The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-08-07 00:00:00

FATAL RIOTS IN BELFAST.

Rioting was resumed in Belfast on Saturday night.
Between eight and nine o'clock a band, followed by a
large crowd, passed up towards the disturbed districts.
There was a good deal of excitement there, owing to
several excursion parties having passed that way pre-
viously. The result was that some stone throwing
ensued. Many persons were injured, including the
Hon. Colonel Forbes, R.M., and three policemen, all
of whom were brought to the Royal Hospital to have
their wounds dressed. At the close of the disturb-
ances several civilians were brought to the same in-
stitution. Almost all their wounds were inflicteci by
stones. William Wallace received a bullet wound
in the thigh. A lad (name unknown) is re-
ported to have been picked up dead—having
been shot through the breast and the right
leg. Many shots were fired, and it is stated that the
constabulary fired upon the mob twice. Three or
four public-houses were wrecked and looted in the
course of the rioting. More than 100 cases arising
out of the rioting came before the Belfast magistrates
on Monday, and the Bench 'sat for seven hours in
order to dispose of them. During the day the Rev.
Dr. Kane, Grand Master of the Belfast Orangemen,
issued a manifesto, disclaiming on the part of the
order any connection with the disturbances, and
calling upon the members to discountenance them in
every way. At a meeting of the Corporation, the
action of the Government in proclaiming the city
without first referring the matter to the Mayor was
warmly denounced.
BELFAST, Tuesday Night.
To-day the excitement has been intense, and the
scenes of the two previous days' outrage and anarchy,
have been visited by large crowds. It was felt that
the slightest cause or pretext might result in a re-
newal of disturbances to even a larger and more
serious extent than heretofore, and the authorities
determined that:tfie state of affairs should not be
trifled with. A'troop of cavalry from Dundalk and
500 infantry from the Curragh will arrive to-night
and a further force of 500 police has been drafted
into the town from various parts of Ireland.
The town clerk (Mr. Samuel Black) has
addressed a circular to the magistrates inti-
mating that the Mayor has desired him to call
their attention to the disturbed state of certain parts
of the town, and to request that they will actively use
their moral influence in promoting a better feeling
among the public, and in urging them to restore the
peace of the town. The Mayor also requests that
hose magistrates who have heretofore looked after
ertain districts will again co-operate directly with
Ale constabulary in those districts. To-day there was
a great deal of excitement in the police-court, aLd
great interest was manifested by the large crowd con-
gregated in the hearing of the remainder of the
charges against 16 prisoners for rioting. Two only of
the cases were dismissed, and in the others terms of
imprisonment ranging from one to three months were
inflicted, together with the imposition of a few fines. In
the forenoon the disturbed districts remained tranquil,
but daring the afternoon an onslaught was made by
a body of roughs from California-street and the
vicinity upon some business houses in Little Georges-
street. They were fortunately dispersed before
any serious damage was caused. In the vicinity
of York-street there was a good deal of dis-
turbance in the afternoon, and much stone-throwing
was indulged in. It is believed that a good many
persons were injured, but none of them were taken
to the Royal Hospital. There was also some rioting
about the same time on the Falls-road, and
also in the Shankhill-road, and both Protestants
and Roman Catholics eagerly joined in the pro-
ceedings. Party spirit runs very high at present
amongst the working-classes, and great vigilance is
required on the part of the magistrates and police to
keep them quiet. In the evening, when what are
known as "The Islandmen were returning from
Harland and Wolff's shipbuilding works, Queen's
Island, coming from their employment, stones were
thrown at them, and a conflict ensued at the juncture
of North-street and the Shanklin-road. The greatest
excitement and confusion prevailed until the arrival
of extra police, who scattered the crowds. Although
no further outbreak has occurred the eecitement con-
tinues in various parts of the town, which are now
well protected by both military and police. Both
infantry and cavalry were out at an early
hour this evening assisting the police. This
evening the adjourned coroner's inquest on the
remains of the boy William Knox, who was
killed in North Boundary-street on Saturday night
was concluded. District Inspector Grene, who was
in command of the police at the time of the occur-
rence, was examined, and stated that houses were
being wrecked, and the mob was behaving in a most
violent manner. Mr. M`Carthy, resident magistrate,
remonstrated with them, and told them that the
police were going to fire, but all to no purpose. The
stone throwing continued, and at length witness re-
ceived orders from Mr. M'Carthy to let the men fire.
Sixteen shots were fired. Some of the ammunition
was buckshot and some ball. The jury returned a
verdict to the effect that William Knox died from
the effects of a shot fired by a policeman, but that
the police were quite justified under the circumstances
in liking.