A Tale of Terror — Part of Tuam in Ruins — Fearful Destruction of Property — The Police get out of Hand — Details of the Destruction — The Town Hall Wrecked — "Police got out of hand."

The Tuam Herald, Saturday, July 24, 1920.

The following is the official report received at Dublin Castle: —

After the murder of the two constables, Burke and Casey, a party of police and military went to Tuam and the police got out of hand on seeing the bodies of their dead comrades. Shots were fired and houses burned. The police allege that they were fired on.

It appears that late on Monday night Constable Carey and Constable Burke, Dunmore, were shot dead when returning from Galway in a police car.

They left for Galway Assizes that morning, accompanied by Sergt. Beatty and Const. Brennan, whom they left at Tuam, from which town they took an additional escort of police.

They returned to Tuam at about 8p.m. and took Sergt. Beatty and Const. Brennan on the journey back to Dunmore. Const. Burke was driving.

When nearing Newtown, D'Arcy, about 3 miles from Tuam, they found the road barricaded with felled trees. Before the driver had time to pull up, shots rang out from behind a hedge, and as Carey and Burke were jumping from the car they were shot and mortally wounded.

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

They were then blindfolded, and told to go back in the Tuam direction. Reaching the town in a short time, they reported the matter at the police barrack. Soldiers and police immediately proceeded to the scene in charge of Dis—Insp. O'Callaghan.

Hearing that two policemen had been shot, Dr. Hosty proceeded in haste to the scene, and found that one of the policemen had expired. He attended the other, who was in a very weak condition, and then motored back to Tuam and brought out Rev. Fr. Moane, C.C. When they arrived they found the other policeman had also breathed his last.

Neither of the two policemen were married, Const. James Burke, who was about 32, had 12 years service, and was a native of Birr. Const. Patk. Carey was about 28, had 8 years service, and was a native of Skibbereen. The police motor car was burned on the road.

Several houses in Cortoon and districts adjacent to the scene of the tragedy were searhed by police and military, but without result.

According to some accounts Const. Burke and Carey were descending to remove the obstruction on the road when two shots rang out. Their comrades in the motor lay flat and fired till their ammunition was exhausted. They were then compelled to surrender.

It appears they had been warned not to go to Galway Assizes, and had been acting as a relief for their comrades at Tuam who had attended the Assizes. When the two dead bodies were being conveyed through Tuam streets awed spectators lifted their hats reverently. A bullet entered behind Burke's ear, coming out at the other side. He must have been killed instantly. Carey was shot in the heart.

About 3 o'clock in the morning the patrol parties who had scoured the country without results returned to Tuam, and the policemen, having viewed the dead bodies of their comrades, appear to have got completely out of hand.

The "Freeman" correspondent writes: —

Fully armed they marched into the streets, smashed public houses, and it is alleged looted 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 satisfied with a regular orgy of destruction.

The breaking of glass and the shooting was intermingled with the dull thuds of hand grenades. Terror—stricken inhabitants, who had pre—supposed an attack upon the police barrack, were speedily disillusioned, for whenever a face appeared at a window there was a sharp command, "Get back or you'll be shot," followed in most instances by a discharge of musketry through 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 dared venture abroad.

Soon a new terror was added to the shooting, for fires sprang out in various parts of the town, and 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 public last week, caught fire. On the opposite shoulder of the cross, between Vicar Street and Dublin road, stood the palatial drapery warehouse of Messrs. Canney Bros., recently renovated at considerable expense and probably one of the finest houses of its kind in the Irish provinces. Mr. and Mrs. Canney and their family of little children were sleeping in the premises when the shooting started. Soon the shop under their rooms were found to be in flames. Clad only in such scanty apparel as they had time to collect they fought their way down a stairs licked by the onrushing — 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 over the top of a neighbors house. When the shooting ceased they were given clothes and succor by neighbors, and Mrs. Canney was taken to her home in Sligo by motor, suffering severely from the terrible ordeal. The stock and fittings in the shop were worth well over £20,000.

The grocery and provision stores of Mr. John Burke, and Mr. James 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 Minnimax 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 Waterworks Committee, to sign the declaration pledging allegiances to the Dáil Éireann, was wrecked.

As the rioters marched along they smashed in the glass with rifle butts and discharged shots indiscriminately at upper windows.

The most sensational stories told are of the arrest of local Sinn Feiners, who were threatened to be shot, a threat which the victims believe would have been carried out but for the intervention of Constable Colleran, a popular policeman, who has been stationed in the district for some years, and Head—Constable Bowles.

Jack Neville, a young electrician, staying at Mrs. Starr's, High Street, which is out of the track of the wrecked buildings, said that shortly after five o'clock armed police knocked up his landlady, and demanded admission, with threats. Dressing hurriedly, he came to the front door, and found himself looking down the barrels of 15 rifles. "Pull the heart out of the devil," shouted one raider.

