The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-09-25 00:00:00

FURTHER FATAL RIOTING IN
BELFAST:

DESPERATE FIGHTING.

A correspondent, telegraphing from Belfast on
Sunday night, says: Rioting of the most desperate
character took place here this evening, equalling in
every respect any of the disturbances which have
occurred during the past three months. It appears
that about half-past seven a couple of drunken men
had a quarrel opposite a public-house in which they
had been drinking. A fight ensued, and the police
coming upon the scene both men were arrested. In a
few minutes a crowd of considerable dimensions
gathered, and became very threatening. With diffi-
culty the prisoners were conveyed to Davis-street
Barracks No. 2, but no sooner had the officers got
their charges inside than a fearful attack was made
on the barracks. The windows were smashed, and
amid a scene of the wildest excitement the police fired
on the mob as it was about to force the door. For
about 10 minutes the aspect of affairs baffled descrip-
tion, and nothing could be heard but the yells of the
excited populace, the groans of the wounded, and the
rattle of musketry. The firing of the police had the
effect of clearing the streets, when it was found that
one man named Boyd, about 28 years of age, had
been shot dead, pierced by three bullets, while many
others had received bullet wounds. Two women who
e-ere among the wounded are not expected to recover.
Four of the most dangerous cases were taken to the
hospital, among them being one woman shot in the
head, who cannot possibly live; another woman shot
through the hand, and a man with two bullet wounds
n the thigh.
At/the time the riot broke out there were only a
few men in the barracks, but when the building was
attacked reinforcements were at once telegraphed for
and all the military out of barracks were recalled by
bugle. Whilst the disturbances were at their height
three companies of the West Surrey Regiment
arrived in Belfast from Dublin. A large force of
police, under the command of Deputy Inspector-
General Cullen and Town Inspector Carr, arrived on
the scene, and dispersed the crowds. The general
commanding the troops in Belfast, the various resident
magistrates, and the Mayor have been communicated
with, and every precaution has been taken by them to
prevent a renewal of the disturbances.
Another correspondent, telegraphing from Belfast
at half-past ten on Sunday night, says: "I have just
returned from a visit to the scene of to-night's riots,
where the military and constabulary have taken up
positions in strong force, Davis-street and the by-
streets leading off it being crowded with people,
whom the priests, it being a Roman Catholic quarter,
are persuading to go quietly to their homes. Davis-
street is the main thoroughfare leading from the
centre of the town to the Falls-road district.
It is now stated that the barrack was attacked be-
cause a country policeman arrested a man who was
attempting to separate the two drunken characters
who were fighting. Be this as it may the mob rushed
after the policeman and his prisoner into the barracks,
in which at the time it now appears there were only
four constables. It was at this moment the rioters
were fired at, 11 rounds in all being fired. This had
the effect of putting the mob into an infuriated state,
and they at once commenced to tear down the shut-
ters and smash the windows of the barracks. The
missiles chiefly used were brickbats and large paving
stones, and the police allege that one shot was
fired into the building. They also state that the
attack was so sudden that they had no time to fix
bayonets, while the desperate character of the affair
may be judged from the fact that a number
of the rioters actually attempted to snatch the
constabulary rifles from the rack near the window.
Had it not been that reinforcements were sent from
the Central Police-station in Queen-street, which is
only 250 yards distant, the moment the news of the
outbreak reached the town inspector the result would
hayse been still mere calamitous. It is now known
that about a dozen persons received bullet wounds, the
injuries in most cases being of a dangerous character.
Five men were arrested and these are detained in the
barracks handcuffed and under strong police guard.
Crowds of people are still congregated in the vicinity
of the scene, and while, owing to the presence of the
large forces of military and constabulary in Davis-
street and the Fall district it is anticipated that the
night will pass over quietly, it is feared that the ex-
citement will spread to the other disaffected localities.
Latest reports are to the effect that a woman has died
in her own housein one of the side streets.

