The McMahon Family Murders

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

The facts behind the brutal murders of the McMahon family and other atrocities carried out by the ‘Cromwell Club’

Includes a list of all those killed during the Belfast Troubles of 1920-1922

Glenravel Local History Project Ashton Centre 5 Churchill Street Belfast BT15 2BP Tel:(028) 9020 2100 (028) 9074 2255

Fax: (028) 9020 2227 (028) 9035 1326 Voice Mail: (028) 9020 2188

Web Site: www.glenravel.com E-Mail: glenravel@ashtoncentre.com

FRONT COVER - The bodies of the murdered members of the McMahon family lie in the morgue of the Mater Hospital. To the extreme right is the body of their barman Edward McKinney.

BACK COVER - District Inspector John William Nixon. Second in command of the Cromwell Club responsible for the McMahon family murders

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

Joe Baker

Page 4

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

INTRODUCTION

I

t is now just over 80 years since the horrific murders of the McMahon family in North Belfast. In these eight decades Belfast has went through dramatic changes and many would suspect that a single incident such as this would be long forgotten. This is certainly not the case. Belfast is made up of a number of different communities and within these communities very little is ever forgotten. The McMahon killings are not only still remembered but are still causing controversy. For example there are individuals within the city who want a house on the Ballygomartin Road listed and basically converted into a shrine to the memory of a District Inspector John William Nixon. Nixon was a police officer who went on to be a politician. In political terms he was quite uneventful and in reality his only claim to fame in this regard was that he had the horror movie Frankenstein banned in Belfast. This poses the question as to why his house should be converted into such a shrine? The answer is quite simple - it was Nixon who carried out the murders of the McMahon family.

My first project on the McMahon murders began over ten years ago and it is still a subject which, as a local historian, I am still extremely interested in. I have published three booklets on it, have published articles in the Belfast Magazine, have included it in my book Milltown Cemetery and in the publication The Troubles. I have had it featured on BBC Radio Ulster, highlighted it in the columns of the North Belfast News, Irish News and Andersonstown News. My material was even used in a television drama which horrifically dramatised the killings with Nixon’s name being changed to District Inspector Dixon. But yet there are still people out there who have never heard of the McMahon’s terrible fate and Nixon.

Nixon was the second in command of a murder gang known as the Cromwell Club. At this time he had been a District Inspector in the Royal Irish Constabulary. Before and after the partition of Ireland Belfast was in a state of civil war when Catholics and Protestants were, quite literally, blowing the hell out of each other. The Cromwell Club, under the command of County Inspector Harrison, was established as a R.I.C. reprisal unit which was to

Freeman’s Journal, Saturday 25th March, 1922

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

Page 5

strike back at the Catholic/Nationalist community after each I.R.A. attack on the police. Early victims included members of the I.R.A and Sinn Fein but as time went on innocent Catholics became the targets who were quite often killed in an inhuman and brutal manner. They then went on to create their own excuses to go on a murder rampage such as the shooting of Constable Turner which led to the Arnon Street Massacre. The Cromwell Club were responsible for both.

This publication is about the activities of this Cromwell Club which include the McMahon Murders, the Arnon Street Massacre and the Halfpenny Killings to name but a few. Although I myself come from a Catholic/ Nationalist background my intention is that it is not a propaganda publication. At this time Catholics and Protestants were as bad as each other in terms of murder. Protestants quite often launched bomb attacks on Catholic children playing in the street leading to dreadful events such as that in Weaver Street. Catholics also attacked children such as the case in Millfield when a bomb attack on a house resulted in the deaths of two children. Protestants attacked Catholics in their work place and there are numerous cases within the Belfast Shipyard and Docks. Catholics also attacked places of work such as the cooperage in Little Patrick Street where Protestant four workers were lined up and gunned down. Individual attacks are numerous and ranged from the very young to the very old. On several occasions Protestants beat Catholics to death in the street and on a few of these the victims were doused in fuel and set alight. Catholics were just as brutal. One example being the Catholic gunmen who burst into the home of a 70 year old Protestant, put a revolver into his mouth and blew his head off.

At the back of this publication I have included a full list of victims regardless of who they were. Catholic, Protestant, Military, I.R.A. and police. One thing I must do at this stage is apologise for the size of the text in this section. I was faced with limited space and I felt it was important to get everyone listed.

It is almost 55 years since Nixon’s death and we can only wonder why some extremists insist that his old house be turned into a shrine. The answer is quite simple and once you, the reader, finish page 42 then you will also know.

Joe Baker March 2003

One of Belfast’s first peace lines across Wolff Street in the Lower Newtownards Road. Something that was to become a permanent feature in future years

Page 6

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

A FAMILY SLAUGHTERED

T

hursday 23rd of March 1922 was just the same as any other day of the week for the people of Bel fast, depressingly cold and wet. However for many people in the city there were other more worrying events than the weather taking place all around them. As a whole the country of Ireland was split into two with the creation of the new Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State which later became the Republic of Ireland. In Belfast much of the fighting was still continuing in what could only be described as a civil war and this had been going on now for over two years, with over 300 people killed. The latest deaths had been on this date when members of the ‘Anti -Treaty’ I.R.A. shot dead two members of the A-Specials and a woman named Margaret Smith died of injuries she received during a Loyalist bomb attack on a group of children playing in Weaver Street on February 14th. She was the fifth to die as a result of this attack and the first adult, all the others being children.

CHAPEL ATTACKED For Owen McMahon and his family the day was just like any other with it beginning

by Mr. McMahon and his manager Edward McKinney (who lived with him) opening up his public house in Ann Street. Later in the day they would have closed the Capstan Bar and then made their way to their Kinnaird Terrace home. Kinnaird Terrace is two separate rows of large Victorian houses in the Thorndale Avenue area of north Belfast.

When Mr. McMahon and Mr. McKinney got home there is no doubt that they would have at one point talked about the days sporting events due to the fact that they were a sporting family and Mr. McMahon was one of the directors of Glentoran Football Club

3 Kinnaird Terrace, the home of the McMahon family in east Belfast. The troubles were never far away and as the family were Catholic then they would have been outraged at the latest attack made by Loyalists on St. Matthews chapel in the Short Strand area and the shooting dead of a man in the nearby New Lodge Road area.

The remaining members of the family who were still awake sat and had tea in the front parlour before extinguishing the gas lanterns and retiring to bed, completely unaware that in just over an hours time the name of the McMahon family was to be recorded in the history books relating to early twentieth century Irish history after an attack that became one of the most ruthless crimes ever committed in Ireland.

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

SLEDGEHAMMER At approximately 1.00 am on the morning of Friday the 24th two members of a special R.I.C. unit approached a watchman who was guarding a work site at Carlisle Circus and ordered him to hand over a sledgehammer. This he did and the two men then took the tool and made their way up the Crumlin Road and along Clifton Park Avenue into the grounds of a large house which was known locally as ‘Bruce’s Demesne’ and met up with around three others.

SMASHED IN The home of Owen McMahon and his family was at the other end of this demesne and it was to here that the R.I.C. men made their way. On reaching Kinnaird Terrace they paused for a moment before making their

Page 7

way across the gravelled road to the front door of the McMahon home and there one of them produced the sledge hammer and proceeded to smash in the front door . One of the glass panels of the four panelled door smashed and they then put their hands in and unfastened the locks. After doing so they then smashed in a second hallway door. The time was 1.20am. At the same time one of the murderers went to the door of a private nursing home which was next door and banged on the door. At this stage the rest of the gang had burst through the second door of the McMahon home and he rejoined them.

Approximately five minutes later they ran from the house before disappearing into the darkness of the demesne.

The following is a full account of what happened next as it appeared in the following days Belfast Telegraph newspaper:1

2 3

Map of Belfast 1920. 1-The McMahon family home at 3 Kinnaird Terrace. 2 - Carlisle Circus.

It was from here that the sledgehammer used to smash down the front door was taken from night watchmen. 3 - Glenravel Street Barracks. This was known at this time as ‘The Fenian Barrack’ because of the high number of Catholics based there. Two of those based here supplied intelligence to Michael Collins about the activities of Harrison and Nixon.

Page 8

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

HELLISH BELFAST DEED FIVE MURDERED IN ONE HOME TWO OTHER VICTIMS DYING MOTHER'S AWFUL ORDEAL The most terrible assassination that has yet stained the name of Belfast took place in the early hours of this morning when four men and a boy were sent to face their Maker in the dark hour which preceded a cold spring dawn. The scene of the murders was Kinnaird Terrace, a row of spacious dwelling houses, which face the large area of country aspect in the heart of Belfast known as Bruce’s Farm. Here in No.3 lived Mr. Owen McMahon, a well known city publican, and his family of six sons, his wife and niece and domestics, including his manager, a man named Edward McKinney.

Mr. McMahon is the proprietor of the Capstan, Ann Street, and is one of six brothers owning licensed houses in the city.

In the early hours of the morning - to be exact, at 1.20 - five assassins crept up to the house, murdered five of the occupants, two other being badly wounded.

Owen McMahon

The dead are: Owen McMahon (father) (50), Thomas McMahon (15), Frank McMahon (24), Patrick McMahon (22), his sons; Edward McKinney (25), a barman.

The wounded are two of Mr. McMahon’s sons: John McMahon (21), Bernard McMahon (26).

MET BY MASKED FACES The family were in bed and the house in darkness when a thunderous sound was heard in the hallway and at the street door.

“It’s a bomb”, said Mrs. McMahon to her husband, whom she awoke. Both got up and came downstairs. On the way they were met by masked faces, which peered at them from the stair below. In the hands of the intruders they saw large revolvers. The gas had been lighted in the sitting room below, and the door of the room lay open.

What happened when the murderers sighted Mr. and Mrs. McMahon on the stairs can only be reconstructed from the evidences left this morning. The husband lies dead in the Mater Hospital and poor Mrs. McMahon is unconscious mercifully, of all that happened, she is being in a stupor in Mrs. Purdy’s next door. The murderers seem to have collected the women folk - Mrs. McMahon, her niece and daughter - and put them into a back room on the first floor.

They then proceeded upstairs and awakened the men folk, and ordered them downstairs at the point of a revolver. Down they came in their shirts by candle light, for the gang

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

Page 9

Near the window, beside the fire, stood Mr. McMahon, one of his sons, and the barman. On the other side was another son , and on the chair near the door was was the third. Just as the men prayed, and whilst the wife and mother begged in the name of all sacred in the hall for the lives of her loved ones, the revolvers spoke rapidly and deadly, and one by one the victims fell, and blood began to stain the floor and cover it like a carpet

John McMahon lies seriously wounded in hospital

Bernard McMahon lying injured in hospital. He died a short time after this photograph was taken had brought with them a three pound packet of candles, and some of those partly burned were found all over the house. When the lot were gathered in the parlour there was a pause.

FEW MINUTES TO PRAY The leader of the assassins told the terrorstricken victims to avail themselves of the few moments left to pray for their souls. The imagination may conjure up the scene, for the pools of blood in the room tell silently the position of the slain, whilst bullet marks indicate where the assassins fired from.

Thomas, the youngest of the injured, was only fifteen years and he succumbed immediately. The others lingered on and weltered in their life blood, but horror was added to the scene when the shots intended for the youngest victim of all, a boy of eleven years, missed, and the lad, shrieking with fright, ran round the dining-room table. Two shots were fired at him as he ran, and these riccochetted off its polished surface into the walls. The boy got under the table and hid under the sofa, being discovered when rescuers entered, as will be told later.

VANISHED IN THE DARKNESS In all the murderers were not more than five or six minutes in the house, and having satisfied blood lust in its most terrible form they disappeared over the light paling that separates Bruce’s Farm from Kinnaird Terrace and were lost in the darkness.

Whilst the murders were being carried out the tragic doings were heard by three separate sets of people. The front door had been smashed in as if with a sledge hammer, and the glass panels broken, and this awakened the neighbours on both sides - Mrs. McMurtry, matron of the Kinnaird Nursing Home, and her staff of nurses, who live on one side of the doomed home, and Mrs. Purdy and her family, who live on the other. The story of the tragedy as known to both families is told in

Page 10

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

interviews given elsewhere. The third party to hear the noise was a patrol of police who were on the Antrim Road. They heard the shooting - one volley after another - and, drawing their revolvers, they hurried to investigate. Coming up Kinnaird Street they went into Thorndale Avenue but all was quiet there. Having examined the street, they went

by Kinnaird Terrace, where they discovered the secret of the reports they heard.

HORRIFYING SPECTACLE The door of No.3 Kinnaird Terrace lay open.

The porch was full of broken glass. On a chair in the hall sat a young man in his shirt gasping his life out.

The sitting room gas was burning brightly, and the room was an indescribable scene.

Men lay dead and dying in bunches. Mr. McMahon, senior, was writhing in agony on the floor. Of the women folk there was no sign, they being in the back room at the time the police came.

Knocking up the neighbours the patrol had ambulances sent for, and the dead and dying were removed to the Mater Hospital.

The ambulance corps, accustomed by now to bloody scenes, worked quietly and expeditiously, and the Mater Hospital staff, doctors and nurses alike, worked nobly to alleviate the sufferings of those still alive.

Carried in dead were Thomas McMahon (15 years), Patrick (22 years), Frank (24 years), and the barman, a Donegall man, aged 25 years. Mr. McMahon, senior, lived on in agony until this morning when at seven o’clock he died.

It is not true that one of the ambulance men fainted. All retained their calm, and even Mr. Hamill, manager for Mrs. Purdy, who lives with her, and who was the first civilian on the scene, and who accompanied the ambulance, kept up until all was over, when he collapsed a nervous wreck.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Purdy and her family took Mrs. McMahon, her niece, and daughter into

The bodies of the murdered members of the McMahon family and their barman lie in the morgue of the Mater Hospital

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

Page 11

Kinnaird Terrace hours after the murders. The X denotes the McMahon home.

To the right is the Bruce Demense into which the perpetrators escaped her house, where they were seen by a doctor, and put to bed. Naturally all three are collapsed and quiet unable to give any account of what occurred, the facts above being gained from them before the full horror of the scene had affected their minds, and brought unconsciousness.

A VERITABLE BLOODBATH A “Telegraph” representative visited the scene this morning and saw the horrors left by the murderers in all their freshness. The house smelt of fresh blood - it seemed scarcely cold as it spread in large pools and small rivers all over the shamble room. The front door lay open as the murderers had left it. Police were in charge, but there was no curious crowd - the thing was too horrid or the neighbourhood too quiet for the sensation monger to have gathered in force.

Over the fields facing the house police could be seen in knots of twos and threes searching for traces of the murderers.

The front door is panelled at the top with two plates of opaque glass. One of these was smashed in and the latch - a multiple lever of old pattern - lifted.

The visitors then apparently found that the door held by the box lock lower down, and they abandoned the attempt to enter through the panel, and brought a sledge to bear. The mark of one tremendous blow which sunk into the wood near the “big” lock shows how the door was crashed in and the staples of both latch and main lock wrenched from their places.

This gave the gang entrance to the porch, and here they were faced by a hall door fastened with locked mortise lock and bolted with a brass bolt. The hammer was again used here, but the mortise lock held, and the large glass panel forming the upper portion of the door was crashed in and completely removed even to the little pieces which the lathes would hold.

Page 12

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

The murderers apparently climbed through the open space or opened the lock from the back and got into the hall. Here, hanging on the hallstand, were the hats and coats of the men who were murdered, and on the hallstand table is a packet of No.8 candles, which had been torn open and a dozen or so candles taken out. A couple unused lay beside the packet, and the others were found in the parlour or sitting room and in various parts of the house, these being slightly burned and affording an indication of the shortness of the stay of the murderers.

SCENE LIKE A SLAUGHTER HOUSE The sitting room door lay open, and here a scene like a slaughter house stall with furniture arranged in it to make a living room of it presented itself to the gaze. On either side of the fireplace lay large pools of blood - thick, heavy, coagulated stuff, that turned one sick with horror. In places it was rubbed and disturbed as if someone had rolled in it; in others it lay spread level and shining dark red, and in others it was clotted in lumps as if someone had lacerated a fresh bullock’s liver and strewn it about.

The largest pool was next the window, a considerable space on the opposite side was blood covered, and near the door on the left hand side going in and beneath a chair was the smallest blood spill. Here the walls are perforated with bullet marks, which tore their way through the skirting. The mirror of the side board is smashed in one place, with radiating shivers from all over the whole surface. On the sideboard is a marble clock frame with the body removed as if for repairs - indeed it is remarkable that every clock found in the house is out of order.

The dining room table shows two tears made by bullets as they glanced off it on the edge nearest the window. These bullets are

supposed to have been fired at the eleven years old boy who escaped. On the table are the remains of the supper taken by some of the victims - a jug of milk, butter, sugar, tea cups, bread, oatcake etc., whilst on the fireplace was an eiderdown quilt and a woman's jacket. In the room was found the empty shell of a Webley revolver cartridge of service pattern.

DRIED BLOODSTAINED HANDS Below the table, just where the bullet marks are, is a single blood blot about the size of a five shilling piece. On the floor near the largest blood pool lay a barmans white apron, perfectly clean as to the edges, but soaked in blood in the centre as if someone had dried bloodstained hands or face on it.

On the sideboard and beside the dismantled clock already spoken of was an empty five naggin whiskey bottle, smelling strongly and freshly of whiskey. Beside it was a half pint bottle without label or cork, but also pungent with the new fumes of whisky.

From this scene of blood, terror, and desolation the “Telegraph” man went to the kitchen and back part of the ground floor of the house.

The pantry, reached first, contained nothing unusual, there being the usual furnishings of delph, etc., undisturbed. A sharp turn in a little narrow passage gave into the kitchen, the door of which opens on a window into the yard, and which is the only natural light the apartment possesses. Here on a couch lay a tiger cat asleep.

On the floor were a couple of pairs of men's boots, and on a table a bowl of oatmeal porridge, and a jug of milk, apparently intended as the supper of some inmate of the house. The cat looked up sleepily as the visitor entered and turned to sleep again.

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

Up the stairs, down which a few hours before frightened men and boys had come to their deaths, the first room to be entered was a back bedroom. Here a bed disturbed as if someone left it hurriedly - on a chair at one side an alarm clock ticked away loudly.

The alarm clock had gone off, but at what time could not be told without experiment, for the alarm hand was missing.

On the other side on another chair was a pair of men’s garters, and a book from the school library called “The Dumb Princess.” On the other dressing table was a woman’s summer hat apparently discarded by someone years ago. On the same landing is a drawing room and bathroom, both undisturbed and showing no sign of tragedy save utter emptiness and the loneliness that prevails over the human dwelling when death comes in so terrible a form.

BED AS SHELTER In still another bedroom the bed has been pulled out from the wall and there are signs of struggle. Probably the victim had jumped out of bed and got behind it or under it when the noises first came, and had been dragged forth to his death. On the bedpost hung the brown suit of a schoolboy, with a little green tie. On the floor were black stockings, very much worn and boots. In the pockets of the suit were found a spinning top, known to the school boy of Belfast as a “peery,” a school rubber, a handkerchief, and the string used for kite flying wound on a piece of wood notched to retain it.

In Franks room there were signs also of a defence having been put up. On the floor beside the bed were his black leggings, grey socks with suspenders, and boots. His clothes hung also on the bed, and there was additional clothing on the doorback. On the fireplace was a soft blue collar and silk knitted tie just as they had been left off when the victim retired.

Page 13

In neither of the bedrooms yet described could be seen any bedclothes, but in the front bedroom, on the next landing the bedclothes lay in a heap on the floor as if the murderers had found the occupants sleeping and had dragged them away. Two pillows dented showed that the bed had held two sleepers.

In still another room was a mahogany bed with old fashioned over curtains at the top.

In this room a set of false teeth lay on a table, and scattered around were articles of clothing.

The attics were also occupied, there being beds in each, and probably these were for the servants, of whom two, a cook and housemaid, were kept. The housemaid had left a few days before and had not been replaced, whilst the cook was also absent at the time of the tragedy, she being in hospital with the flu.

In the back bedroom leaning against the bed was a newly enamelled bicycle done at home in the ’all black’ style, and evidently left there to dry by the owner, who now lies dead, one of the victims of the most dreadful midnight assassination that has yet been chronicled of the bloody times through which Ulster is at present passing.

“SHOOTING GOING ON - GET UP” Mr. Arthur Hamill, manager for Mrs. Purdy who lives next door to the McMahon’s was, as already stated, the first civilian on the scene, and how he described in graphic sentences how he discovered the tragedy, and how he acted when the first shock of the dreadful occurrence had passed away.

Mr. Hamill lives with his employer, and long years of acquaintanceship and service have made him practically one of the family. He retired to bed about the usual time and slept soundly until as near as he can place it a quarter past one o’clock, when he was awakened by Miss Purdy, Mrs. Purdy’s daughter, who knocked at his door and

Page 14

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

Drawing which appeared in the French newspaper De Leperin on the 7th of May 1922.

