On This Day / September 12, 1920

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Reproduced with permission from The Irish News.

19200912

Reference Date

19200912

Publication Date

A Loyalist ‘Soviet’

THE victimisation of Catholic workers in Belfast shows no sign of improvement and the pogrom is in full swing still.

Still further cases of expulsion are being reported and even in certain Governmental departmental offices locally it has been found necessary to issue a general notice that any interference with employees will be severely dealt with.

At the Midland Railway Company [Belfast] a notice has been issued to workers calling a meeting for today at the behest of the self-appointed [Loyalist] ‘Soviet’ to deal with ‘all RCs’ in the employment of that organisation.

However, it is understood that the authorities have promised that protection will be given against any attempt to victimise workers.

A deputation of Labour representatives from various parts of Great Britain has been on a visit to the city and district.

They included Lisburn in their itinerary and were particularly engaged in enquiries as to the expulsions of workers.

In addition to the question of the Belfast workers, the position in Banbridge and other adjoining towns has given rise to grave anxiety.

Military Attack Civilians in Wexford

CONSIDERABLE excitement prevailed in Wexford on Friday night following an uncalled-for outbreak by uniformed men.

Shortly before ten o’clock men armed with trench tools took possession of the Main Street, jeering at civilians and jostling them off the footpaths.

Their provocative tactics failed to break down the restraint of the people who realised that the men were ‘out for trouble’. The uniformed men ran amok without any pretext.

A police patrol endeavoured to restrain the outburst but failed and retired to the barracks for reinforcements.

Belfast RIC Resignations

THERE have been a number of resignations from the RIC force in the Ballymacarrett district of Belfast during the past few weeks. Three constables stationed at Mountpottinger Barracks have resigned.

Those resigning are: Constable John J Keown (13 years’ service), Constable Dan Green (16 years service) and Constable Peter Twomey (12 years’ service). The resignation from Newtownards Road is Constable Walsh.

Up to the present The Irish News has received 27 letters on the subject of the RIC’s relations with the government.

All the writers protest indignantly against the statement that they or their comrades would resign if the [hunger-striking] Lord Mayor of Cork was released.

‘It is the other way about,’ writes one Constable. Others refer disrespectfully to the ‘Black and Tans’.

[Dr Phoenix notes: Worn down by the IRA campaign and unhappy at the dilution of the force by gung-ho Black and Tans, the RIC experienced mass resignations.

In the North Craig and his lieutenants made clear their distrust of the mainly Catholic force.]

 

19200912

Reference Date

19200912

Publication Date

A Loyalist ‘Soviet’

THE victimisation of Catholic workers in Belfast shows no sign of improvement and the pogrom is in full swing still.

Still further cases of expulsion are being reported and even in certain Governmental departmental offices locally it has been found necessary to issue a general notice that any interference with employees will be severely dealt with.

At the Midland Railway Company [Belfast] a notice has been issued to workers calling a meeting for today at the behest of the self-appointed [Loyalist] ‘Soviet’ to deal with ‘all RCs’ in the employment of that organisation.

However, it is understood that the authorities have promised that protection will be given against any attempt to victimise workers.

A deputation of Labour representatives from various parts of Great Britain has been on a visit to the city and district.

They included Lisburn in their itinerary and were particularly engaged in enquiries as to the expulsions of workers.

In addition to the question of the Belfast workers, the position in Banbridge and other adjoining towns has given rise to grave anxiety.

Military Attack Civilians in Wexford

CONSIDERABLE excitement prevailed in Wexford on Friday night following an uncalled-for outbreak by uniformed men.

Shortly before ten o’clock men armed with trench tools took possession of the Main Street, jeering at civilians and jostling them off the footpaths.

Their provocative tactics failed to break down the restraint of the people who realised that the men were ‘out for trouble’. The uniformed men ran amok without any pretext.

A police patrol endeavoured to restrain the outburst but failed and retired to the barracks for reinforcements.

Belfast RIC Resignations

THERE have been a number of resignations from the RIC force in the Ballymacarrett district of Belfast during the past few weeks. Three constables stationed at Mountpottinger Barracks have resigned.

Those resigning are: Constable John J Keown (13 years’ service), Constable Dan Green (16 years service) and Constable Peter Twomey (12 years’ service). The resignation from Newtownards Road is Constable Walsh.

Up to the present The Irish News has received 27 letters on the subject of the RIC’s relations with the government.

All the writers protest indignantly against the statement that they or their comrades would resign if the [hunger-striking] Lord Mayor of Cork was released.

‘It is the other way about,’ writes one Constable. Others refer disrespectfully to the ‘Black and Tans’.

[Dr Phoenix notes: Worn down by the IRA campaign and unhappy at the dilution of the force by gung-ho Black and Tans, the RIC experienced mass resignations.

In the North Craig and his lieutenants made clear their distrust of the mainly Catholic force.]

 

19200912

Reference Date

September 12, 2020

Publication Date

A Loyalist ‘Soviet’

THE victimisation of Catholic workers in Belfast shows no sign of improvement and the pogrom is in full swing still.

Still further cases of expulsion are being reported and even in certain Governmental departmental offices locally it has been found necessary to issue a general notice that any interference with employees will be severely dealt with.

At the Midland Railway Company [Belfast] a notice has been issued to workers calling a meeting for today at the behest of the self-appointed [Loyalist] ‘Soviet’ to deal with ‘all RCs’ in the employment of that organisation.

However, it is understood that the authorities have promised that protection will be given against any attempt to victimise workers.

A deputation of Labour representatives from various parts of Great Britain has been on a visit to the city and district.

They included Lisburn in their itinerary and were particularly engaged in enquiries as to the expulsions of workers.

In addition to the question of the Belfast workers, the position in Banbridge and other adjoining towns has given rise to grave anxiety.

Military Attack Civilians in Wexford

CONSIDERABLE excitement prevailed in Wexford on Friday night following an uncalled-for outbreak by uniformed men.

Shortly before ten o’clock men armed with trench tools took possession of the Main Street, jeering at civilians and jostling them off the footpaths.

Their provocative tactics failed to break down the restraint of the people who realised that the men were ‘out for trouble’. The uniformed men ran amok without any pretext.

A police patrol endeavoured to restrain the outburst but failed and retired to the barracks for reinforcements.

Belfast RIC Resignations

THERE have been a number of resignations from the RIC force in the Ballymacarrett district of Belfast during the past few weeks. Three constables stationed at Mountpottinger Barracks have resigned.

Those resigning are: Constable John J Keown (13 years’ service), Constable Dan Green (16 years service) and Constable Peter Twomey (12 years’ service). The resignation from Newtownards Road is Constable Walsh.

Up to the present The Irish News has received 27 letters on the subject of the RIC’s relations with the government.

All the writers protest indignantly against the statement that they or their comrades would resign if the [hunger-striking] Lord Mayor of Cork was released.

‘It is the other way about,’ writes one Constable. Others refer disrespectfully to the ‘Black and Tans’.

[Dr Phoenix notes: Worn down by the IRA campaign and unhappy at the dilution of the force by gung-ho Black and Tans, the RIC experienced mass resignations.

In the North Craig and his lieutenants made clear their distrust of the mainly Catholic force.]

 

On This Day is a daily column in the Irish News looking back either 50 or 100 years. The column was compiled by Dr Éamon Phoenix from the mid 1980s until autumn, 2022. The Foundation is very grateful to the Irish News for giving permission to reproduce Eamon’s columns. Funding gratefully received from Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and the Magill Trust.

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* The Foundation has worked hard to recreate Eamon’s distinctive voice through AI. Since this is an emerging technology, occasional imperfections may be audible.