THE McMAHONFAMILY MURDERS
The facts behind the brutal murders of the McMahon family andother atrocities carried out by the ‘Cromwell Club’
Includes a list of all those killed during the Belfast Troubles of 1920-1922
Glenravel Local History ProjectAshton 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.comE-Mail: [email protected]
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 theirbarman Edward McKinney.BACK COVER - District Inspector John William Nixon. Second in command of the Cromwell Club responsible for the McMahon family murders
THE McMAHONFAMILY MURDERS
Joe Baker
Page 4 THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS
INTRODUCTIONI 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 thiswould 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 stillremembered but are still causing controversy. For example there are individuals within the city who want a houseon the Ballygomartin Road listed and basically converted into a shrine to the memory of a District Inspector JohnWilliam Nixon. Nixon was a police officer who went on to be a politician. In political terms he was quiteuneventful and in reality his only claim to fame in this regard was that he had the horror movie Frankensteinbanned in Belfast. This poses the question as to why his house should be converted into such a shrine? Theanswer 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 localhistorian, I am still extremely interested in. I have published three booklets on it, have published articles in theBelfast Magazine, have included it in my book Milltown Cemetery and in the publication The Troubles. I havehad it featured on BBC Radio Ulster, highlighted it in the columns of the North Belfast News, Irish News andAndersonstown News. My material was even used in a television drama which horrifically dramatised thekillings with Nixon’s name being changed to District Inspector Dixon. But yet there are still people out there whohave 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 aDistrict Inspector in the Royal Irish Constabulary. Before and after the partition of Ireland Belfast was in a state ofcivil war when Catholics and Protestants were, quite literally, blowing the hell out of each other. The CromwellClub, 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
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
strike back at the Catholic/Nationalist community after each I.R.A. attack on the police. Early victims includedmembers of the I.R.A and Sinn Fein but as time went on innocent Catholics became the targets who were quiteoften killed in an inhuman and brutal manner. They then went on to create their own excuses to go on a murderrampage such as the shooting of Constable Turner which led to the Arnon Street Massacre. The Cromwell Clubwere responsible for both.
This publication is about the activities of this Cromwell Club which include the McMahon Murders, the ArnonStreet 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 andProtestants were as bad as each other in terms of murder. Protestants quite often launched bomb attacks onCatholic children playing in the street leading to dreadful events such as that in Weaver Street. Catholics alsoattacked children such as the case in Millfield when a bomb attack on a house resulted in the deaths of twochildren. Protestants attacked Catholics in their work place and there are numerous cases within the BelfastShipyard and Docks. Catholics also attacked places of work such as the cooperage in Little Patrick Street whereProtestant four workers were lined up and gunned down. Individual attacks are numerous and ranged from thevery young to the very old. On several occasions Protestants beat Catholics to death in the street and on a few ofthese the victims were doused in fuel and set alight. Catholics were just as brutal. One example being the Catholicgunmen 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 thissection. 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 beturned 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
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T hursday 23rd of March 1922 wasjust the same as any other day ofthe week for the people of Bel fast,
depressingly cold and wet. However formany people in the city there were othermore worrying events than the weathertaking place all around them. As a whole thecountry of Ireland was split into two withthe creation of the new Northern Ireland andthe Irish Free State which later became theRepublic of Ireland. In Belfast much of thefighting was still continuing in what couldonly be described as a civil war and this hadbeen going on now for over two years, withover 300 people killed. The latest deaths hadbeen on this date when members of the ‘Anti-Treaty’ I.R.A. shot dead two members ofthe A-Specials and a woman namedMargaret Smith died of injuries she receivedduring a Loyalist bomb attack on a groupof children playing in Weaver Street onFebruary 14th. She was the fifth to die as aresult of this attack and the first adult, allthe others being children.
CHAPEL ATTACKEDFor Owen McMahon and his family the daywas just like any other with it beginningby Mr. McMahon and his manager EdwardMcKinney (who lived with him) opening uphis public house in Ann Street. Later in theday they would have closed the Capstan Barand then made their way to their KinnairdTerrace home. Kinnaird Terrace is twoseparate rows of large Victorian houses inthe Thorndale Avenue area of north Belfast.When Mr. McMahon and Mr. McKinney gothome there is no doubt that they would haveat one point talked about the days sportingevents due to the fact that they were asporting family and Mr. McMahon was oneof the directors of Glentoran Football Club
A FAMILY SLAUGHTERED
in east Belfast. The troubles were neverfar away and as the family were Catholicthen they would have been outraged at thelatest attack made by Loyalists on St.Matthews chapel in the Short Strand area andthe shooting dead of a man in the nearbyNew Lodge Road area.
The remaining members of the family whowere still awake sat and had tea in the frontparlour before extinguishing the gas lanternsand retiring to bed, completely unaware thatin just over an hours time the name of theMcMahon family was to be recorded in thehistory books relating to early twentiethcentury Irish history after an attack thatbecame one of the most ruthless crimes evercommitted in Ireland.
3 Kinnaird Terrace,the home of the McMahon family
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 7
SLEDGEHAMMERAt approximately 1.00 am on the morningof Friday the 24th two members of aspecial R.I.C. unit approached a watchmanwho was guarding a work site at CarlisleCircus and ordered him to hand over asledgehammer. This he did and the two menthen took the tool and made their way upthe Crumlin Road and along Clifton ParkAvenue into the grounds of a large housewhich was known locally as ‘Bruce’sDemesne’ and met up with around threeothers.
SMASHED INThe home of Owen McMahon and hisfamily was at the other end of this demesneand it was to here that the R.I.C. men madetheir way. On reaching Kinnaird Terrace theypaused for a moment before making their
way across the gravelled road to the frontdoor of the McMahon home and there oneof them produced the sledge hammer andproceeded to smash in the front door . Oneof the glass panels of the four panelled doorsmashed and they then put their hands in andunfastened the locks. After doing so theythen smashed in a second hallway door. Thetime was 1.20am. At the same time one ofthe murderers went to the door of a privatenursing home which was next door andbanged on the door. At this stage the rest ofthe gang had burst through the second doorof the McMahon home and he rejoined them.Approximately five minutes later they ranfrom the house before disappearing intothe darkness of the demesne.The following is a full account of whathappened next as it appeared in the follow-ing 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 nightwatchmen. 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 suppliedintelligence to Michael Collins about the activities of Harrison and Nixon.
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HELLISH BELFAST DEEDFIVE MURDERED IN ONE HOME
TWO OTHER VICTIMS DYING
MOTHER'S AWFUL ORDEALThe most terrible assassination that has yetstained the name of Belfast took place in theearly hours of this morning when four menand a boy were sent to face their Maker inthe dark hour which preceded a cold springdawn. The scene of the murders wasKinnaird Terrace, a row of spaciousdwelling houses, which face the large areaof country aspect in the heart of Belfastknown as Bruce’s Farm. Here in No.3 livedMr. Owen McMahon, a well known citypublican, and his family of six sons, his wifeand niece and domestics, including hismanager, a man named Edward McKinney.Mr. McMahon is the proprietor of theCapstan, Ann Street, and is one of sixbrothers owning licensed houses in the city.In the early hours of the morning - to beexact, at 1.20 - five assassins crept up to thehouse, murdered five of the occupants, twoother being badly wounded.
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’ssons:
John McMahon (21),Bernard McMahon (26).
