Feared Reprisals — Tension in Galway on Saturday Night

Shots on the Street

Tension prevailed in Galway on Saturday night following the shooting of Constable Foley at Merlin Park. Reprisals were feared, and many people were apprehensive throughout the night. It is reported that shortly after midnight a young man named Higgins, who was on his way home from the Claddagh, stopped to speak to a couple of men whom he met near Dominick St. police station. When he parted with them, he was, he states, approached by policemen who demanded; "What have you to say against the police?' He said he had nothing to say against them, and was immediately struck with a baton across the shoulders. He thereupon took to his heels, and dashed down Nun's Island. The police followed, and as he passed the window of Mr. Clement J. Leaper, photographer, one of the police, he declares, made a blow at him with his rifle which missed its mark and broke the window. He was severely injured about the arm and shoulder.

Residents in Dominick St. also state that shots were discharged into the air by the police, who demonstrated in the street for some time, and, standing opposite the house of Mr. James Lee, demanded that he should come out. Nothing further happened, however, and since then the City has settled down to its customary tranquility.

Last Night's Scenes — Man Alleged to have been Assaulted by Police

Last night the Dominick St. police are alleged to have struck a man named Cavanaugh — employed as a body maker of cars and carts at Messrs. McDonough's — on the head with a baton, severely wounding him. A companion who endeavored to save him got a severe blow on the arm. It is difficult to get the exact details of last night's occurrence, but it would appear that about ten o'clock the police held up some cars driving from Salthill, and examined the occupants at the point of the revolver. Whilst this was being done, a small group gathered around to see what was afoot, and the police allege that shouts of "Up Roscam" and "Up Oranmore", came from the back of the crowd. A few minutes before eleven a young constable with drawn baton, a companion with a revolver, and a plain—clothes man, followed a number of young men in the direction of the Crane and up Ralleigh—row. Meanwhile, a number of policemen had formed a sort of cordon across the road in front of the barracks. Most of them appeared to be armed with revolvers, and they held up every car that passed, as well as all cyclists, interrogating and examining passengers. Pedestrians do not appear to have been interfered with. The excitement continued until mid—night, and groups gathered about the street discussing the matter. Many cars and pedestrians passed into the City by the New Line to avoid Dominick St.

There is no truth into the report that shots were fired into the residence of the Rev. Professor O'Kelly, in Dominick St. It was learned this morning that a window pane was broken accidentally, this apparently being the sole foundation for the rumor that was set afoot.

Funeral of Mr. Laurence Lydon

The funeral of Mr. Laurence Lydon (of Lydon Bros.), which took place on Sunday to Forthill after High Mass at the Cathedral, was one of the largest and most representative seen in the City for some time. The late Mr. Lydon was an uncle of the Rev. P. Lydon, P.P., of Shrule, and was a most popular and respected citizen. He died at Galway Hospital, on Friday last, and the funeral took place at Forthill on Sunday after High Mass, which was celebrated by the Rev. P. Lydon, P.P., at ten o' clock; Fr. O'Kelly, P.P., being deacon.

Urban Council — Threat to the Town Steward — Employment of Ex—service Men — A breeze with Mr. Binns over the Tractor — The Wrecking of Oranmore

Dr. Walsh, chairman, presided at the urban council meeting on Thursday evening. Present Mrs. Nicolla, Mrs. Hardiman, Messrs. M. Walsh, Faherty, Coogan, Lee, Cooke, Colohan, Connolly, and Naughton.

Patk. Connolly and Patk. McDonagh, West Galway, wrote asking was it fair to have ex—soldiers and sailors paid out of the ratepayers' money while they could find no employment at all. The town steward could do anything he liked when he was told to by an Orangeman who sat on that board. He might never sit on that board again.

The chairman said they had no ex—soldiers or sailors working. — Mr. Lee inquired was it not possible to have the two ends of the road worked together. — The chairman said that they were not able to get even one. — Mr. Molloy said that they had only two ex—service men, and they were employed before the council received the grant. — Mr. Naughton said it was not fair to have those men working for the council, and provision made for them elsewhere.

Mr. Walsh proposed a resolution condemning the action of the British police in wrecking the premises of Mrs. Keane and others in Oranmore. — Mr. Coogan seconded. — The chairman asked what was the use of it. He did not see any use in it. That was what they used to do long ago, and this was a useless resolution. If it was Mr. Walsh's wish to have it passed, by all means let it be that. Mr. Lee: I think it would be only encouraging them to do more. — The resolution was, passed unanimously.

