On This Day / October 13, 1921
Go BackReproduced with permission from The Irish News.
October 13, 2021
Publication Date
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Summary: On This Day – 13th October 1921, inquests examined the deaths of victims of Belfast’s recent violence, including Murtagh McAstocker, Elizabeth Jane Kelly and Thomas McMullen. Edited by Éamon Phoenix.
‘Victims of Murder Gang’ | On This Day – 13th October 1921
THE deaths of six victims, including two women, of the rioting in various parts of Belfast during August and September were inquired into yesterday by Dr James Graham, City Coroner.
At the Mater Infirmorum Hospital the inquest was opened into the death of Murtagh McAstocker, Moira Street.
District Inspector Spiers said the victim was shot by a Webley bullet. John Dougan swore that on the evening of 24th September he was with the deceased.
He saw a crowd at Wolff Street and noticed a young man with a red face. The man drew a revolver and deliberately fired at them. McAstocker fell.
Mr Spiers – It appears to be deliberate murder. Foreman – My opinion in regard to the death of this gentleman is that he fell at the hands of a murder gang of Orangemen.
A Juror – What about the other murder gang? Another Juror – What constitutes murder?
The Coroner – If a man deliberately fires at another man and kills him, it is murder. I am not supposed to have religion or politics here…
The shooting of Mrs Elizabeth Jane Kelly (32) of Seaforde Street was then investigated.
Jim Kelly said his wife was coming out of the scullery when a bullet came through the front door and wounded her.
The Coroner said – They are deplorable cases. They seem very respectable people. D I Spiers – Very respectable indeed.
An inquest was held into the death of Thomas McMullen (34), barman, shot at his residence at North Queen St. Margaret McMullen (wife) said that her husband was manager of a public house.
On the evening of August 30th about 6 p.m., she saw a motor lorry of Crown forces stop and heard shots. She found him lying wounded in the bar.
A Juror said that for some time past there seemed to have been no law and order in Belfast.
He felt strongly that when any man was caught with a revolver in his pocket, that rascal should be hung.
The Coroner – Hooliganism on both sides should be put down with a very firm hand.
(Éamon Phoenix editor’s note: THESE inquests marked a typical day in the Belfast Coroner’s Court during 1920-22 with tempers flaring among the Jurors themselves.
Murtagh McAstocker (21) was an IRA volunteer, shot dead during a sustained loyalist attack on the Short Strand as violence escalated despite the Truce.
A leading member of the Loyalist paramilitary Ulster Protestant Association was charged with his murder but later acquitted.
Craig persuaded Dublin Castle to allow the remobilisation of the B Specials to the horror of nationalists who saw this as ‘a reward for loyalist aggression against Catholics’.)
On This Day – 13th October 1921
Further Reading on Irish History:
List of other On This Day columns
Other resources: National Library of Ireland Irish News CAIN Archive
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.
* The Foundation has worked hard to recreate Eamon’s distinctive voice through AI. Since this is an emerging technology, occasional imperfections may be audible.