MET BY MASKED FACESThe family were in bed and the house indarkness when a thunderous sound washeard in the hallway and at the street door.“It’s a bomb”, said Mrs. McMahon to herhusband, whom she awoke. Both got up andcame downstairs. On the way they were metby masked faces, which peered at them fromthe stair below. In the hands of the intrudersthey saw large revolvers. The gas had beenlighted in the sitting room below, and thedoor of the room lay open.
What happened when the murderers sightedMr. and Mrs. McMahon on the stairs canonly be reconstructed from the evidencesleft this morning. The husband lies dead inthe Mater Hospital and poor Mrs. McMahonis unconscious mercifully, of all that hap-pened, she is being in a stupor in Mrs.Purdy’s next door. The murderers seem tohave collected the women folk - Mrs.McMahon, her niece and daughter - and putthem into a back room on the first floor.They then proceeded upstairs and awakenedthe men folk, and ordered them downstairsat the point of a revolver. Down they camein their shirts by candle light, for the gangOwen McMahon
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 9
had brought with them a three pound packetof candles, and some of those partly burnedwere found all over the house. When the lotwere gathered in the parlour there was apause.
FEW MINUTES TO PRAYThe leader of the assassins told the terror-stricken victims to avail themselves of thefew moments left to pray for their souls. Theimagination may conjure up the scene, forthe pools of blood in the room tell silentlythe position of the slain, whilst bullet marksindicate where the assassins fired from.
Near the window, beside the fire, stoodMr. McMahon, one of his sons, and thebarman. On the other side was another son, and on the chair near the door was was thethird. Just as the men prayed, and whilst thewife and mother begged in the name of allsacred in the hall for the lives of her lovedones, the revolvers spoke rapidly and deadly,and one by one the victims fell, and bloodbegan to stain the floor and cover it like acarpet
Thomas, the youngest of the injured, wasonly fifteen years and he succumbedimmediately. The others lingered on andweltered in their life blood, but horror wasadded to the scene when the shots intendedfor the youngest victim of all, a boy of elevenyears, missed, and the lad, shrieking withfright, ran round the dining-room table. Twoshots were fired at him as he ran, and thesericcochetted off its polished surface into thewalls. The boy got under the table and hidunder the sofa, being discovered whenrescuers entered, as will be told later.
VANISHED IN THE DARKNESSIn all the murderers were not more than fiveor six minutes in the house, and havingsatisfied blood lust in its most terrible formthey disappeared over the light paling thatseparates Bruce’s Farm from KinnairdTerrace and were lost in the darkness.Whilst the murders were being carried outthe tragic doings were heard by threeseparate sets of people. The front door hadbeen smashed in as if with a sledgehammer, and the glass panels broken,and this awakened the neighbours on bothsides - Mrs. McMurtry, matron of theKinnaird Nursing Home, and her staff ofnurses, who live on one side of the doomedhome, and Mrs. Purdy and her family, wholive on the other. The story of the tragedyas known to both families is told in
John McMahon lies seriously wounded in hospital
Bernard McMahon lying injured inhospital. He died a short time after this
photograph was taken
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interviews given elsewhere. The third partyto hear the noise was a patrol of police whowere on the Antrim Road. They heard theshooting - one volley after another - and,drawing their revolvers, they hurried toinvestigate. Coming up Kinnaird Street theywent into Thorndale Avenue but all was quietthere. Having examined the street, they wentby Kinnaird Terrace, where they discoveredthe secret of the reports they heard.
HORRIFYING SPECTACLEThe door of No.3 Kinnaird Terrace lay open.The porch was full of broken glass. On achair in the hall sat a young man in his shirtgasping 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 onthe floor. Of the women folk there was nosign, they being in the back room at the timethe police came.
Knocking up the neighbours the patrol hadambulances sent for, and the dead anddying were removed to the Mater Hospital.The ambulance corps, accustomed by nowto bloody scenes, worked quietly andexpeditiously, and the Mater Hospital staff,doctors and nurses alike, worked nobly toalleviate the sufferings of those still alive.Carried in dead were ThomasMcMahon (15 years), Patrick (22 years),Frank (24 years), and the barman, a Donegallman, aged 25 years. Mr. McMahon, senior,lived on in agony until this morning whenat seven o’clock he died.It is not true that one of the ambulance menfainted. All retained their calm, and even Mr.Hamill, manager for Mrs. Purdy, who liveswith her, and who was the first civilian onthe scene, and who accompanied theambulance, kept up until all was over, whenhe collapsed a nervous wreck.Meanwhile, Mrs. Purdy and her family tookMrs. McMahon, her niece, and daughter into
The bodies of the murdered members of the McMahon family and their barman lie inthe morgue of the Mater Hospital
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 11
her house, where they were seen by adoctor, and put to bed. Naturally all threeare collapsed and quiet unable to give anyaccount of what occurred, the facts abovebeing gained from them before the fullhorror of the scene had affected their minds,and brought unconsciousness.
A VERITABLE BLOODBATHA “Telegraph” representative visited thescene this morning and saw the horrors leftby the murderers in all their freshness. Thehouse smelt of fresh blood - it seemedscarcely cold as it spread in large pools andsmall rivers all over the shamble room. Thefront door lay open as the murderers had leftit. Police were in charge, but there was nocurious crowd - the thing was too horrid orthe neighbourhood too quiet for thesensation monger to have gathered in force.Over the fields facing the house police couldbe seen in knots of twos and threes search-ing for traces of the murderers.
The front door is panelled at the top withtwo plates of opaque glass. One of these wassmashed in and the latch - a multiple leverof old pattern - lifted.The visitors then apparently found that thedoor held by the box lock lower down, andthey abandoned the attempt to enter throughthe panel, and brought a sledge to bear. Themark of one tremendous blow which sunkinto the wood near the “big” lock shows howthe door was crashed in and the staples ofboth latch and main lock wrenched fromtheir places.
This gave the gang entrance to the porch,and here they were faced by a hall doorfastened with locked mortise lock and boltedwith a brass bolt. The hammer was againused here, but the mortise lock held, and thelarge glass panel forming the upper portionof the door was crashed in and completelyremoved even to the little pieces which thelathes would hold.
Kinnaird Terrace hours after the murders. The X denotes the McMahon home.To the right is the Bruce Demense into which the perpetrators escaped
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The murderers apparently climbed throughthe open space or opened the lock from theback and got into the hall. Here, hanging onthe hallstand, were the hats and coats of themen who were murdered, and on thehallstand table is a packet of No.8 candles,which had been torn open and a dozen or socandles taken out. A couple unused lay be-side the packet, and the others were foundin the parlour or sitting room and in variousparts of the house, these being slightlyburned and affording an indication of theshortness of the stay of the murderers.
SCENE LIKE A SLAUGHTER HOUSEThe sitting room door lay open, and here ascene like a slaughter house stall withfurniture arranged in it to make a living roomof it presented itself to the gaze. On eitherside of the fireplace lay large pools of blood- thick, heavy, coagulated stuff, that turnedone sick with horror. In places it was rubbedand disturbed as if someone had rolled in it;in others it lay spread level and shining darkred, and in others it was clotted in lumps asif someone had lacerated a fresh bullock’sliver and strewn it about.
