New-York tribune., 1920-09-22
Houses and Shops Fired
at Balbriggan Because
of Assassination of I'm.
spector; 4 Others Slain
MANY Civilians Hurt:
Refugees Flee City
Murder of Constable Is
Avenged by Destruction
of the Temperance Hall
By Frank Getty

Copyright 1920. New York Tribune inc
LONDON, Sept. 21.-The town of Bal
brigsan, eighteen miles from Dublin,
was sacked early to-day by the BLACK
and tans," the new Irish police force,
IA reprisal for the assassination last
night of District Inspector Burke, Of
the Royal Irish Constabulary.
After the shooting uniformed men
rushed through the streets Of the town
diseharging their rifles and setting fire
10 houses, shops and other buildings.
Almost the entire district inhabited by
workingmen was destroyed.
There were distressing scenes on the
roads leading out Of Balbriggan in the
early hours Of dawn this morning, as
refugee families struggled to get away
from the terror stricken town. Women
With babies in their arms walked for
miles in the chilly morning, none hav-
ing time even to obtain farm convey
ances in which to escape. Two civilians
we're killed by the police and many
were wounded.
Police Inspector Slain from Ambush
Inspector Burke, his brother, Ser
geant burke, and three officers of the
Royal Irish Constabulary drove into
Balbriggan last night in mufti. They
we're fired on from ambush, Burke fall
ing dead and his brother severely
wounded.
Shortly afterward the streets were
filled with furious policemen, who
sacked the town Systematically, de-
stroying in their hate and haste the
hosiery factory of Deed & Templar, an
English firm. said to be the largest fac
tory of its kind in Ireland, and burning
several school buildings.
At Abbeyfeale, in County Limerick.
reprisals were. taken to-day for the
murder OF a police constable. The tenn
pefance hall used as republican head
quarters was destroyed. other buildings
Mere act afire and two civilians were
sashot dead.
Dublin In State of Unrest
These events to-day came closely
eron the heels of the interview grant
ca Yesterday to French newspaper by
General Neville MacCready.
frankly there have been some re-
pfiSals,' the head of the military forces
10 ireland, was quoted as saying, but
hot many-three at most. We are
AAshg every precaution to prevent the
recurrence of such cases"
puplin was uneasy to-day, as a re-
sun OF series or shooting affairs
!esserday, and military patrols there
nave been doubled.
Attack sinn Fein Houses
DUBLIN, Sept 2l (By The Associ-
s.so fress THE BLACK and tans" re-
'ataed TO balbriggan this afternoon. $50
savns, ana began discharging further
snofs at Sim Fein houses.
AZ baiorlggan last night a barber
s..n sanea Larless, middleaged man, the
issher OF large family, was taken
from his house and killed. as was ~ u
aasfy GARNER named Gibbons. The
aster, at least, was both bavonetted
sad shot LAY 'eu
according to a parish priest, the
aass.ns OF Lar less and Gibbons, whose
ooales bore both bayonet and bullet
ssoends, followed upon demands on
aaem a, from the BLACK and Tans" to dis
se slose the names of the local Sinn
fein leaders. 0'''''
II IN Consequence Of an attack on a
mhitary lorry in the streets of Dub
hh last night, all permits for the nos
sssss'on OF arms in this district ha g
sseen withdrawn and those holding arms
ave neen ordered to surrender them
7 Oufing the night many explosions
ssfe heard which were attributed to
s~seendiary bombs. The BLACK and
lahs departed at 5 o'clock in the
svu!hing, declaring that If the wounded
poliee .s officer, Sergeant Burke. died
aey would return tonight and fin
'sh the town"
inls threat added to the terror OF
as already frenzied inhabitants and
sn exodus began. Many of the refu.
sses were bleeding from the face OF
hshas. having been wounded by flying
slsss and debris, Some of then
s Mamped for hours before reaching a
pace of refuge.
Sergeant Mcclure was shot this
s a.eRing at Ferbane, eleven and one
sata ,. miles southeast Of Athione. while
askins an arrest. He was taken to {
Aocpital In a serious condition.
constable Donoghue was wounded
Isem ambush at Newcast and died
republican at Balinglass was fret
SSoa and wounded seriously yester
ssJ, while constable was wounded
" the same time.
BELFAST, Sept. 21.-As result o
a'spiay by Ulster volunteers TO day