The paragraph reads as follows:- In Belfast, Protestant paramilitaries force their way into the Catholic publicans house of Owen McMahon, and after having ordered the family members to say their prayers, murdered them with their revolvers. called, “Do you hear the shooting ?” He said “No,” and she replied “There is shooting going on; get up.” He replied, knowing that the jail wall bounded portion of the fields outside, “It may be the police firing at the jail,” but Miss Purdy was not to be reassured, and she still cried for him to get up.

The terror stricken voice of the girl as she battered at the door caused Mr. Hamill to spring from bed, and as he put on his trousers he heard bang after bang as if the shooting was in the very house with him, and then long and terrible screams of agony, which almost froze the blood in his veins. Coming out of his bedroom in his bare feet he met Mrs. Purdy and Miss Purdy on the stairs.

LOUD KNOCKING AT DOOR Both were in terror as he made his way down stairs in the darkness. Entering the dining room on the ground floor he peeped through

the blind and saw brilliant light streaming from the McMahon’s dining room window.

As he looked a loud knock came to the door of the house in which he was, and the womenfolk screamed aloud at the sound. Almost distracted, Mr. Purdy called “who’s there,” and the reply came “police on duty.”

Reassured he opened the door, and found there a patrol of police who had just come from the Antrim Road. With the patrol Mr. Hamill went to the house of horror to find the state of affairs already described, only in their pristine freshness In the hall sitting on a chair in the light shed through the dining room door he saw young John McMahon in his shirt and with blood gushing from his body in streams. Mr. Hamill made to go to his assistance, but the glass spattered all around cut his feet and he had to return to the house for shoes. Having donned them he went to the assistance of

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

young McMahon whom he thought at that time was the only victim. “When I got in I saw Mrs. McMahon. I threw her my dressing-gown to put around John,” and went on and looked into the dining room.

“ROOM OF DEAD AND DYING.” “It seemed full of men dead and dying.

Streams of blood were everywhere, and Mr. McMahon, sen., was rolling about the floor.

The sight dazed me and I have been shaking since. It’s terrible.”

As he spoke, Mr. Hamill put his hand over his eyes as if to shut out the sight and remained almost sobbing for a moment or two. His deep emotion was pardonable under the terrible circumstances. Mr. Hamill then told of the coming of the ambulance and of helping to take the victims to the Mater. He was full of praise for the hospital staff.

The nurses and doctors were wonderful, he said - marvellous. They worked swiftly and did all they could for the comfort and succour of the living. Mr. Hamill gave the lie to the story that an ambulance man fainted. “They acted splendidly,” he said, “ But I must confess I was glad of the tot of stimulant a doctor kindly gave all hands when the rescue work was done.” Speaking of the victims he regretfully referred to Mr. McMahon and his sons. Quiet, decent neighbours, one and all, they were, he said.

SCREAMS AND FRENZIED APPEALS. Mrs. McMurtry, the matron of the Kinnaird Private Nursing Home, which is next door to where the ghastly murders were committed, told what she knew of the awful affair to a “Telegraph” representative.

It was quarter past one this morning when we were awakened by one of the nurses tapping at the bedroom door, with the information that something had happened in

Page 15

the terrace. The nurses had been awakened by a terrible battering on the door of Mr. McMahon’s house, and so great was the uproar that it was at first thought that a bomb had been thrown and exploded in the street.

The matron did not hear any of this, and in explanation she said that her room is away from the main body of the house. She also stated that having been through the war, she is not easily disturbed by noises in the night.

After the first onslaught on the home of the McMahon’s, the murderers turned their attentions to the Nursing Home - for what

Newspaper report from the Irish News shortly before the McMahon slaughter giving an indication of the sort of atrocities which were taken place in Belfast at the time. This one is the report on the horrific deliberate bombing on children playing in Weaver Street

Page 16

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

reason is not known - and an imperative summons on the front door was immediately answered by one of the nurses, who asked what was wanted. There was no response, but the crunching of the gravel on the footpath told of the hurried departure of whoever had been knocking. There was renewed battering at Mr. McMahon’s door, and the further crash of breaking glass. This was followed by loud screams for help, and a woman’s voice was heard shouting “Matron, send for the police.” Mrs. McMurtry immediately informed Glenravel Street Barracks. She did not hear any shooting, but one of the nurses conveyed to her the intelligence that a volley of shots had been discharged during the time she was speaking on the telephone. There was a repetition of the awful heart rendering screams, and again the same woman's voice - Mrs. McMurtry thinks it was Mrs. McMahon’s - this time loudly calling “Matron ring to the hospitals and get ambulances.” Almost immediately one of the nurses told her of running men, departing after their foul deeds had been committed.

Mrs. McMurtry again got on the telephone and called for the ambulance, and thoughtfully rang up the hospital and asked the staff there to prepare beds for the wounded.

The matron added that the street lamp, which is just opposite Mrs. McMahon’s house, was burning brightly all the time. Asked if she knew what direction the murderers had gone the narrator replied in the negative, and said that until the arrival of the police no one went outside the Nursing Home.

The police were on the scene in a few minutes, and it was then that the occupants of the Kinnaird Nursing Home learned of the atrocities that had been perpetrated almost under their very eyes. Mrs. McMurtry concluded her narrative with a tribute to the splendid conduct of the patients of the

Home, who although terribly alarmed with the thoughts of what could be happening, kept quite cool and collected throughout.

McMAHON FAMILY AND BELFAST. Mr. Owen McMahon, the murdered head of the household, was well known in Belfast sporting circles. Like his five brothers, he came to Belfast, and engaged in the licensed business while a young man. He was a member of a County Down farming family, and in his younger days was an athlete of much note. As president of the now dormant Ivy Cycling Club, he took a great interest in its affairs and presented a championship cup for a twenty mile road race. He was also a director of the Glentoran Football Club. Like himself, his sons took part in sport of the day, and were generally recognised as quiet and inoffensive young men. Mr. Owen McMahon owned the “Capstan Bar” in Ann Street, which a few months ago he had remodelled on up-to-date lines, and a full account of the improvements appeared in the “Telegraph” of the current date. He took little part in modern politics, being a Nationalist of the old school and a staunch supporter of Mr. Joseph Devlin, M.P. Of his five brothers, Bernard formerly owned “The Great Eastern,” Ballymacarrett, which was burned down during the disturbances two years back. Tom, another brother, has the controlling interest of the “International” at the corner of Donegall Street and York Street. Patrick owns “The Century” at the junction of Garfield Street and North Street, while Daniel holds a house at Dee Street, Newtonards Road, and John a hostelry at Henry Street. Tom, in addition to the “International,” also controls a house at Whitewell, Antrim Road, he having a few months ago given up the “Glengormley Arms,” a favourite end-of-the-tramline Sunday evening resort.

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

Page 17

THE FUNERALS Irish News, Saturday 25th March 1922 McMahon - March 24, Killed at their residence, 3 Kinnaird Terrace, Antrim Road, Owen McMahon and his three sons Frank, Patrick and Gerald. R. I. P. Funerals will leave St. Patrick’s Church, Donegall Street, on to-morrow (Sunday), at 2 o’clock, for interment in Milltown Cemetery.

Elizabeth McMahon The following report on the funerals of the McMahon family appeared in the Irish News on Monday, 27th of March 1922.

MURDER VICTIMS Funeral of the McMahon family The funerals of the late Mr. Owen McMahon and his three sons Frank, Patrick and Gerald, who were brutally murdered in their home, No.3 Kinnaird Terrace, Antrim Road, on Friday morning took place yesterday afternoon to Milltown Cemetery, amidst scenes of mourning unprecedented in the history of the city.

The remains were removed on Saturday evening from the Mater Hospital to St. Patrick’s Church, where the four coffins were placed side by side in the Sacred Heart Chapel. During the evening the church was visited by hundreds of mourners, who passed the remains and kneeling before the Altar offered up fervent prayers for the souls of the deceased. Affecting scenes were witnessed, many persons, mainly women and children and children, breaking down and weeping. The church was thronged at all masses yesterday, when the fervent prayers of the congregation were offered up

for the victims.

Addressing the congregation at the 7 and 8 o’clock Masses, Rev. Bernard Laverty, Adm., paid touching and eloquent tributes to the deceased, who had, he said, led exemplary Christian lives. The world, he continued, stood aghast at the terrible tragedy that had been enacted in their midst.

The late Mr. McMahon and his boys were inoffensive citizens who had taken no part in politics, and they had been done to death merely because they were Catholics. Many shocking crimes had been perpetrated by the Black and Tans and Auxiliaries in other parts of Ireland, but they had not been guilty of anything approaching this in its unspeakable barbarity. He referred to the terror at present prevailing in the city, and said the Catholic people were on trail. He exhorted them to pray for peace, to practise patience and forbearance, and not to give offence and in God’s good time all would be well.

The funerals took place at two o’clock. Long prior to that hour people began to assemble in the vicinity, and at the appointed hour there was a huge crowd which practically filled the upper portion of Donegall Street.

The scene as the four coffins were borne from the church and placed in as many hearses was deeply affecting. The first hearse contained the remains of the father, and the others of the three sons in order of age. While the remains were being removed the crowd stood in absolute silence, the menfolk with heads uncovered, while many of the women and girls gave way to tears as the mournful procession moved off on the journey to Milltown Cemetery. It was indeed a pitiful spectacle, made all the more tragic in the brilliant sunshine of a glorious spring day when nature was at her best.

Page 18

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

The funeral of Owen McMahon (front) passing along Royal Avenue He is followed by his sons Frank, Patrick and Gerald THOUSANDS ALONG THE ROUTE The route was via Royal Avenue, Castle Street, and Falls Road. At first the mourners marched in processional order four deep, but this was only possible along the city’s leading thoroughfares and up Castle Street.

Thereafter the road was thronged with thousands of people of all ages and stations of life. They stood in respectful silence and saluted the remains as they passed, after which most of them, including the women and children, joined in the cortege until in a very short time it had assumed very large proportions. Such was the order all the way until, by the time the first hearse had reached the cemetery gates, the gathering was immense. Certainly not less than 10,000 people participated in the mournful proceedings; and it is no exaggeration to say that never before has such a public tribute to the dead been witnessed in Belfast.

Though trouble was not anticipated, the military authorities took ample precautions

to ensure that no untoward incident should mar the melancholy occasion. An armoured car, manned by two gunners, moved slowly ahead of the hearses, while pickets were posted at all the danger points along the Falls Road. While the cortege was composed in the main of the working people of the Falls Road and other Catholic districts of the city, it included many hundreds of business and personal friends of the late Owen McMahon, and companions of the dead boys.

BISHOP AND CLERGY His Lordship the most Rev. Dr. MacRory, Lord Bishop of Down and Connor, walked all the way in the cortege, as also did many clergy. Amongst the priests present were: Venerable Archdeacon Convory, St. Paul’s; Very Rev. Canon Crolly, St. Matthew’s; Rev. H. L. Murray, Adm., St. Mary’s; Rev. J. Hassan, St. Mary’s; Rev. R. McCrudden, St. Mary’s; Rev. B. Laverty, Adm., St. Patrick’s;

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

Rev. J. P. Napier, St. Patrick’s; Rev. P. J. O’ Kelly, St. Patrick’s; Rev. P. Black, St. Patrick’s; Rev. Father Cleary. There were several other clergy present, including a number of Missioners who are conducting Retreats in the city churches; but so dense was the throng that their names could not be obtained. Amongst the laity were Messrs.

Joseph Devlin, M.P. (for many years a close personal friend of the late Mr. McMahon), and C. J. France, a prominent American, who has been directing the White Cross relief work in Ireland for many months past, and has been responsible for the alleviation of much suffering in Belfast.

Page 19

SCENE IN THE CEMETERY The scene in Milltown Cemetery was one which can never be forgotten by those who participated in it. Large crowds of women and children who had already arrived lined the paths and the surrounding area as the cortege entered, and soon there was a vast crowd around the grave which was to receive the mortal remains of the four victims. As the four coffins were removed from the hearses and carried to their last resting place a great silence fell over the throng.

Then in a few minutes the silence was broken by the inspiring strains of “Faith of our Fathers,” which was sung by a large section of the crowd, who also joined in a truly devotional rendering of the Hymn to the Blessed Virgin and of the Hymn to the Sacred Heart as the remains were being lowered into the grave in the order in which they had been borne to the cemetery.

THE CHIEF MOURNERS By the graveside stood the bereaved widow and mother, who had been assisted from the hospital to pay the last good - bye on earth to those she loved so dearly. By her side was her daughter, Lily, and not the least pathetic figure of all was her little eleven year old son, Michael, who had so narrowly escaped the fate of his poor father and brothers. The lad had walked all the way with his uncles and other relatives behind the remain to the cemetery. He bore up wonderfully almost to the very end, but the strain proved almost too much for him, and he had to be assisted away by kind friends.

The McMahon family plot at Milltown Cemetery

The chief mourners, in addition to these included the five brothers of the father, namely, John, Patrick, Daniel, Thomas and Bernard McMahon; Francis Downey and John Ryan (brothers-in-law), Rev. Daniel

Page 20

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

Fegan, Edward, John and Daniel Fegan, Daniel, Michael, John and Peter McConnville, Michael Lennon and John Fitzpatrick (cousins); William Leonard, and James Flanigan, and Charles Murnin (relatives.)

BISHOP OFFICIATES His Lordship the Bishop officiated at the graveside, being assisted by Father Laverty, Adm. Beautiful wreaths were sent by Mrs. McMahon and family, the five brothers, and many personal and business friends.

The funeral arrangements were carried out

by Messrs. Hugh O’Kane and Co., Ltd.

THE Co. DONEGAL VICTIM The funeral took place at Buncrana yesterday of Mr. Edward McKinney, Mr. McMahon’s manager, who was shot dead with Mr. McMahon and his sons. Horror and indignation was expressed on every side at the dreadful crime, and there was a remarkable attendance of mourners from the town and countryside - R. I. P. THE FIFTH VICTIM On the 2nd of April 1922 the eldest of Mr. McMahon’s sons, Bernard, died as a result of his injuries received during the attack. He had been removed from the Mater Hospital and detained in St. John’s private hospital on the Crumlin Road.

Although physically he made a full recovery, John McMahon (second from left) was tormented for the rest of his life after the horrific tragedy which befell his family.

This picture was taken in 1929

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

Page 21

Personalised Christmas card from Patrick McMahon for Christmas 1921.

A few weeks later Patrick was to be brutally murdered

Page 22

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE In the years that followed the McMahon family murders it has been stated time and time again that the attack was carried out by members of the B-Specials and that it was an act of retaliation after the I.R.A. killings of two ‘Specials’ in May Street the day before. The assumption that it was B-Specials arose after John McMahon (who survived the attack) gave the following statement from his bed in the Mater Hospital.

“This morning about one o’ clock I heard the hall door being smashed in. Five men rushed up the stairs and ordered my brothers and myself and Edward McKinney out on the landing. Four of the five men were dressed in the uniform of the R.I.C. but from the appearance I know they are ‘Specials’ not regular R.I.C. One was in plain clothes. They ordered us downstairs. When we got down they lined us up in the room below, my father, my four brothers, Edward McKinney and myself, against the wall. The leader said, “You boys say your prayers,’ and at the same time he and the others fired volley after volley at us. I think I lay on the floor for half an hour before the ambulance came. Three or four regular R.I.C. came too.”

There is no doubt that some members of the B-Specials were present at the McMahon killings but it must be remembered that the ‘Specials’ were in fact mere ‘helpers’ to those who were involved in the planning and carrying out of such attacks and who were all members, and in most cases high ranking members, of the R.I.C. They were known as the Cromwell Club. istrict Inspector Nixon and County Michael Collins who was Commander-inInspector Harrison, head o f the Chief of the National Army. Collins Belfast Detective Division, were himself also had many informers within the the men who were given a free hand in R.I.C. and also within the Northern organising the Belfast R.I.C. and ‘Specials’ in north and west Belfast into ‘counterinsurgency units’ and it was they who had organised and carried out numerous murders against Catholics in many areas.

D

After the McMahon murders affidavits (written declarations on oath) were obtained by the Free State Government testifying to Nixon and Harrison. These were made by Roman Catholic members of the R.I.C who were shocked and outraged at these planned murders being carried out against their fellow co-religionists.

The statements were gathered by numerous Catholic clergy who gave them to Mr. P. O’Drisell who in turn delivered them to

Michael Collins

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

Ireland Government and all the information he received from these sources was very similar to the information within the statements.

In Belfast his main informant within the R.I.C. was Sergeant Matt MacCartny and Constable Furlong and it was Furlong who gave him a very detailed statement informing him of all those who were actually involved in the murder of the McMahon family.

The following is a list of names of those involved with Nixon and Harrison in the murders of innocent Roman Catholics. The names appear in the affidavits and in the intelligence reports which were supplied to Michael Collins and which were later put together in a detailed Ministry of Defence report. The names were as follows:County Inspector Harrison District Inspector Nixon Sergeant Glover Sergeant Clarke Sergeant Hicks Head Constable Giff Head Constable Puckenham Constable Golding Constable Sterrit Constable Gordon Constable Cooke Constable Norrion All this group, with the exception of Harrison and Nixon, were just one of the so called ‘Cromwell Clubs’ which were established in Belfast. These clubs were initially set up by the Unionist Party and were just one of the many groups springing up in Protestant areas such as the ‘Tigers’ and the ‘Loyalist Association.’

These gangs organised themselves into so called defence units and attacked Catholics

Page 23

when the opportunity arose. It was these ‘defence units’ that forced thousands of Catholics from their places of work the most notable being the Belfast ship yard Harland & Wolff. When the Unionist Party set up the ‘Cromwell Club’ its chief organiser was Sergeant William McCartney of Musgrave R.I.C. Barrack and their purpose was to carry out acts of retaliation whenever members of the R.I.C. and ‘Specials’ were shot by the I.R.A., however there are historians who believe that the purpose of the ‘Cromwell Clubs’ (and the name alone would support this) was to drive all the Catholics out of the new ‘Ulster’ state. There are also cases where theses units actually shot dead R.I.C. constables themselves to ensure that they would be ordered out.

The constables they shot were usually Catholic and one such case of this happening is the event which occurred in the Carrick Hill area of Belfast - the Arnon Street Massacre

Constable George Turner

Page 24

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

THE ARNON STREET MASSACRE 3

4

1 2

Map of Belfast 1920. 1 -Arnon Street. 2 - Stanhope Street. 3 - Brown Square Barracks. It was from here that Nixon’s murder squad operated. 4 - The house where William Kerr was dragged from his home and murdered by the Nixon squad.

O

n the night of April 1st 1922 regular R.I.C. Constable George B. Turner was on patrol on Peter’s Hill with a member of the B-Specials. Just after 11 o’ clock a sniper opened fire on the pair and a bullet struck Constable Turner.

The bullet entered through the back of his head and came out through his mouth, he died instantly. The Special who was with him then ran to the nearby Brown Square barracks and reported what had happened.

A short time later R.I.C. Constable Gordon entered the barrack guard room, seized a sledge hammer, (reported to have been the same hammer used in the McMahon attack,) and called for volunteers for a reprisal.

The killing was the excuse Nixon (who was based in Brown Square) had needed and was waiting for. He immediately organised his murder squad and a number of ‘Specials’ and ordered them into the barrack lorries and tenders. They then

drove out and into the nearby Nationalist area of Carrick Hill. What was to follow rivalled the McMahon family murders in its savagery and ruthlessness.

The murder squad arrived first in Stanhope Street and jumping from their lorries they began to smash their way into the houses.

At the same time a Lancia armoured car was firing indiscriminately through the windows and doors not caring whether or not if it was men, women or children who were behind them.

“LOOK AT DADDY” The first house to be attacked was number 15 Stanhope Street and after forcing an entry they came across Joseph McRory, aged 40, whom they ordered to put his hands up.

McCrory placed his hands above his head exclaiming ‘Oh, son, I never harmed anyone.’ ‘None of your sonning me,’ was the reply before Joseph McCrory was shot dead.

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

The killers then burst into a few more houses but left when the found no men present within them. At the same time a different group burst into number 26 Park Street where they came upon a sailor, who had just returned from sea, named Bernard McKenna. Rushing up the narrow staircase and into the small bedroom they found McKenna standing near the fire and shot him eight times killing him instantly. Mr. McKenna was the father of seven young children. The next house singled out for attack was number 16 Arnon Street. A man named William Spallin lived here and that very day he had buried his wife. Mr. Spallin was seventy years old and was in the bedroom with his twelve year old grandchild.

When the ‘Cromwell Club’ members burst into his bedroom they aimed their weapons at the pensioner and shot him dead were he lay. A short time later the young child was found sitting up in bed gazing in horror at the murdered man crying ‘look at daddy.’

BEATEN AND SHOT Number 12 Arnon Street was the next home to be forced into. In this house lived the Walsh family and the two adult men who lived here were both ex-soldiers who had fought in the Great War. As the R.I.C. were beating the front door the mother thought it wise to open it and let the police enter as she thought it was raid. As soon as the door opened the armed gang pushed their way past the frightened woman and pushed them to the ground. They then proceeded up the stairs and into the bedroom where they found Joseph Walsh in the bedroom with his seven year old son Michael and and two year old daughter Brigid. They then dragged Joseph Walsh from the bed and threw him to the floor where they smashed in his head with a sledgehammer. He died instantly.