The largest pool was next the window, aconsiderable space on the opposite side wasblood covered, and near the door on the lefthand side going in and beneath a chair wasthe smallest blood spill. Here the walls areperforated with bullet marks, which tore theirway through the skirting. The mirror of theside board is smashed in one place, withradiating shivers from all over the wholesurface. On the sideboard is a marble clockframe with the body removed as if forrepairs - indeed it is remarkable that everyclock found in the house is out of order.
The dining room table shows two tears madeby bullets as they glanced off it on the edgenearest the window. These bullets are
supposed to have been fired at the elevenyears old boy who escaped. On the table arethe remains of the supper taken by some ofthe victims - a jug of milk, butter, sugar, teacups, bread, oatcake etc., whilst on the fire-place was an eiderdown quilt and awoman's jacket. In the room was found theempty shell of a Webley revolver cartridgeof service pattern.
DRIED BLOODSTAINED HANDSBelow the table, just where the bullet marksare, is a single blood blot about the size of afive shilling piece. On the floor near thelargest blood pool lay a barmans whiteapron, perfectly clean as to the edges, butsoaked in blood in the centre as if someonehad dried bloodstained hands or face on it.On the sideboard and beside thedismantled clock already spoken of was anempty five naggin whiskey bottle, smellingstrongly and freshly of whiskey. Beside itwas a half pint bottle without label or cork,but also pungent with the new fumes ofwhisky.From this scene of blood, terror, anddesolation the “Telegraph” man went to thekitchen and back part of the ground floor ofthe house.
The pantry, reached first, contained nothingunusual, there being the usual furnishingsof delph, etc., undisturbed. A sharp turn ina little narrow passage gave into the kitchen,the door of which opens on a window intothe yard, and which is the only natural lightthe apartment possesses. Here on a couchlay a tiger cat asleep.
On the floor were a couple of pairs of men'sboots, and on a table a bowl of oatmealporridge, and a jug of milk, apparentlyintended as the supper of some inmate of thehouse. The cat looked up sleepily as thevisitor entered and turned to sleep again.
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 13
Up the stairs, down which a few hoursbefore frightened men and boys had cometo their deaths, the first room to be enteredwas a back bedroom. Here a bed disturbedas if someone left it hurriedly - on a chair atone side an alarm clock ticked away loudly.The alarm clock had gone off, but at whattime could not be told without experiment,for the alarm hand was missing.On the other side on another chair was a pairof men’s garters, and a book from the schoollibrary called “The Dumb Princess.” On theother dressing table was a woman’ssummer hat apparently discarded bysomeone years ago. On the same landing isa drawing room and bathroom, bothundisturbed and showing no sign of tragedysave utter emptiness and the loneliness thatprevails over the human dwelling whendeath comes in so terrible a form.
BED AS SHELTERIn still another bedroom the bed has beenpulled out from the wall and there are signsof struggle. Probably the victim had jumpedout of bed and got behind it or under it whenthe noises first came, and had been draggedforth to his death. On the bedpost hung thebrown suit of a schoolboy, with a little greentie. On the floor were black stockings, verymuch worn and boots. In the pockets of thesuit were found a spinning top, known to theschool boy of Belfast as a “peery,” a schoolrubber, a handkerchief, and the string usedfor kite flying wound on a piece of woodnotched to retain it.In Franks room there were signs also of adefence having been put up. On the floorbeside the bed were his black leggings, greysocks with suspenders, and boots. Hisclothes hung also on the bed, and therewas additional clothing on the doorback. Onthe fireplace was a soft blue collar and silkknitted tie just as they had been left off whenthe victim retired.
In neither of the bedrooms yet describedcould be seen any bedclothes, but in the frontbedroom, on the next landing the bedclotheslay in a heap on the floor as if the murderershad found the occupants sleeping and haddragged them away. Two pillows dentedshowed that the bed had held two sleepers.In still another room was a mahogany bedwith old fashioned over curtains at the top.In this room a set of false teeth lay on atable, and scattered around were articles ofclothing.The attics were also occupied, there beingbeds in each, and probably these were forthe servants, of whom two, a cook and house-maid, were kept. The housemaid had left afew days before and had not been replaced,whilst the cook was also absent at the timeof the tragedy, she being in hospital with theflu.In the back bedroom leaning against the bedwas a newly enamelled bicycle done at homein the ’all black’ style, and evidently leftthere to dry by the owner, who now liesdead, one of the victims of the mostdreadful midnight assassination that has yetbeen chronicled of the bloody timesthrough which Ulster is at present passing.
“SHOOTING GOING ON - GET UP”Mr. Arthur Hamill, manager for Mrs. Purdywho lives next door to the McMahon’s was,as already stated, the first civilian on thescene, and how he described in graphicsentences how he discovered the tragedy, andhow he acted when the first shock of thedreadful occurrence had passed away.Mr. Hamill lives with his employer, and longyears of acquaintanceship and service havemade him practically one of the family. Heretired to bed about the usual time and sleptsoundly until as near as he can place it aquarter past one o’clock, when he wasawakened by Miss Purdy, Mrs. Purdy’sdaughter, who knocked at his door and
Page 14 THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS
called, “Do you hear the shooting ?” He said“No,” and she replied “There is shootinggoing on; get up.” He replied, knowing thatthe jail wall bounded portion of the fieldsoutside, “It may be the police firing at thejail,” 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 shebattered at the door caused Mr. Hamill tospring from bed, and as he put on his trou-sers he heard bang after bang as if the shoot-ing was in the very house with him, and thenlong and terrible screams of agony, whichalmost froze the blood in his veins. Comingout of his bedroom in his bare feet he metMrs. Purdy and Miss Purdy on the stairs.
LOUD KNOCKING AT DOORBoth were in terror as he made his way downstairs in the darkness. Entering the diningroom on the ground floor he peeped through
the blind and saw brilliant light streamingfrom the McMahon’s dining room window.As he looked a loud knock came to the doorof the house in which he was, and the wom-enfolk screamed aloud at the sound. Almostdistracted, Mr. Purdy called “who’s there,”and the reply came “police on duty.”Reassured he opened the door, and foundthere a patrol of police who had just comefrom the Antrim Road. With the patrol Mr.Hamill went to the house of horror to findthe state of affairs already described, onlyin their pristine freshnessIn the hall sitting on a chair in the light shedthrough the dining room door he saw youngJohn McMahon in his shirt and with bloodgushing from his body in streams. Mr.Hamill made to go to his assistance, but theglass spattered all around cut his feet and hehad to return to the house for shoes. Havingdonned them he went to the assistance of
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 wayinto the Catholic publicans house of Owen McMahon, and after having ordered the
family members to say their prayers, murdered them with their revolvers.
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 15
young McMahon whom he thought at thattime was the only victim. “When I got in Isaw Mrs. McMahon. I threw her mydressing-gown to put around John,” andwent 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 shakingsince. It’s terrible.”As he spoke, Mr. Hamill put his hand overhis eyes as if to shut out the sight andremained almost sobbing for a moment ortwo. His deep emotion was pardonableunder the terrible circumstances. Mr. Hamillthen told of the coming of the ambulanceand of helping to take the victims to theMater. He was full of praise for the hospitalstaff.The nurses and doctors were wonderful, hesaid - marvellous. They worked swiftly anddid all they could for the comfort andsuccour of the living. Mr. Hamill gave thelie to the story that an ambulance manfainted. “They acted splendidly,” he said, “But I must confess I was glad of the tot ofstimulant a doctor kindly gave all handswhen the rescue work was done.” Speakingof the victims he regretfully referred to Mr.McMahon and his sons. Quiet, decentneighbours, one and all, they were, he said.
