Old Belfast News
The Crown Entry Affair - IRA Leadership Arrested - April 1936
Thirteen prominent Republican leaders were arrested when the police carried out a dramatic raid on a club in Crown Entry, off High Street, Belfast on Saturday night. It is stated when the police arrived an IRA court martial was in progress. A large number of documents were seized. Thirteen leading members of the IRA from counties Dublin, Donegal, Derry, Armagh and Belfast were arrested when a large force of police made a dramatic swoop on the premises of the Criobh Ruadh Social Club, Crown Entry, Belfast, situated between Ann Street and High Street. It is reported that amongst those arrested were Mr Michael Gallagher, a prominent Tyrone republican; Mr Sean McCool, Stranorlar, Donegal and Mr Seamus Steele, Belfast. The police, who arrived in cars, entered the premises by Ann Street and on going in found an IRA court martial in progress. The police handcuffed some of the men, all of whom were conveyed outside to waiting motor cars and taken to Crumlin Road Jail. The police seized a large number of documents relating to the court and also a number of other documents which were sealed. The following statement was issued last night by the inspector general of the RUC: “On Saturday evening the police carried out a raid in a room which is situated at the top of 10 Crown Entry On entering they found an IRA -court-martial in progress and arrested all present which Included the members of the court, prosecutor, witnesses and accused. Thirteen men altogether were arrested and lodged in the Crumlin Road Jail. They will be charged at a later date under the Civil Authorities Act.” The Criobh Ruadh Club, which is about 60 yards distant from Castle Junction, is used for Irish dancing classes and billiards.
Leading Republicans Sentenced . July 1936
Thirteen men, stated to be the ringleaders of a widely-spread conspiracy radiating from Dublin to all parts of Northern Ireland, were at Belfast yesterday found guilty of charges under the 1848 Treason Felony Act and were sentenced to terms varying from seven years’ penal servitude to two years’ hard labour. Only people having business in court were admitted to the hearing. The Lord Chief Justice said that the police were to be congratulated on this seizure of men who beyond doubt were plotting treason. “I wonder”, he said to the men, “if you ever though of what would happen to you if you were doing the same thing in Paris or Berlin. There would be a very speedy court martial and you would be taken to, a fortress and shot at dawn. That would be all that would be heard of you.’ He then passed the following sentences: James Grace of Dublin, seven years’ penal servitude; Michael Gallagher of Dromore, Co Tyrone, six years; John McAdams, Bogside, Derry. James Steel, North Queen Street, Belfast, Sean McCool, Stranorlar, Co Donegal and Michael O’Boyle of Dublin, five years’ penal servitude each. John (Sean) McNally of Ardilea Street; William Rice of Merrion Street, Belfast; William Mulholland of Gracehill Street; Michael Trainor of Rockmore Road; Charles McGlade of Ardilea Street; John Collins Fox of Obin Street, Portadown; and Anthony Lavery of Balkan Street, Belfast, two years’ hard labour each. Detective Sergeant Glass’s classification of all the Belfast prisoners of being of character “morally good but politically bad” was the preface to seven records, and each time was uttered with the proud air of a man who had invented a deathless phrase. As the last prisoner to be sentenced —Charles McGlade — left the dock, there was no demonstration. The Lord Chief Justice thanked the jury men for their service and the first Northern Ireland state trial was over.