The gang then opened fire on the two screaming children and both were hit a

Page 25

Joseph Walsh in his military uniform along with 7 year old Michael Walsh number of times. The girl survived but the boy died a short time afterwards. Fourteen year old Frank Walsh was shot and beaten in the kitchen and survived as did Joseph Walsh’s brother who had hid in the yard with two young children.

REQUIRED EXCUSE Nixon’s excuse to launch this attack was that constable Turner was shot from this area.

But was he ?

At this period the area was under the control of the 2nd Battalion, Belfast Brigade I.R.A. and all their arms and movement of members in the district were all accounted for at the time the R.I.C. constable was shot, so if it was not the I.R.A. who shot him then who was it? Nixon and his murder squad said that he was shot from Stanhope Street and that is the reason why they attacked this area

Page 26

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

but what really happened was a simple plan conducted by Nixon to gain an excuse to attack the area. Constable Turner was shot dead by one of his fellow officers from the roof of nearby Brown Square barracks. The spot in which he was shot could in no way be seen from the Stanhope Street area. In this area the main sniper activity itself came mainly came from the roof of Brown Square barracks as snipers had fired from here on numerous occasions beforehand, however the wound which Constable Turner received would also suggest that he had been shot from this place. The spot he was shot at was near the Peter’s Hill baths and the bullet fired came through the top of his head and out through his mouth, this alone suggests that he was shot from a high position and the nearest high building was Brown Square barracks.

EYEWITNESSES This is just one of the many occasions in which the R.I.C. sought to create their own excuse to murder Catholics. They had at times also fired on the military based in the nearby Victoria Barracks with the intentions of getting them to ‘shoot-up’ Catholic areas but the military were mainly aware of this.

It is also another of the many incidents in which District Inspector Nixon showed his absolute brutality in the killing of completely innocent Roman Catholics. As stated there are many many more incidents including the ‘reprisal’ killings in Millfield after two ‘Specials’ were shot dead by the I.R.A. in July 1922. On this occasion Nixon ordered out every available armoured car and men.

They then set off to the nearby Millfield area and once there raked the whole area with machine-gun fire before bursting into many houses. When they left fourteen people lay dead or badly injured. Although their main plan was to shoot male Catholics (one case

being the McMahon family) there are also incidents were Nixon was seen by eyewitnesses who recognised him and who made statements testifying that he openly shot at and killed women and children. One incident of this is the shooting of the Walsh children but others have included the shooting of a four year old girl named Skillen who was shot dead on the Crumlin Road and also of a baby boy who was shot dead as his sister held him in her arms in Upper Library Street.

BRUTAL KILLER Another member of this unit who was particularly brutal in his method of killing.

It was Head Constable Giff who tried to ensure that his victims died a slow and painful death and one of the ways in which he done this was by using his bayonet before shooting them as he considered it prolonged their agony.

The wounds he usually attempted to inflict on his Catholic victims were the same wounds as those suffered by Christ on his hands and feet.

There are many cases of Giff doing this but two of the most brutal cases were in the murders of James Gaynor of 136 Springfield Road and Malachy Halfpenny of 21 Herbert Street in the Ardoyne area.

On the 26th of September 1920 at around midnight three units of these ‘Cromwell Clubs’ left their barrack at Springfield Road under the command of County Inspector Harrison. Harrison ordered them to the home of Edward Trodden on the Falls Road and murdered him. The other unit went to the home of James Gaynor and after bursting their way in shot him in his bedroom. Giff, before leaving, stabbed him with his bayonet and left him to die in agony.

As they were leaving the house Giff grabbed the mans mother and beat her and then left.

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

District Inspector Nixon in the full uniform of the Royal Irish Constabulary

Page 27

Page 28

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

THE HALFPENNY MURDERS W

hat this ‘Cromwell Club’ seemed to be doing was to try and commit the most brutal murders possible in order to terrify the rest of the Catholic community. Many historians believe that the reason behind this was to drive them out of Northern Ireland and into the Free State. Some historians also add that these brutal killings did not begin until 1922 with the McMahon murders being the first.

If that is the case then what of the murders of Alexander McBride, William Kerr and Malachy Halfpenny the year before.

On the 12th of June 1921 three people were murdered in north Belfast. These murders were ordered by Nixon who took an active part in all of them. The following are the others who took part in these killings and some have not been named beforehand as they belonged to a separate unit of the ‘Cromwell Club.’

District Inspector Nixon Head Constable Giff Constable Glass Constable Russell Constable Sterrit Constable Gordon Constable Caher Constable Hare Constable Norris

Constable Reid Nixon ordered that the ‘Curfew Patrol’ Crossley was to report to him at 11.30 on the night of Saturday the 12th. The ‘Curfew Patrol’ was an armoured R.I.C. vehicle which drove around making sure that no one broke the curfew which was in force at the time. The driver of this vehicle was replaced

by Constable Glass and Sergeant B. Clarke, who was in charge of the armoured car, was taken to Court Street Barracks in the Crumlin Road area and ordered by Nixon to remain there until his vehicle was returned. Nixon and Glass then drove on to the Crumlin Road itself and picked up the rest of their unit.

They then drove along Clifton Park Avenue on to the Cliftonville Road and then to Cardigan Drive. Once they reached here they banged on the door of number 28 and the door was opened by Mrs. McBride. Nixon then informed her that he wished her husband to come to the barracks for a few minutes and that he would be drove back home again. Mr. McBride was then taken out in his night clothes and placed in the tender and drove off, but instead of going to the barracks he was drove up to Ligoniel where he was brutally murdered.

After this murder Nixon and his unit then drove to Herbert Street and to the home of Malachy Halfpenny. Constables Gordon and

Photograph of 21 Herbert Street shortly before the house was demolished. It was from here that Halfpenny was dragged before being brutally murdered.

(Photograph Rushlight Magazine)

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

Alexander McBride

Page 29

Malachy Halfpenny Sterrit burst in and dragged him from his bed and took him to the armoured car.

Halfpenny was beat with rifle butts and Constable Giff pierced the victims feet with his bayonet.

The vehicle then drove once again to Ligoniel and when it came to a stop Halfpenny was pulled from it and riddled with bullets. They then lifted the body and threw it through a barbed wire fence into the field where the body of McBride already lay. Before these killings the unit went to number 47 Old Lodge Road where they took William Kerr and murdered him in similar circumstances.

William Kerr

When the bodies were discovered the next morning it was found that Halfpenny was shot seventeen times and apart from inflicting the stab wounds to Halfpenny’s feet Giff also used his bayonet to rip out the victims testicles.

Page 30

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

PROTESTANT SNIPER These were not the only murders to occur that night. The I.R.A. shot dead Thomas Sturdy (who was an A-Special) in York Street and also a Protestant named Edward Jenkins in the Kashmir Road area. The B-Specials burst into the home of Patrick Milligan in Dock Lane and shot him dead. They then burst into the home of Joseph Millar in New Dock Street dragged him from it and murdered him. In this incident his mother was shot and wounded and later recovered.

She was soon after shot dead on the 24th of November 1921 by a Protestant sniper.

Map of Belfast 1920 showing Ligoniel

CATHOLIC MEMBERS Of the original ‘Cromwell Club’ two were killed. Sergeant C. Clarke was shot dead by members of the I.R.A. A remarkable fact was that Clarke was a Catholic and was buried in Milltown Cemetery close to some of his victims. The other was Sergeant Glover. The remainder continued their murderous onslaught against the Catholic community as did other R.I.C. and BSpecial ‘reprisal units’, however as this unit was killing in ones and twos they were also planning a much more atrocious deed, the McMahon family killings. As already stated

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

Page 31

the intention of Nixon and Harrison as they both saw it as a threat not only to ‘Ulster’ but to themselves.

Sergeant Clark - one of two Catholic members of the Harrison/Nixon murder squad this attack occurred on the 24th of March 1922 and at this time the Belfast Corporation were carrying out work on Carlisle Circus which is a short distance away from the McMahon home. A watchman was placed on duty to watch over the work site and to ensure that nothing was stolen. At approximately 1.00am he was approached by two constables who asked him for a sledgehammer and after receiving it disappeared up the Crumlin Road. The two R.I.C. constables were Sterrit and Gordon and when they got the hammer they joined up with their unit and then committed the murders. After the McMahon killings Michael Collins called on James Craig to hold and inquiry but this was refused. After learning that an inquiry was turned down Nixon and Harrison continued to organise bigger and more atrocious ‘hits.’

At this time a pact was being reached by Michael Collins and James Craig but this failed. Many historians believe that this was

THE CABINET CONNECTION One of the main questions being asked at the time and which still remains unanswered to this day was why no inquiries were held and why there were no prosecutions when it was common knowledge who was committing the murders? It is believed that the reason the Government would not prosecute those involved is because the Northern Ireland Cabinet were themselves involved in the creation of the ‘Cromwell Clubs.’ The Cabinet was entirely made up of members of the Ulster Unionists and it was this party which set up the ‘Cromwell Clubs’ at their headquarters in the old Townhall at the rear of Musgrave R.I.C. barracks. Another point which must be made concerning these buildings is why were they connected? In other words why was the headquarters of a political party connected to a police station?

When they were established these units carried out numerous murders in full R.I.C. or B-Special uniform and many of them were personally known to many eyewitnesses who saw the killings being carried out.

Apart from the McMahon murders and the Arnon Street massacre there was one inquiry which Craig would have found difficult to refuse (although he did) and this was an attack which occurred on the 23rd of April 1921. On this date two members of the Auxiliary Police, Ernest Bolim and John Bailes, were walking along Donegall Place when they were approached by members of the I.R.A. and shot dead. That night during curfew hours Nixon and Harrison, along with five other members of their unit, left the Springfield Road barracks to carry out an act of retaliation - the murder of the Duffin brothers.

Page 32

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

TWO BROTHERS MURDERED 1

2

Map of Belfast 1920. 1 - Clonard Gardens. 2 - Springfield Road Barracks. It was from here that the Harrison murder squad operated

A

t 11.55pm several men approached the home of the Duffin family at 64 Clonard Gardens and banged on the front door. Inside two brothers, Patrick and Daniel, were sitting in the downstairs backroom when the banging began and Patrick went upstairs to ask another brother, John, what to do. Because he had heard a curfew patrol passing a few moments earlier John presumed that it was safe enough to do so and that it was maybe a police raid.

Patrick came downstairs and as he was doing so instructed Daniel to open the door.

When he did so a number of men burst in and shouted ‘put you hands up’ before forcing them back into the backroom. The

men then opened fire with revolvers and the two brothers fell dead, the killers then rushed from the house slamming the door behind them. At this time John was coming downstairs to see what was going on when the men rushed past him, he then went into the room and saw the bodies. He noticed that there was a dog in the house howling to get out. He knew that it was not their dog and later stated that ‘it was evidently brought in by them (the killers.) It was a yellow, long haired, well cared for dog and seemed to be no stray animal. It wanted out and was very anxious to get away. I kept it in the house.

The District Inspector who called after I reported the matter took the dog away.’ It

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

was Nixon who called and collected the dog and the animal did not become part of the investigation. Many people who saw the dog being led away then identified it. It was the station dog of Springfield Road R.I.C. Barrack.

After the McMahon and Arnon Street massacres relations began to improve between the British and Irish Government and various negotiations took place. The R.I.C. were formed into a new force which was named the Royal Ulster Constabulary (R.U.C.) and the A, B, and C Specials

The funerals of the Duffin brothers

Page 33

remained. Nixon and Harrison retained their positions within the new force and Nixon was given control of the Shankill Road area where he was treated as a local folk hero, but unknown to Nixon plans were under way to remove him from the police force as he was becoming an embarrassment due to the fact that it was common knowledge that he organised and took part in various murder attacks.

The new R.U.C. needed to rid itself of this extreme loyalist and for the time being was waiting to the excuse to do so.

Page 34

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

THE LEADERS JOHN WILLIAM NIXON John William Nixon was born in Co. Cavan in 1880. He joined the R.I.C. as a constable in 1899 and served in Belfast, Donegall, Lisburn and Galway. He was then posted to Belfast for a second time and stationed in the Springfield Road barracks where he received the rank of sergeant.

Soon after, and having passed the necessary examination, he was made a Head Constable and transferred to the Dublin R.I.C. depot in 1912 where he made himself prominent in connection with the “Larkin Strike” a year later. In 1916 he and District Inspector Redmond were in charge of the unit which moved against the I.R.A.

Nixon in the full uniform of an R.U.C. District Inspector. The medals displayed were presented by the King for his ‘loyal services’ during the partition of Ireland.

in Mode Castle which was under the command of Liam Mellows. Later he served at Strokestown where his zeal earned the approval of Hammer Greenwood. He next figured in Westport after the death of District Inspector Milling. Subsequently transferred to Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh, where he became associated with Major Leathers, Intelligence Officer at Castlesaunderson, and was prominent in all the activities of the Auxiliaries in that area.

In November 1920 he returned to Belfast to take charge of C’ Division of the R.I.C. based at Brown Square barracks. It was from this period that he began to organise murder squads to kill Catholics. In 1922 he was given control of the Loyalist Shankill Road area after he maintained his position as District Inspector within the newly formed R.U.C. BLACK BOOK After the R.U.C.’s formation County Inspector Harrison was expected to be appointed City Commissioner in place of John Fitzhugh Gelston. Nixon was then expecting to be appointed County Inspector in place of Harrison. Gelston was disgusted with the state in which the new police force was falling and consulted Major General Flood (who became Inspector General) and afterwards it was decided that Nixon, Harrison and the rest of their murder squads would have to go. All were asked to resign from the R.U.C. and all refused. What Gelston and Flood had underestimated was the power Nixon and Harrison had. Both threatened that if they were dispensed with they would shoot certain members of the Northern Ireland Government and they had

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

the entire force of the ‘Specials’ supporting them. After the ‘resign’ attempt failed Nixon was offered an appointment in the Canadian Police but he also refused this offer. In Belfast Nixon had too much power and control over the police and Government and it centred mainly around a note pad which he called ‘the black book.’

This was a small pocket book which Nixon had kept listing all the R.I.C. members who carried out sectarian murders against Catholics and the officers who ordered them to to carried out. It also listed members of the Cabinet who, he stated, set up the murder squads.

SERVICE AWARDED He was permitted to remain within the police and the promise of a future honour was made to him. This took the form of an M.B.E. which was awarded to him in 1923

by King George for his ‘valuable service rendered by him during the troubled period.’

Harrison was awarded an O.B.E. in the birthday honours the same year.

Page 35

The remainder of the Nixon/Harrison ‘Cromwell Club’ all remained in the R.U.C. and all received higher promotions. Harrison received the post of City Commissioner which he sought and was later appointed Inspector General. Nixon now realised that his future within the R.U.C. was insecure due to the fact that he remained un-promoted, and he also knew that he was under a permanent I.R.A. death threat as they were constantly gathering information on him mainly concerning his movements. A Free State Ministry of Defence report compiled in 1924 described him as ‘an arrant coward who never ventures abroad.’ The Ministry realised that because of the agreements made between the two governments Nixon was safe so long as he remained within Northern Ireland, however their main plan was to have him assassinated once he left it.

The same report also mentioned that Nixon had ‘parliamentary ambitions.’

The report was correct as Nixon’s political career began a short time afterwards.

X

Nixon (below X) photographed with members of the Orange Order

Page 36

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

NOT AN INCH THE NEW “NO SURRENDER CANDIDATE”

In 1923 Nixon and a number of other R.I.C./R.U.C. members founded the ‘Sir Robert Peel Memorial Orange Lodge’ which was based in Clifton Street Orange Hall. In 1924, at the Lodge’s second annual general meeting Nixon made a speech based on the border issue which was being resolved at the time by both Irish Governments.

The speech was based on allegations that the I.R.A. were going to invade ‘Ulster’ and claim a large section of it and that it was up to Orangemen to prevent it. He then stated that ‘not an inch’ of ‘Ulster’ would be handed over to the ‘enemy.’

The speech was published in the local newspapers and caused widespread controversy and Nixon was soon reported to his superiors who went on to hold an inquiry. In the meantime District Inspector Nixon was suspended, his superiors no longer fearing his ‘black book’ as they felt they had silenced the rest of his murder squad through promotions.

WIDE SUPPORT Nixon then went out and gathered widespread support throughout the Shankill area.

Thousands of bill posters were pasted up in support for him and the entire gable wall of the Brown Square barracks was covered in

Nixon (saluting) at the funeral of Sergeant Christopher Clarke

City Commissioner Gelston them. The night before the inquiry a crowd of over 10,000, which included many members of the R.U.C. and ‘Specials’ and which was led by numerous Orange Order bands marched from the Shankill Road to Belfast’s City Hall to hear speeches in support of Nixon. The following day (14th February 1924) the proceedings against Nixon began but were twice adjourned. The inquiry was finally held on the 19th of February with County Inspector F. Britten, of Lisburn, and County Inspector W. Moore, of Armagh proceeding. The case against Nixon was based on the reports which appeared in the newspapers and the three journalists who wrote them refused to give evidence as they had received threats from supporters of Nixon. The court was then dissolved and all proceedings against the District Inspector dropped. Celebrations among Nixon’s supporters then began.

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

DISMISSED Nixon then reported back on duty and a few days later he was given an hours notice to report to the Inspector General’s office.

When he reported he found Inspector General Wickham and City Commissioner Gelston waiting to interview him and Wickham informed him that he had orders from the Northern Ireland Government to query him and that he was to answer just yes and no to the questions put to him. Nixon protested strongly throughout the interview and when it finished stormed out of the room.

It remains unknown exactly what these questions were but they are believed to have centred around the murder squads. On the 28th of February District Inspector Nixon was dismissed from the R.U.C. on a full pension.

PROTESTS Numerous protests were again organised in support of Nixon and various Government Ministers received death threats. Again he was supported by a large section of the R.U.C. and ‘Specials’ and the night after his dismissal the entire ‘B’ force in Co. Tyrone refused to go on duty. He also had the support of the Orange and Black Orders, the Shankill Unionist Association as well as the Loyalist Defence Association who all made threats to oppose the government in the next elections. A large number of M.P.’s supported Nixon and one of them, Sam McGuffin (Ulster Unionist Labour Association) offered to resign his seat to allow Nixon to stand in the following byelection. The others made demands in parliament that he should be reinstated and described his dismissal as an attack on the Orange Order. On the 15th of April a large meeting was held in the Ulster Hall and when Nixon got on to the platform to speak he was given a standing ovation from the large crowd which included members of

Page 37

the R.U.C. ‘Specials’ the Orange and Masonic Lodge’s and numerous Protestant clergy (five of whom were speakers.) In July the same year support for the ex-District Inspector was displayed on various orange arches throughout the Shankill area and in the same area he had a loyalist band named in honour of him.

COUNCIL ELECTIONS The government stood firm knowing of the British and Irish interest in the whole case and Nixon was never reinstated. The following year Nixon stood in a council election in the Court Ward of Belfast and which was the Old Lodge Road area. He was elected by 3.761 votes to 1.868 for a Labour candidate who opposed him. He remained in this council seat for a number of years afterwards but his main political career did not begin until 1929 when he stood in the parliamentary election for the Woodvale area standing as an Independent Unionist. The turnout for this election was 75.2% of which 58.4% voted for Nixon thus outvoting the Unionist candidate Mr. W. Beattie.

Nixon’s next election was in 1933 when he defended his seat against Mr. A. Dalzell who was standing on behalf of the Unionist Party.

At this election the turnout was 76.4% with Nixon clinching 56.6% of the vote and

Brown Square Barracks

(1968)

Page 38

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

Election poster for Nixon Dalzell receiving 41%. Throughout these elections another loyalist figure joined with Nixon and stood in elections under the Independent Unionist banner.

FRIENDS William Wilton was a prosperous undertaker who was well known for his extreme loyalist views. In Belfast Wilton had funeral parlours on the Crumlin Road, (which remains today) the Shankill Road and a large number of others spread throughout the city and all of which he permitted to be used for various loyalist meetings. Both Nixon and Wilton were staunch supporters of the new ‘Ulster Protestant League.’ This organisation was founded in 1931 and its main purpose was to call on Protestants not to employ or do business with Roman Catholics. This group also had connections with a similar group named the ‘Ulster Protestant Association and the main object of this group was quite simply the killing of Catholics.

The Ulster Protestant League began to lose support in the times leading up to the outdoor relief protests of the 1930s and soon disbanded. The organisation then emerged

again in the 1950s and its name changed to ‘Ulster Protestant Action’ with the aims of the previous group remaining. Like the first the grouping lasted a short time but among its members who continued careers as militant loyalists were Noel Docherty who was active in the paramilitary ‘Protestant Volunteers’ and Gusty Spence who was one of the founders of the revived

The Rev. Ian Paisley who described Nixon as “the most effective politician of his day.”