SCREAMS AND FRENZIED APPEALS.Mrs. McMurtry, the matron of the KinnairdPrivate Nursing Home, which is next doorto where the ghastly murders were commit-ted, told what she knew of the awful affairto a “Telegraph” representative.
It was quarter past one this morning whenwe were awakened by one of the nursestapping at the bedroom door, with theinformation that something had happened in
the terrace. The nurses had been awakenedby a terrible battering on the door of Mr.McMahon’s house, and so great was theuproar that it was at first thought that a bombhad been thrown and exploded in the street.The matron did not hear any of this,and in explanation she said that her room isaway from the main body of the house. Shealso stated that having been through the war,she is not easily disturbed by noises in thenight.After the first onslaught on the home of theMcMahon’s, the murderers turned theirattentions to the Nursing Home - for what
Newspaper report from the Irish Newsshortly before the McMahon slaughter
giving an indication of the sort ofatrocities which were taken place in
Belfast at the time. This one is the reporton the horrific deliberate bombing on
children playing in Weaver Street
Page 16 THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS
reason is not known - and an imperativesummons on the front door wasimmediately answered by one of the nurses,who asked what was wanted. There was noresponse, but the crunching of the gravelon the footpath told of the hurried departureof whoever had been knocking. There wasrenewed battering at Mr. McMahon’s door,and the further crash of breaking glass. Thiswas followed by loud screams for help, anda woman’s voice was heard shouting“Matron, send for the police.” Mrs.McMurtry immediately informed GlenravelStreet Barracks. She did not hear anyshooting, but one of the nurses conveyed toher the intelligence that a volley of shots hadbeen discharged during the time she wasspeaking on the telephone. There was arepetition of the awful heart renderingscreams, 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 getambulances.” Almost immediately one of thenurses told her of running men, departingafter their foul deeds had been committed.
Mrs. McMurtry again got on the telephoneand called for the ambulance, and thought-fully rang up the hospital and asked the staffthere to prepare beds for the wounded.The matron added that the street lamp, whichis just opposite Mrs. McMahon’s house, wasburning brightly all the time. Asked if sheknew what direction the murderers hadgone the narrator replied in the negative,and said that until the arrival of the policeno one went outside the Nursing Home.The police were on the scene in a fewminutes, and it was then that the occupantsof the Kinnaird Nursing Home learned ofthe atrocities that had been perpetratedalmost under their very eyes. Mrs. McMurtryconcluded her narrative with a tribute to thesplendid conduct of the patients of the
Home, who although terribly alarmed withthe thoughts of what could be happening,kept quite cool and collected throughout.
McMAHON FAMILY AND BELFAST.Mr. Owen McMahon, the murdered head ofthe household, was well known in Belfastsporting circles. Like his five brothers, hecame to Belfast, and engaged in the licensedbusiness while a young man. He was amember of a County Down farming family,and in his younger days was an athlete ofmuch note. As president of the now dormantIvy Cycling Club, he took a great interest inits affairs and presented a championship cupfor a twenty mile road race. He was also adirector of the Glentoran Football Club. Likehimself, his sons took part in sport of theday, and were generally recognised as quietand inoffensive young men. Mr. OwenMcMahon owned the “Capstan Bar” in AnnStreet, which a few months ago he hadremodelled on up-to-date lines, and a fullaccount of the improvements appeared in the“Telegraph” of the current date. He tooklittle part in modern politics, being aNationalist of the old school and a staunchsupporter of Mr. Joseph Devlin, M.P.
Of his five brothers, Bernard formerly owned“The Great Eastern,” Ballymacarrett, whichwas burned down during the disturbancestwo years back. Tom, another brother, hasthe controlling interest of the “International”at the corner of Donegall Street and YorkStreet. Patrick owns “The Century” at thejunction of Garfield Street and North Street,while Daniel holds a house at Dee Street,Newtonards Road, and John a hostelry atHenry Street. Tom, in additionto the “International,” also controls a houseat Whitewell, Antrim Road, he having a fewmonths ago given up the “GlengormleyArms,” a favourite end-of-the-tramline Sun-day evening resort.
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 17
Irish News, Saturday 25th March 1922
McMahon - March 24, Killed at theirresidence, 3 Kinnaird Terrace, AntrimRoad, Owen McMahon and his three
sons Frank, Patrick and Gerald. -R. I. P. Funerals will leave St. Patrick’sChurch, Donegall Street, on to-morrow(Sunday), at 2 o’clock, for interment in
Milltown Cemetery.
Elizabeth McMahon
The following report on the funerals of theMcMahon family appeared in the Irish Newson Monday, 27th of March 1922.
MURDER VICTIMSFuneral of the McMahon family
The funerals of the late Mr. Owen McMahonand his three sons Frank, Patrick andGerald, who were brutally murdered in theirhome, No.3 Kinnaird Terrace, Antrim Road,on Friday morning took place yesterdayafternoon to Milltown Cemetery, amidstscenes of mourning unprecedented in thehistory of the city.The remains were removed on Saturdayevening from the Mater Hospital to St.Patrick’s Church, where the four coffins wereplaced side by side in the Sacred HeartChapel. During the evening the church wasvisited by hundreds of mourners, who passedthe remains and kneeling before the Altaroffered up fervent prayers for the souls ofthe deceased. Affecting scenes werewitnessed, many persons, mainly womenand children and children, breaking downand weeping. The church was thronged atall masses yesterday, when the ferventprayers of the congregation were offered up
THE FUNERALSfor the victims.Addressing the congregation at the 7 and 8o’clock Masses, Rev. Bernard Laverty,Adm., paid touching and eloquent tributesto the deceased, who had, he said, ledexemplary Christian lives. The world, hecontinued, stood aghast at the terribletragedy that had been enacted in their midst.The late Mr. McMahon and his boys wereinoffensive citizens who had taken no partin politics, and they had been done to deathmerely because they were Catholics. Manyshocking crimes had been perpetrated by theBlack and Tans and Auxiliaries in other partsof Ireland, but they had not been guilty ofanything approaching this in its unspeakablebarbarity. He referred to the terror at presentprevailing in the city, and said the Catholicpeople were on trail. He exhorted them topray for peace, to practise patience andforbearance, and not to give offence and inGod’s good time all would be well.The funerals took place at two o’clock. Longprior to that hour people began to assemblein the vicinity, and at the appointed hourthere was a huge crowd which practicallyfilled the upper portion of Donegall Street.The scene as the four coffins were bornefrom the church and placed in as manyhearses was deeply affecting. The first hearsecontained the remains of the father, and theothers of the three sons in order of age. Whilethe remains were being removed the crowdstood in absolute silence, the menfolk withheads uncovered, while many of the womenand girls gave way to tears as the mournfulprocession moved off on the journey toMilltown Cemetery. It was indeed a pitifulspectacle, made all the more tragic in thebrilliant sunshine of a glorious spring daywhen nature was at her best.
