LIMERICK, Ireland – Tensions boiled over in the village of Ballingarry this week following the election of a new member of parliament, resulting in four local youths being sentenced to jail time for their involvement in a violent clash with police.

The incident took place on the night the South Longford election results were announced. Around 100 police officers with loaded rifles, led by County Inspector Yates of Limerick and District Inspectors Canuck, Fallon, and Hills, were present in Ballingarry.

John Carroll, Michael Morris, Timothy Craddock, and Maurice Welch were subsequently charged under the Crimes Act before magistrates Mr St. George R.M. of Rathkeale and Mr Jones R.M. of Rathkeale. The four defendants were represented by Mr Callney, town solicitor of Limerick, and Mr H.M. Moran.

According to the defence, the young men had merely gathered to celebrate the election victory of Mr McGunness, lighting a bonfire and parading through the village streets in a manner they argued was not seditious.

However, prosecution testimony painted a more chaotic scene. Stones were allegedly thrown at the police battalion, shattering some windows, and a sergeant was struck by a piece of broken glass. Members of the crowd also seized burning barrel staves from the bonfire and flung them towards the officers’ lines.

One constable testified that in April, a terrible young man had pulled down a flag from an old disused church, while a red, white and blue flag was hung from his own barrack window before he was ordered to remove it by his wife. He denied claims that he or his wife cheered “Up the Fenians!” from inside the barracks.

Mr Moran contested the use of the Crimes Act against his clients, arguing they were entitled to celebrate the election result and that there was no evidence of riotous behaviour.

Numerous witnesses were called for the defence, but after deliberation, the magistrates found the defendants guilty. They were sentenced to one month’s hard labour and bound to keep the peace for a month, or two additional months’ imprisonment in lieu of bail.

As the sentences were read out, Mr Moran protested the exclusion of the public from the courtroom and accused Inspector Yates of exceeding his duties, to which the inspector issued a fiery rebuke about proper conduct.

Outside, an angry crowd gathered, their shouts and threats audible as the prisoners were returned to lock-up, with one man attempting to approach his jailed son before being restrained.

The case has inflamed simmering tensions in the aftermath of the election, with both sides decrying injustice while the village of Ballingarry remains on edge.

Freeman’s Journal – Thursday 07 June 1917