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

‘Ulster Volunteer Force.’ Another person who dominated the ‘Ulster Protestant League’ and who was a personal friend of both Nixon and Wilton was the Rev. Ian Paisley. Paisley was a fascinated follower of unionist politics in Northern Ireland and at least once a week, mainly Tuesdays, Nixon would drive him up to Stormont.

Paisley later described Nixon as “the most effective politician of his day.”

Nixon’s next election was in 1938 and this time he was defending his seat against the Unionist candidate Mr. J. E. Dickson. In this election he was proposed by John Johnston of 39 Brookmount Street and was seconded

by Albert Beattie of 165 Canmore Street.

His assentors were the following; Thomas Harvey. 66 Carlow Street.

Joseph Bingham. 51 Sugarfield Street.

William J. Campbell. 148 Canmore Street.

David Mc Callin. 25 Ninth Street.

Thomas Lynn. 48 Ninth Street.

William H. Adams. 38 North Howard Street.

Robert Burke. 3 Kendal Street.

James Hamilton. 171 Urney Street.

The election turnout was 95.5% with 59% voting for Nixon who once again defeated the Unionist who received 41% of the votes.

COWARD The next election was after the Second World War in 1945. The candidate chosen by the Unionist Party to oppose him was Mr. Samuel Megraw who lived at 4 Hillsbrough Parade. Megraw worked as a boilermaker in the Belfast shipyard and was a member of the ‘Ulster Unionist Labour Association,’ and because of this the Unionists believed that he could relate to the working people of the Woodvale. Nixon’s proposer in this election was Thomas Meekin who in turn was seconded by Annie M. Yeats, the

Page 39

election agent being James Shannon who lived at 147 Ballygomartin Road. This was to be Nixon’s hardest fought election and during it Nixon was accused of being “a coward who had run away during the Luftwaffe blitz on Belfast.” Nixon denied the allegations and stated that he had gone as far as loaning his house to the civil authorities during the course of the war. If this is true then one question which remains unanswered in connection with this is where was Nixon when his house was on loan?

The Ulster Prime Minister Sir Basil Brooke showed a personal interest in this election contest and at a rally in support of Megraw he stated that “Nixon had an opportunity of joining the Unionist Party and that he was quite unable to realise why he should have decided to continue or remain an Independent Unionist.” He then went on to state his ‘regret’ that Nixon choose not to join his party. The turnout in this election was 69.3% with Nixon receiving 66.4% of the overall vote. After this election Nixon’s health began to decline.

The next election was in 1949 and this was to be Nixon’s last. This time his proposer was Wilton (the undertaker) of 227 Ballygomartin Road and who himself stood for the seat in Clifton Ward. He was seconded by Margaret Meekin who lived at 83 Hopeton Street in the Shankill Road area.

At this election the Unionist Party realised that there was too much support for Nixon in this area and that his seat was unshakable. Nixon stood unopposed.

DEATH OF NIXON Soon afterwards Nixon’s health began to get worse and he was moved to the Musgrave Clinic where he died on the 11th of May 1949 at the age of 71.

Nixon’ s funeral was on Friday 13th of May to Dundonald Cemetery in East Belfast.

Thousands attended and large crowds lined

Page 40

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Nixon’s home at 147 Ballygomartin Road. Nixon loaned this house out to the civil authorities during the Second World War. But one question which remains unanswered was where was he?

During an election after the war Nixon was accused of being “a coward who had run away during the Luftwaffe blitz on Belfast.”

Although now derelict and in need of demolition it is this house which some extremists what converted into a shrine to Nixon’s memory.

the route of the funeral. Included among those in attendance was the Speaker of the Northern Ireland House of Commons Sir Norman Stronge; the Minister of Education Lieut - Colonel S. H. Hall Thompson; the Minister of Health and many other Stormont Ministers. Many members of various Orange and Masonic Lodges were also present as were numerous clergymen.

The officiating clergy were the Rev. Hastings Lyttle, M. A., the Rev. R. Craig and Chancellor James Quinn. The Prime Minister was represented by Sir Robert Gransden, Secretary to the Cabinet, the Minister of Home Affairs by Mr. W. Wellwood and the parliamentary staff by Mr. Alexander Clarke. The funeral made its way slowly down the Shankill Road before being drove to Dundonald were Nixon was buried in the family plot.

An election was held in 1950 for Nixon’s seat and four politicians stood against each

other for it. The turnout was 57.9% and the following was its result; Mr. R. J. R. Harcourt (Unionist) 40.1% Mr. R. Hill (Ind. Unionist) 29.7% Mr. C. Hull (N. Ireland Labour Party) 24.3% Mr. D. H. Walker (Ind. Unionist) 12.9% The Unionist Party won the seat which they had fought long and hard for but it was only because the Independent Unionist vote was split. The Unionist Part continued to hold the seat except for two elections when the seat was won by Mr. W. R. Boyd of the Northern Ireland Labour Party in 1958 and 1962.

COUNTY INSPECTOR HARRISON Richard Dale Winnett Harrison was born in Kilkenny in 1883, his father being a district inspector in the local R.I.C. After his education in Trinity College, Dublin, he followed in his fathers footsteps and joined the R.I.C

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

in 1906 and became a third class district inspector the same year. After serving in many parts of Ireland he became an officer in charge of the Detective Office in Belfast.

Harrison soon after teamed up with Nixon and their reign of terror throughout the Catholic communities of Belfast began. At the formation of the R.U.C. Harrison seems to have disowned Nixon with the promise of promotion which was soon granted when he was appointed City

Page 41

Commissioner. He died at his Upper Malone Road home on the 22nd April 1982 at the age of 99.

LIBEL ACTIONS BY NIXON Throughout his police and political career the actions of Harrison and Nixon were well known. The Irish Government knew Nixon was a killer as did the British Government as well as the Northern Government in Stormont. In fact during a heated exchange in Stormont in May 1941 Lord Glentorn shouted across the chamber to Nixon You will not murder me. Nixon had sued newspapers for stating that he was a killer and won cases against the Irish News and Derry Journal. His most famous case however was against the London book publishers Methuen & Co., which printed a book entitled Nomad written by Charles McGuinness. In this book the author stated:The wiping out of the McMahon family of Belfast, father and seven sons, who were in no way affiliated with the I.R.A., will forever remain as a stain on the well spattered escutcheons of Ulster. One man, who has since been elevated to Parliamentary honours, was charged with the order of execution of the McMahon’s and is luckier than he knows to be alive today...

County Inspector Harrison

Nixon stated that he was the M.P. referred to, and that he was a district inspector of police in Belfast at the date of the murders.

The allegations in the paragraph were said to be absolutely false and a gross libel on him. The court then ordered the publishers to pay Nixon ÂŁ1.250. The reference in the above paragraph luckier than he knows to be alive today is believed to refer to plans

by Michael Collins to have Nixon executed, plans which fell through after Collins himself was killed in an ambush at Beal na m Blath, Co. Cork in August 1922.

Page 42

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER Nixon has been dead for over 50 years and there are a handful of his admirers still in Belfast who will never admit that they respect him because he killed Taigs, after all what else has he ever achieved? It is hard to believe that even today there are people who still admire District Inspector Nixon but this is no great shock given the fact that there are still people today who admire Adolf Hitler. They would try and use the fact that he won the libel actions as proof that he was innocent but if the documents which are still kept locked up in Public Record Offices in Belfast, Dublin and London were made available to the courts then there is no doubt that things would have been so different. Not only was Nixon never charged with any of these murders - he was never even investigated. At this time and throughout his political career everyone in Belfast knew Nixon was a killer - a fact that he never tried to hide. The R.I.C./R.U.C. knew he was a killer.

The British, Irish and Stormont Governments knew he was a killer and more disturbingly his voters knew he was a killer. Those who would glorify Nixon would state that he was never charged with any of these killings but this leaves us with the question of who was going to charge him? As detailed earlier in this publication Nixon kept a record of not only those who carried out the killings but also those who ordered them. That is the reason why he was never charged. On the formation of the new police force the R.U.C. those in command knew that Nixon had to go and when they eventually got rid of him it was all done behind closed doors.

Not only was Nixon never investigated, the killings he carried out were never even investigated and inquests were abolished. But what if they had been? The survivors of the McMahon murders would have recognised him. The widow of

Alexander McBride named Nixon as the man who took him away to be murdered. The mother of William Kerr knew the faces of those who took him away as did the family of Malachy Halfpenny. The people who saw what went on in Arnon Street knew the faces of those responsible as did those in Millfield. When McGarvey was dragged from his home in Bray Street the landlady of the house recognised Nixon and witnesses recognised Nixon and Harrison as two of those involved. Looking at all the evidence today we can see why no investigations were carried out.

When the police enquiries were being made it was often Nixon or Harrison who were on the ground - the killers investigating the killings!

THE BELFAST TROUBLES The main focus of this publication is to highlight the activities of the murderous Cromwell Club led by County Inspector Harrison and District Inspector Harrison. All of their victims were Roman Catholic. However, it would be unreasonable to try and suggest that it was only Roman Catholics which suffered during this horrific period in our city’s history. There were atrocities carried out by Catholics which ranged from indiscriminate attacks on trams with Mills Bombs through to workers being lined up and shot dead such as that which occurred in Little Patrick Street. On the next page begins a list of those who were recorded as being killed during the Belfast troubles of the 1920’s.

The list is incomplete as some people were not recorded due to a high number of killings in one short period. Another reason is that some secret burials took place so as not to let the ‘other side’ know their ‘victories.’ These killings began shortly after Unionist leader Edward Carson made the following statement at an Orange Order demonstration:-

....But we tell you this - that if, having offered you our help - and I have offered it to them over and over again - if you are unable to protect us from the machinations of Sinn Fein, and you won’t take our help; well, then, we tell you we will take the matter into our own hands. We will re-organise, as we feel bound to in our own defence, throughout the province the Ulster Volunteers who sent you splendid help to maintain our Empire during the War. But one thing we will not submit to is that we should be left helpless and hopeless in the face of our enemies, and we tell you that, come what will, in the last resort, we will rely upon ourselves, and, under god, we will defend ourselves. Now I hope I have made that pretty clear. And those are not mere words. I hate words without action.

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

Page 43

Military order issued at the beginning of the Belfast troubles after the partition of Ireland August 1920

Page 44

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

THE VICTIMS 21ST July 1920 Francis Finnegan Aged 40 Catholic Lower Clonard Street Shot dead by military who fired indiscriminately into the Kashmir Road district Margaret Noad Aged 27 Catholic 3 Anderson Street At the inquest her husband stated that she had left the house around midnight with her friend, Mrs. Mary Ann Curran, to go and visit her mother who lived at 39 Bond Street. At the time the mother was ill and her daughter was keeping a check on her. (The Mother died two days later,) Mrs. Noad was shot dead by an R.I.C. sergeant who fired a single shot at her. He was identified at the inquest by James Geoghan and Hugh Erne as Sergeant Slacke who was based in Lisburn Road R.I.C. barracks.

The inquest jury returned a verdict of accidental shooting.

Bernard Devlin Aged 18 Catholic 39 Alexandra Street West Shot dead by military who opened fire indiscriminately into the Kashmier Road district. Mr. Devlin was an ex-soldier.

22nd July 1920 Brother Michael Morgan Aged 28 Catholic Clonard Monastery Brother Morgan was a native of Co. Cavan who had joined the Redemptorist Order. In 1919 he was moved to Clonard Monastery. He had been passing through a corridor of the Monastery when

Military patrol on North Queen Street Joseph Giles bullets came through the windows Aged 19 and struck him, he died instantly.

Catholic Father Kelly, Rector of the 11 Kashmir Road Monastery, rushed to his aid but could not get near him as bullets Shot dead in Bombay Street by continued to be fired at the military. Mr. Giles was an exsoldier. building.

John Downey Aged 20 Catholic 21 Roden Street Mr. Downey had left his home at 6.30pm to visit his sister who lived in Kashmir Road. He was shot dead by the military.

Alexander McGovan Aged 25 Protestant 5 Tralee Street Mr. McGovan was shot dead by the military and was buried, by Catholics, in Milltown Cemetery.

The fatal bullet struck him between the mouth and nose and came out the back of his head.

Miraculously he lived for ten minutes afterwards.

James Stewart Aged 18 Protestant Clydebank, Scotland Mr. Stewart was on holiday from Scotland and was staying with relatives at 20 Frome Street. He was walking down the Newtownards Road with his cousin when he was shot dead by a passing military patrol.

Thomas Robinson Aged 33 Catholic 6 Kane Street Shot dead at the corner of Clonard Gardens and Kashmir Road by military who opened fire with a Lewis heavy machine gun. The fatal bullet struck him between the mouth and nose and came out the back of his head.

July 1920 Miraculously he lived for ten minutes afterwards with last sacraments being administered to him on the street by the Rev. Carty from the nearby Monastery.

Albert McAuley Aged 19 Catholic Standfield Street Mr. McAuley was standing in Eliza Street watching a crowd of youths throwing stones at a nearby military patrol. The patrol opened fire and Mr. McAuley was hit dying instantly. Two other youths who went to his aid were also shot at and received gunshot wounds. Mr. McAuley was very well known in sporting circules as a whippet keeper.

William Godfrey Aged 46 Protestant Argyle Street Shot dead by the military William Dunning Aged 23 Protestant 76 Bellevue Street Shot dead by a military sniper at the junction of Kashmier Road

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS th

and Cupar Street, Mr. Dunning had the left side of his face completely blown off. He was an ex soldier who had joined the 9th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles with his two brothers at the beginning of World War One. One of his brothers was killed in France and the other had lost his sight.

24 July 1920 John McCartney Aged 36 Catholic 41 Lucknow Street Died as a result of a gunshot wounds received on the 22nd when the military opened fire into the Kashmir Road district

James Conn Aged 32 Protestant 47 James Street Mr. Conn was helping a Mr. John McCleeve to lift the body of William Dunning (above) when he was shot dead by the same military sniper.

Nellie McGregor Aged 20 Protestant 30 Frome Street Nellie McGregor left her home at around 9.30pm to go out for a walk. As she walked past Westbourn Church in the Newtownards Road area she was shot from a military lorry which was in Bryson Street. She was injured and detained in the Royal Victoria Hospital where she died.

Henry Hennessy Aged 48 Catholic 120 Ardilea Street Mr. Hennessy was returning from his work at Mackies Foundry when he was shot dead by a Protestant Gunman At the inquest on the victims of the military shooting in the Kashmir Road area it was stated that all the victims, except Brother Morgan, had been killed in the course of a riot.

25th July 1920 David Dunbar Aged 20 Protestant 64 Silvio Street Mr. Dunbar was a taxi driver who worked as a driver for the Ulster Taxi-cab Company. At around 2.30am on the above date he drove up the Falls Road and turned into Northumberland

Street going to the garage at Carlow Street. In Northumberland Street a military patrol had been posted and as the car came towards it one of the soldiers called on it to “Halt.” Failing to do so the officer commanding ordered the men to open fire which they did. Mr. Dunbar died instantly. At the inquest the soldiers had stated that he had jumped from the car and ran leaving the car to drive into them.

David Dunbar In 1916, during the First World War, he had joined the army. He was badly wounded in the leg in 1918 and, after a number of operations, was discharged and returned home. At the inquest Mr. Dunbar’s brother stated because of the war wound he could barley walk never mind run from a moving car.

No military personnel were charged.

Page 45

th

9 August 1920 Private Matthew Parke Protestant 6 Lawther Street Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

11th August 1920 John Doyle Aged 24 Protestant.

11 Prim Street Shot dead by a military patrol.

13th August 1920 Susan Houston Aged 15 Protestant Died as a result of injuries after being shot by military during disturbances at a covent on the Newtownards Road on July 22nd.

25th August 1920 James McCartney Aged 19 Protestant 1 Frome Street Shot dead by military during disturbances in the Dee Street area.

23rd July 1920 Mary Ann Weston Aged 29 Protestant 24 Welland Street Mary Weston was a millworker who had been part of a crowd trying to burn down St. Matthew’s convent on the Newtownards Road. The military, who had been guarding the convent, opened fire at the attackers and she was hit and died, William McCune (below) was also killed with ten others receiving gunshot wounds.

William Mc Cune Aged 39 Protestant 2 Clonallen Street (As Above)

Junction of Seaforde Street and Newtownards Road

July 1920

Page 46

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

The Marrowbone district of North Belfast 1920

Ethel Burrows Aged 20 Protestant 77 Bright Street.

Shot in the abdomen during disturbances in the Dee Street area, she was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital in a critical condition and died a short time later.

Francis McCann Aged 55 Catholic 38 Chemical Street Shot by the military who fired into the Seaford Street in the Short Strand area after disturbances broke out between the Catholic residents and protestant shipyard

bances broke out between Catholics in the Great Georges Street area and Protestant shipyard workers returning home in trams.

Mr. Chapman was part of a crowd who were ordered to disperse during disturbances in the Sandy Row area. The crowd refused and the military opened fire

Henry Kinney Aged 48 Catholic 120 Ardilea Street Received a bullet wound to the chest during disturbances in the Oldpark area. He later died in the Mater Hospital. Killers believed to have been military.

28th August 1920 Terence Burns Aged 36 Catholic 17 Massarene Street Mr. Burns was shot in the leg during disturbances in Albert Street area; he was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he died a shirt time afterwards. Mr. Burns was a cripple.

John Murray Aged 20 Catholic 11 Glenview Street Shot during disturbances in the Marrowbone district by the military who had opened fire. He was carried into the Mater Hospital dead with bullet wounds to the abdomen.

workers. A large number of people had been injured due to the gunfire.

29TH August 1920 William Mullan Aged 1 Protestant 100 Upper Meadow Street Shot dead in Henry Street by a Catholic gunman after distur-

Thomas Toner Aged 19 Catholic Ardilea Street Shot in the chest by the military during disturbances in the Marrowbone district.

Owen Moan Catholic 36 Flenview Street Shot by the military during disturbances in the Marrowbone district.

William Cassidy Aged 25 Catholic 42 Glenpark Street Shot dead by military during disturbances in the Marrowbone district.

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS John Lynch Aged 17 Catholic 20 Massereene Street Shot dead by the military during disturbances in the Townsend Street area.

Patrick Gilmore Aged 25 Catholic 22B Campbell’s Row Shot in the abdomen by the military during disturbances in the Townsend Street area.

Henry Hobson Aged 17 Protestant 100 Cromwell Road Shot during disturbances in the Millfield area and taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he died. Mr. Hobson as a keen footballer and members of Distillery Football Club attended the funeral. Killers believed to have been Catholic.

30th August 1920 John Thompson Aged 18 Protestant 3 Henry Street Shot and injured by Catholic gunmen in Great Georges Street. He had been taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he died a short time after.

Robert Mc Alphine Aged 11 Protestant 135 Little York Street Shot dead by a Catholic sniper in the Great Georges Street area.

John Coard Aged 25 Protestant 11 Lawler Street Died as a result of bullet wounds received during disturbances in the North Street area.

Killers believed to have been Catholic.

Adam Mc Lean Protestant 20 Southwell Street Received bullet wounds during disturbances In the York Street area and taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he died a short time later. Killers believed to have been Catholic.

Samuel Colville Aged 18 Protestant 16 Rowan Street Shot dead in Henry Street by a Catholic gunman during disturbances in that area.

Paul Chapman Protestant 161 Matilda Street Mr. Chapman was part of a crowd who were ordered to disperse during disturbances in the Sandy Row area. The crowd refused and the military opened fire. Mr. Chapman was one of four injured and later died in the Union Infirmary.

Grace Orr Aged 23 Protestant 1 Edenderry Street Shot and injured during disturbances in the Oldpark area. Died later in the Mater Hospital.

Fred Saye Protestant 62 Donegall Pass Shot dead by military patrol Henry McCann Aged 40 Catholic 34 Wall Street Shot dead by a Protestant gunman in Brown Street James Cromie Aged 25 Catholic 65 Trafalgar Street Mr.Cromie was one of a number of Catholics employed in the Belfast docks. At around 9.00am a number of Protestant workers

Page 47

from the nearby Workman Clarke shipyard attacked them and opened fire with revolvers killing Mr.Cromie. He had served for four years with the Royal Navy.

1st September 1920 James Cowser Protestant 7 Benwell Street James Cowser was part of a loyalist group pursuing a Catholic in the Oldpark area.

The Catholic ran through a house at 8 Cliftonpark Avenue and escaped. Cowser chased after him and when he went to climb over the yard wall he was shot dead by a military sniper.

Military patrol passing through Little Georges Street after a night of disturbances August 1920

31st August 1920 Edward Burns Aged 65 Catholic 65 Grove Street Shot dead by Protestant gunmen who rushed into Earl Street shooting revolvers.

Private Jamison Protestant Scottish rifles Victoria Barracks Shot dead by military patrol in Linfield Road

149 Nelson Street after a device had been thrown through the window by Catholic bombers.

August 1920

Page 48

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

1 4

3 2

5

6

7

8

9

1. New Lodge Road 2. Victoria Barracks 3. North Queen Street

4. Gallaher Tobacco Factory 5. York Street Mill 6. Henry Street

7. York Street 8. Nelson Street 9. Little Patrick Street

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Thomas Maxwell Aged 48 Protestant 61 North Boundary Street Mr. Maxwell was shot and wounded in the leg during disturbances in the Hartley Street area. He was taken to hospital and died as a result of his injuries.