The Tragic Death of Anna Maria Doherty December 1937
On the 24th December 1937, Christmas Eve, Maria Doherty was preparing for Christmas with her family. Ellen Doherty, her Mother in Law, was staying with the family in Gamble street and she asked for oatcakes to see her over the Christmas period, as no shops would be open at that time. Maria had been given money by some of her sons as well as a bit extra from husband James. She decided she would go to buy the oatcakes for Ellen from the Co.Op. store in York Street. Meanwhile her son, Louis, was sitting on a bus travelling from Royal Avenue to Whitewell Road to visit his girl friend Annie Hood. As the bus passed York Street there was a large crowd and it was evident that there had been an accident. He remarked to someone "It's going to be a sad Christmas for someone ", not realizing it was his own mother who had been lying on the road. A Corporation bus had knocked her down and as was recorded at the inquest a man named Fredrick Cupples had driven the bus. At Gamble Street the family were still not aware that an accident had taken place until someone came to the door and said to her son Patrick that his mother was in an accident. By the time those present had reached Maria she had been taken by ambulance to the Mater Hospital but it transpired that before she had been taken away, all the money she had, had been taken from her by persons unknown. She died in the Mater hospital from fractured legs and shock on Christmas Day. . Her funeral took place on 27th December 1937 and she is buried in Milltown. This is a cutting from an unknown source , but it gives details on some of those who attended her funeral. It reads....... Mrs A. M Doherty Representatives of national associations in Belfast attended the funeral to Milltown Cemetery , Belfast , yesterday of Mrs Ann M. Doherty , Gamble Street, who died as the result of an accident . She and her family were prominently identified with national movement in the in the city over a long number of years . Her house was ever open to the leaders of the Sinn Fein movement in the city and in the North who were "on the run" The chief mourners were: Mr James Doherty( husband) : Messers James Daniel (Dundalk) Louis, Meredith,and Patrick Doherty (sons) Sophia,and Louisa Doherty and Mrs Healy and Mrs J. Glackin(daughters) Mr J. Glackin (Pettigo)(son In Law) Master J Healy (grandson) The clergy present included :- Right Rev. Dean Laverty, PP V.G. (Holy Rosary) Belfast: Rev. J Byrne Adm. St Patrick's Belfast, Rev, J Bradley. CC(do): Rev J Mc Sparran Adm. (St Josephs) ;Rev J. O Neill ,Am ;Rev. J. Mc Nally A.M. Others present were :Ald H Midgley M.P. DR. J.F. Murphy, Ald R Byrne M. P. Messers J McEntee, P Burns, P.E.T. ; J. Cosgrave D. Braniff, D. Mc Allister( I.T.& G.W. U.) J. Gray, a veteran Fenian; V. And T Hendron, J Loughran ( Castlewellan) J. Hannon( Tyrone). William James Doherty husband of Maria Doherty lived with his family until his death on 27th Feb. 1955. He was a well known plumber in Belfast, in fact it was he who fitted the first central heating to St. Patrick’s Chapel. Poor Maria and James and family had suffered tragedy before , their child, Mary Ellen was born on 13th May 1895. On the 30th October 1898 Mary Ellen died at the Royal Hospital from shock following burns she received when an oil lamp fell on top of her. The child was playing with a long-handled brush, cleaning the floor of the house at 18 Dunbar Street with it when the top of it caught a lamp which was burning in front of a Sacred Heart and brought it down on top of her. She was taken to the royal where she died of her injuries. She was only 3 and a half years old. Little David was born 27th July 1901 . On 13th May 1906, When David was almost 5 years old he also died from shock following scalds to the side of his legs and feet received after accidentally falling into a bath of hot water. His mother had prepared a bathtub of boiling water, but had not added cold water to it, When someone came to the door. She asked her mother in law Ellen , to keep watch on David while she answered the door. but unfortunately before anything could be done, little David jumped from the chair he was on straight into the bath of boiling water. They are buried in Milltown together with their sister Sophia and their parents Maria and James Doherty . There are 5 in the grave which James had bought at the time of the death of little Mary Ellen. Maria was of the Italian Irish community and her maiden name was Anna Maria Corbelletta, her father Louis having came to Belfast from Italy, worked a musician and also as a plasterer on many of the ornate Catholic chapels being built at the time.
Fined for wearing an Easter Lily. May. 1939
Three youths and a girl who were alleged to have come out of the Short Strand on Easter Sunday wearing paper Easter Lillies, and who when requested to remove them refused to do so, were yesterday charged at the Belfast Summons Court, with conduct that might lead to a breach of the peace. They were Joseph Atkinson (21) , Joy Street , John McGahan, (15), M ‘Auley Street ; John Kane, Andersonstown Gardens, and Molly Craig (18) Little May Street. Kane was the only defendant to appear, and on giving Mr J. H. Campbell an undertaking to wear the emblem in future only in his own district the summons against him was dismissed. The other defendants were fined 20 shillings each. Mr J.H. Campbell, giving his decision said, “I want to make it clear that there is no offence in wearing these Easter emblems , but they might cause other people to create a disturbance” . Constable A. Hopper said that Molly Craig and Atkinson were followed over the Albert Bridge by a menacing crowd who took exception to the wearing of the emblems. It was not until the defendants were taken to the barracks that the emblems were removed. Constable Caldwell said that he had also to take the other two to the barracks.
“ENGLISH COURT UNLAWFUL TO IRISH PEOPLE’.
December 1942
At the Northern Winter Assizes yesterday before Mr. Justice Megaw a 19-year-old youth, Cyril F. Kelly, of Eia Street, Belfast. Was found guilty of being in possession a revolver and ammunition on the Antrim Coast .Road on June 20 last. He was put back for sentence. On’ being arraigned accused said he refused to recognise the court of any foreign Power. Least of all an English court, which to the Irish people was unlawful. The Judge directed .that a plea of not guilty be entered. Bernard Humphries an auxiliary coastguard, said while cycling along the Antrirn Coast Road on the 20’he saw accused and another man in a stooped position on the road. They appeared to be pointing something and when he came up to them. he saw that they had inscribed on the road “Long Live the Republic”. Witness remonstrated with them, and when he stepped to the side of the road’ he turned. round to find himself covered with two revolvers held by. accused and another man. Kelly asked witness if the rifle which witness was carrying was loaded and witness replied that it was asked him to unload it but he refused. The other man said to Kelly. “Hold your fire” and then told witness to be on his way .