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THOUSANDS ALONG THE ROUTEThe route was via Royal Avenue, CastleStreet, and Falls Road. At first the mournersmarched in processional order four deep,but this was only possible along the city’sleading thoroughfares and up Castle Street.Thereafter the road was thronged withthousands of people of all ages and stationsof life. They stood in respectful silence andsaluted the remains as they passed, afterwhich most of them, including the womenand children, joined in the cortege until ina very short time it had assumed very largeproportions. Such was the order all the wayuntil, by the time the first hearse had reachedthe cemetery gates, the gathering wasimmense. Certainly not less than 10,000people participated in the mournful proceed-ings; and it is no exaggeration to say thatnever before has such a public tribute to thedead been witnessed in Belfast.Though trouble was not anticipated, themilitary authorities took ample precautions
to ensure that no untoward incident shouldmar the melancholy occasion. An armouredcar, manned by two gunners, moved slowlyahead of the hearses, while pickets wereposted at all the danger points along theFalls Road. While the cortege wascomposed in the main of the workingpeople of the Falls Road and other Catholicdistricts of the city, it included manyhundreds of business and personal friendsof the late Owen McMahon, and com-panions of the dead boys.
BISHOP AND CLERGYHis Lordship the most Rev. Dr. MacRory,Lord Bishop of Down and Connor, walkedall the way in the cortege, as also did manyclergy. 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 funeral of Owen McMahon (front) passing along Royal AvenueHe is followed by his sons Frank, Patrick and Gerald
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 19
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 wereseveral other clergy present, including anumber of Missioners who are conductingRetreats in the city churches; but so densewas the throng that their names could not beobtained. Amongst the laity were Messrs.Joseph Devlin, M.P. (for many years a closepersonal friend of the late Mr. McMahon),and C. J. France, a prominent American,who has been directing the White Crossrelief work in Ireland for many months past,and has been responsible for the alleviationof much suffering in Belfast.
SCENE IN THE CEMETERYThe scene in Milltown Cemetery was onewhich can never be forgotten by those whoparticipated in it. Large crowds of womenand children who had already arrived linedthe paths and the surrounding area as thecortege entered, and soon there was a vastcrowd around the grave which was toreceive the mortal remains of the fourvictims. As the four coffins were removedfrom the hearses and carried to their lastresting place a great silence fell over thethrong.
Then in a few minutes the silence wasbroken by the inspiring strains of “Faith ofour Fathers,” which was sung by a largesection of the crowd, who also joined in atruly devotional rendering of the Hymn tothe Blessed Virgin and of the Hymn to theSacred Heart as the remains were beinglowered into the grave in the order in whichthey had been borne to the cemetery.
THE CHIEF MOURNERSBy the graveside stood the bereaved widowand mother, who had been assisted from thehospital to pay the last good - bye on earthto those she loved so dearly. By her side washer daughter, Lily, and not the least patheticfigure of all was her little eleven year oldson, Michael, who had so narrowly escapedthe fate of his poor father and brothers. Thelad had walked all the way with his unclesand other relatives behind the remain to thecemetery. He bore up wonderfully almost tothe very end, but the strain proved almosttoo much for him, and he had to be assistedaway by kind friends.
The chief mourners, in addition to theseincluded the five brothers of the father,namely, John, Patrick, Daniel, Thomas andBernard McMahon; Francis Downey andJohn Ryan (brothers-in-law), Rev. Daniel
The McMahon family plot atMilltown Cemetery
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Fegan, Edward, John and Daniel Fegan,Daniel, Michael, John and PeterMcConnville, Michael Lennon and JohnFitzpatrick (cousins); William Leonard, andJames Flanigan, and Charles Murnin(relatives.)
BISHOP OFFICIATESHis Lordship the Bishop officiated at thegraveside, being assisted by Father Laverty,Adm. Beautiful wreaths were sent by Mrs.McMahon and family, the five brothers, andmany personal and business friends.
The funeral arrangements were carried outby Messrs. Hugh O’Kane and Co., Ltd.
THE Co. DONEGAL VICTIMThe funeral took place at Buncranayesterday of Mr. Edward McKinney, Mr.McMahon’s manager, who was shot deadwith Mr. McMahon and his sons. Horror andindignation was expressed on every side atthe dreadful crime, and there was aremarkable attendance of mourners from thetown and countryside - R. I. P.
THE FIFTH VICTIMOn the 2nd of April 1922 the eldest of Mr.McMahon’s sons, Bernard, died as a resultof his injuries received during the attack. Hehad been removed from the Mater Hospitaland detained in St. John’s private hospitalon the Crumlin Road.
Although physically he made a full recovery, John McMahon (second from left) wastormented 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 RESPONSIBLEIn the years that followed the McMahon family murders it has been stated timeand time again that the attack was carried out by members of the B-Specials andthat it was an act of retaliation after the I.R.A. killings of two ‘Specials’ in MayStreet the day before. The assumption that it was B-Specials arose after JohnMcMahon (who survived the attack) gave the following statement from his bed inthe Mater Hospital.“This morning about one o’ clock I heard the hall door being smashed in. Five menrushed up the stairs and ordered my brothers and myself and Edward McKinneyout 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 inplain clothes. They ordered us downstairs. When we got down they lined us up in theroom below, my father, my four brothers, Edward McKinney and myself, against thewall. The leader said, “You boys say your prayers,’ and at the same time he and theothers fired volley after volley at us. I think I lay on the floor for half an hour beforethe 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 theMcMahon killings but it must be remembered that the ‘Specials’ were in factmere ‘helpers’ to those who were involved in the planning and carrying out ofsuch attacks and who were all members, and in most cases high rankingmembers, of the R.I.C. They were known as the Cromwell Club.
D istrict Inspector Nixon and CountyInspector Harrison, head o f theBelfast Detective Division, were
the men who were given a free hand inorganising the Belfast R.I.C. and ‘Specials’in north and west Belfast into ‘counter-insurgency units’ and it was they who hadorganised and carried out numerous murdersagainst Catholics in many areas.
After the McMahon murders affidavits(written declarations on oath) were obtainedby the Free State Government testifying toNixon and Harrison. These were made byRoman Catholic members of the R.I.C whowere shocked and outraged at these plannedmurders being carried out against theirfellow co-religionists.The statements were gathered by numerousCatholic clergy who gave them to Mr. P.O’Drisell who in turn delivered them to
Michael Collins who was Commander-in-Chief of the National Army. Collinshimself also had many informers within theR.I.C. and also within the Northern
Michael Collins
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 23
Ireland Government and all theinformation he received from these sourceswas very similar to the information withinthe statements.
In Belfast his main informant within theR.I.C. was Sergeant Matt MacCartny andConstable Furlong and it was Furlong whogave him a very detailed statementinforming him of all those who wereactually involved in the murder of theMcMahon family.