2nd September 1920 Frederick Hobbs Aged 28 Catholic 26 Boundary Street Mr.Hobbs was standing at his front door when a Protestant gunman approached him and shot him in the head the previous day.

He was badly injured and rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he died a short time afterwards. A man named Alexander Trainor of 49 Dover Street was later charged with the murder.

Thomas Boyd Aged 45 Protestant 11 Northland Street Mr.Boyd was admitted to the Royal Victoria Hospital the previous night suffering from a bullet wound to the throat and died a short time later.

3rd September 1920 William McMurty Aged 18 Protestant 13 Derry Street Admitted to hospital on September 1st with gunshot wounds, which he received during disturbances in Hartley Street.

John O’Brien Aged 45 Catholic 9 Kildare Street Shot in the head by a Protestant sniper who was firing into the Carrick Hill area.

Page 49

th

4 September 1920 Charles Harold Protestant Soldier Victoria Barracks Died in military hospital as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

12th September 1920 John Toner Aged 58 Catholic 29 Cable Street Died as a result of injuries received in an earlier incident when he was shot by a military patrol.

Robert Seymour Protestant 186 Sandy Row Mr. Seymour was one of four people injured during disturbances in the Sandy Row area when the military opened fire on August 31 st. Paul Chapman was also killed in the same attack.

20th September 1920 James Mathews Protestant 18 Hartley Street Died in the Royal Victoria Hospital as a result of gunshot wounds, which he received during earlier disturbances.

26th September 1920 Constable Thomas Leonard Aged 40 Catholic R.I.C.Springfield Road Barracks Constable Leonard was on patrol with Constable Carroll on the Falls Road when they were approached by a number of I.R.A. gunmen who ordered them to put their hands up. Refusing to do so the constables attempted to aim their rifles and were shot by the I.R.A. who then fled. Constable Leonard died instantly and Constable Carroll, although very seriously injured, survived the attack.

Military post at the junction of York Street and Great Georges Street September 1920 Edward Trodden Aged 45 Catholic Sinn Fein 68 Falls Road Shot dead in his home by members of the R.I.C. and B-Specials led by County Inspector Harrison.

John McFadden Aged 24 Catholic Sinn Fein 136 Springfield Road Shot dead at his home by members of the R.I.C. and B-Specials led by County Inspector Harrison.

James Gaynor Aged 40 Catholic Sinn Fein 54 Springfield Road Shot dead in his home by members of the R.I.C. and B-Specials led by County Inspector Harrison During a debate in the British House of Commons on November 4th it was stated that James Gaynor was shot dead while resisting arrest by members of the R.I.C. and that the others were killed by persons unknown.

Joseph Devlin , M.P. for West Belfast asked if Sir Hammer Greenwood was aware that at one o’clock on the morning the occurrences took place a motor lorry full of uniformed men went

from one house to another and murdered those men in the presence of their wives and children.

Greenwood replied ‘no’ to the question and added that it was a very serious allegation to make against the police.

A heated debate continued and Mr. Donald interrupted and shouted at Mr. Devlin that if anymore policemen or soldiers are murdered in Belfast there will be more than three Sinn Feiners shot.

28th September 1920 Robert Gordon Aged 18 Catholic 80 Falls Road Shot by the military during disturbances in the Falls Road area. Mr. Gordon was injured in the abdomen and died a short time afterwards.

Thomas Barkley Aged 32 Catholic 38 Rumania Street Shot dead by military during disturbances in the Falls Road area.

James Shields Aged 19 Catholic Milan Street Shot dead by the military during disturbances in the Falls Road area.

Page 50

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

William Teer Aged 30 Catholic 23 Mill Street Shot dead by military during disturbances in the Falls Road area. At the inquest into the above four deaths the jury found that the military were justified in killing the men even through they were unarmed.

John Lawther Aged 19 Protestant 20 Everton Street Shot dead by a Catholic Gunman during an attack on shipyard workers returning from work.

16th October 1920 John Gibson Aged 55 Protestant 10 Byron Place Shot dead by a military patrol during disturbances in the Marrowbone district.

Matthew McMaster Aged 34 Protestant Knocked down and crushed by a military armoured vehicle during disturbances in the Marrowbone district. Mr. McMaster had been getting his children to safety when he was killed.

Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

2nd December 1920 William Bell Aged 19 Catholic 100 Broom Street Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

William Mitchell 25th October 1920 Joseph McLeod Aged 35 Protestant 107 Conlig Street Shot dead by a Catholic gunman during disturbances in Foundry Street. He was shot in the face and rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital but had died. A man named Henry Megraw was later charged with his murder.

4th November 1920 John McLean Protestant Glenallen Street Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

21st November 1920 Arthur Boundary Protestant Soldier Victoria Barracks

3rd December 1920 William Mullan Catholic 99 Urney Street Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

Constable M. Quinn Catholic R.I.C. Phoenix Park, Dublin As above. A third R.I.C. member was seriously injured in the attack. Constable R. Gilmartin was taken to the military hospital in Victoria Barracks where he made a full recovery.

27th December 1920 Joseph Morrison Protestant 19 Boyne Street Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

Michael Garvey Aged 23 Catholic 1 Bray Street At approximately 1.00am three men approached the above house and, using a key, opened the door

She then rushed out and saw Mr. Garvey lying dead in his bed, which was soaked in blood, with the killers standing over him 21st January 1921 Daniel Horner Catholic 50 Kent Street Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

Matthew McMaster William Mitchell Aged 25 Protestant 20 Downing Street Shot dead by a military patrol during disturbances in the Marrowbone district.

26th January 1921 Constable Thomas Heffron Catholic R.I.C. Phoenix Park, Dublin Shot dead by the I.R.A., as he and another two constables lay asleep in the Railway View Hotel, Townhall Street.

The family of Matthew McMaster

and let themselves in. the landlady, Mrs. Morgan, called out who was there from her bedroom and received no reply. She then got up and went to the hallway and was ordered back into her room before one of the men closed her bedroom door, they then went to the bedroom where Mr. Garvey was sleeping. Mrs. Morgan (a Protestant) then heard two shots followed a short time afterwards by a third. She then rushed out and saw Mr. Garvey lying dead in his bed, which was soaked in blood, with the killers standing over him. She then shouted ‘you have murdered the boy’ before forced back into her room, the men then went downstairs and out on to the street. Mrs Morgan went to the front bed-

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

Page 51

room window and shouted ‘murderers’ after the men who were calmly walking down the street. A short time later district Inspector Nixon Arrived with a detachment of police and the body was removed to the Belfast Morgue.

At the inquest into the murder held in Victoria Barracks on March 23rd, Mrs. Morgan stated that the three men then went towards the Crumlin Road and joined a number of others. They then stood in conversation for a few minutes before getting into an open car and driving off. Mrs Morgan went onto describe the killers. ‘I could not describe the first man but the second was dressed as a policeman with a helmet. He had on a dark, almost black, greatcoat.’ She then continued with a brief description of the third.

The three who entered the house to kill Michael Garvey were Country Inspector Harrison, District Inspector Nixon and Head Constable Pakenham. It is also interesting to note that Nixon was first on the scene.

21st March 1921 John Graham Aged 33 Catholic 11 Emily Place Died as a result of injuries received during disturbances the previous day. Mr. Graham was sitting in his home when the outbreak began and shooting commenced,. He then rushed out to fetch his children in from Great Georges Street and a few moments later he staggered into his hallway crying ‘Annie I’m shot’ before falling to the floor.

He had a gunshot wound to the groin and was rushed to the Mater Hospital where he died the following morning. At the inquest the R.I.C. admitted that they were shooting up Great Georges Street,

Herbert Street shortly after six children were badly injured in a Protestant bomb attack. The blast marks can clearly be seen on the road.

January 1921 but all the constables involved denied that it was their shot which killed him.

11th March 1921 Constable John Mackintosh Protestant ‘Black and Tan’ Posted from Gormanstown for special duty in Belfast.

At approximately 8.30pm three members of the special police unit known as the ‘Black and Tans’ were passing through Victoria Square.

When they reached Finley’s Soap buildings they stopped and talked to a girl named Agnes Murphy. As they were doing so four members of the I.R.A. approached them and pulling out revolvers proceeded to shoot them. Two of them fell dead and the third, William Cooper, was injured and staggered further down the street.

Two civilians were also injured and staggered further down the street. Two civilians were also injured in the attack, Agnes Murphy and Alexander Allen.

Constable R.E. Crooks Protestant ‘Black and Tan’ Posted from Gormanstown for special duty in Belfast as above.

nied the Ill-fated Titanic on its maiden voyage. Mr. Allen was a widower and left behind eight children.

13th March 1921 Constable William Cooper Aged 50 Protestant ‘Black and Tan’ Posed from Gormanstown for special duty in Belfast.

Shot and badly injured in an I.R.A. attack the previous day.

Mr.Cooper had been taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital with serious chest wounds and died the following morning.

23rd March 1921 Annie Jamison Catholic 10 Moffat Street Shot through the head by a Protestant sniper as she crossed Vere Street

Alexander Allen Protestant 18 Austin Street Died in the Military Hospital, Victoria Barracks, from gunshot wounds received in the above attack. Mr. Allen was passing through Victoria Square when the attack occurred and was struck by a stray bullet. He worked in the Belfast shipyard and was one of a party of joiners who accompa-

20th April 1921 Charles Nicholson Aged 28 Protestant Mr. Nicholson was arrested by the military when he was discovered out after curfew hours. It was alleged that he fell out of the vehicle and had his head crushed under the wheels, however at the inquest it was discovered that the soldier’s stories did not match and that they had been telling lies.

A verdict of ‘accidental death’ was recorded with no further inquiries being made.

Page 52

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

rd

23 April 1921 Cadet Ernest Bolim Protestant Auxiliary Police St. Georges Park, Yarmouth Cadet Bolim was walking along Donegall Place with Cadet Bailes when they were approached by two members of the I.R.A. who shot them dead. The I.R.A. men then ran up Fountain Lane and as they did so they were chased by an off duty R.I.C. member who fired shots after them. The I.R.A. men then stopped and shot back injuring two civilians named Thomas Kennedy and Ruth Gelston.

Thomas Reilly Aged 37 Catholic Butler Street Shot dead by a Protestant gunman during an attack on the Catholic Ardoyne area.

Funeral of the Duffin brothers on Royal Avenue

Cadet John Bailes Protestant Auxiliary Police St. Georges Park, Yarmouth (As Above) Patrick Duffin Catholic 64 Clonard Gardens Shot dead in his home with his brother by a murder squad led by Harrison and Nixon.

Daniel Duffin Catholic 64 Clonard Gardens As above.

Alfred Craig Aged 24 Protestant Harbour Constable 69 Kingswood Street

Alfred Craig At approximately 4.00pm Constable Craig was on duty at the Ship Street entrance of the

Funeral of Harbour Constable Craig on the Albertbridge Road York Dock when he was ap- 19th May 1921 proached by a number of men.

Eleanor Lena Kelly Aged 13 One of them then produced a reCatholic volver and fired a single shot at Kilmood Street him which struck him in the chest killing him instantly. The men Died as a result of injuries then made of towards York Street. received during earlier disturbances.

17th May 1921 Philomena Burns Aged 15 Catholic 15 Upton Street Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

18th May 1921 John Smyth Aged 29 Catholic 22 Seaforde Street Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

22nd May 1921 Mary Ann Carroll Aged 13 Catholic Carntall Street Died as a result of a gunshot wound received on North Queen Street after a sniper opened fire from Henry Street on May 16th. A man named Charles Stewart on 92 Henry Street was later charged with the murder.

10th June 1921 Sergeant James Glover Protestant R.I.C Springfield Road Barrack Died as a result of injuries received the previous day in Cupar Street. Glover was a leading member of the Harrison/ Nixon murder squad and is known to have been involved in many killings.

Sergeant James Glover 11th June 1921 Terence Mc Ginley Catholic North Thomas Street Killed in a Protestant bomb attack on Dock Street Alexander McBride Catholic 28 Cardigan Drive Around 1.00am a lorry pulled up outside the home of Alexander McBride. A number of men then got out and started to bang at his door. Mr. McBride then went to his window and inquired who it

The following day District Inspector Nixon called to the McBride home to express his regret at the death. Mrs McBride identified him as the leader of the men who had taken her husband away. No inquiry was held.

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

Page 53

The Ardoyne district of North Belfast

was and was told not be alarmed as it was police on duty. He came down and opened his door and the men entered and ordered him to get dressed as he was needed for identification purposes. There was some conversation as to which barrack he was to be taken to and Mrs. McBride was told that he was going to Holywood military base. Knowing that something was wrong and in her anxiety she attempted to get between her husband and the ‘police’ but was stopped by one of the men who told her ‘you will be all right, we are not the murder gang. He will be back in five minutes.’ He was then taken to the lorry and driven off. The bullet riddled body of McBride was found early next morning at Ligoneil. Here the party marched to a small plot of grass, only ten yards from the main road, and it was here that Mr. McBride met his death. There were seven bullet wounds – four in the head and three in the chest.

Rosary beads were entwined in his hands.

The following day District Inspector Nixon called to the McBride home to express his regret at the death. Mrs McBride identified him as the leader of the men who had taken her husband away. No inquiry was held.

William Kerr Aged 26 Catholic 47 Old Lodge Road At around 1.25am a number of

men called to the home of the Kerr family, which stood at the corner of the Old Lodge Road and California Street. They then went to the door and opened it. She noticed that a tender was parked outside and the men asked ‘does William Kerr live here’ but before the question was answered the men forced their way in and rushed upstairs to her brothers bedroom. They then dragged him from it and forced him downstairs to where Miss Kerr asked them to take her instead, but the men

laughed and jeered at her. She then informed them that if anything happened to her brother she would be able to identity them all again, but they replied ‘you will not see your brother again.’ Mr. Kerr was then dragged out on to the street and then put on the lorry and taken away. His body was found later that morning in the fields near the Springfield Road.

Mr. Kerr was a member of the Hibernians and the Irish National Foresters. His brother was a regimental sergeant major in the

...the men forced their way in and rushed upstairs to her brothers bedroom. They then dragged him from it and forced him downstairs to where Miss Kerr asked them to take her instead, but the men laughed and jeered at her. She then informed them that if anything happened to her brother she would be able to identity them all again, but they replied ‘you will not see your brother again.’

Page 54

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

British Army which he had been for in for over eighteen years. The following notice was placed on the door of Mr. Kerr’s shop the next day; Closed in consequence of the death of the proprietor, murdered by Crown forces of England.

Malachy Halfpenny Aged 22 Catholic 21 Herbert Street At around 1.30am armed men in a lorry pulled up outside the home of Malachy Halfpenny and began to bang his front door.

Mrs. Halfpenny (Victims mother) came to the window and was informed that it was the military and to open the door, she refused.

The men then burst in and rushed upstairs and grabbed Mr. Halfpenny outside to the waiting tender. His body was found later that morning near that of Mr. McBride. Mr. Halfpenny served for a number of years in the Royal Field Service. He fought in France during the First World War and was wounded and gassed.

On demobilisation he began work in the Post Office. Four of his brothers also served in the war and one of them, James was killed in action.

A number of other homes were

‘visited’ this night and certain men inquired for. In most cases they were not at home or had fled through the back of their houses.

Constable Thomas Sturdy Protestant ‘A’ Special Castlederg (Based in Court Street Barrack) Shot dead by an I.R.A. sniper during disturbances in the York Street area.

Patrick Mulligan Aged 24 Catholic 2 Dock Lane Shot dead by members of the BSpecials who burst into his home.

Joseph Miller Aged 24 Catholic 2 New Dock Street Dragged from his home by members of the B-Specials and shot dead. In this attack his mother was injured by a gunshot wound and recovered. She was shot dead on the 24 November 1921.

Hugh Jenkins Aged 19 Protestant Emerson Street Shot dead by a Catholic sniper in the Kashmir Road area.

The body of Constable Galvin being removed from Union Street 13th June 1921 Kathleen Collins Aged 18 35 Cupar Street Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

Street by an R.I.C. patrol. He had been struck in the face by a bullet fired by a Catholic sniper. A few years previously two of his brothers were killed in the Springfield Dam as they tried to save a friend who had fallen through the broken ice.

William Frazer Aged 12 230 Mayo Street William Frazer went out to search for his sister at around teatime on the above date. Some time later he was found lying in Ashmore

Thomas Mallon Catholic North Thomas Street Died as a result of injuries received during disturbances in the York Street area on June 11.

14th June 1921 Hugh Mc Aree Aged 28 Catholic 12 Sackville Street Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

Military patrol leaving Victoria Barracks

June 1921

23rd June 1921 Joseph Blackburn Protestant 52 Hillman Street Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS th

6 July 1921 Jim Galvin Catholic R.I.C. Glenravel Street Barracks At around 9.20am Constable Galvin was standing at the corner of Union Street and Little Donegall Street with Constable Henry Conway. A number of men then came from Library Street and when they got near the constables two of them dashed forward and pounced on them.

Constables. Constable Galvin was knocked to the ground and his revolver removed. It was then used to shoot him dead.

Constable Conway produced his gun but before he could fire it he was shot and badly injured. The killers then made their escape towards the Catholic Carrick Hill area.

10th July 1921 Constable Thomas Conlon Aged 28 Catholic R.I.C. Springfield Road Barracks Shot dead during a gunbattle

between the R.I.C. and I.R.A. in the Raglan Street area.

Alexander Hamilton Aged 21 Catholic 50 Plevna Street Shot in the head in Cupar Street by a Protestant assisted by BSpecials.

William Mullan Aged 50 Protestant Shot and injured by a Catholic gunman. He died a short time afterwards in the Royal Victoria Hospital.

Henry Mulholland Aged 49 Catholic 51 Bombay Street Shot dead by a Protestant crowd assisted by B-Specials.

James Lenaghan Aged 48 Catholic 42 Locan Street Shot dead at the corner of Derby Street and the Falls Road by B-

Specials. Mr. Lenaghan was a former soldier in the 6th Batt.

Inniskilling Fusiliers.

Daniel Hughes Aged 50 Catholic Durham Street Shot dead by a Protestant crowd assisted by B-Specials. Mr. Hughes was a former soldier who served with the 7th Leinsters.

Patrick Hickland Aged 46 Catholic Hamilton Street Mr. Hickland was attacked by a Protestant crowd in the Boyd Street area. He was kicked and beaten before being shot dead.

The crowd were assisted by members of the B-Specials.

David McMullan Aged 26 Protestant 58 Lawnbrook Avenue Shot dead by a Catholic crowd.

Mr. Mc Mullan was a footballer who played for Lawnbrook Football Club.

Sectarian clashes at the junction of Donegall Street and York Street

Page 55

Francis Robinson Aged 65 Protestant 6 Brown Street Mr. Robinson was lying in his bed ill when fierce firing began in the Millfield and Peters Hill area. A number of bullets then entered his home and Mr. Robinson was struck in the head dying instantly.

At the inquest into his death his son, George Robinson, stated that he had seen members of the R.I.C. firing directly at the house from behind a gate about 15 yards away and that around 100 shots had been fired. Questioning then began about the R.I.C. actions and a District Inspector Deignan admitted that bullets found in the house had been fired by the police.

The inquest jury returned a verdict of death by ‘misadvanture.’ Bernard Monaghan Aged 70 Catholic 69 Abyssinia Street Shot dead by a Protestant gunman as he stood at his front door.

July 1921

Page 56

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS 13th July 1921 Maggie McKinney Aged 26 Catholic 71 Bulkan Street Miss McKinney was shot and injured before she staggered to a friend’s house at 64 Bulkan Street. She died a short time afterwards. Killer believed to have been a Protestant sniper.

William Tierney Aged 56 Catholic 15 Osman Street Shot dead by a member of the BSpecials who fired through his front window.

James Mc Guinness Aged 35 Catholic 27 Mc Millan’s Place Left his home to go and fetch one of his children from Townsend Street. When he reached the corner of McMillan’s Place and Durham Street he was shot dead.

R.I.C. patrol at the junction of York Street and Great Georges Street July 1921

William Baxter Aged 12 126 Argyle Street Shot dead by a Catholic sniper as he was going to Sunday school in Ashmore Street.

Ernest Park Aged 16 Protestant 42 Moyola Street Shot dead by a sniper when he was bringing a kitten to a friend’s house. The sniper was hidden in the back of the schools in Ashmore Street which was a Protestant district.

Daniel Hughes Aged 28 Catholic 6 Mc Cleery Street Shot through the head by a Protestant sniper as he was bringing his children home. The sniper was hidden in the Spamount Street area.

Frederick Craig Aged 22 Catholic 23 Turin Street Mr. Craig was walking home along Clonard Street when he was shot and injured by a Protestant sniper.

