — 40 or 50 bullet marks through shop windows and rooms; a tin tea—holder in shop window was peppered by shot, presumably from a bomb or grenade; windows of shop smashed. Patk. McHugh — shop windows broken. Guy's Hotel — Windows smashed by rifle fire. Host and Co. — do. Town Hall — Completely gutted, but town Clerk's office did not catch fire, and books were saved.

Shop Street —Fahy and Co. — Windows smashed by bombs or grenades, some stock destroyed; upper windows broken by rifle fire. D. H. Burke's — Windows smashed. McNamara's Medical Hall —Do. John McHugh's Hotel — Do. Mrs. Egan's — Do. John Connolly's — two windows demolished; goods destroyed by fire. Arcade Drapery & Co. —Do. Connor's Saddlers — Windows completely burned and upper rooms riddled. Patk. Murphy's —windows broken. Cunningham—s — Windows broken High Street —Tim Waldron's upper rooms burned and shop windows smashed. (Buildings on other line saved by cutting the roof adjoining Town Hall.) O'Malley Bros. — Shop windows damaged.

Vicar Street —P. J. Lynch's —Windows broken by rifle fire. P. Byrne's — do. Miss Tigue and Co. — Do. "Connacht Tribune" — Windows destroyed. Door badly burned. McTigue (Grocery) — Windows smashed.

Latest from Tuam — Assurance Given to Archbishop

Our North Galway correspondent telegraphing yesterday (Thursday), stated:

Thee was an exodus of people from Tuam on Wednesday night, fearing another outbreak.

To assuage feeling, the Archbishop went to the barrack late in the evening, and got an official assurance that only sober police patriots would go out.

There was a false rumor of a Headford policeman having been shot, which intensified the general apprehension, as did also the coming of a police lorry from Galway which contained food supplies, as there was a general boycott in the town. Supplies were commandeered in some homes, but assistants refused to give them out, although; revolvers were fired up to them.

Special Telegram

The Republican Court was held today in the Forester's Hall

"Truth will out"

References at Republican Court to recent events in Tuam

Inquiry to be held

"People who disturb peace will be severely dealt with."

Tuam, Thursday

Opening the Republican Court today at Tuam Workhouse, Professor Whelehan said that in reference to the sad state of things in the town of Tuam, he desired to express the sympathy of the court with the sufferers amongst the townspeople, and that was practically every "man, woman and child in the town, without distinction of creed or party.

"There is no party in Tuam today," he continued. "We are all Irishmen, and we are proud of the conduct of our fellow townsmen and of our women and children during the past few days. There will be an inquiry conducted under the proper authority, and the authority of the elected representatives of the Irish people is the proper authority, the only legitimate, moral authority today in the country, Under that authority the inquiry will be held and 'the truth will out.'"

Referring to land disputes, Professor Whelehan said those who disturb the state of the country at the present time, when we are fighting for national liberty and for our very lives, will be severely dealt with by the Executives of the Republic.

Archbishop's reply to General Macready

Tuam, Thursday night.

The Archbishop of Tuam has wired to General Macready, in reply to his letter, that it is quite untrue to state that a section of people of Tuam has any sympathy with crime. From the fact that a murder was committed three miles from a peaceable town by unknown persons it is not fair to argue that such a crime 'could not be committed without, at all events, the tacit consent and connivance of a large section of the population.

The Archbishop is pressing in other quarters for a sworn inquiry.

The town has resumed normal business to a certain extent.

Aeroplanes frequently hover over. No police patrols are seen on the streets, but the attitude of the people is magnificent.

Tourists from many parts have visited the devastated town.

Interesting Photographs of the destruction of Tuam will appear in our next issue.