"No," said another, "we will give him more mercy than some of them showed our comrades here." As they were about to fire Constable Colleran went in front with uplifted hand and begged them to desist. Thereupon a group of policemen marched Neville to the barracks, while their comrades discharged a volley of shots over their heads. In the station the men had a dispute as to what they would do with their prisoner. Ultimately wiser counsels prevailed, and they threw him into the Bridewell, where he remained in a dazed condition, until Head constable Bowles came, and, remarking that it was a shame the way he had been treated, released him.

The police also raided the houses of James Moloney, but he was not at home, his terrified mother informed them. They rushed up to his empty bed, which bears bayonet marks as a grim evidence of their visit. Shots were discharged at the house.

"Not a soldier's Job."

A bomb was thrown in the house of James Casey, who is secretary of the local arbitration court. It exploded at the far side of the room, occupied by two lodgers, who had taken refuge under two feather beds, which were shattered, the occupants having a miraculous escape.

Many people 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 is a police job; not ours," and be withdrew his men.

The flames spread to the other side of the street, and considerable damage was done here also. When Dr. Costello and his men volunteered abroad to take the fire hose to the Canneys raiders threatened to fire upon them, and it is said that shots were actually discharged.

Early on Tuesday morning his Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Gilmartin, Archbishop of Tuam, accompanied by Rev. O' Hannon Adm., and Rev. Father Eaton, President of St. Jarlath's visited the damaged buildings and called at the police station to interview District Inspector O'Callaghan and get an assurance from him that the police would be kept under control.

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 right. 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.

A few weeks ago when the military discharged shots on the streets. Dr. Gilmartin requested General Sir Neville MacCready 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 the Volunteers.

"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 and 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 not fear nothing."

"While I was dressing," proceeded Mr. Neville, "Colleran came to my room and said "We are going to give you more mercy than 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 the police, one of whom fired a shot, and there was a volley. Some bullets went over my head, others whizzed by me. They kept firing until I turned the 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 inquires 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 then released.

Lamp Shot Out of Hand

The firing was kept up for 2 hours. Only an occasional house in any street escaped the volleys. In some cases from 16 to 30 bullets pierced the windows and ceilings, and it was miraculous that people escaped injury.

Mrs. Nohilly's house was raided with 20 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. An attempt was made to set on fire the establishment of Mr. O'Connor, saddler, and the window broken. There was terrific cheering and shouting when Canney's place burst into flames.

The police knocked wildly at 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 Michael Moran, Carrowmonnen.

Mr. E. Casey, Irish National Assurance agent, and Registrar Arbitration Court, stated he heard knocking at his door, and was coming but 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 head—const. stood in the door, and tried to prevent the other police form entering, but they made repeated efforts to gain admittance, they said that their orders were that I was to be shot. The head chief constable revoked that order. Shots were fired through all the window of the house, and a bomb was thrown through 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 she was in sight. Eventually the head—const. induced the police to go away. A machine—gun was trained on the house, and we could hear repeated shouts of "Blow them up"

Passing down Vicar Street later, the police fired another volley at Mr. Casey's house.

The Archbishop's Letter

His Grace the Archbishop of Tuam, Most Rev. Dr. Gilmartin has sent the following letter to General Sir Nevil MacCready: —

"Two policemen were shot dead yesterday evening, about three miles from Tuam, on their way to Dunmore where they were stationed. This was a dastardly crime which we deplore and condemn. It is the first of this kind in the district. And I am satisfied the good people of Tuam do reprobate this deed, but the sequel is calculated to seriously imperil the peace and good order of the town.

"The sequel is that about 5 a.m. 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.

"Shops were fired into several houses and a bomb was thrown into an upper room of at least one house. I heard bombing and firing from 5 am 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 the police who came from Galway under the county inspector.

"One man, Carey, 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 to day in what was yesterday a peaceful and prosperous town where the relations between police and people were as cordial as could be expected.

"I hope that you will see that a sworn inquiry is opened immediately with a view to bringing all the culprits to justice and making reparation to the town as far as such is possible.

Bombing and Shooting — What the Archbishop Feared and Saw

His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Gilmartin, Archbishop of Tuam, in a statement made on Tuesday night to a "Freeman" representative said: —

"the first intimation I got of the trouble was to have bombing and shooting this (Tuesday) morning at 5 o'clock. I thought it was the usual attack upon the police barracks, but on making inquires I found it was the police who 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 four more 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 thought were altogether unjustifiable, and was entirely wanton and provocative to an extreme degree. 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."

Interviewed on Wednesday, Most Rev. Dr. Gilmartin expressed his surprise on reading in the official account that the police allege that 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 authorities officially admitted the police "got out of hand." The good behaviour of the townspeople in the trying ordeal to which they were subjected was admirable. "I hope" said Dr. Gilmartain 'they will continue to observe the same magnificent restraint, and I trust the authorities will see that the peace is preserved."

People's Good Conduct

"I am indeed very pleased to see the way the people behaved under such provocation, but it is only what I expected from the peace—loving Catholic people of Tuam.

General MacCready's Reply to Archbishop

Writing on Wednesday to Most Rev. Dr. Gilmartin, in reply to the demand made by his Grace for a sworn inquiry with a view to bringing the culprits to justice and making reparation to the town, Gen. Sir O.F.N. MacCready, Commander in Chief stated:—

"I need hardly say shocked, even more than yourself, I deplore the deadly crime which has occurred in your diocese, because I feel strongly the 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 who condemn such crimes as deeply as you and 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 tacit comment and connivance of a large section of the population.

