New-York tribune., 1920-08-23
Among Those Indicted
for Murder of Mayor of
Belfast; Shot to Death
on Way From Church
Sim Fem Attacked
ByLisburn Crowds
Seven Constables Slain,
Several Are Hurt i'm On
slaughts During Week

RFIFAST. Aug. 22.-Police Inspector
Swanzy, against whom verdict of will
ful murder was given by a coroner's
Jury in connection with the assassina-
ton Of Mayor MacCurtain in March,
was shot dead to-day while proceeding
TO his home from church at Lisburn, to
which town he had been transferred
after the finding of the coroner's jury.
Rioting is in progress in Lisburn as
q result of the assassination. An at
tempt was made to wreck the shop of
a Sim Fein leader within forty yards
of the scene of the crime, and only
intervention by Ulster Volunteers pre-
vented it.
The crowd then attacked the resi-
dence of a Nationalist Republican, who
fred from a window. His assailants
returned the fire and wounded him.
The crowds were out to burn the
house of every Nationalist in Lsburn.
Boards were wrested from windows
that previously had been smashed and
fire raiders entered buildings calmly to
complete their destruction. The local
fire brigade declined to interfere and
the Belfast brigade showed reluctance
TO respond to calls, as seven hundred
men from Lisburn travel daily to Bel
fast to work in the shipyards. A re-
neval of trouble here is feared
The killing OF Inspector Swanzy was
among the most daring of long series.
The congregations were leaving all the
Protestant churches at the time and
converging on the scene Of the shooting.
The officer had been with his mother
and sister in attendance upon the serv-
ices at Christ Church and had reached
the corner of Railway Street, where he
resided.
Assassins Fire Into Body
Here three men. armed with rifles,
confronted Swanzy and fred on him in
tire presence of his Mortified family
Swanzy fell, but to make doubly sure
the assassins discharged their weapons
again into his body.
Turning, the assassins ran along
Castle Street. The congregation was
just emerging from Lisburn Cathedral.
Captain Woods, commandant of the
Lisburn branch of the Ulster Volun-
teers, made a dash for the assassins.
although only armed with a stick. The
assassins fred OH Woods. bullet shat
tering the stick in his hand. He was
not injured.
The murderers then fired at other
persons who had joined in the pursuit,
but without effect, and jumped into a
waiting taxicab and drove off toward
belfast. All the roads converging on
,ne city were promptly patrolled by po-
lice and military, but the assassins
escaped.
Seven ConstabIes Killed
The verdict at the MacCurtin in
guest found Premier Lloyd George,
Nlscount French, Lord Lieutenant of
ireland and others, including Swanzy,
guilty of murder. Applause followed
Ine mention of Swanzy's name and it
was y emed advisable to transfer him
to Lisburn, an overwhelmingly Union
ist center
In some quarters here the belief is
expressed that the shooting of Swanzy
was an attempt to intimidate the gov
eminent In connection with the incar-
ceratlon of Lord Mayor MacSweney of
Cork.
- Official telegrams received at Dublin
castle indicate that there have been
organized onslaughts against The Irish
constabulary and that thus far during
the week end seven have been killed.
patrol sergeant and three men
at Dundalk were suddenly confronted
ny SIX armed men, who fired. Constable
brennan fell dead and Constable Isbell
and Witherden, recruited from the
Gngllsh army were badly wounded.
Sergent Maunsell was shot dead last
night at Naoroom. County Cork. A
ponce patrol was ambushed near Mas,
county Kildare, Saturday night. A
constable. was killed and sergeant
seriously wounded. Two constables are
missing. Constable O'Hanlon was shot