The numerous policemen wounded in Monday
night's disturbances at Belfast include Town Inspector
Carr, who, while on duty near Divis-street Barracks
sustained a severe wound from a stone, and constable
James Lewis, who was admitted to the Royal
Hospital suffering from a lacerated wound in the face
and fractured ribs, both injuries being caused by the
hurling of stones. There were numerous firing parties
in several parts of the town, the revolver being the
favourite weapon. In Ballymacarrett a fusillade
was kept up for a long time, and great excitement
prevailed.
Twenty persons in all were arrested up to Tuesday
morning in Belfast for participating in the disturb-
ances. At three o'clock on Tuesday morning the
military were withdrawn from the streets to their
temporary barracks, to be replaced Wednesday fore-
noon, During Monday's disturbances the Black Watch
had repeatedly to charge mobs at the point of the
bayonet, instructions having been given that firing
was not to be resorted to. The latest phase of the
rioting is the manner in which the Nationalist mobs
have turned against the constabulary and military.
During the progress of the riots in Divis-street,
wherever a policeman could be seen he became the
mark for a dozen flying missiles. In one instance a
constable took refuge in a tobacconist's shop, and with
the assistance of a clergyman he made his escape by
the back door, dressed in a civilian's coat and hat.
The Recorder of Belfast, in charging the grand jury
on Tuesday, said it was a matter of the most pro-
found regret to him that there had been such scan-
dalous disturbances of the public peace as had lately
taken place, and were taking place in their town. He
could only say he hoped, although it was almost too
much to hope, that the people would come soon to
see the mad folly of working men attacking one
another in a civilised town, and not only attacking
one another but attacking the police. It was alleged
that the police had done things which they ought
not to have done, but if the police had done wrong,
then let them be punished according to law, but
no one had a right to touch the police while
they were engagsd in keeping the peace.
He sincerely booed that at no distant time people
would be restored to their right minds, and that the
peace of the town should be preserved, it was the
greatest scandal to any community that people should
take the law into their own hands and break the peace
of the town. He sincerely hoped the present state of
affairs wsuld soon terminate.
There was a slight renewal of the disturbances on
Tuesday forenoon in Northumberland-street, between
two mobs from the Falls and Shankhill roads, but
the proximity of the military picquets prevented any-
thing serious taking place.
AT Belfast, on Tuesday, John Rogan was charged
with tiring a revolver at a number of policemen during
a riot in Killen-place, and was committed for trial at
the assizes. Cornelius Duffy and Patrick Grinley,
charged with being members of the riotous mob who
wrecked a house in Milifield-street, were also com-
mitted for trial, evidence being given to show that the
two men were found secreted upon premises which
had been completely wrecked.
Inquests were held in the Belfast Royal Hospital
on the bodies of Thomas Boyle and Catherine Kelly,
who died from the effects of wounds received during
the attack on Divis-street Barracks. After a pro
longed investigation a verdict was returned in both
cases that the deceased came by their deaths from
buckshot wounds inflicted by members of the constabu-
lary force during the progress of the riot in Divis-
street. The evidence before the coroner was
given chiefly by some companions of the un-
fortunate man and woman, and was to the effect that
when they were shot the rioting was over. On the
other hand, Constable Burke, the only witness that
the constabulary authorities would produce, stated
that no shot. was fired until the barracks had been
reached, and that as soon as the mob went off firing
ceased. On the application of a juror, Inspector
Bernard, who watched the proceedings on behalf of
the constabulary, gave the following as the names of
the men who were in the barracks at the time of the
attack: Sergeant Whelan, Constables Dixon, Burke,
Rogers, and two county constables.
At the police-court on Monday, one man was com-
mitted for trial, and two others were remanded for
participation in Sunday night's riots. Twelve arrests
were effected in connection with the day's disturbances,
and in one instance a man named Rogers, residing in
Hamil-street, was found to be in possession of a
revolver, four chambers of which had been discharged
but ashort. time. On inouiry on Monday night at the
Central Police-office it was reported that in Divis-
street and Falls-road 10 or 11 shots were
fired at the polkas on beat duty, and t lie
Divis-street Barracks were again attacked with
stones, several policemen receiving slight injuries,
and a private of the sth Dragoon Guards got a ter-
rible blow with a stone while charging a mob in
Balaclava-street. At midnight the town was again
quiet, but it is not known at what hour another out-
break might occur.
At Belfast on Tuesday night some attempts were
made to resume rioting, which were, however,
promptly suppressed by the military and police.