The Capricorn, (Rockhampton, QLD) 30th October, 1886 p 10
Most determined resistance is being given to an evicting party which has been at work for some days on the Marquis of Clanricard’s estate, near Woodford, County Galway.
About 1000 police had been drafted into Portumna, whence they go each morning to the scene of the intended evictions. Mr. Brady, R.M., County Inspectors Wilson and O’Brien, and eight district inspectors are in charge of the police.
The first eviction took place on Thursday, when the police went to a place called Kilnawally. They found about 500 people assembled, the crowd having been brought together by the ringing of the chapel bells. Conroy, whose rent is £24, owed with costs, above £100. The farm had been sold to the agent for the landlord at a public sheriff’s sale in Galway some time ago. An enormous crowd had assembled, amongst them being three Roman Catholic clergymen, Rev. Mr. Coen, Rev. Mr. Egan, of Woodford and Rev. Mr. Roach, of Ballinakill.
The Emergency men took three hours to effect an entrance, during which time the party inside and on the roof poured boiling water and lime on them, and threw slates down on them. Even the crowbars, with which the
wall was being broken in, were taken from them and dragged inside the house. The Emergency men drew their revolvers repeatedly, but were dissuaded by the police from using them.
The evicting force subsequently proceeded to Drumin, three miles off, to carry out another eviction, but so stubborn was the resistance that the attempt was abandoned, and the party returned to Portumna. On the following day they found that Monatreeva Bridge, five miles from Portumna, had been broken down during the night, and the remainder of the journey, seven miles, had to be performed on foot.
The house of a man named Patrick Fahy was reached, and a scene ensued similar to that on the previous day at Conroy’s. When County Inspector Willson went up close to the house to inform those inside that unless they desisted he would be obliged to order the police to fire on them, the answer he got was the pouring of a quantity of boiling lime on himself, which destroyed his uniform.
The Riot Act was threatened to be read, but the counsels of the clergy and police prevailed, and the people became less excited. Ultimately, after four hours, possession was taken. Parties of police remained out all night on Friday to prevent further destruction of bridges or obstruction of the road by trees etc. At the house gone to on Saturday the emergency men failed to effect an entrance, and the police entered with fixed bayonets. Those inside resisted, and in the struggle one civilian was stabbed, and one policeman wounded. The police made no arrests.
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