The following is a list of names of thoseinvolved with Nixon and Harrison in themurders of innocent Roman Catholics. Thenames appear in the affidavits and in theintelligence reports which were supplied toMichael Collins and which were later puttogether in a detailed Ministry of Defencereport. The names were as follows:-
County Inspector HarrisonDistrict Inspector Nixon
Sergeant GloverSergeant ClarkeSergeant Hicks
Head Constable GiffHead Constable Puckenham
Constable GoldingConstable Sterrit
Constable GordonConstable Cooke
Constable Norrion
All this group, with the exception of Harrisonand Nixon, were just one of the so called‘Cromwell Clubs’ which were establishedin Belfast. These clubs were initially set upby the Unionist Party and were just one ofthe many groups springing up inProtestant areas such as the ‘Tigers’ and the‘Loyalist Association.’These gangs organised themselves into socalled defence units and attacked Catholics
when the opportunity arose. It was these‘defence units’ that forced thousands ofCatholics from their places of work the mostnotable being the Belfast ship yard Harland& Wolff. When the Unionist Party set upthe ‘Cromwell Club’ its chief organiser wasSergeant William McCartney of MusgraveR.I.C. Barrack and their purpose was tocarry out acts of retaliation whenevermembers of the R.I.C. and ‘Specials’ wereshot by the I.R.A., however there arehistorians who believe that the purpose ofthe ‘Cromwell Clubs’ (and the name alonewould support this) was to drive all theCatholics out of the new ‘Ulster’ state. Thereare also cases where theses units actuallyshot dead R.I.C. constables themselves toensure that they would be ordered out.The constables they shot were usuallyCatholic and one such case of thishappening is the event which occurred in theCarrick Hill area of Belfast - the ArnonStreet Massacre
Constable George Turner
Page 24 THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS
THE ARNON STREET MASSACRE
On the night of April 1st 1922regular R.I.C. Constable George B.Turner was on patrol on Peter’s
Hill with a member of the B-Specials. Justafter 11 o’ clock a sniper opened fire on thepair and a bullet struck Constable Turner.The bullet entered through the back of hishead and came out through his mouth, hedied instantly. The Special who was with himthen ran to the nearby Brown Squarebarracks and reported what had happened.A short time later R.I.C. Constable Gordonentered the barrack guard room, seized asledge hammer, (reported to have been thesame hammer used in the McMahon attack,)and called for volunteers for a reprisal.
The killing was the excuse Nixon (whowas based in Brown Square) had needed andwas waiting for. He immediately organisedhis murder squad and a number of‘Specials’ and ordered them into thebarrack lorries and tenders. They then
drove out and into the nearby Nationalistarea of Carrick Hill. What was to followrivalled the McMahon family murdersin its savagery and ruthlessness.
The murder squad arrived first in StanhopeStreet and jumping from their lorries theybegan to smash their way into the houses.At the same time a Lancia armoured carwas firing indiscriminately through thewindows and doors not caring whether ornot if it was men, women or children whowere behind them.
“LOOK AT DADDY”The first house to be attacked was number15 Stanhope Street and after forcing anentry they came across Joseph McRory, aged40, whom they ordered to put his hands up.McCrory placed his hands above his headexclaiming ‘Oh, son, I never harmed any-one.’ ‘None of your sonning me,’ was thereply before Joseph McCrory was shot dead.
1
2
3
4
Map of Belfast 1920. 1 -Arnon Street. 2 - Stanhope Street. 3 - Brown Square Barracks. It wasfrom here that Nixon’s murder squad operated. 4 - The house where William Kerr was draggedfrom his home and murdered by the Nixon squad.
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 25
The killers then burst into a few more housesbut left when the found no men presentwithin them. At the same time a differentgroup burst into number 26 Park Streetwhere they came upon a sailor, who had justreturned from sea, named BernardMcKenna. Rushing up the narrow staircaseand into the small bedroom they foundMcKenna standing near the fire and shothim eight times killing him instantly. Mr.McKenna was the father of seven youngchildren. The next house singled out forattack was number 16 Arnon Street. A mannamed William Spallin lived here and thatvery day he had buried his wife. Mr. Spallinwas seventy years old and was in the bed-room with his twelve year old grandchild.When the ‘Cromwell Club’ members burstinto his bedroom they aimed their weaponsat the pensioner and shot him dead were helay. A short time later the young child wasfound sitting up in bed gazing in horror atthe murdered man crying ‘look at daddy.’
BEATEN AND SHOTNumber 12 Arnon Street was the next hometo be forced into. In this house lived theWalsh family and the two adult men wholived here were both ex-soldiers who hadfought in the Great War. As the R.I.C. werebeating the front door the mother thoughtit wise to open it and let the police enter asshe thought it was raid. As soon as the dooropened the armed gang pushed their way pastthe frightened woman and pushed them tothe ground. They then proceeded up thestairs and into the bedroom where they foundJoseph Walsh in the bedroom with his sevenyear old son Michael and and two year olddaughter Brigid. They then dragged JosephWalsh from the bed and threw him to thefloor where they smashed in his headwith a sledgehammer. He died instantly.The gang then opened fire on the twoscreaming children and both were hit a
number of times. The girl survived but theboy died a short time afterwards. Fourteenyear old Frank Walsh was shot and beatenin the kitchen and survived as did JosephWalsh’s brother who had hid in the yard withtwo young children.
REQUIRED EXCUSENixon’s excuse to launch this attack was thatconstable Turner was shot from this area.But was he ?At this period the area was under thecontrol of the 2nd Battalion, Belfast BrigadeI.R.A. and all their arms and movement ofmembers in the district were all accountedfor at the time the R.I.C. constable was shot,so if it was not the I.R.A. who shot him thenwho was it? Nixon and his murder squad saidthat he was shot from Stanhope Street andthat is the reason why they attacked this area
Joseph Walsh in his military uniformalong with 7 year old Michael Walsh
Page 26 THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS
but what really happened was a simple planconducted by Nixon to gain an excuse toattack the area. Constable Turner was shotdead by one of his fellow officers from theroof of nearby Brown Square barracks. Thespot in which he was shot could in no waybe seen from the Stanhope Street area. Inthis area the main sniper activity itself camemainly came from the roof of Brown Squarebarracks as snipers had fired from here onnumerous occasions beforehand, howeverthe wound which Constable Turner receivedwould also suggest that he had been shotfrom this place. The spot he was shot at wasnear the Peter’s Hill baths and the bullet firedcame through the top of his head and outthrough his mouth, this alone suggests thathe was shot from a high position and thenearest high building was Brown Squarebarracks.
EYEWITNESSESThis is just one of the many occasions inwhich the R.I.C. sought to create their ownexcuse to murder Catholics. They had attimes also fired on the military based in thenearby Victoria Barracks with the intentionsof getting them to ‘shoot-up’ Catholic areasbut the military were mainly aware of this.It is also another of the many incidents inwhich District Inspector Nixon showedhis absolute brutality in the killing ofcompletely innocent Roman Catholics. Asstated there are many many more incidentsincluding the ‘reprisal’ killings in Millfieldafter two ‘Specials’ were shot dead by theI.R.A. in July 1922. On this occasion Nixonordered out every available armoured car andmen.They then set off to the nearby Millfieldarea and once there raked the whole area withmachine-gun fire before bursting into manyhouses. When they left fourteen people laydead or badly injured. Although their mainplan was to shoot male Catholics (one case
being the McMahon family) there are alsoincidents were Nixon was seen by eye-witnesses who recognised him and whomade statements testifying that he openlyshot at and killed women and children. Oneincident of this is the shooting of the Walshchildren but others have included theshooting of a four year old girl namedSkillen who was shot dead on the CrumlinRoad and also of a baby boy who was shotdead as his sister held him in her arms inUpper Library Street.
BRUTAL KILLERAnother member of this unit who wasparticularly brutal in his method of killing.It was Head Constable Giff who tried toensure that his victims died a slow andpainful death and one of the ways in whichhe done this was by using his bayonetbefore shooting them as he considered itprolonged their agony. The wounds heusually attempted to inflict on his Catholicvictims were the same wounds as thosesuffered by Christ on his hands and feet.There are many cases of Giff doing this buttwo of the most brutal cases were in themurders of James Gaynor of 136 SpringfieldRoad and Malachy Halfpenny of 21 HerbertStreet in the Ardoyne area.
