Galway In Days Gone By

1915

Land begrudgery

At Gort Petty Sessions on Thursday, before Mr. G.E. McElroy, R.M. (presiding); Mr. O’Beirne, D.I., prosecute Frank Hartigan, Bunashragh, for assault on James Flaherty.

Mr. Flaherty deposed that he came to Gort on the market morning about 4a.m. He sold his pigs about 11a.m., and left for home about 3p.m. On the way home, he called into Kerins’ public house and saw Frank Hartigan, to whom he spoke.

Hartigan replied later, and they had an argument and went into the yard. Hartigan accused him of saying something about him when they met on the street. Defendant hit him and kicked him when he was down. William Keane, George’s-street, Gort, settled it.

Chairman: Had you no refreshment?

No; he apologised; and we are on good terms since. Witness added that defendant got some land, and said he (complainant) grudged it to him.

Chairman: The people fight when they don’t get land, and they fight when they get it. It is a good thing that defendant used his fists. It is usually a weapon of some kind that is used. A small fine will meet the case.

Mr. O’Dea (for defendant): Oh, that is absurd. A fine will not do, as he is already bound to the peace.

Mr. O’Beirne: Now we come to it; the blackguard will not keep quiet even when bound to the peace.

Mr. O’Dea: That remark is uncalled for. A country boy, not a blackguard.

Chairman: I think the comment is appropriate.

Michael Flaherty, complainant’s son, swore that Hartigan asked his father for a match. When his father had his hand in his pocket, defendant knocked him and then kicked him.

Defendant was fined 2s 6d and costs.

1940

Dance hall bombed

While a large number of people were dancing at Tiernaloughan, Shanaglish, some night ago, a terrific explosion was heard outside, and some pieces of masonry fell through the roof of the dance hall.

The lights were extinguished, and although pieces of metal shattered part of the roof and wall, no one was injured, and the dance continued for some minutes until the guards investigated.

Outside, it was found that a crude bomb had been placed under the roof and wedged into the downpipe. When this exploded, it raised part of the corrugated roof of the dance hall and left a hole in the concrete wall, as well as shattering part of the downpipe.

Pieces of metal were found embedded in the floor of the dance hall, and at the time the explosion occurred – about 11.30pm – the dance hall was full of people. How all escaped in a miracle.

James Mullins, Crusheen, who was passing the hall at the time of the explosion, was injured in the leg by flying splinters of metal. His injuries were not considered serious. Later, guards from Gort and detective officers and guards from Ballinasloe scoured the districts around Gort investigating the affair

John Brady, Inchaboy and William Loughrey, Boulaphaudeen, Shanaglish, were taken to the guards’ station at Gort, where they were detained for questioning under the provisions of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939.

At Gort District Court on Saturday, before Mr. W.P. Cahill, D.J., John Brady and William Loughrey were charged with causing malicious damage to property and remanded to the next district court at Gort.

Mr. Counahan, solr., applied for bail on behalf of the accused, Which Supt. O’Halloran, Gort, opposed. The accused were remanded in custody to May 4 and taken to Limerick Prison.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.