October 6, 2011

1911

Shooting outrageA shooting outrage in connection with the boycott of a man named John Burke, of Currandrum, is reported here. On last night it would appear that a Mrs. Moran, of Anbally, the wife of a workman of Burke’s, was fired at by some person unknown.

It is stated that at about 7.30pm, Mrs Moran heard a knock at the door, and on going to see who was there, could see nobody. She then went a little distance out on the roadway leading to the house, and as she was returning, shots were fired from between two stacks in the haggard, some of the grains lodging in her arm and head.

The woman is not at present in a critical condition. It will be remembered that in connection with the boycott of Burke, a police transport car from Tuam was fired at some time ago. Burke and his workmen for some time have been under police protection, but, owing to the railway strike, the usual protection on this night was not available.

Racecourse rowIt looks as if the public may have to pay dearly for the melee between the police and people on the last day of Ballybrit Races. At the Galway Rural District Council meeting on Saturday, Mr. Michael McNeill, J.P., Co.C. (Chairman), presiding, notice was received from two of the policemen who were injured during the row of their intentions to apply for heavy compensation at the coming Quarter Sessions.

John Connell, a peace officer, was maimed at Ballybrit, in the County District of Galway, is seeking £1,000 as compensation. Constable Lavin, who was with Head-Constable Connell, is claiming the amount of £700.

Strike endsOn Thursday morning, it was announced that the railway strike had come to an end. On Wednesday, a train ran into Tuam at 3.30pm – the first for a fortnight. A very large crowd was present at the station, and manifested their delight at the settlement of the dispute.

Immediately on the arrival of the train, two soldiers, who travelled in the next compartment to the engine, stationed themselves beside the engine with fixed bayonets, but their services were happily unnecessary.

1936

Criminal gangAddressing three boys who stood before him at Galway Circuit Court on Tuesday on housebreaking charges, his lordship, Judge Wyse Power, said: “I believe you three form the nucleus of a criminal gang that has got to be broken up, and broken up here and now today. I do not believe poverty is the cause of your downfall. There are hundreds of young boys of your age and station in Galway who are able to enjoy life and still remain honest.

The boys were charged with a whole series of burglaries across Galway. Mr. J.C. Conroy, B.L., said the three accused were first cousins and sons of respectable working people. The families held very respectable names in the city, and there was nothing against them. Whether the boys were influenced by the pictures or not, he could not say. The materials taken by the boys had been returned.

His lordship: What you mean is that the guards found it on them.Mr. Gavin, on behalf of the 17 year-old boy, said boys of that age were more or less susceptible to what they saw in the pictures. He had been more or less induced to commit these offences. By reason of the extreme poverty in which some people live, and their extreme poverty, they had not the chance of ordinary people.

His lordship ordered that two of the defendants be detained at Clonmel Borstal Institution for three years. The oldest of the gang should feel some shame. He had been concerned in an attempt to rob a safe that it was a serious offence. His lordship sentenced him to six calendar months’ imprisonment with hard labour.

Foreign gamesGalway County Council at their special meeting on Saturday, had a long discussion on the playing of Irish and foreign games in western schools and college. It was asked could the Council send scholarship holders to colleges in which foreign games were played.

The secretary said that none of the schools in which foreign games were played was on the list of schools approved for scholarship holders. It was not definitely stated that a scholarship holder could not go to a school in which foreign games were played because the Minister could not allow them to make that condition.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.