Mr. Cooke proposed that the council demand the immediate release of the Lord Mayor of Cork until such time as he got a fair trial. — The chairman said the man did no wrong except his duty, and why ask for a trial? Why should he be tried at all. — Mr. Cooke said the Lord Mayor was in prison, and he had got no trial. — The chairman said it was like the last resolution — it was useless. Let them demand that the man be released, and leave out all talk about trials. To do otherwise was to admit that he had done something wrong. — Mr. Cooke said that the resolution did not admit that he had done anything at all. — Chairman: When you ask for a fair trial for a man, you admit that there was a reason for his imprisonment and trial. The British Government had no right ot arrest that man and put him under trial, fair or foul. — The resolution fell through.

Mr. Colohan pointed out that it was not fair for the council to employ ex—service men while employment was available for them elsewhere — Mr. Cooke inquired would the parties who were about to be transferred from the employment of the council be reinstated in their position when the labour supplied to the ex—service men would cease. — The chairman said the present position would cease before the grant given for the employment of ex—service men would.

Correspondence was read from two men employed by the urban council at the Knocknacarra quarry, complaining of the conditions that prevailed there. — The chairman said it was quite obvious that if they had a tractor it would not be so. — Mr. Coogan said the tractor, would never work up the hill at the quarry. They should scrap it and throw it out in the tide. — Mr. Molloy said that all they wanted was a driver. — Mr. Connolly said there were a half—dozen men in town that could drive the engine. The present driver could do nothing but run into walls and break up motor—cars.

Mr. Connolly further said the tractor had cost the council an enormous amount of money, and no man appeared to be able to regulate it. — Mr. Coogan said that that was a wrong remark to make about the town. — The chairman said if the tractor was not in working order tomorrow night let it be taken down, to Beatty's. — Mr. Connolly: I propose that you put it up for auction. — The chairman said as soon as they could get it in let them do so, and have it completely overhauled. — The chairman further added that they were there night after night when they should not hear a word about it. He did not understand the machinery of the tractor, and yet they had to discuss it. The people who understand it should see that it was right. — Mr. Connolly: I do not know who is making a laughing stock of us: is it the machinery, or the officials, or who? — Mr. Binns: You don't expect that I should repair it? You must get a mechanic to do that. — Chairman: Leave it so. — Mr. Connolly: They are all playing the game. — Mr. Binns: What game, Mr. Connolly? State it! State it! Mr. Chairman this is the tractor bought after the war. Is it fair to suggest that the breakdown was due to any of the officials? How did I know if the ejector was going to break? Is it my fault? I did my duty by this council. — Mr. Binns said he denied that as it was wrong. — Chairman: Order! Order! That won't mend it. — Mr. Connolly! You will mend it this way: If our officials do not do their duty dispense with them. — Mr. Binns was understood to say that he had spent a large amount of his time with the council, and he reminded Mr. Connolly that he was not a mechanic but a civil engineer. — Mr. Connolly: You should not undertake anything you are not able to do. The thing was running all right until the boiler was opened.

The coal contract of Messrs. Donnelly and Sons, Dublin, was accepted and the railway company to ascertain the cost of transit.

Mr. Connolly mentioned the re—naming of some of the Galway Streets. The place in which he lived was not a street but a terrace. There were only four houses there at present, but he could not say how long they would be there. — The matter was postponed for the present.

Constables Shoot Comrade — Tragedy of Two Patrols near Gort

On Thursday night, Constable James Duffy was shot dead from a police lorry at Boston, near Gort. The police patrol of six constables noticed a patrol approaching without lights, and, as it was 11.p.m., challenged it. Immediately a revolver shot was fired in reply, and Constable Duffy fell. When picked up he was dead. The bullet passed through his heart. It transpired that District—inspector McKee, in charge of the district, was with the police in their car. — Mr. James Lynch, solr., and coroner for North Clare, attended at Boston barracks on Saturday evening to hold an inquest, but, out of thirteen jurors who had been summoned, only two attended, and he was consequently unable to hold the inquest. — Dr. D. W. McNamara, handed in a certification that he had examined the body, and found that the bullet, entered the body at the front, in line with the fifth rib, and came out at the back, probably injuring the heart. Constable Duffy, was a native of County Mayo, and had several years service.

Tragedy and Terror — Young Constable Shot Dead at Merlin Park

Reprisals follow in Oranmore.

Frightened inhabitants flee to mountains.

Graphic Stories.

Public House, Residence and Band—Room Burned.

Houses shot and wrecked.

Full details of the Merlin Park ambush.

Inquest, Verdict, and References in the Churches.

There was a week—end of tragedy and terror in Galway and Oranmore. About one o'clock on Saturday afternoon, as a party of five policemen — three, armed with revolvers, in uniform, two in plain clothes going on holidays — passed underneath the railway bridge at Merlin Park on their way to the City, shots rang out, and they found that they had entered an ambush. Constable Martin Foley, aged 32, who had been stationed at Oranmore for the past five years, fell, dead with four bullet wounds through his body. Constable Brown Mulhearn received shot wounds in the back of the head. The thrilling escape of the others is described below.

