All Police Stations in the County Almost Destroyed

Connacht Tribune, July 17, 1920.

No Cases for Hearing at Local Courts

There was one case of trespass listed for hearing at Dunmore Petty Sessions, but neither Magistrates nor litagants attended. Williamstown police barracks has been closed, and burned to the ground. Milltown Petty Sessions has also been ignored. Major Bourke, Rev. M., attended at Headford Petty Sessions on Friday, but the only appearance was a young goat that stalked in as far as the witness table and quickly left.

Police stationed at Shrule barracks got an urgent message to leave. Military arrived to take away goods and chattels. Police returning from patrol were surprised to find their barracks empty, and their comrades under orders to leave immediately.

The Only Barracks Left

Headford is the only barracks standing between Ballinarobe and Galway and Tuam and Oughterard.

Aran Islands Evacuated — Police Transferred to Galway

On Wednesday afternoon the police Garrison at the Aran Isles was removed on the armed trawler John Bonkworth, to Galway harbour, where the men were recived by a mixed military and police guard, who superintended the disembarkation and escorted the Constabulary men and the equipment for distribution in the Dominick St. and Eglinton Street police stations.

The vacated police barracks at Salthill is now up for auction. The vacated barracks on Inishkea island have been burned.

New Inn Vacated

The New Inn police barracks was vacated on Monday and the men allocated to Kilchreest and adjoining stations.

Looscaun R.I.C. barracks, near Woodford, vacated a week ago, was burned to the ground on Monday morning. The barracks was owned by the Congested Districts Board and its sale by them to another party has been almost complete.

New Inn police barracks, vacated on Monday were destroyed by fire on Tuesday.

Resignations and Retirements

Sergant P. Connolly, R. I. C., Roxboro has tendered his resignation after thirty one years service. Constable P. J. Galvin (80 years service) and Constable P. J. Grace (10 years), stationed at Lorrha and Gort, respectively have retired. Constable A. Colgin, who took part in the defence of Bookeen barracks, recently destroyed, has also resigned after 8 years service.

Volunteer Arrested

A young man named Buckley, residing near Kilchreest, was arrested and conveyed to Loughrea R.I.C., barracks on Wednesday morning, under a strong police escort. It is understood that Buckley on whom a revolver and a few rounds of ammunition were found on Tuesday night. While on his way home from Loughrea, will be court marshaled. On the night in question over 100 volunteers assembled at Loughrea for the purpose of augmenting the local Sinn Fein police engaged in the inspection of licensed premises and keeping order generally in the town. The R.I.C. were also on duty in large numbers.