In a startling turn of events, three prominent figures in Limerick find themselves entangled in legal proceedings following an incident of riot and assault in Mungret Street on the 8th of July. John Dalton, Councillor representing the Irish town Ward in Limerick Corporation, along with Solomon Frost and John Brennan, are facing charges of unlawful assembly and assault against John Long.

The incident occurred on a significant day, coinciding with the visit of Their Majesties to Dublin. John Long had displayed a Union Jack outside his house in honour of the occasion. Solomon Frost, accompanied by a crowd, demanded the removal of the flag, and John Dalton arrived with another group. Long’s house was forcefully entered, the flag torn down, and reports suggest it was subsequently burned.

During the trial, Constable Corry presented evidence of Frost assaulting Long. The prosecution argued that, despite the accused claiming to act in the interest of peace, their actions were unlawful and disruptive, especially given the context of the royal visit.

In the courtroom, the defence called upon several witnesses to establish that the assault was committed in the interest of maintaining peace. They contended that Dalton, as the representative of the ward, was responding to the political sentiments of the majority of residents who identified as Nationalists. The defence further highlighted the Union Jack as a symbol embraced by Nationalists, emphasizing its role as a common flag for both parties.

However, Mr Justice Dodd expressed a strong disapproval of the accused’s actions. He asserted that Nationalists generally considered the Union Jack a shared emblem and took pride in it. The judge, while acknowledging the political climate in the locality, delivered a verdict of unlawful assembly under a misapprehension of the law.

The consequences were swift, as the three defendants, John Dalton, Solomon Frost, and John Brennan, were each sentenced to a month of hard labour. The judge, in a notable decision, rejected the application by the defence counsel to spare Dalton from labour, which would have disqualified him as a member of the Corporation.

This incident has sparked conversations about the intersection of political sentiments, national symbols, and public conduct. It raises questions about the responsibility of local leaders in maintaining order and respecting diverse perspectives, even in the midst of charged political atmospheres.

Dublin Daily Express – Thursday 07 December 1911