KeIIy (cross. examining)— “Is it a fact that it was while Gerry O’Callaghan and I were writing slogans that you accosted us?
Witness—Yes.
Kelly —-Did you see any revolvers when you got off the bicycle?
Witness—No. Not until you pointed them at me.
“ Didn’t we only produce revolvers when you threatened to arrest us?—
“That’s not so.
“If we had been that way inclined we could have shot you ?
“Yes, And I would not be here today,
“I would not like to have on conscience the shooting of a man with a Family. Didn’t you give us your oath that you would not arrest us?
Sergeant M. Maguire said that Kelly.’ in’ a statement. said he met. Gerry O’Callaghan about two hours ago and he asked him to join the I.R.A. They were on the. Antrim Coast Road on holidays and o this morning that they ‘ were accosted’ by the. coastguard they were on I.R,A. operations both having guns. Sergeant D. Connell said Kelly, in a statement accepted full responsibility for both.
Belfast Republicans Charged with Nine Year Old Crime.
SEQUEL TO ARMED HOLD-UP
BELFASTMEN CHARGED AT DUBLIN. 28th November 1945.
The armed hold-up of a messenger in O’Connell Street, Dublin, in June, 1936. had a sequel the special Criminal Court, Dublin. yesterday, when two men, stated to be natives of Belfast, were charged with offences arising out of the event.
The men, James P. Trainor and Dominic Adams, were charged with the armed robbery of’1 £1,931 from John Madden in Upper O’Connell Street on June 23, 1936, and with using personal violence to Madden. The Court fixed the date of trial for November 21.
Asked it he had any objection to that date, Adams said: “This is victimisation. We are charged here because we have both been Republicans. It is a patent frame-up.” The accused were remanded Custody.
Dublin Armed Robbery Charge. . 29th November.1945.
ACCUSED MEN FOUND NOT GUILTY
The trial of the two men, James P. Trainor and Dominick Adams, stated to be natives of Belfast, who have pleaded not guilty to the armed robbery of £1,931 from John Madden, bank messenger in O’Conne1l Street, Dublin, in June, I36, and also not guilty to a charge f using personal violence to Madden, concluded before the special Criminal Court of Dublin yesterday.
The Court found the accused not guilty on both counts, and they were discharged.
MACHINE GUNS RIFLES HAUL, POUND LONEY MAN CHARGED WITH POSSESSION. .1940
One Thompson machine gun, two rifles, one Verey light pistol;. Four automatic pistols, three revolvers, One Mills bomb, two strikers and 460 rounds of miscellaneous ammunition were produced at the Belfast Custody Court yesterday, when Edward Doherty, Bow Street, was charged with unlawful possession of the above.
Const. Thos. J. Steele said he charged and cautioned accused at 6-45 p.m. on Monday, and accused replied: “I know nothing about it” Accused added: “I do not know how it got into the house. If I knew it was there I would not have slept an hour in the house. I was in jail about four months ago.”
Witness asked for it remand in custody until November 5, which was granted.
Accused—I have nothing to say, sir, and know nothing about the stuff at all.
SILENT PRISONER.
James Kerr, also of Bow Street. was next put in the dock, charged with the unlawful possession of a Bent1ey revolver and six rounds of revolver ammunition.
Accused remained silent, and when addressed by the Clerk turned slightly away, Const. Bernard Dunleavy said that when accused was charged he replied: “I found the revolver and ammunition on the waste ground at the Grosvenor Road.” Kerr was then remanded in custody until November 5.
After hearing the evidence the President of the Court said that the fingerprint evidence was so strong that the accused must have been in contact with the car. The Court, however, felt that from the Evidence of the State and other Witnesses he would have to give the accused the benefit of the doubt.
March, 1900. A DOMESTIC TRAGEDY IN BELFAST - INQUEST ON THE BODY.
Mr. E. S. Finnigan, coroner, held an inquest in, the Recorder's Court on Saturday on the body of Agnes Boomer, who died in the Belfast Royal Hospital on the 23rd inst., having burn admitted to that institution suffering from burns to the throat, caused, as alleged by the action of John Boomer, her husband.
District-Inspector Morell and Head Constable M'Guigan. represented the Crown.