He died a short time afterwards.

He had been an ex-soldier who

Military patrol at the junction of North Queen Street and Donegall Street July 1921 had served during the First World War. 11th July 1921 William Brown Aged 45 Protestant 30 March Street Shot and inured by a Catholic sniper shooting into the David Street area. He was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he died a short time afterwards.

Mary McGowan Aged 13 Catholic 16 Derby Street Mary McGowan and her mother were crossing the street outside their home when they were shot at from an armoured car which was patrolling the area. At the time of the shooting the area was peaceful and quiet. At the inquest the jury found that the girl was

shot by Crown forces and when asked by a district inspector which particular section should be specified the jury altered the words ‘Crown forces’ to ‘Special Constabulary.’ The jury then added that the interest of the peace the Special Constabulary should not be allowed into localities occupied by people of opposite denominations. (Catholic) The officer in charged of this armoured car was Head Constable Pakenham who was a member of the Nixon/Harrison murder gang.

12th July 1921 James Ledlie Aged 19 Catholic Plevna Street Shot dead by a Protestant gunman who was part of a crowd being assisted by B-Specials to attack Norfolk Street. Mr. Ledlie was a squad commander in the I.R.A.

14th July 1921 Margaret Walsh Aged 14 Protestant 2 Ellis Court Shot in the head by a Catholic sniper firing from Little Georges Street. She was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital and died a shot time afterwards.

Patrick McKenna Aged 60 Catholic 16 Lepper Street Shot dead by a Protestant sniper as he sat at his window.

15th July 1921 Bernard Mooney Aged 24 Catholic 104 Spamount Street Shot dead by a Protestant sniper in a friend’s house in Lepper Street.

21st July 1921 George Walker Aged 19 Protestant 29 Eight Street Died as a result of injuries received during disturbances on May 19th. Mr. Walker was part of an Orange possession in Beverley Street when it was attacked by Catholic gunmen.

He was a member of the ‘Blue Banner’ Orange Lodge.

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS th

15 August 1921 Frederick Fox Catholic Durham Street Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

25th August 1921 Charles Green Aged 39 Protestant 23 Lincoln Avenue

Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

29th August 1921 Thomas Rafter Aged 29 Protestant Burke Street Shot dead by a Catholic sniper during disturbances in the New Lodge area.

Colin Fogg Aged 35 Protestant Lowther Street Shot dead by a Catholic sniper during disturbances, which broke out in the New Lodge area.

30th August 1921 Robert Bowers Protestant 9 Cambridge Street Shot dead by a Catholic sniper as he stood with a friend in York Street.

William Kennedy Aged 26 Protestant 9 Grove Street Shot dead by a Catholic sniper during disturbances in the New Lodge area.

Page 57

Annie Watson Aged 5 Protestant 177 North Queen Street Shot dead by a Protestant sniper during disturbances in the North Queen Street area.

John Coogan Aged 40 Catholic Valentine Street Shot dead by a Protestant sniper during disturbances in the North Queen Street area.

William Smyth Aged 28 Protestant Maria Street Shot dead by a Catholic sniper during disturbances in the North Queen Street area.

Funeral of Thomas Finnegan leaving Amelia Street Robert Bowers Protestant Cambridge Street Shot dead by a Catholic sniper as he stood in York Street.

William Kennedy

Funeral of Robert Bowers on Brougham Street

Funeral of Annie Watson on Duncairn Gardens

Stephen Cash Protestant 77 Sussex Street Shot through the head by a Catholic sniper during disturbances in the New Lodge area.

Thomas McMullan Aged 48 Catholic North Queen Street Shot dead by a Protestant sniper during disturbances in the North Queen Street area.

Funeral of William Kennedy on Royal Avenue

Page 58

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

The New Lodge district of North Belfast

Samuel Ferguson Aged 42 Protestant Donegall Road Shot dead by a Catholic gunman as he was returning from a funeral in the City Cemetery.

31st August 1921 James Bradley Aged 24 Catholic 74 McCleery Street Shot dead by the B-Specials in Peters Hill.

The following report on the killing was printed in the Irish Independent on September 3rd 1921; ‘At nine o’clock on Wednesday evening District Inspector——— (Name not printed at time but recorded as D.I.Nixon) and a crowd of Specials entered Molloy’s public house, Brown Street, pushed their rifles into the faces of the occupants, using the most obscene language, and giving the people a minute to clear. They then rushed out and

drew a cordon across the street, firing wildly all around them killing a man named James Bradley. Bradley had passed through the cordon unmolested, but when he had done so the Specials immediately turned round and shot him dead.’

Alice Duff Aged 54 Catholic 67 Academy Street Shot and injured in her home by a Protestant gunman. She was rushed to the Mater Hospital with severe stomach wounds but died a short time afterwards.

Alice Duff

Thomas Finnegan Catholic 5 Keyland Place Shot in the head by a Protestant sniper.

William McKeown Aged 18 Catholic 25 Thomas Street Shot in the head by a Protestant sniper.

John Lee Aged 72 Protestant Manor Street Crushed to death by a military armoured car.

John Lee

Francis Bradley Aged 26 Catholic McCleery Street Shot dead by a Protestant sniper firing into West Street.

Richard Duffin Catholic New Lodge Road Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

James McFadden Aged 16 Catholic 107 Malvern Street Shot in the chest by a Protestant sniper.

1st September 1921 Walter Campbell Aged 16 Protestant 95 Silvio Street Shot in the abdomen by a Catholic sniper shooting into the Brown Street area. Mr. Campbell was a member of the ‘King

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS William Young Orange Lodge.

Defenders’

6th September 1921 Charles Harvey Aged 33 31 Columbia Street Died as a result of gunshot injuries received during earlier disturbances. His brother was killed in the same attack.

Leopold Burgess Leonard Aged 55 Protestant 5 Dover Street Shot dead by a sniper as he walked along Peters Hill.

18th September 1921 James Johnston Aged 13 Protestant 19 Louisa Street Shot in the neck by a Catholic sniper firing into the Brown Street area on August 30 Maggie Ardis Aged 22 Protestant 7 Bute Street Shot by a Catholic gunman during disturbances in Vere Street Miss Ardis and her friend Miss Blair were among a Protest crowd attacking Catholic homes in Vere Street when a Catholic sniper fired a single shot at them. The bullet went through the head of Miss Ardis killing her instantly and then struck Miss Blair. She was injured and taken to hospital where she died a short time later.

A man named Francis Corr of 54 Vere Street was later charged with the killings

Maggie Ardis

Evelyn Blair Aged 22 Protestant 6 Vere Street Shot along with Maggie Ardis

Evelyn Blair 23rd September 1921 Samuel Robinson Aged 53 Protestant 140 Madrid Street Crushed by a military armoured car.

25th September 1921 James McMinn Aged 19 Protestant 8 Reids Place Mr. McMinn was part of a Protestant crowd attacking the Short Strand area when a bomb was thrown at the Catholics. It failed to explode and was thrown back at the Protestant crowd and went off killing McMinn and Alexander Harrison.

Alexander Harrison Aged 19 Protestant 20 Frazer Street (As Above)

Murtagh McAstocker Aged 23 Catholic 5 Moira Street Killed by a Protestant crowd who were attacking the Short Strand area. Mr.McAstocker was leaving St. Matthews Church at the time and was badly beaten before being shot.

Eliza Kelly Aged 34 67 Seaforde Street Shot dead in her home by a stray bullet fired by the R.I.C. during disturbances in the Short Strand area.

George Berry Aged 38 Protestant 5 Shore Road Killed during a bomb attack against Catholics in the Milewater Street area. At the inquest it was stated that two constables left the area to allow the attack to take place.

29th September 1921 John Orr Aged 32 Protestant 84 Derwent Street Shot dead on the Donegall Road by a Catholic sniper as he was returning home from a funeral in the City Cemetery.

Page 59

st

21 November 1921 James Hagan Aged 23 Catholic 9 Collage Place North Mr. Hagan worked as a barman in the Turbine public house in Station Street. Shortly after five o’clock a man walked into the bar and after pulling out a gun and shot Mr. Hagan and another barman. Both were injured and rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital where Mr. Hagan died a short time afterwards.

William Hanna Aged 40 Protestant Montrose Street Mr. Hanna was making his way to work in the Belfast shipyard.

When he reached the corner of Foundry Street he was struck on the head by a bullet fired by a Catholic Sniper shooting from Seaforde Street. He was then rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he died a few minutes after admission.

John Orr and his family William Hanna 9th September 1921 Joseph Blakely Aged 23 Protestant 32 Campbell Street Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

Andrew Stewart Aged 24 Protestant 126 Nelson Street Killed in a bomb attack launched on a tram full of workers by the IRA on Corporation Street.

The bullet went through the head of Miss Ardis killing her instantly and then struck Miss Blair.......... She died a short time later

Page 60

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

rd

23 November 1921 Hubert Phillips Aged 25 Protestant 8 Michael Street Shot dead by a Catholic sniper in Molyneaux Street during disturbances in the York Street area.

Miss Kelly Aged 20 Catholic Thompson Street Shot dead by the R.I.C. during disturbances in the Short Strand area.

J.P. Keating Catholic Jocelyn Avenue Died as a result of injuries received earlier.

Herbet Phillips

Neil McConvey Aged 55 Catholic Thompson Street Killed after a stray bulled fired by the R.I.C. burst a gas main in their home during disturbances in the Short Strand area.

Mrs. McConvey Aged 56 Catholic Thompson Street (As Above)

Andrew Patton Aged 32 Protestant 93 Saunders Street Died as a result of injuries received during disturbances on the Newtownards Road on the 21st.

William McMordie Protestant 3 Sandhurst Street Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

David Cunningham Aged 19 Protestant 32 Lendrick Street Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

Andrew James Aged 27 Protestant Nelson Street Killed by a Catholic sniper at the corner of Earl Street. As the funeral of Mr. James passed along York Street a number of ‘mourners’ attacked Catholics. A man was shot near Vere Street and another was brutally beaten at the bottom of Lancaster Street.

Michael Spallen Catholic 32 Moffat Street Shot dead by a Protestant sniper during disturbances in the York Street area.

Richard Graham Aged 45 Protestant 38 Beverly Street Killed in an IRA bomb attack on a tram in Royal Avenue. A number of other workers in the tram were very seriously injured.

Richard Graham Jeremiah Flemming Aged 50 Protestant 4 Glenvale Street (As Above) Andrew Patton John McNally Catholic 7 Park Street Died as a result of gunshot injuries received during disturbances in the Carrick Hill area on the 21st.

William McMordie Patrick Malone Catholic Beersbridge Road Shot dead by a Protestant gunman.

Patrick Burton Aged 38 Catholic Vere Street Shot through the head by a Protestant sniper as he stood in Dock Street.

Ellen Bell Aged 75 Catholic Lepper Street Shot dead by a Protestant sniper in Great Patrick Street.

William Cairnduff Aged 40 Protestant Comber Killed in an IRA bomb attack on a tramcar on Corporation Street.

James Rodgers Protestant Comber (As Above) Patrick Connolly Catholic Duncairn Gardens Shot and badly injured in a grocery shop in Duncairn Gardens by a Protestant gunman on the 22nd. He was taken to the Mater Hospital where he died on the above date.

John Kelly Catholic Crumlin Road Mr. Kelly was standing in his shop at 38 Ohio Street talking to a Mr. Thompson when a Protestant gunman entered. The man then shot a revolver at the two men killing them instantly.

Mr. Kelly’s son was injured.

Thomas Thompson Protestant Ohio Street As Above. Mr. Thompson was a member of both the Orange and Masonic Orders.

Margaret Millar Aged 60 4 Dock Lane Shot in the chest by a Protestant sniper.

25th November 1921 James McIvor Catholic 55 Little Patrick Street Shot dead by a Protestant gunman

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS as he stood at his shop door.

David Duncan, an ex-officer in the Royal Irish Fusiliers, was later charged with the murder.

Robert Graham Aged 48 Protestant 10 Beerbridge Road Shot in the stomach by a Catholic sniper in Thompson Street.

Died a short time afterwards.

John McHenry (Harbour Constable) Catholic 15 Slate Street Shot dead by Protestant gunmen at the corner of Duncrue Road and Milewater Road.

Thomas Rodgers Aged 65 Protestant 42 Northumberland Street (As Above) Robert Nesbit Aged 17 Protestant 22 Josephine Street Died as a result of injuries received during an attack on a tram in Corporation Street on the 21st.

Mrs. McNamara Catholic 56 Keegan Street Struck on the throat by splinters from a bomb, which was thrown into Keegan Street by a Protestant crowd.

Alexander Reid Aged 50 Protestant 33 Silvergrove Street Mr. Reid was going to work in the shipyard. When he reached the corner of Cromac Street and Catherine Street where he was shot dead by a Catholic Sniper.

Junction of Cromac Street and Catherine Street where Alexander Reid was shot dead Mr.Crudden was struck on the spine dying a short time later in the Mater Hospital.

A youth named John Porter of Ballycarry Street was later charged with the murder.

Eugene Kelly Catholic Crumlin Road Died as a result of injuries received in his father’s shop the previous day.

17th December 1921 Walter Pritchard Aged 30 Protestant 9 Malcolm Street Mr. Pritchard was one of a number of workers laying down new tram tracks on the Newtownards Road. As they were doing so a Catholic sniper opened fire on them from Young’s Row in the Short Strand district killing Mr. Pritchard instantly.

Mr. Pritchard was a well-known Irish Boxer.

Robert Johnston Aged 45 Protestant 65 Westmore Street Died in the Royal Victoria Hospital from injuries received during a bomb attack on a tram in Royal Avenue on the 24th.

John McMeigan Aged 35 Protestant Lower Mount Street Shot dead by a Catholic sniper during disturbances in the Short Strand area.

John McHenry

Robert Johnston

Page 61

Alexander Reid 14th December 1921 Michael Crudden Catholic Old Park Road Mr.Crudden was returning from the Sacred Heart Chapel with his brother. As the pair were walking up Glenview Street they where shot by a Protestant gunman. The brother was uninjured and

Edward Brennan Aged 21 Catholic 44 Short Strand Shot dead by a Protestant gunman during disturbances in the Short Strand area.

19th December 1921 Charles McCallion Aged 30 Catholic 19 Boundry Street Shot through the head by a Protestant sniper in Boundry Street.

Francis Donnelly Aged 40 Catholic 109 Ravenhill Road Shot dead by a Protestant gunman on the Castlereagh Road.

23rd December 1921 William Armstrong Protestant Connsbrook Avenue Shot dead by Catholic gunmen who lay in wait for him outside his home.

Mr. Armstrong was the owner of the ‘Union Jack’ public house on the Newtownards Road.

27th December 1921 David Morrison Catholic Mayfield Street Shot dead by the B-Specials on the Oldpark road.

1st January 1922 John Wilson Aged 71 Protestant 48 Greenmount Street Mr. Wilson was going to work along the Newtownards Road on

Page 62

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

st

the 21 December when he was struck on the leg by a Catholic sniper. He died in the Royal Victoria Hospital on the above date.

2nd January 1922 John Murphy Catholic 225 York Street Shot dead in his shop by a Protestant gunman.

Hugh Corr Aged 14 Catholic 60 Little Patrick Street Hugh Corr was shot in the head and injured by a Protestant sniper during disturbances in the York Street area. The bullet, which struck him, ricocheted and hit a baby named Samuel Campbell.

Private E. Barnes Protestant Norfolk Regiment Victoria Barracks Shot dead by a Catholic sniper in Dale Street.

Alexander Turtle Aged 22 Protestant 96 Mountcollyer Street Shot through the head by a military patrol during disturbances in the York Street area. It was later stated that Mr.Turtle was one of a number of Protestant Snipers firing in the area.

which was driving around the Carrick Hill area.

4th January 1922 Albert McCrea Aged 18 19 Roundhill Street Mr. McCrea was part of a Protestant crowd attacking the Short Strand district. He was shot dead by a military patrol.

7th January 1922 John McDonagh Aged 26 Catholic 24 Dock Street Shot dead by Protestant gunmen in Meadow Street.

8th January 1922 William Allwell Aged 19 Catholic 6 Coates Street Shot and injured by a Protestant gunman during disturbances in the Divis Street area. He was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he died a short time afterwards.

11th January 1922 Andrew Anderson Protestant 31 Hooker Street Mr. Anderson was standing at his frond door with his wife when a Catholic sniper fired three shots at them. Mrs. Anderson died instantly and Mr. Anderson died a short time afterwards.

Mrs. Anderson Protestant 31 Hooker Street (As Above) Mary Hogg Aged 40 Catholic 20 Fifth Street At around 11.00pm a number of men called to the Hogg family home at Fifth Street in the Shankill area. Mr. Hogg answered the knock to the door and the men asked for his wife. When she came to the door they produced a gun and shot her dead.

Bridget Devlin Catholic Percy Percy Street Died as a result of gunshot injuries received during disturbances in the Divis Street area on January 8th.

12th January 1922 Hugh Kelly Aged 28 Catholic Benterick Street Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

16th February 1922 Thomas Gray Aged 19 Catholic Earl Street Died as a result of injuries

3rd January 1922 Samuel Campbell Aged 21 months Catholic 15 Nelson Street Struck by the bullet, which killed Hugh Corr on January 1st as his mother held him in her arms.

John Gribbon Aged 20 Catholic 28 Arnon Street Shot dead by an R.I.C. patrol,

received during earlier disturbances. Mr. Gray was a member of the IRA. 13th February 1922 Margaret Page Catholic 249 North Queen Street Shot dead as she worked in her shop by a Protestant gunman later stated that he was around sixteen years of age.

David Boyd Aged 18 Protestant 118 Urney Street Shot dead by a Catholic sniper as he stood at the corner of Hanover Street.

William Tennyson Aged 23 Catholic 7 Cavendish Street The body of Mr. Tennyson was discovered lying in the Millfield area with gunshot wounds to the head. Members of the B-Specials who had attacked the area had murdered him.

James Mathews Catholic Jude Street Body discovered in the Millfield area a short distance from where the body of Mr. Tennyson was found. Mr. Mathews of the BSpecials who had attacked the area.

Francis Neary Aged 40 Catholic 9 Peter’s Place Shot dead in Kildare Street by a Protestant sniper.

The children of Mr and Mrs Anderson outside their home where both their parents where shot dead a few hours earlier

James Gregg Aged 50 Catholic 11 Kildare Street Shot dead in Kildare Street by a Protestant sniper.

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS James Brown Aged 25 Protestant Eighth Street Shot through the head by an unknown sniper. It is believed that Mr. Brown was shot by a Protestant in mistake for a Catholic.

Patrick Lamb Catholic York Street Mr. Lamb was the owner of ‘The Blacksmiths Arms’ public house in York Street. At around 12.10pm a number of men burst in and shot him. He was rushed to the Mater Hospital where he died a short time afterwards. Protestant gunmen attacked Mr. Lamb’s funeral.

Peter McNelis Aged 28 Catholic Joy Street Shot dead during disturbances in the Markets area.

Rose McNeill Catholic Mary Street Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

Anthony Sadlier Aged 18 Catholic Tyrone Street Shot dead by an unknown sniper.

It is believed Mr. Sadlier was shot dead by a Catholic in mistake for a Protestant.

Joseph Brown Aged 50 Catholic 4 Regent Street Shot dead by a Protestant gunman.

Ben Lundy Aged 21 Protestant Upper Meadow Street Shot and injured by a Catholic

Page 63

sniper shooting into North Howard Street. Mr Lundy was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he died a short time later.

Ben Lundy taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he died a short time later.

Weaver Street

THE WEAVER STREET BOMB ATTACK Weaver Street was a small Catholic street in the centre of an exclusively Protestant area. It connected North Derby Street to Milewater Street where a year previously, in a similar attack, a large number of children were injured by a bomb attack which was deliberately thrown among them. On the 13th of February a number of children were playing in Weaver Street when a Protestant bomber came to the corner of North Derby Street and hurled a bomb towards the children. The device exploded with two young girls being killed almost instantly and a number of others very badly injured. The following is a list of those who were killed and injured. The reason that we have included the injured is due to the fact that many died at future dates.

Rose Ann Mc Neill John O’Hanlon Died Aged 13 Mary Johnstone Aged 16 Catholic Catholic Aged 13 6 Weaver Street Weaver Street Catholic Weaver Street Mary Mc Clinton Elizabeth O’Hanlon Aged 18 Aged 11 Catholic Catholic Catherine Kennedy 6 Weaver Street Weaver Street Aged 14 Catholic Mary Mc Clinton Murtie O’Hanlon 25 Weaver Street Aged 18 Aged 16 Catholic Catholic Weaver Street Weaver Street Wounded W.J.Dempsey Mary Kerr Aged 13 Barney Kennedy Aged 6 Aged 10 Catholic Catholic Catholic 27 Weaver Street Weaver Street 25 Weaver Street Annie Pimley Aged 16 Catholic 20 Weaver Street

John Mc Cluskey Aged 12 Catholic 18 Weaver Street

Susanne Lavery Aged 14 Catholic 5 Weaver Street

Page 64

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

George O’Connor Aged 16 Catholic 26 Weaver Street Mary Owens Aged 40 Catholic 49 Shore Street Margaret Smith Aged 53 Catholic Weaver Street Joseph Conway Aged 12 Catholic Weaver Street Patrick Maguire Aged 14 Catholic 16 Weaver Street Kate O’Neill Aged 14 Catholic Weaver Street Robert Mc Birney Aged 16 Catholic Weaver Street

a member of the I.R.A. and his killing is believed to have been ordered by D.I. Nixon.

