March 22nd, 1916
Four men, members of the Sinn Féin organisation, were arrested in Tullamore on Monday night on a charge of having discharged firearms at policemen, some of whom were wounded. Following the smashing of the windows in the Sinn Féin hall by a crowd in the street, shots were fired from the hall. The police entered, and took a number of names, and when they tried to search some men a scuffle ensued, in which shots were fired. A police sergeant who was shot in the arm and side is said to be in a critical state. Other police also received injuries.
“A series of incidents hostile to the Sinn Féin element in the town appears to have led to last night’s occurrence. The ill-feeling, which has been smouldering for some months, manifested itself on Sunday at a hurling match in aid of the Wolfe Tone memorial, which was also utilised as a flag day. Some of the spectators attempted to remove a flag from one of the Sinn Féiners, who, it is alleged, retaliated by drawing a revolver.”
A Disappointed Traveller: At the Roscommon Quarter Sessions yesterday Eliza McCann, Trilacroghan, sued Patrick Cunningham, agent for the White Star Line , for £9 16s.6d, damages and expenses sustained by plaintiff by reason of negligence when issuing a ticket for New York in not informing her that she would require a passport to travel. The defendant said he told her she would require a passport, and she said she would “chance it” . His Honour cautioned the defendant not to issue tickets without a passport being produced, and dismissed the case.
"Mrs Asquith's libel action": A newspaper pays out £1,000 in libel action brought by Mrs Asquith, wife of the prime minister, against the Globe which imputed that she had been sending food and other things to German officers who were prisoners at Donnington Hall. The libels were contained in letters published in the paper.
The archbishops and bishops of the Church of Ireland passed a resolution asking the government to enforce the rules for restricting the sale of intoxicating liquors, especially in towns where soldiers are quartered.
March 2016
Áras an Uachtaráin: President Michael D Higgins hosts a reception to mark the reorganisation of the Irish Citizen Army and the presentation of the original Citizen Army flag which flew over Liberty Hall during Easter Week 1916.
PATRICK SMYTH