At midnight on Saturday the police in Oranmore virtually ran amok. After the shooting they told Frank Casey, C.C., who pleaded with them to remain calm, and added that two wrongs do not make a right, that people should remember that when they shot policemen. From midnight till seven am they fired and shot up the ??? village burned the public house and residence adjoining of Mrs. Keane, the band—room and residence adjoining in which Mr. Coen and his family were living; smashed into and looted the public—house of Mr. Marin Costello, formerly known as Burke's, and fired a number of volleys into the house of Mr. Thomas Lee. The Keane family and Mr. Costello had left Oranmore earlier in the day.

The Bishop of Galway, Right Rev. Monsignor Considine, and Father Casey, C.C., Oranmore, referred to the tragedy on Sunday.

The War upon the Police

Galway was not alone in the tragic happenings of a bloody week—end, which involved the death of a district—inspector, two sergeants, five constables, and a civilian. District—inspector Swanzy, R.I.C., who was in Cork during the murder of Lord Mayor MacCurtain and was mentioned in the verdict was shot dead on Sunday in Lisburn when returning from church, accompanied by Major E. V. Ewart and Mr. F. W. Ewart. Four men, pushing aside people, fired a number of shots at close range, killing the inspector instantly. They immediately rushed to a waiting taxi—cab, which was driven away at great speed in the direction of Belfast. Since then the Catholic shops and houses in Lisburn have been burned and looted.

Sergeant, Thomas Craddock, R.I.C., a native of Ballinasloe, and the son of a former head—constable, was fired upon at 12.30 a.m. on Saturday night when leaving the Comrades of the Great War Club, Athlone, and died within half an hour. Deceased, who was accompanied by Const. McMahon, was fired at immediately he stepped out into King—St. Several shots were heard in the vicinity, and six took effect, the one which proved fatal causing internal bleeding. Deceased, who was unmarried and had about 25 years service, served in the South African War. He lived with his mother and sister. It is said he had lately been employed in the crimes special department, and that he had received threatening letters. At St. Peter's Church, Rev. T. P. Gallagher asked for prayers for deceased's soul.

Constable John O'Hanlon, a native of Kerry, was shot dead in a house in Moore—st., Kilrush, at 5 p.m. on Saturday. Deceased, was followed into the house by an unknown man who spoke to him, shot him through the right eye, the bullet passing through his skull, and escaped. Constable O'Hanlon, who died in a few minutes, leaves a wife and two children.

Sergeant Maunsell, R.I.C., was shot when leaving a house in Inchageel at ?p.m. on Saturday, and died from his injuries.

Jocelyn—st., one of the main thorough fares of Dundalk, was the scene of a deadly attack on four police officers as a result of which Constable Brennan was shot dead and two others seriously injured, and a civilian was shot in the arm. Sergeant Clarke gathered up the revolvers of his fallen comrades and had a providential escape.

The Merlin Park Ambush

Sergeant and Constable said to have received threatening letters.

It now transpires that Sergeant Healy and Constable Brown, of Oranmore, had received threatening letters prior to the ambush attack at Merlin Park on Saturday. Sergeant Healy, who has been stationed at Oranmore for some years, defended the barracks during an attack in Easter Week, 1916. Constable Brown was said to have incurred unpopularity by reason of his activity in connection with the proceedings following the Rebellion and evidence given at the court—martials which tried local prisoners in connection with the taking of rifles from the Royal Air Force at Oranmore. Nevertheless, the attack is believed to have been a general one and not directed at any particular member of the party.

Sergeant Healy was in charge of the patrol, which left Oranmore about mid—day on Saturday to come to Galway with dispatches. He and Constable Brown asked Constable Foley to join them, and it was probably his compliance that brought about his tragic death, as he had not intended to go to Galway in the first instance. Foley was popular in the village and was a playmate of the village children, to whom he frequently gave money for sweets. There was general regret amongst the villagers at his death. Healy, Brown, and Foley carried their revolvers. Sergeant Mulhearn, of Kilconnell and Constable Doherty, Oranmore, who were going on leave, accompanied the party. They were in plain clothes, unarmed. Following at a distance of thirty yards came Sergeant Healy, on the left of the road, with Constable Brown on the right, and Sergeant Mulhearn. The latter was in plain clothes.

Soon after the party had passed under the bridge, three or four shots were fired apparently by men concealed on the bridge. "We jumped off our bicycles," said Sergeant Healy, — "we should have been getting down the hill, at any rate — and looked around, but could not see a soul on the bridge or [unable to read]