George Harper Aged 16 Protestant 16 Earl Street Shot through the head by a Catholic sniper during disturbances in the York Street area.

William Waring Aged 50 Protestant Regent Street At around 10.00am Mr. Waring left his home and opened the rear entrance of Clifton Street Orange Hall. When he came back out a Catholic sniper, who lay in wait for him, opened fire from Stanhope Street. He was struck on the throat and was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he died a short time later.

-

14th February 1922 Frank McCoy Catholic 33 Forfar Street Found dying in Springfield Avenue with a number of bullet wounds. He was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital but had died on arrival. Mr. McCoy was

Johnston Crothers John Wales Protestant Enfield Street Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

James Rice Aged 19 20 Avondale Street Attacked in Ravenscroft Street by a Protestant mob who beat him before shooting him ten times.

Mary Robinson Aged 18 Lancaster Street Shot and injured in the abdomen by a Protestant sniper during

William Connolly Aged 13 Catholic Weaver Street Many of the bomb attacks carried out against the Catholic community at this period were by members of the B-Specials who made them from the gun powder from their bullets.

York Street area on February 13th.

disturbances in the York Street area on February 13th. She was taken to the Mater Hospital where she died on the above date.

John Mc Clelland Protestant Christhoper Street Mr. Mc Clelland was working in Hughes Flour Mill on Divis Street when a number of armed men burst in and ordered the workers to put their hands up.

They were then lined up against a wall and the gunmen asked their religions. Those who stated they where Catholic where taken to another part of the building and held. Mr. McClelland and another man stated that they were Protestants and were shot down.

Both were seriously injured and rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital where McClelland died a short time later.

Thomas Blair Aged 40 Protestant 63 Bainaby Street Mr. Blair was one of a number of workmen laying new tram tracks on the Grosvenor Road. As they were doing so a number of Catholic gunmen approached them from Dunville Park and opened fire killing Mr. Blair instantly.

William Waring James Morrison Aged 20 Protestant Sultan Street Died as a result of injuries received during disturbances on February 13th.

Johnston Crothers Protestant 35 Ivan Street Shot in the neck by a Catholic sniper during disturbances in the

Divis Street showing Hughes Flour Mill

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS th

15 February 1922 William Duffin Aged 24 Protestant Roselands, Andersonstown Shot dead by the I.R.A. during an attack on the New Northern Spinning Company in Northumberland Street.

Peter McCall Aged 22 Catholic 41 Tyrone Street Shot dead by a military patrol that opened fire into the Carrick Hill area.

Mrs. O’Brennan Catholic My Lady’s Road Died as a result of shock after an R.I.C. raid on her home. She had given birth a few days previously.

Hector Stewart Protestant B-Special 22 Ship Street Shot dead at the corner of the New Lodge Road and Edlingham Street by a Catholic sniper.

Hugh French Aged 39 Protestant Old Lodge Road Mr. French was sitting in his shop on the Old Lodge Road when the R.I.C. opened fire on the crowd who were about to attack the shop. One of the bullets came through the shop window and struck Mr. French on the head seriously injuring him. He was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he died a short time afterwards.

Owen Bond Catholic Stanhope Street Shot dead by a military patrol, which opened fire into the Carrick Hill area.

Thomas Neil Protestant Peveril Street Sniper shot dead by the R.I.C. on the roof of a building in York Street.

16th February 1922 James McCormick Aged 45 Protestant 8 Roseberry Gardens Shot through the head by a Catholic sniper during disturbances in the Short Strand area.

John Devlin Aged 5 Catholic Huddleston Place John Devlin was playing in Seaforde Street with a number of other children when a Protestant gunman appeared at the streets corner on the Newtownards Road.

He fired a single shot and struck young Devlin on the stomach.

The child was then rushed to the Mater Hospital where he died a short time afterwards.

24th February James Reilly Catholic ‘Thornview’ Cliftonpark Avenue Shot dead by Protestant gunman who lay in wait in the grounds of the Mater Hospital. Mr. Reilly was a well known Belfast publican.

James Hutton Aged 45 Protestant 27 Central Street Shot dead by Protestant gunmen who burst into his home.

It is believed Mr. Hutton was mistaken for a Catholic.

Edward Hardy Protestant Brookhill Avenue Died as a result of injuries

received during earlier disturbances.

26th February 1922 Isaac McMillan Aged 22 Protestant 30 Donegore Street Shot dead by a Catholic sniper who opened fire on a crowd of football supporters returning from the Oval.

James Hughes Aged 23 Catholic 315 Crumlin Road Mr. Hughes was walking up the Crumlin Road with his mother when they were approached by Protestant gunmen who then opened fire with revolvers. Mr Hughes was struck on the back of the head and taken to the Mater Hospital where he died a short time later. Mrs. Hughes escaped uninjured.

Charles McMullan Aged 49 Catholic Sherwood Street Shot and badly injured two weeks previously when Protestant gunmen burst into his home.

27th February 1922 David Fryer Aged 27 Protestant B-Special 59 McClure Street Shot and injured by a Catholic sniper in Thompson Street the previous day.

David Fryer

Page 65

th

6 March 1922 Owen Hughes Aged 20 Catholic 16 Skegoniel Avenue Shot dead by a Protestant gunman who entered a tram car at the junction of Henry Street and York Street James Martin Aged 37 Protestant Brunswick Street Found dead in Albert Street. He had been shot dead by Catholic gunmen.

6th March 1922 Thomas Eastwood Aged 17 Catholic 31 Upton Street Shot dead by a military patrol in Wall Street.

John Mullan Aged 19 Catholic 40 Wall Street Shot dead in Upper Library Street by a military patrol.

William Warder Aged 16 16 Lower Urney Street Shot dead by a military patrol in the Carrick Hill area.

John Morrison Aged 23 Protestant 43 Gardiner Street Shot dead by a Catholic sniper in Stephen Street.

8th March 1922 William Johnston Aged 40 24 Cavour Street Shot and injured by a Catholic sniper. He was struck on the neck and rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he died a short time afterwards.

Page 66

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

William Johnston Joseph Duffy Aged 50 Catholic 3 Dock Lane Shot dead by a Protestant sniper in York Street.

Robert Hazzard Aged 24 Protestant 16 Earl Street Shot dead by a military patrol as he was sniping from the roof of a building in York Street. At his funeral two Catholics named Hugh McAnaney and Thomas McBridge were shot and seriously injured by ‘mourners.’

McAnaney died a few days later Mr. Hazzard was a member of the Orange Order and the paramilitary loyalist group ‘The Imperial Guards’ who were responsible for a number of gun and bomb attacks against the Catholic community.

9th March 1922 John Roddy Aged 15 Protestant 43 Broadbent Street Shot and inured by a Catholic sniper on March 7. He was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he died on the above date.

Patrick Morgan Aged 58 Catholic 32 Upton Street Shot dead by a Protestant sniper as he tried to feel his way into a

doorway after shooting broke out in the Carrick Hill area. Mr. Morgan was blind.

area. Mr. Leith was taken to the Mater Hospital where he died on the above date.

10th March 1922 William Kerr Aged 35 Catholic ‘Whitehouse’ Mountpleasant Mr. Kerr was dragged by Protestant gunmen into ground known as the ‘boilerfields’ in the York Road area. He was then shot dead.

Catherine Neeson Aged 27 Catholic 39 Little Georges Street Shot dead by Protestant gunmen as she answered a knock on her front door. Exactly a week before a bomb was thrown into the same house by a Protestant mob who were attacking the area, Mrs. Neeson was eight months pregnant.

Constable Patrick Connor Catholic Springfield Road R.I.C. Barracks Shot dead by I.R.A gunmen on Falls Road.

Constable John Cullen Aged 26 Catholic Springfield Road R.I.C. Barrack (As Above) Lieut.E.Bruce.

Protestant Seaforth Highlanders Victoria Barracks Shot dead by I.R.A. gunmen in Alfred Street.

12th March 1922 Benjamin Leith Aged 23 Catholic 8 Regent Street Shot in the eye and seriously injured by a Protestant sniper shooting into the Carrick Hill

Herbert Woods Aged 26 Protestant California Street Shot in the head by a Protestant sniper on March 10th. Mr. Woods was mistaken for a Catholic.

Hugh McAnaney Aged 34 Catholic 8 Maple Terrace Mr. McAnaney was shot dead in Greencastle by ‘Mourners’ attending the funeral of Protestant sniper Robert Hazzard.

Terence Murphy Aged2 Catholic 61 Harthly Street Shot and injured by a Protestant sniper in North Thomas Street on March 9. He was hit on the thigh

and taken to the Mater Hospital where he died on the above date.

Charles Vokes Aged 38 Protestant 89 Upper Meadow Street A - Special Mr Vokes was arrested by a military patrol and was shot dead as he tried to escape.

Sarah Keyes Protestant 117 Hillman Street Shot dead by a Catholic sniper in the New Lodge area.

13th March 1922 Christopher Clarke R.I.C. Protestant Forthriver Gardens Sergeant Clarke was returning back to his barracks with Constable Cladwell when he was shot dead on the Falls Road by the I.R.A. Clarke and Cladwell were members of the Nixon/Harrison murder squad and are known to have been involved in a number of killings. They had been at the funerals of Constables Connor and Cullen who had been shot dead by the I.R.A. on March 10th.

During this attack a man named Daniel Rogan was seriously injured in the crossfire and was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he died on March 19th.

Dunlewey Street where Constables Cullen and Connor were shot dead

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

Page 67

Andrew Leonard Aged 21 Catholic Duffy Street Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

Christopher Clark

15th March 1922 Mary Wilson Aged 4 Catholic 57 Norfolk Street Shot dead by a Protestant sniper.

Mulholland Terrace, Falls Road, where Sergeant Clarke was shot dead

x

The body of Alexander Devaney being removed from a tram after it was bombed on the Antrim Road Patrick Rooney Aged 24 Corporation Street Shot dead by a Protestant sniper during disturbances in the York Street area.

16th March 1922 William Kane Aged 50 Catholic Dunmurry Shot dead by Protestant gunmen as he delivered milk to a shop on the Newtownards Road.

John Taylor Aged 52 Protestant Trevelyn Terrace Shot dead by a military patrol at the gate lodge of the New Northern Spinning Company.

County Inspector Harrison at the funeral of Sergeant Clarke (below x)

Clermont Lane where the body of Augustus Orange was found

19th March 1922 Augustus Orange Aged 24 Catholic Ravenhill Road Shot dead by Protestant gunmen in Clermont Lane.

Mary Mullan Aged 40 Catholic 32 Thompson Street Mary Mullan was sleeping in her bed when two Protestants ran down the street and threw a bomb through her bedroom window.

The bomb landed on the bed and Miss Mullan had her legs blown

apart and died of her injuries a short time afterwards. Her aunt Rose McGreevy who was also sleeping in the house was seriously injured in the attack and died on March 26th.

Margaret Murphy Protestant 28 Campbell Street Shot dead by Protestant gunmen who burst into her home and asked for her husband who was not at home at the time. Her husband was a Catholic.

Henry Garvey Aged 25 Protestant 74 Denmark Street Shot by a Catholic sniper as he delived newspapers in North Howard Street.

Alexander Devaney Aged 35 Protestant 68 Church Street East Killed during a Catholic bomb attack on a tramcar on the Antrim Road.

Daniel Rogan Catholic 20 Lincoln Street Mr. Rogan was found shot and injured in Cavendish Street after the killing of Sergeant C. Clarke on March 13th. It is believed he was shot during the crossfire.

Page 68

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

th

20 March 1922 James Harkness Aged 24 Protestant 14 Lackagh Street Shot dead by a Catholic sniper on the Newtownards Road. Mr. Harkness was a member of the Ulster Protestant Association, a group which was responsible for a number of attacks against Catholics.

James Magee Aged 4 11 Harding Street Mr. Magee was walking up Earl Street when he was approached by a Protestant gunman and shot.

He was taken the Mater Hospital where he died a few hours later.

James Hillis Aged 23 Catholic 8 Nail Street Mr. Hillis was attacked and brutally beaten by a Protestant mob. They battered his head and kicked out most of his teeth before one of them produced a gun and shot him dead. Mr. Hillis worked for the Belfast Corporation and previous to the attack a number of those who worked with him threatened him to leave or else he would ‘be done in.’ A member of the B-Specials, who lived in the Sandy Row area constantly threatened that he would shoot him.

23rd March 1922 Thomas Cunningham Aged 22 Protestant Josford Street A-Special Mr. Cunningham was on patrol with William Chermisde at the corner of May Street and Great Victoria Street when they were approached by a number of I.R.A. men. The men then produced guns and shot both constables dead.

24TH March 1922 Owen McMahon Aged 50 Catholic 3 Kinnaird Terrace Shot dead in his home by a members of the Nixon/Harrison murder squad.

William Chermisde Aged 21 Protestant Josford Street A-Special (As Above)

Frank McMahon Aged 24 Catholic 3 Kinnaird Terrace (As Above)

Margaret Smyth Aged 52 Catholic Weaver Street Died as a result of a bomb attack on Weaver Street on February 18th. Mrs. Smyth was the first adult to die as a result of this attack, all the other victims being children.

Thomas McMahon Aged 15 Catholic 3 Kinnaird Terrace (As Above)

Patrick McMahon Aged 22 Catholic 3 Kinnaird Terrace (As Above) Edward McKinney Aged 25 Catholic 3 Kinnaird Terrace (As Above)

William Campbell Protestant 35 Oldpark Avenue Shot dead during a gunbattle between Catholics and Protestants in the New Lodge area.

Patrick Fitzsimons Aged 20 Catholic 5 Frederick Street Shot by a Protestant gunman at the corner of Fountain Street North and New Lodge Road the previous day. He was taken to the Mater Hospital where he died.

John Murdock Aged 20 Protestant 2 Richmond Street Shot and fatally wounded in Greeves Mill the previous day.

William Allen Protestant 4 Sackville Place Died as a result of injuries received on March 13th

William Allen 22nd March 1922 Thomas Mullan Catholic 67 Short Strand Died as a result of gunshot wounds received during earlier disturbances.

John Kerney Catholic Young’s Row Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

26th March 1922 Rose McGreevy Aged 80 Catholic 32 Thompson Street Died as a result of injuries received during a Protestant bomb attack on her home on March 19th.

Two R.I.C. members outside the McMahon home hours after the attack

John Bell Aged 36 Protestant 71 My Lady’s Road

Died as a result of injuries received on the Ravenhill Road the previous day.

John McGarry Protestant Glenwherry Street Shot dead by Protestant gunmen in Earl Street in mistake for a Catholic. In the death notices of newspapers the family recorded his death as ‘accidental shooting.’

John McGarry

Page 69

R.I.C. raid on homes in Little May Street

March 1922

homes and began to blow whistles and create a general disturbances. A gunbattle soon after broke out between the I.R.A., R.I.C. and the military Miss Savage was sitting in the parlour of her home when a stray bullet came through the window killing her instantly.

James Magee Aged 45 Catholic 47 Mc Donnell Street Shot dead by the military during disturbances in Raglan Street.

Harry Brennan Aged 19 Protestant 254 Donegall Road Shot and injured in the head on the Grosvenor Road by a Catholic sniper. He was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he died a short time afterwards.

James Neeson Catholic 26 Roumania Street Shot dead by the military during disturbances in Raglan Street.

29th March 1922 Samuel Mullan Aged 20 Catholic 67 Havana Street Shot dead as an informer by the I.R.A.

Maggie Savage Maggie Savage Aged 21 Catholic 2 Burke Street On the above date the R.I.C. were arresting a woman from her home in Lepper Street. When she was taken out on to the street she began to shout “murder, murder.’

After the killing of the Mc Mahon family the Catholic clergy told people to do this when R.I.C. units came to their homes. In this case it was a ‘normal’ police arrest by people came out of their

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

30th March 1922 John Dempster Aged 20 Catholic 32 Mountcollyer Avenue Died as a result of gunshot wounds received on March 25th.

31st March 1922 Thomas Hall Protestant B-Special Mountpottinger Barracks Attacked and beaten by a Catholic mob in Short Strand and then shot.

John Sweeney Aged 18 Catholic Stanhope Street Shot dead by a Protestant sniper in the Carrick Hill area.

Francis Donnelly Aged 2 Protestant 29 Brown Street At around 10.15pm a number of Catholic men approached the home of Francis Donnelly at 29 Brown Street in the Millfield area.

One of the men produced a bomb and, after setting the fuse, threw it through the front window. It exploded in the middle of the floor and killed two year old Francis instantly. The father was seriously injured as was two of his other children one of whom died a short time later.

Joseph Donnelly Aged 12 Protestant 29 Brown Street (As Above)

2nd April 1922 Constable J. Turner Aged 29 Protestant Brown Square Barracks Constable Turner died in what remains to the present day mysterious circumstance. The official reports state that he was shot dead by a Catholic sniper shooting from Stanhope Street.

Constable Turner Joseph McRory Aged 40 Catholic Stanhope Street Shot dead in his home during an attack in the Carrick Hill area by the Nixon/Harrison murder squad.

Bernard McKenna Aged 36 Catholic Park Street (As Above)

Joseph Donnelly (right)

Bernard McKenna

Page 70

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

William Spallin Aged 70 16 Arnon Street (As Above) Michael Walsh Aged 7 Catholic 3 Alton Street (As Above) Joseph Walsh Aged 39 Catholic 18 Arnon Street (As Above) The last five killings became known soon after as ‘The Arnon Street Massacre.’ It is believed

Funerals of the victims of the Arnon Street massacre passing along Royal Avenue that Constable Turner was shot dead by a member of the Nixon/ Harrison squad to provide an

excuse to attack this area. During these attacks hundreds of people (including the military) saw members of the R.I.C. and BSpecials openly carry them out.

The following week the Northern Ireland Cabinet stated that there would be no more public juries at future inquest hearings. At this time many newspapers throughout the world were anxiously awaiting the findings in these inquests into the Mc Mahon and Arnon killings and if the police officers accused would be ordered to attend. It is believed that this order was to cover up the activities of the Nixon/Harrison murder gang and is further proof of the Cabinet connection.

John Mallon Aged 60 Skegoniel Avenue Mr. And Mrs. Mallon were sitting in their home which was known as the ‘the Grove Lodge’ when a knock came to their door. Mrs. Mallon answered it and three men asked her ‘is Jimmy in?’ (Her son.) She told them he was not and at this point Mr. Mallon came to the door. The men then produced guns and shot him dead.

Holes dug through the yard walls of houses at the rear of Vere Street. Their purpose was to prevent residents getting shot by snipers. The holes soon after took a zig zag form so that they could not be seen straight through.

This was just one measure and in some streets even the sewers were used.

March 1922

Francis Flynn Aged 81 Catholic Unity Street Died as a result of injuries re-

ceived in a Protestant bomb attack the previous week.

4th April 1922 Bernard McMahon Aged 26 Catholic 3 Kinnaird Terrace Died as a result of gunshot wounds received during a gun attack on his home by the Nixon/ Harrison murder squad on March 24th.

6th April 1922 Joseph Hannigan Aged 9 Catholic 27 Marlin Street Died as a result of injuries received during a Protestant bomb attack on children playing in Weaver Street on February 13th.

Mary Owens Catholic Shore Street Died as a result of injuries received during a Protestant bomb attack on children playing in Weaver Street on February 13th.

14th April 1922 Matthew Carmichael Protestant 20 Moyola Street Shot dead by Protestant gunmen in mistake for a Catholic. Mr Carmichael was a very well known Belfast Freemason.

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Thomas Gillan Catholic Midland Railway Station Shot dead by a Protestant gunman as he was working on a train in the Midland Station. His killers then approached a number of cleaners and asked them their religion. After being told they were all Protestants the killers then took their wages (which they received that day) and left.

Daniel Beattie Catholic 65 Herbert Street Shot dead by Protestant gunmen on the Crumlin Road.

John Sloan Protestant 20 Harrison Street Shot dead by Protestant gunmen in Tasmania Street in mistake for a Catholic.

Grove Back Lodge, home of Mr John Mallon. It was here that he was shot dead by Protestant gunmen

Page 71

William Cowan Aged 5 Protestant Templemore Avenue Died as a result of gunshot injuries received during earlier disturbances.

Francis Hobbs Aged 36 Catholic 26 Kilmood Street Shot dead by a military patrol during disturbances in the Short Strand area.

William Johnstone Aged 27 Protestant 100 Louisa Street Mr. Johnstone was a Protestant sniper who was shot dead by a military patrol.

John Scott Aged 16 Protestant 15 Well Street Shot through the head by a Catholic sniper during disturbances in the Short Strand area.