Jane Edith Boomer, 33, Gaffikin Street, daughter of the deceased, deposed that on the night of the 3rd inst. her mother and she returned to the house, after doing some messages. Her father had been lying drunk on the couch, but when they came back he was sitting at the fire holding a poker in the fire. He lifted the poker and struck her mother on the side of the head. She screamed "Murder." and he put the poker in her mouth. Witness interfered to save her mother, and called for assistance, and Mrs. Catherwood came into tie house. At that time her mother did not seem to be much injured. She went that night to witness's brother's house, where she stopped till Monday morning, and was then taken to the Belfast Royal Hospital, but was not detained. She went back to the hospital on. the 8th inst., and remained until her death, which took place on the 23rd;
Sarah Catherwood, 31, Gaffikin Street, gave evidence as to going to the assistance of the deceased on the night of the 3rd inst. She had known the family about a year and a half, and they were quiet people except when there was a. little drink going. The husband was a very cross man when drunk, and he was often no. Witness never saw the woman,, who was a very hard worker and not of a quarrelsome disposition, the worse of drink.
Dr. M. Byers, Belfast Royal Hospital, said the deceased was brought to that institution on the 5th inst., hut was not detained as she did not wish to stay. She was treated for burns on the tongue, mouth, and throat. She came back on the morning of the 8th inst. She was then pressed to stay in, but said she would return in the afternoon. She wag admitted subsequently. Witness saw her, she was then complaining of pain about the mouth and neck. There was a small ulcerated surface on the lower lip at the left side. That could have been caused by a burn. There was also a blistered surface on the left side of the tongue a small ulcer in the inner side of the left cheek, and there was some inflammation on the back of the throat. She Was treated for these ulcers which was all that witness detected. She developed symptoms of inflammation of the lungs, and died on the 23rd instant at 11-45 a.m. Witness described the results of the post mortem examination which ha made, and said that the cause of death, was septic pneumonia brought on by the inhalation of septic matter from the wounds on the month and throat. The Coroner, in summing up, said, “if they believed tie doctor's evidence, they would come to the conclusion that death was due to septic, or, to express it more roughly. corrupt matter from the wounds.' " The next point they would have to consider would be the question, were those wounds brought about by the act of any person or persons, and if so, was that a criminal act? He thought the evidence in that respect was very clear. They had the evidence of the daughter, which to some extent had been corroborated by the woman, and. which was substantiated by the evidence of the doctor. The jury found that the woman died from septic pneumonia , brought about by wounds inflicted upon her by her husband.
The Belfast Morning
News, Wednesday, September 11. 1867.Death of a Fenian Prisoner in the Belfast Jail
ON Monday evening, shortly after ten o’clock, William Harbinson, who, for the past fifteen months, has been imprisoned on the charge of being connected with the Fenian conspiracy, was found dead in his cell; in the Belfast Jail. our readers are doubtless aware that he was one of the Fenian prisoners brought up at the last Belfast Assizes, and for whom Mr. John Rea succeeded in getting their cases postponed until the next Assizes; but his confinement dates so far back that the circumstances connected with his imprisonment may have escaped the memory of the majority of our readers. Shortly after the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act he was arrested in Belfast on suspicion of being connected with the Fenian conspiracy. For seven months he was confined in Belfast jail, during which time no steps were taken to establish a case against him, and at the end of that period he was admitted to bail; but scarcely had he regained his liberty than he was gain arrested, not on suspicion of being connected with the Fenian conspiracy, but on the sworn information of John Murray, the informer; and it may here be interesting to state that on the night on which he was arrested Murray and he slept in the same bed. After his committal to the Belfast jail the second time, he, with other Fenian prisoners, among whom were his brother, Philip Harbinson, and Francis Rea, both at present confined in the same jail, was transmitted to Mountjoy Prison, Dublin, and there detained until the beginning of last July, when he was again sent to Belfast to stand his trial at the Assizes. Mr. Rea, who appeared for him there, succeeded in getting his trial postponed on the ground that “General” Massey, whom the Government sent down to identify him, had not sworn his information in the presence of the accused, and that, therefore, the prisoners were taken by surprise. Mr. Rea afterwards applied to get the prisoners admitted to bail, but, not effecting this object, deceased and the other Fenian prisoners were sent back to jail, there to remain until next March Assizes. Harblnson, however, died on the evening of the 9th Sept. He was a native of Ballinderry, and at the time of his arrest was a sergeant in the Royal Antrim Rifles. Dr. Purdon, surgeon of the jail, gave it as his opinion that deceased died from disease of the heart, but his friends being anxious that an inquest should be held, Accordingly Dr. Dill, coroner, attended at the jail yesterday for the purpose of holding one. In- the board-room of the jail, where the inquest was held, (*The result was unsatisfactory to the family. Joe)