December 24, 2010

Date Published: {J}

1910

Riot in Craughwell

What may well be described as fierce faction fighting characterised the fair day of Craughwell on Friday last. From independent onlookers, who witnessed the regrettable affray, we learn that at about noon a number of men, probably less than a dozen, who have been prominently identified with the Craughwell branch of the U.I.L., which was recently reorganised on a wide basis, proceeded to go quietly home.

On their way down the street they were, it is alleged, set upon by a crowd of about a dozen men and boys armed with sticks and hurleys. The latter, it is said, were led by Mr. Tom Kenny, of Craughwell.

A melee ensued, and the Leaguers were forced to retreat. Speedily reinforced by a number of sympathisers, they returned, and the fight was renewed. There was, a spectator says, a great deal of shouting and brandishing of sticks, but nothing more serious appeared to have occurred until a force of about thirty police came upon the scene.

The latter separated the combatants after some little difficulty, drawing their batons and dealing out punishment on all sides. In the confusion that ensued, not a few of the combatants were felled, and one or two were badly beaten.

After the intervention of the police, quiet was for a time restored; but the Leaguers appeared determined to punish what they considered the unwarrantable aggression of those who had attacked their members.

In the result, they pursued Mr. Tom Kenny and some of his followers hot-foot into the house of the latter, but at the door, their progress was arrested by a cordon of armed police drawn across the roadway. The police threatened to fire on the pursuers if they ventured further, and the latter then drew off.

For the remainder of the afternoon, angry groups of men were to be seen moving about the village. Business was suspended, and the buyers who had come to the fair left Craughwell, declaring that they would never attend a fair in the village again.

Perhaps, this is the most serious outcome of the regrettable and wholly meaningless affray, for responsible men feel that irreparable injury has been done to Craughwell and the district by this unbridled outburst of blackguardism.

1935

Abolition of dole

The abolition of the “dole” and the provision of work for men on public schemes at wages somewhat higher than what they would receive in unemployment assistance, is the basis for the “New Deal” for the Saorstat workless.

Experiments have been tried in various parts of the country, and reports are being studied to see if the plan is feasible for all the 26 counties. A considerably increased cost to the Exchequer is anticipated, and it is in this respect that the Government’s greatest difficulty has arisen.

The work will be chiefly for unskilled labour, and the amount of paid work given a man will be proportionate to the relief he now receives. For instance, a man in receipt of a “dole” of 18s a week will get twice as much work as a man only receiving 9s. Married men will thus benefit more than single men.

Money for works of public utility in each area will be allocated by the Department of Industry and Commerce on the basis of the amounts, presently given to that area for unemployment assistance, but on a higher scale.

Hidden revolver

“It is a most deadly weapon,” said Supt. Cronin at Tuam District Court when a gun of the blunderbuss type was produced in a case against Patrick Brennan, of Lehid, Kilconly. The superintendent added that the gun was a pattern that he never saw before and it was in perfect order.

Sergt. Moran said he found the gun concealed in a hay cock on defendant’s land. Defendant refused to take service of the summons and the guard serving him had to leave the summons on a drill where defendant was working. Defendant was very aggressive towards the guards on the occasion.

Defendant did not appear in court and a sentence of two months’ imprisonment was made against him.

Strange incident

The guards in the Gort district are investigating a rather strange incident happening at the house of John Melody, Tulla. One day last week a strange man visited Mr. Melody’s house and asked for work. On Mrs. Melody informing him that there was no work available, he asked if there was a gun in the house.

Being informed that there was, he searched the premises and, finding the gun, took it away with him without any apology.

Mr. Melody was not at home at the time. Tulla is about 15 miles from Gort.

Ballinasloe market

The heavy frost and the slippery condition of the road had an adverse effect on the Christmas poultry market in Ballinasloe on Wednesday. There were small supplies of turkeys and geese on offer. Prices ranged from 8d. to 10d. each. A good number of turkeys were disposed of at the previous market, Saturday.

The Mental Hospital require over one hundred turkeys to supply the Christmas dinner there to the patients and are buying most of the available supplies in the market. It is believed that there are large quantities of turkeys in the district which are being held over with the hope of better prices obtaining.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.