On the 26th of September 1920 at aroundmidnight three units of these ‘CromwellClubs’ left their barrack at Springfield Roadunder the command of County InspectorHarrison. Harrison ordered them to the homeof Edward Trodden on the Falls Road andmurdered him. The other unit went to thehome of James Gaynor and after burstingtheir way in shot him in his bedroom. Giff,before leaving, stabbed him with hisbayonet and left him to die in agony.
As they were leaving the house Giff grabbedthe mans mother and beat her and then left.
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 27
District Inspector Nixon in the full uniformof the Royal Irish Constabulary
Page 28 THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS
THE HALFPENNY MURDERSW hat this ‘Cromwell Club’
seemed to be doing was to tryand commit the most brutal
murders possible in order to terrify the restof the Catholic community. Many historiansbelieve that the reason behind this was todrive them out of Northern Ireland and intothe Free State. Some historians also add thatthese brutal killings did not begin until 1922with the McMahon murders being the first.If that is the case then what of the murdersof Alexander McBride, William Kerr andMalachy Halfpenny the year before.
On the 12th of June 1921 three people weremurdered in north Belfast. These murderswere ordered by Nixon who took an activepart in all of them. The following are theothers who took part in these killings andsome have not been named beforehand asthey belonged to a separate unit of the‘Cromwell Club.’
District Inspector NixonHead Constable Giff
Constable GlassConstable RussellConstable Sterrit
Constable GordonConstable CaherConstable Hare
Constable Norris
Constable ReidNixon ordered that the ‘Curfew Patrol’Crossley was to report to him at 11.30 onthe night of Saturday the 12th. The ‘CurfewPatrol’ was an armoured R.I.C. vehiclewhich drove around making sure that no onebroke the curfew which was in force at thetime. The driver of this vehicle was replaced
by Constable Glass and Sergeant B. Clarke,who was in charge of the armoured car, wastaken to Court Street Barracks in the CrumlinRoad area and ordered by Nixon to remainthere until his vehicle was returned. Nixonand Glass then drove on to the Crumlin Roaditself and picked up the rest of their unit.
They then drove along Clifton Park Avenueon to the Cliftonville Road and then toCardigan Drive. Once they reached here theybanged on the door of number 28 and thedoor was opened by Mrs. McBride. Nixonthen informed her that he wished herhusband to come to the barracks for a fewminutes and that he would be drove backhome again. Mr. McBride was then takenout in his night clothes and placed in thetender and drove off, but instead of goingto the barracks he was drove up to Ligonielwhere he was brutally murdered.
After this murder Nixon and his unit thendrove to Herbert Street and to the home ofMalachy Halfpenny. Constables Gordon and
Photograph of 21 Herbert Street shortly before the housewas demolished. It was from here that Halfpenny was
dragged before being brutally murdered.(Photograph Rushlight Magazine)
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 29
Sterrit burst in and dragged him from hisbed and took him to the armoured car.Halfpenny was beat with rifle butts andConstable Giff pierced the victims feet withhis bayonet.The vehicle then drove once again toLigoniel and when it came to a stopHalfpenny was pulled from it and riddledwith bullets. They then lifted the body andthrew it through a barbed wire fence intothe field where the body of McBride alreadylay. Before these killings the unit went tonumber 47 Old Lodge Road where they tookWilliam Kerr and murdered him in similarcircumstances.
When the bodies were discovered the nextmorning it was found that Halfpenny wasshot seventeen times and apart frominflicting the stab wounds to Halfpenny’sfeet Giff also used his bayonet to rip out thevictims testicles.
Malachy HalfpennyAlexander McBride
William Kerr
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PROTESTANT SNIPERThese were not the only murders to occurthat night. The I.R.A. shot dead ThomasSturdy (who was an A-Special) in York Streetand also a Protestant named Edward Jenkinsin the Kashmir Road area. The B-Specialsburst into the home of Patrick Milligan inDock Lane and shot him dead. They thenburst into the home of Joseph Millar in NewDock Street dragged him from it andmurdered him. In this incident his motherwas shot and wounded and later recovered.She was soon after shot dead on the 24th ofNovember 1921 by a Protestant sniper.
CATHOLIC MEMBERSOf the original ‘Cromwell Club’ two werekilled. Sergeant C. Clarke was shot dead bymembers of the I.R.A. A remarkable factwas that Clarke was a Catholic and wasburied in Milltown Cemetery close to someof his victims. The other was SergeantGlover. The remainder continued theirmurderous onslaught against the Catholiccommunity as did other R.I.C. and B-Special ‘reprisal units’, however as this unitwas killing in ones and twos they were alsoplanning a much more atrocious deed, theMcMahon family killings. As already stated
Map of Belfast 1920 showing Ligoniel
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 31
this attack occurred on the 24th of March1922 and at this time the BelfastCorporation were carrying out work onCarlisle Circus which is a short distanceaway from the McMahon home. A watch-man was placed on duty to watch over thework site and to ensure that nothing wasstolen. At approximately 1.00am he wasapproached by two constables who askedhim for a sledgehammer and after receivingit disappeared up the Crumlin Road. Thetwo R.I.C. constables were Sterrit andGordon and when they got the hammer theyjoined up with their unit and thencommitted the murders. After the McMahonkillings Michael Collins called on JamesCraig to hold and inquiry but this wasrefused. After learning that an inquiry wasturned down Nixon and Harrison continuedto organise bigger and more atrocious ‘hits.’At this time a pact was being reached byMichael Collins and James Craig but thisfailed. Many historians believe that this was
the intention of Nixon and Harrison as theyboth saw it as a threat not only to ‘Ulster’but to themselves.
THE CABINET CONNECTIONOne of the main questions being asked atthe time and which still remains unansweredto this day was why no inquiries were heldand why there were no prosecutions when itwas common knowledge who wascommitting the murders? It is believed thatthe reason the Government would notprosecute those involved is because theNorthern Ireland Cabinet were themselvesinvolved in the creation of the ‘CromwellClubs.’ The Cabinet was entirely made upof members of the Ulster Unionists and itwas this party which set up the ‘CromwellClubs’ at their headquarters in the oldTownhall at the rear of Musgrave R.I.C.barracks. Another point which must be madeconcerning these buildings is why were theyconnected? In other words why was theheadquarters of a political party connectedto a police station?When they were established these unitscarried out numerous murders in full R.I.C.or B-Special uniform and many of themwere personally known to many eye-witnesses who saw the killings beingcarried out. Apart from the McMahonmurders and the Arnon Street massacre therewas one inquiry which Craig would havefound difficult to refuse (although he did)and this was an attack which occurred onthe 23rd of April 1921. On this date twomembers of the Auxiliary Police, ErnestBolim and John Bailes, were walking alongDonegall Place when they were approachedby members of the I.R.A. and shot dead. Thatnight during curfew hours Nixon andHarrison, along with five other members oftheir unit, left the Springfield Road barracksto carry out an act of retaliation - the murderof the Duffin brothers.
