DUBLIN MOB AND UNARMED SOLDIERS

REVOLVER ATTACKS.

WILD NIGHT SCENE.

The fuller details available of the Dublin riot on Monday night, reported in the later editions of The Daily Telegraph yesterday, show that unarmed soldiers who were returning in singing groups from an evening at the theatre, were set on by a mob, which assailed them with revolver fire.

A man and woman were killed by revolver bullets, a civilian was shot in the hand, and one of the soldiers received a bullet in the chest, while four others were injured by missiles. A cyclist patrol and foot picket proceeded to the aid of the men, who were defending themselves as best they could, and this new military force was greeted with revolver-fire and a volley of stones. Eventually the officer in charge found it necessary to order the firing of ten rounds, and three people were seen to drop, while sections of the mob responded with another burst of revolver fire. Reinforcements were sent for, and after this quietness was restored.

The Chief Secretary announced in the House of Commons yesterday, in reply to Mr. T. P. O’connor, that he had received the following telegram:

“March 22 is the anniversary day of the Royal Berkshire Regiment, and 150 men were given free tickets by the battalion for the performance at the Royal Theatre. At the end of the performance the men sang the National Anthem. No disturbance occurred. The men then proceeded home in groups singing. A crowd collected and followed, and on reaching Kelly’s Corner, at about nine p.m., the crowd commenced to throw stones at the troops. The troops were unarmed, but defended themselves, gradually moving up South Richmond-street. On reaching Lennox-street the troops were fired on by the crowd who used revolvers; one man was shot in the chest. (Cries of “Shame.”)

“At 9.45 p.m. information reached the Royal Berkshire headquarters at Portobello Barracks concerning the disturbance. A cyclist patrol under an officer was ordered to proceed to the scene of the disturbance, and to assist the men who had been attending the theatre to return. The patrol reached the scene at about ten p.m., and was supported by a picket on foot. On reaching Portobello Bridge fire was opened on the patrol from the direction of Portobello House, and stones were thrown by the crowd.

“The officer in charge of the patrol, considering that his command was in danger, cautioned the crowd and ordered them to disperse. The crowd refused to do so. The officer then ordered ten rounds to be fired and charged the crowd, which withdrew to Fade-street. The patrol followed up the crowd as far as Kelly’s-corner, where it was again fired on by civilians. A position was taken up at Kelly’s-corner and civilians in the vicinity were searched for arms. A further reinforcement was sent to the patrol from Portobello Barracks, but nothing further transpired.”

Sir J. Butcher: Have any arrests been made?

Mr. Macpherson: I cannot say at present.

Colonel Yate: Will that officer be commended for his good service? (Cheers.)

No reply was given.

The military and police authorities in Dublin issued the following reports:

1. At 9.30 o’clock last night 120 soldiers of the Royal Berkshire Regiment were coming from the performance at the Hippodrome and were singing “Rule, Britannia” and “God save the King,” which the crowd resented. Conflict took place between the crowd and soldiers in South Richmond-street, in the course of which a man and woman were killed by revolver shots. One other civilian was injured by a bullet, but not seriously, in the right wrist. One soldier was shot through the chest and four other soldiers were wounded by missiles. At eleven p.m. all was quiet. None of the soldiers was armed.

2 A call for assistance was received in Portobello Barracks and a patrol was sent out. On reaching Portobello Bridge it was found necessary to assist in the extrication of soldiers returning from the Hippodrome. The crowd then attacked the patrol with missiles and fired shots at it. The officer, having given warning to the crowd to disperse, fired ten rounds and charged the mob. Three persons were seen to fall, and the mob was ultimately driven towards Kelly’s-corner and down Fade-street. Fire was again opened on the patrol in Fade-street, and the mob was finally dispersed.