On This Day / August 25, 1920

Lisburn’s nightmare

There was an ominous atmosphere in Lisburn all yesterday as calm succeeded the storm and while all round the once peaceful and prosperous town fires were smouldering, there were no fresh outbreaks.

The pickers-up of ‘unconsidered trifles’ were numerous amongst the ruins in Bow Street where odds and ends were eagerly seized upon.

When the incendiaries resumed their frenzied campaign yesterday morning the first district visited was Bachelors Walk. Here they entered the premises of Mr Patrick Elmore, a fishmonger.

They at once set about transporting the contents of his stock-in-trade onto the street and a copious supply of paraffin or petrol was poured over them.

A visit to the ruins of the Parochial House yesterday shows the effects of the well-organised destruction of that building.

The place was smouldering but nothing remained save the bare walls. There was a special military guard on duty all day and last night outside St Joseph’s Church and the Convent in Castle Street. All the Sisters have left the Convent.

Major Harrison of the Somerset Light Infantry, in charge of the troops, yesterday explained that the military are now working in conjunction with the RIC and intend to apply stern measures in order to put an end to lawlessness and disorder in the town.

There was another exodus of Catholics from working-class districts yesterday, all sorts of vehicles being requisitioned for the purpose.

The majority of the refugees were going towards Belfast while others went in the opposite direction.

Those who could afford it travelled by train but the vast majority of them, being of the poorer working-class community, were obliged to make the journey as best they could by the road.

During the day there was an attempt made in Stewart’s Flax Spinning Mill and Messrs Barbour and Sons, thread spinners, to get the Catholic workers to sign the declaration of loyalty which had its origins in the Shipyard.

As a result, the Catholic workers had to leave. The sensation of yesterday was created at Graham’s Gardens where Donaghy’s boot factory of Messrs Donaghy stood as a monument to local enterprise. The charred trunk of a human body was found in the ruins.

Refugees seek help

Scenes that recalled the stories of terrible sufferings of the civil population of Belgium during the German invasion of 1914 have been witnessed outside St Mary’s Hall, Belfast.

Scores of Catholic refugees from Lisburn are seeking assistance. Forced to leave their homes by the mob they had to tramp across the mountains.

Among the most distressing cases were two women with five children each who had to flee from the town.