James Fearon Aged 56 Catholic 22 Glenpark Street Died as a result of injuries received during disturbances in the Marrowbone district on March 17th.

20th April 1922 James Johnstone Aged 50 My Lady’s Road Shot dead by a Catholic sniper during disturbances in the Short Strand area.

Patrick McGoldrick Catholic Aged 27 Madrid Street Shot dead as he served in his shop

by Protestant gunmen.

Sergeant Bruen (R.I.C.) Catholic Henry Street Barracks Shot and injured during a robbery the previous week In York Street.

Was taken to the Mater Hospital where he died on the above date.

At around 4.30pm a Protestant gunman came to the streets corner at Little Ship Street and proceeded to fire a number of shots at the two children.

Area of the Crumlin Road where Daniel Beattie was shot dead

Junction of Tasmania Street and Crumlin Road where John Sloan’s body was discovered

19th April 1922 Mary Ann Berry Aged 29 Catholic 17 Arran Street Was sitting in a house in Thompson Street with relatives during disturbances in the Short Strand area. A fierce gunbattle was in progress and a military patrol fired a number of bullets through the front window killing Mrs. Berry and her friend Rose Dougan.

Rose Dougan Aged 32 15 Arran Street (As Above)

Mary Keenan Aged 13 Catholic Marine Street Mary Keenan and her friend Christina Toal, aged 5, were playing swing with an old rope tied to a lamppost in Marine Street. At around 4.30pm a Protestant gunman came to the streets corner at Little Ship Street and proceeded to fire a number of shots at the two children. Both were taken to the Mater Hospital where Mary Keenan died a short time later.

Christina Toal was detained with a number of gunshot injuries to the chest and abdomen and later made a full recovery.

Page 72

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

Patrick Devlin Aged 28 Catholic Quadrant Street Died as a result of injuries received during disturbances in the Albert Street area the previous July.

John Walker Aged 16 Catholic 97 Short Strand Shot dead by the military during disturbances in the Quinn Street area.

Daniel Diamond Aged 25 Catholic 50 Vulcan Street Shot dead by a Protestant sniper Andrew McCartney Catholic 22 Dagmar Street Shot dead by a Protestant gunman in Henry Street.

house. When the gunmen entered the room one of them put a revolver to Mr. Millars mouth and shot him dead. His friend was also shot and seriously injured but later recovered.

Ellen Greer Protestant Enniskillen Street Died as a result of gunshot wounds received during earlier disturbances.

Elizabeth McCabe Aged 30 Catholic Killed during a Protestant bomb attack on St. Matthews Catholic Church on the Newtownards Road.

12th May 1922 Michael Cullen Aged 44 Catholic 27 Havanna Street Shot dead by a Protestant gunman in the Marrowbone district.

24th April 1922 James Corr Aged 70 Catholic 33 Lowry Street Shot dead by a Protestant gunman as he delivered coal in Middlepath Street.

John Mansfield Protestant (Tram conductor) Died as a result of injuries received during a Catholic bomb attack on a tram depot.

William Sibbison Aged 31 Protestant 1 Havelock Place

21st April 1922 James Greer Aged 14 Protestant Lower Frank Street Died as a result of gunshot wounds received during disturbances in the Short Strand area on April 19th.

Thomas Best Aged 18 Protestant 66 Louisa Street Shot dead by Protestants in the Oldpark area in mistake for a Catholic.

23rd April 1922 Robert Millar Aged 68 Protestant 34 Beechfield Street Mr. Millar, a blind man, was sitting in his front parlour with a friend when two Catholic gunmen burst in through the rear of his

William Sibbison Mr. Sibbison worked as a timekeeper in Richardson’s Chemical Company in Short Strand. At around 4.30pm a Catholic gunman entered his office and shot him in the stomach. He was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he died a short time later.

William Steele Protestant Disreali Street Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

Robert Beattie Protestant 8 Palmer Street Shot dead by a Catholic gunman in Butler Street. Mr Beattie was a well-known member of the Orange Order.

14th May 1922 Kathleen Douglas Aged 13 Catholic 38 Marine Street Shot by a Protestant sniper firing from Ship Street.

Seriously injured in the abdomen she struggled into her house crying ‘daddy, I’m hit.’ She was taken to the Mater Hospital where she died a short time later.

Lizzie McAlorey Aged 4 Protestant 8 Melbourne Court Shot dead by the military during disturbances in the Townsend Street area.

Lizzie McAlorey Ellen Dargan Aged 19 Catholic 10 Emily Place Shot dead by a Protestant sniper during disturbances in the Great Patrick Street area.

16th May 1922 William Madden Aged 22 Catholic Sackville Street Shot dead in North Street by Protestant ‘mourners’ attending the funeral of Robert Beattie.

17th May 1922 John Gribbon Aged 21 Catholic Gordon Street Shot and injured in the chest by a

Funeral of John Mansfield passing along Clifton Street

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Protestant sniper in Great Patrick Street. He was taken to the Mater Hospital where he died a short time afterwards.

James Donaghy Aged 46 53 Ligoniel Place (As Above)

Robert Dudgeon Aged 19 Protestant Westland Street Shot dead by the military during disturbances in the Cupar Street area. Mr. Dudgeon was an exmember of the Royal Irish Rifles.

Thomas McCaffrey Catholic 43 Shore Place Shot dead in a tram passing along Mountcollyer Avenue by a Protestant gunman.

18th May 1922 Samuel McPeake Aged 50 Catholic Ligoniel Place Shot dead in a tramcar as they were going to work. The tram was travelling down the Crumlin Road and it is believed that Mr. Mc Peake and his friend James Donaghy were identified as Catholics when they blessed themselves passing the Catholic Holy Cross Chapel. After the murders the gunmen ran from the tram and into Tudor Place.

Constable John Collins Aged 50 Catholic R.I.C. Musgrave Barracks Shot dead by the I.R.A during an attack on Musgrave Barracks.

William McKnight Aged 34 Protestant Mc Tier Street Shot dead by a Catholic gunmen in Academy Street

th

19 May 1922 William Patterson Aged 39 Protestant Frazer Street Mr. Patterson was one of a number of men working in a cooperage in the Little Patrick Street area when nine armed men burst in and lined them all up against a wall. The men then asked who the ‘Micks’ were (Catholics.) It is unclear what happened next, but one of the men was identified as a Catholic and removed to another part of the works. The others were then shot dead. The killings are believed to have been carried out by the I.R.A.

Page 73

Constable William Heslip Protestant R.I.C. Brickfield Barracks Shot through the head by a Catholic gunman.

Constable William Heslip Thomas Boyd Aged 23 Protestant Lousina Street (As Above) Thomas Maxwell Aged 30 Protestant (As Above)

Mary Donaldson Aged 50 Protestant 220 Spamount Street Shot dead at her front door by a military patrol.

20th May 1922 John Connolly Aged 25 Catholic 7 New Lodge Road At around 10.00am two Protestant gunmen entered J.P. Corry Timber Merchants in Henry Street. Once inside the saw room they lined up the workforce and asked their religion. After identifying Mr. Connolly as a Catholic they shot him dead.

Patrick McAuley Aged 18 Catholic 4 Ton Street Shot dead by Protestant gunmen as he worked in the Duncrue Street area.

Musgrave R.I.C. Barracks shortly after Constable Collins was shot dead during an I.R.A. attack on it 18th May 1922

Thomas McGuigan Aged 18 Catholic 95 Stanfield Street (As Above)

Page 74

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Shot dead by a Protestant gunman as he worked at Tiphead.

James Brady Aged 30 Catholic 9 Kilmoud Street Believed to have been shot dead by a Catholic sniper in mistake for a Protestant.

Thomas Boyd Aged 25 Protestant 208 Donegall Road Shot dead on the Albertbridge Road by a Catholic sniper.

George Lawson Aged 30 Protestant 27 Maymount Street Shot dead by a Catholic sniper as he returned home from work along Beechfield Street.

During the Belfast troubles after the partition of Ireland the I.R.A. also carried out a massive firebombing campaign to undermine the local economy. This picture shows buildings ablaze in Donegall Quay after one such attack.

Arthur McMudrough Catholic Grosvenor Place Shot dead by Protestant gunmen on the Milewater Road.

Brigid Skillen Aged 3 Catholic 26 Fleet Street Shot dead in York Street by a Protestant sniper.

Agnes Condit Aged 22 Catholic 28 Fleet Street Shot dead in York Street by a Protestant sniper.

Thomas McShane Aged 35 Catholic 5 Jennymount Street Shot through the neck by a Protestant sniper.

John Hicky Aged 50 Catholic Nelson Street Shot dead by a protestant gunman during disturbances in the York Street area.

Robert Newell Aged 24 Protestant 14 Clonallen Street Shot dead by Catholic gunmen during disturbances on the Newtownards Road.

Hugh McDonald Catholic 5 Saul Street Dragged from a tram at Bridge End and beat to death by a Protestant crowd.

Peter Prunty Catholic Kildare Street Shot dead by a Protestant gunman during disturbances in the Albert Street area.

22nd May 1922 John McLarnon Catholic 61 Moyola Street Shot dead by Protestants in the Midland Railway Station, York Road

Robert Newell

Charles McMurty Catholic Trades Hotel, Frederick Street

William Twaddell M.P. Protestant Malone Park Shot dead by Catholic gunmen in Garfield Street as he was going to his business premises in North Street.

23rd May 1922 Mary Grant Aged 60 Catholic Fleet Street Died of gunshot wounds received the previous day by a Protestant sniper.

Robert Powell Protestant 86 Isabella Street Shot dead by a protestant gunman in Edward Street.

24th May 1922 James Telford Aged 63 Protestant 21 Broadway Mr. Telford was returning home from work in the City Cemetery

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS when he was approached by a number of Catholic gunmen outside Broadway Church on the Falls Road. He was beaten before being shot dead.

John Moore Aged 17 Protestant 79 Hooker Street Died as a result of injures received during earlier disturbances.

Shot dead by an I.R.A. gunman in Conway Street.

William Shields Aged 19 Protestant 32 Delaware Street Shot dead by a Catholic gunman in the Short Strand area.

George Kidd Protestant 44 Brookvale Avenue Shot dead by a Catholic sniper on the New Lodge Road.

Jack O’Hare Catholic Thompson Street Mr. O’Hare was returning home across the Albert Bridge when he was attacked by a Protestant mob.

He was beaten and then thrown over the bridge into the River Lagon where he drowned. A patrol of the R.I.C. and military stood on the opposite side of the bridge watching but did nothing to intervene.

25th May 1922 Ester McDougal Aged 19 Catholic Stanhope Street Shot dead by a Protestant sniper shooting into the Carrick Hill area.

Patrick Hughes Aged 38 Catholic Carntall Street Died as a result of injuries received during disturbances on May 21st.

Constable James Murphy Aged 27 Protestant B-Special Shankill Road Barracks

William Smyth Aged 21 Catholic Died as a result of gunshot wounds received on May 24th on the Newtownards Road.

Grace Todd Aged 30 Protestant 25 Beoeque Street Died as a result of injuries received during disturbances in the North Street area on May 24th.

29th May 1922 Thomas Drumgoale Catholic Seaforde Street Shot dead by an R.I.C. patrol during disturbances in the Cullingtree Road area.

William Shields 26th May 1922 Alexander Morrison Protestant Ballyclare Killed by a Protestant mob on the Albert Bridge Road in mistake for a Catholic.

Georgina Campbell Aged 10 Protestant 5 Roxburgh Street Shot dead by a Catholic sniper in Gertrude Street.

Minnie Boyd Aged 38 Protestant Wilson Street Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

Constable J. McGarrity Protestant B-Specials Court Street Barracks Shot dead by a Catholic sniper in Mc Donnell Street

Page 75

th

30 May 1922 Constable Henry O’Brien Aged 24 Catholics R.I.C. Cullingtree Road Barracks Died as a result of injuries received the previous day during an I.R.A. attack on Cullingtree Barracks.

31st May 1922 Robert Monaghan Aged 20 Catholic Arizona Street Shot dead by the B-Specials.

William Collum Protestant 13 Portallo Street Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

Mary Ann McIlory Aged 52 Catholic 28 Old Lodge Road Mrs. McIlory was killed along with her daughter after Protestant gunmen burst into their home.

Rose McIlory Aged 29 Catholic 28 Old Lodge Road (As Above)

William Toal Aged 17 Catholic 42 Mayfair Street Died as a result of gunshot injuries received the previous day by a Protestant sniper shooting into the Marrowbone district.

28th May 1922 Robert Rainey Aged 50 Catholic Cyprus Street Shot dead during disturbances on the Falls Road.

Cullingtree Road R.I.C. Barracks after an I.R.A. gun and bomb attack in which Constable Henry O’Brien was killed

Page 76

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Jane Doran Catholic Peter’s Place Shot dead by Protestant gunmen who burst into her home. Before leaving the killers set fire to the house and Mrs. Doran’s remains were discovered in the burnt out remains the following day.

R.U.C. raiding party at the junction of Foundry Street and Newtownards Road

John Jennings Protestant Peter’s Place Shot dead by a Protestant mob who burst into his home. As in the previous attack, the house was set on fire and his body was found in the burnt out remains. Mr. Jennings was a partly paralysed and blind.

Hugh Kennedy Aged 26 Catholic 98 Servia Street Shot dead by the B-Specials.

William O’Hara Catholic Mc Donnell Street Shot dead by the B-Specials.

R.U.C. patrol at the junction of May Street and Joy Street

Constable A. Roulston Aged 23 Protestant B-Special Smithfield Barracks Shot dead in Millfield by the I.R.A.

Patrick McGurk Catholic Ardmoulin Avenue Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

R.U.C. armoured car at a funeral on Royal Avenue

Arthur McGahey Aged 17 Catholic Irwin Street Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS st

1 June 1922 Michael McHugh Aged 27 Catholic 137 New Lodge Road Shot dead on the Shankill Road

by Protestant gunmen.

James Kane Protestant Limestone Road Shot dead on the Falls Road by Catholic gunmen.

Albert McMordie Aged 11 Protestant Lower Urney Street Shot dead by a Catholic sniper.

2nd June 1922 Lizzie Donnelly Catholic West Street Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

John Kane Aged 16 Protestant Disraeli Street

John Kane was one of a number of youths looting a pawnshop on Peter’s Hill when the military arrived and opened fire. Kane was killed instantly and a number of others injured.

3rd June 1922 John Black Catholic New Dock Street Mr. Black was standing at his front door when a Protestant who was shooting from Little Ship Street shot him through the head.

Robert Hunt Aged 50 Catholic 14 Millford Street Shot and injured by a protestant sniper as he drove a car along Ross Street. He was taken to the Mater Hospital where he died a short time later.

Bernard McCaffrey Aged 16 Catholic New Lodge Road Shot in the stomach by a

Protestant sniper. He was taken to the Mater Hospital where he died a few hours later.

North Queen Street when a Protestant sniper shot him dead from Vere Street.

William Rice Aged 25 Catholic Shot dead by the military in Lime Street.

16th June 1922 Thomas Mullaney Aged 38 Catholic East Street Mr. Mullaney was visiting his brother when he was shot dead by a military patrol during disturbances in North Queen Street.

5th June 1922 Thomas Gough Catholic 17 Mineral Street Mr. Gough was leaving the brickfields in Skegoniel Avenue when Protestant gunmen stopped him. They asked for his name and after he informed them what it was they took him around the corner and shot him dead.

6th June 1922 Patrick O’Malley Aged 45 Catholic 1 Stratheden Street Shot dead by Protestant gunmen as he stood at his front door.

7th June 1922 John McMenermy Catholic 58 Conway Street Shot dead by a Protestant sniper as he walked along Cupar Street.

12th June 1922 Edward Devine Catholic Springfield Road Mr. Devine was managing director of Barney Hughes bakery. He was shot dead during a robbery in the bakery and his killers are belived to have been Catholic.

Military patrol at the junction of Carrick Hill and Peter’s Hill shortly after the killing of John Kane

Page 77

13th June 1922 William Smyth Aged 54 Catholic Hardinge Street Mr. Smyth was standing at the corner of Hardinge Street and

20th June 1922 Charles O’Neill Aged 50 Catholic Balkan Street Shot dead by Protestant gunmen as he worked on the grounds of Brantwood Football Club.

David French Aged 30 Catholic 5 Elms Court Mr. French was riding a horse and cart along Duncrue Street when two Protestant gunmen jumped on to the cart and shot him dead.

James Tutton Aged 55 Catholic Brookfield Street Mr. Tutton was driving a cartload of rubbish along Duncrue Street when two Protestant gunmen attacked him. He was shot dead and the killers are belived to have been the same killers as Mr. O’Neill a short time earlier.

William Thornton Aged 22 Catholic Catherine Street Shot dead by an R.U.C. patrol.

(The Royal Irish Constabulary were disbanded in this month and the new Royal Ulster Constabulary established.)

Page 78

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

Henry Stirling Protestant 46 Clandeboye Street Died as a result of injuries received six months ago by a Catholic sniper in Bryson Street.

21st June 1922 P.Ward Catholic Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

William Millar Aged 70 Catholic 29 Willowfield Street Shot dead by Protestant gunmen who burst into his home.

Thomas Johnstone Catholic 28 Frederick Street Died as a result of gunshot wounds received during earlier disturbances.

23rd June 1922 John Ireland Aged 30 Catholic 5 Elms Court Shot through the head by the military during disturbances in the York Street area.

Leo Rea Aged 16 Catholic Leeson Street Shot dead by a Protestant gunman during disturbances in the Grosvenor Road area.

William Kirkwood Aged 27 Protestant 3 Marlborough Place Mr. Kirkwood was the manager of Hughes Mill. At around 12.15pm on the above date he was leaving the mill when he was approached by a number of armed men and shot dead. Killers unknown.

Joseph Hurson Aged 15 Catholic 87 Unity Street Shot dead as he went in through his front door by a Protestant sniper firing from Hanover Street.

His brother was also shot.

Mary Semple Aged 25 Protestant 61 Ardgowan Street Died as a result of injuries received during earlier disturbances.

24th June 1922 Isabella Foster Aged 4 Months Protestant 26 Ballycarry Street Shot dead by a stray bullet, which came through the window of her home.

Bella McKeown Aged 22 Catholic 11 Arran Street Died in the Mater Hospital as a result of gunshot injuries received on June 1st.

4th July 1922 Mr. Hurson Catholic 87 Unity Street Shot and injured by a Protestant sniper on June 23rd. His brother was shot dead in the same attack.

6th July James Mooney Aged 80 Protestant 25 Third Street Died as a result of injuries received on July 3rd. has been shot by a Catholic sniper in Upper North Street.

Harry Little Aged 35 Protestant 26 Bramcote Street

Shot dead as he helped a Catholic neighbour fight off two Protestant gunmen who came to kill him.

Thomas Bowens of 103 East Bread Street was later charged with the murder.

13th July 1922 Robert Boyd Protestant 41 Convention Street Died after being crushed under an R.U.C. crossley tender during disturbances on the Newtownards Road.

5th August 1922 Samuel Hayes (C-Special) Aged 45 Protestant Susan Street Shot dead in the Britannic Bar on the Newtownards Road by members of the I.R.A. 29th August 1922 Peter Mullan Aged 65 Catholic 109 Joy Street Shot dead by Protestant gunmen at the Crumlin Road Picture House where he worked as an attendant.

17th September 1922 Thomas McCullagh Aged 40 Catholic Hardinge Street Shot dead by a Protestant sniper as he stood at the corner of Great Georges Street and York Street.

James McCloskey Aged 41 Catholic 68 Marine Street Shot dead by a Protestant gunman as he stood at his front door.

Jane Rafferty Aged 40 Catholic Marine Street Shot dead by Protestant gunmen who burst into her home. Mrs. Rafferty’s Protestant husband was away at sea at the time of the killing.

Louisa Cannon Aged 30 Catholic Frederick Lane Died as a result of injuries received during a Protestant bomb attack in the Cullingtree Road. A member of the B-Specials named Edward Gill of Devonshire Street was later charged with causing the explosion.

1st September 1922 George Higgins Aged 30 Catholic 5 Eglinton Street Shot dead on the Musgrave Channel Road by Protestant gunmen. He had worked as a postman and had been delivering letters at the time he was killed.

22nd September 1922 James Spratt Aged 50 Protestant 21 Wigton Street Shot dead by an R.U.C. patrol during disturbances in Westmoreland Street.

13th September 1922 John Walker Aged 15 Catholic 18 Molyneux Street Shot dead by a Protestant sniper in Little Georges Street.

5th October 1922 Mary Sherlock Aged 44 Catholic Vulcan Street Shot dead on the Newtownards Road by a protestant gunman.

THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS

Page 79

For more on the Belfast troubles of 1920-1922 and the general history of Belfast make sure you obtain your copy of the Belfast Magazine on sale every month in all leading newsagents throughout the city

For more on the Northern Ireland Troubles make sure you obtain copies of our publication The Troubles which is on sale in all leading newsagents every two months throughout Northern Ireland