On This Day / August 23, 1921
Go BackReproduced with permission from The Irish News.
August 23, 2021
Publication Date
Listen Along in Éamons Voice *
Summary: On This Day – 23rd August 1921, a Belfast inquest examined the killing of RIC Constable Timothy Galvin while Antrim Presbyterian minister Rev James Irwin faced judgement over his political activities in America. Edited by Éamon Phoenix.
RIC Man’s Inquest | On This Day – 23rd August 1921
THE City Coroner, Dr James Graham, JP opened an inquest at the Mater Hospital, Belfast into the death of Constable Timothy Galvin (27) on the 8th July in Union Street two days previously.
An RIC witness stated that the deceased had come from Haulbowline, County Cork to Glenravel Street barracks. He was a very quiet, inoffensive young man.
A civilian witness said that on 6th July he had been speaking to deceased and Constable Conway at the corner of Union Street and Little Donegall Street.
Suddenly four or more men shouted to the two policemen: ‘Up with them’ and several shots were fired.
Fate of ‘Sinn Féin’ Clergyman Decreed
THE decision of the Presbyterian Church authorities in the case of the Rev Dr JAH Irwin, minister of Killead [County Antrim] has been announced.
It will be remembered that the keenest controversy was aroused in Church circles and political quarters over the activities of the rev. gentleman in America where he delivered many addresses and accomplished a splendid service to the cause of Ireland by refuting the slanders spread by a deputation of Protestant clergy and politicians who crossed to the US in the latter part of 1919.
The vendetta was carried on with the utmost vigour, even to the extent of making an effort to have him removed from the charge of his congregation.
There has been a keen division of opinion among the members on the subject, a large body of his parishioners standing steadfastly by their minister.
A [Presbyterian Church] Commission went down to Killead and held a thorough investigation. It included the Moderator, Rev Dr Lowe and Rev JB Armour of Ballymoney and concluded:
‘Dr Irwin discharges the duties of the ministry at Killead with fidelity and efficiency. They strongly disapprove of his political activities in America, but in as much as he now recognises that these were injudicious having regard to the feeling in the congregation, the Commission would strongly appeal to minister and people to cultivate a spirit of forbearance and Christian charity and work together harmoniously…’
(Éamon Phoenix editor’s note: CONSTABLE Galvin, a native of Co Limerick, was shot dead by the IRA on the eve of the truce.
At the same time, Rev James Irwin (1874-1954) of Killead, who had accompanied President de Valera in the US in support of an Irish republic in 1920, received only a mild rebuke from his church.
An extensive farmer and popular pastor, Irwin lived in Dunore House, a fine residence. He had recently been courtmartialled and sentenced to two years’ Imprisonment, only to be released suddenly. He was a lifelong friend of de Valera.)
On This Day – 23rd August 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.