GOODS TRAIN WRECKED

SERIOUS RIOTING IN IRELAND SHOOTING IN DERRY

During the week-end serious disturbances occurred in various parts of Ireland.

At Londonderry on Friday night Sinn Feiners and Nationalists joined forces against the Unionists, and several charges by the military were necessary before the rioters could be dispersed. Near Navan, about thirty miles from Dublin, the track of the Great Northern Railway was torn up on Saturday morning, and a goods train was derailed. At Coal Island there was a collision between Sinn Feiners and the Highland Cyclist Brigade.

SOLDIERS FIX BAYONETS

FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. BELFAST, SUNDAY.

The Lady Day celebrations in the north of Ireland led to disturbances in various parts of the country, in which the Sinn Fein party played a conspicuous part. There was also an outbreak at Dundalk, co. Louth, but it was between Nationalists and Sinn Feiners, and beyond a few broken heads and windows no harm was done.

The most serious outbreak was at Londonderry, where rioting lasted from Friday until Saturday. Over 400 men of the Dorset Regiment, and a large force of police had to make repeated charges. Damage to property through looting and window-breaking is estimated at £4,000, and the injured include Inspector Mcdonogh.

The trouble arose out of a Sinn Fein threat to hold a meeting on the city walls, which were occupied by the military as soon as the proclamation of the meeting was decided upon. Unionists and Catholics are evenly divided in Derry, and on this occasion both Nationalists and Sinn Feiners co-operated against the police and soldiers. The military was on duty throughout the day, while the various Nationalist elements combined in a march and demonstration to mark the anniversary. This parade passed off in comparative quiet, although there was an element of suppressed excitement in the atmosphere.

Matters came to a head later, and when darkness fell the city was the scene of regrettable disturbances. The Nationalists lit bonfires and burnt effigies.

“UP THE REBELS”

A big crowd collected in the vicinity of Ferry quay-street, while the top of Bridge-street and Fountain-street were made luminous by the light of roaring bonfires. The Sinn Feiners gave vent to their high spirits by chorusing such favourites as “Wrap the Green Flag round me,” “The Soldier’s Song,” and “Nation Once Again.” There were exultant cries of “Up the rebels,” and homage was paid to the memory of the executed leaders of the Dublin insurrection. As a counterblast, the Unionist crowd joined in the singing of “God Save the King,” “Dolly’s Brae,” and “Derry Walls.” The sound of several shots did not tend to mollify the feelings with which the rival elements regarded each other, and a movement of the troops after ten o’clock was an indication of the situation’s menacing possibilities. The military took up positions and drove the crowd back. The soldiers were then reinforced, and so threatening was the crowd’s demeanour that the men were obliged to fix bayonets and fire blank cartridges. They drove the crowd back some paces, but the mob joined in a wild rush. The military were again reinforced about eleven o’clock, and had to charge the crowd repeatedly, the mob making off, only to collect again quickly to shout their party songs.

The position never looked more serious than about midnight, when sections of the crowd emulated Liverpool tactics, and commenced to smash the plate-glass windows in Ferryquay-street. After midnight there was still another reinforcement of the military. Several shots were fired from the crowd about 12.30, and then the soldiers made an effective advance, clearing the Nationalists.

Bitter complaints are made of the absence of street lighting, and to this circumstance is attributed the fact that no arrests were made. The military were withdrawn to barracks about four o’clock, and good order prevailed through Saturday evening and this morning

Several people were removed to the infirmary, but there were no serious injuries.

COLONEL INJURED

The Coal Island outbreak arose from the effort of Sinn Feiners to defy the military proclamation of their demonstration at Tyrone. Soldiers of the Highland Cyclist Brigade were sent from Omagh to various centres converging on Coal Island, two miles from which, on the shores of Lough Neagh, they found a meeting in progress. Colonel Colt directed the leaders to terminate the meeting, which they did, and after the soldiers had seized Sinn Fein flags, the demonstrators scurried off.

Later in the evening, the military again intercepted the Sinn Feiners. A general scuffle ensued, stones were thrown, flags were captured, and it is alleged that some people were injured by bayonets. It then appeared as if a renewal of the disturbance was unlikely, and the military and police proceeded to return to Dungannon. But as the last few lorries were passing through Coal Island, a large crowd gathered. Volleys of stones and other missiles were thrown; Colonel Colt received a violent blow on the forehead; District-inspector Gillis was struck on the back, and several other members were hit. The military did not retaliate, but continued on their way. They were only a short distance from Dungannon when several police conveyed that there was a renewal of the disturbance in Coal Island, that fierce rioting was in progress.

Meanwhile, following the departure of the soldiers, the crowds gathered in Coal Island and behaved in a most outrageous manner. During the stone-throwing Sergt. Kelly was dangerously wounded.

At Fintona, in South Tyrone, Sinn Feiners tried to defy the proclamation. The crowd refused to move, but stood, jeering the police. Military coming up the street with fixed bayonets were ordered to join the police. The police used their batons with telling effect, upwards of ten people receiving visible injuries, and one man having to have four stitches. The soldiers used the flat side of their bayonets and the butts of their rifles amongst the mob, which broke and ran, covering its retreat with a volley of stones. A crowd of about 300 was also dispersed in the vicinity of the Roman Catholic church. Four arrests were made.