Certainly Deplorable

"The resulting damage to the town that 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 that 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 fit to take."

Inquest Abortive — No Jury Attending, the Inquest on Constables Burke and Caney Fell Through

Head—Constable Bowles, commenting on the absence of jurors, declared the police took it that the feeling of the townspeople was to have the police killed, and they had no more regard for a policeman's life than if it was a dog was killed. "Is that so?" he asked the coroner. "I attend here in my official capacity. Take it anyway you like. If the jurors don't attend, the inquest falls through."

"We will draw our own conclusions," said the Head—Constable.

Notes on the Outbreak

The two unfortunate policemen shot — which Tuam paid so dearly for — belonged to Dunmore police barracks, and were never stationed in Tuam. They were unknown to a soul in this town, except whatever members of the local police were acquainted with them.

It is alleged that the County and District Inspectors were in Tuam Police Barrack before the police got "out of hand".

Mellin's shop was burst open and drink and eatables looted, as were Browne's and Nohilly's.

After Canney's, Browne's suffered the most, the inside of the house being practically riddled with bullets.

When the man in the trench coat succeeded, after several attempts, in firing the Town Hall, the first cheer was given, and the second outburst when the tricolor fell with the tower into the flames, the last of the building to go.

Portions of the metal fox, which acted as weather gauge on the clock tower, were carried away as souvenirs by local residents.

The splendid Library of the Catholic Temperance Society, formerly the old Literary Society, which contained some rare and valuable books, was burned to ashes.

Mr. Canney, whose house was burned out took no part in politics and was on friendly terms with the police. Two of his nephews fought in the war for "the liberation of small Nations."

A motor lorry, with a Lewis gun planted thereon, circled the Square on Tuesday evening. The gun was trained on the people standing around. Later, on the return to Galway, they held up a motor lorry with eggs and the owner was minutely searched, his cigarette case being examined, and the contents of the motor tool box thrown on the road. Aeroplances visited the town every day since the outbreak.

Several attempts were made to set Mr. James Nohilly' house on fire. The fact that ladies were the occupants of houses was no protection. Mrs. Meagher's windows were broken, and a live bomb thrown in which fortunately did not explode. The Misses Naughton, Begley, and Mrs. Egan, all had their windows broken, and Mrs. Moloney's house on Dublin Road was broken into, and the beds bravely bayoneted.

All sorts of wild rumors found vent and credence during the week. It was said that Galway and Dunmore had been burned, and that two policemen had been shot in Headford. Happily, they were all unfounded, though a number of people took to the country fearful of another outbreak.

Const. Hugh Roddy has resigned, it is said 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 to take 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 place, Foxford.

The Republican Court held its sitting as usual on Thursday and Friday. But as the Town Hall was not available they adjourned to the Board Room.

Mr. T. Waldron and family return their sincere thanks to the Volunteers who helped to save their premises.

The Houses Attacked

The Square: — Patk. Browne — 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. Hosty 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 — Windows smashed, McNamara's Medical Hall — Do. McHugh's Hotel — Do. Mrs. Egan' — Do. Miss Begley's shutters pulled down and windows broken by rifle bullets. John Connelly's — two windows demolished; goods destroyed by fire. Naughton's —Plate glass windows broken, hall door smashed in by rifle bullets. Arcade Drapery Co. — Do. O'Connor's Saddlery — Attempts to set place on fire, windows completely burned and upper rooms riddled. Patk. Murphy's — Windows broken. Cunningham's — Dr. Lyons' — Do. Rooney's — Do.

High Street — Timothy Waldron's — Upper rooms burned and shop windows smashed. Buildings on this line saved by cutting roof adjoining Town Hall.) O'Malley's Bros. — Shop windows damaged. C? — Bullets fired into houses.

Dublin Road — County Bros. — Nothing saved. Frank Keane — Bullet marks on windows and glass smashed. J. J. Quinn, solr. Ac. Mrs. Nohilly's —One window smashed and the goods inside scorched by fire; about 20 bullet marks in ceiling of rooms. O'Brien's — two bullet marks in shop window. Burke's — Windows smashed and over 30 bullet marks in upper rooms, Mr. Burke saved his own and Mrs. Nohilly's premises from complete destruction by running water and porter on the lighting windows.

The private house of Mr. Burke two doors further up, was riddled by bullets, one of which ricochetted across the road and penetrated the window of the room where the children of Mr. E. Kenney, sailor, were sleeping, one of whom had a narrow escape.

Vicar Street. — P. J. Lynch's — Windows broken by rifle fire. P. Bryne's — Do. McTigue and Co. — Do. "Connacht Tribune" — Windows destroyed, door badly burned. F. Stafford's — Do. McTigue; Grocery) — Windows smashed. Mrs. Whyte's — (Mother—in—law of Mr. Eamon Casey) — all the windows broken, and live bomb thrown into house which landed on a feather bed and fortunately did not explode.