Sergeant Clark - one of two Catholic membersof the Harrison/Nixon murder squad
Page 32 THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS
TWO BROTHERS MURDERED
Map of Belfast 1920. 1 - Clonard Gardens. 2 - Springfield Road Barracks. It was from here thatthe Harrison murder squad operated
2
A t 11.55pm several men approachedthe home of the Duffin family at64 Clonard Gardens and banged on
the front door. Inside two brothers, Patrickand Daniel, were sitting in the downstairsbackroom when the banging began andPatrick went upstairs to ask another brother,John, what to do. Because he had heard acurfew patrol passing a few momentsearlier John presumed that it was safe enoughto do so and that it was maybe a police raid.Patrick came downstairs and as he wasdoing so instructed Daniel to open the door.When he did so a number of men burst inand shouted ‘put you hands up’ beforeforcing them back into the backroom. The
men then opened fire with revolvers and thetwo brothers fell dead, the killers then rushedfrom the house slamming the door behindthem. At this time John was coming down-stairs to see what was going on when themen rushed past him, he then went into theroom and saw the bodies. He noticed thatthere was a dog in the house howling to getout. He knew that it was not their dog andlater stated that ‘it was evidently brought inby them (the killers.) It was a yellow, longhaired, well cared for dog and seemed to beno stray animal. It wanted out and was veryanxious to get away. I kept it in the house.The District Inspector who called after Ireported the matter took the dog away.’ It
1
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 33
was Nixon who called and collected the dogand the animal did not become part of theinvestigation. Many people who saw thedog being led away then identified it. It wasthe station dog of Springfield Road R.I.C.Barrack.
After the McMahon and Arnon Streetmassacres relations began to improve be-tween the British and Irish Governmentand various negotiations took place. TheR.I.C. were formed into a new force whichwas named the Royal Ulster Constabulary(R.U.C.) and the A, B, and C Specials
remained. Nixon and Harrison retained theirpositions within the new force and Nixonwas given control of the Shankill Road areawhere he was treated as a local folk hero,but unknown to Nixon plans were under wayto remove him from the police force as hewas becoming an embarrassment due tothe fact that it was common knowledgethat he organised and took part in variousmurder attacks.
The new R.U.C. needed to rid itself of thisextreme loyalist and for the time being waswaiting to the excuse to do so.
The funerals of the Duffin brothers
Page 34 THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS
THE LEADERSJOHN WILLIAM NIXON
John William Nixon was born in Co. Cavanin 1880. He joined the R.I.C. as aconstable in 1899 and served in Belfast,Donegall, Lisburn and Galway. He was thenposted to Belfast for a second time andstationed in the Springfield Road barrackswhere he received the rank of sergeant.
Soon after, and having passed the necessaryexamination, he was made a HeadConstable and transferred to the DublinR.I.C. depot in 1912 where he made him-self prominent in connection with the“Larkin Strike” a year later. In 1916 he andDistrict Inspector Redmond were in chargeof the unit which moved against the I.R.A.
in Mode Castle which was under thecommand of Liam Mellows. Later he servedat Strokestown where his zeal earned theapproval of Hammer Greenwood. He nextfigured in Westport after the death ofDistrict Inspector Milling. Subsequentlytransferred to Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh,where he became associated with MajorLeathers, Intelligence Officer atCastlesaunderson, and was prominent in allthe activities of the Auxiliaries in thatarea.In November 1920 he returned to Belfast totake charge of C’ Division of the R.I.C. basedat Brown Square barracks. It was from thisperiod that he began to organise murdersquads to kill Catholics. In 1922 he wasgiven control of the Loyalist Shankill Roadarea after he maintained his position asDistrict Inspector within the newly formedR.U.C.
BLACK BOOKAfter the R.U.C.’s formation CountyInspector Harrison was expected to beappointed City Commissioner in place ofJohn Fitzhugh Gelston. Nixon was thenexpecting to be appointed County Inspectorin place of Harrison. Gelston was disgustedwith the state in which the new police forcewas falling and consulted Major GeneralFlood (who became Inspector General) andafterwards it was decided that Nixon,Harrison and the rest of their murder squadswould have to go. All were asked to resignfrom the R.U.C. and all refused. WhatGelston and Flood had underestimated wasthe power Nixon and Harrison had. Boththreatened that if they were dispensed withthey would shoot certain members of theNorthern Ireland Government and they had
Nixon in the full uniform of an R.U.C.District Inspector. The medals displayedwere presented by the King for his ‘loyalservices’ during the partition of Ireland.
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 35
the entire force of the ‘Specials’ supportingthem. After the ‘resign’ attempt failed Nixonwas offered an appointment in the CanadianPolice but he also refused this offer. InBelfast Nixon had too much power andcontrol over the police and Government andit centred mainly around a note pad whichhe called ‘the black book.’This was a small pocket book which Nixonhad kept listing all the R.I.C. members whocarried out sectarian murders againstCatholics and the officers who ordered themto to carried out. It also listed members ofthe Cabinet who, he stated, set up themurder squads.
SERVICE AWARDEDHe was permitted to remain within thepolice and the promise of a future honourwas made to him. This took the form of anM.B.E. which was awarded to him in 1923by King George for his ‘valuable servicerendered by him during the troubled period.’Harrison was awarded an O.B.E. in thebirthday honours the same year.
The remainder of the Nixon/Harrison‘Cromwell Club’ all remained in the R.U.C.and all received higher promotions. Harrisonreceived the post of City Commissionerwhich he sought and was later appointedInspector General. Nixon now realised thathis future within the R.U.C. was insecuredue to the fact that he remained un-promoted,and he also knew that he was under apermanent I.R.A. death threat as they wereconstantly gathering information on himmainly concerning his movements. A FreeState Ministry of Defence report compiledin 1924 described him as ‘an arrant cowardwho never ventures abroad.’ The Ministryrealised that because of the agreementsmade between the two governments Nixonwas safe so long as he remained withinNorthern Ireland, however their main planwas to have him assassinated once he left it.The same report also mentioned that Nixonhad ‘parliamentary ambitions.’The report was correct as Nixon’spolitical career began a short time after-wards.
Nixon (below X) photographed with members of the Orange Order
X
Page 36 THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS
NOT AN INCHTHE NEW “NO SURRENDER CANDIDATE”
In 1923 Nixon and a number of otherR.I.C./R.U.C. members founded the ‘SirRobert Peel Memorial Orange Lodge’ whichwas based in Clifton Street Orange Hall. In1924, at the Lodge’s second annual generalmeeting Nixon made a speech based on theborder issue which was being resolved at thetime by both Irish Governments.
The speech was based on allegations thatthe I.R.A. were going to invade ‘Ulster’ andclaim a large section of it and that it was upto Orangemen to prevent it. He then statedthat ‘not an inch’ of ‘Ulster’ would be handedover to the ‘enemy.’ The speech waspublished in the local newspapers andcaused widespread controversy and Nixonwas soon reported to his superiors who wenton to hold an inquiry. In the meantimeDistrict Inspector Nixon was suspended, hissuperiors no longer fearing his ‘black book’as they felt they had silenced the rest of hismurder squad through promotions.
WIDE SUPPORTNixon then went out and gathered wide-spread support throughout the Shankill area.Thousands of bill posters were pasted up insupport for him and the entire gable wall ofthe Brown Square barracks was covered in
them. The night before the inquiry a crowdof over 10,000, which included manymembers of the R.U.C. and ‘Specials’ andwhich was led by numerous Orange Orderbands marched from the Shankill Road toBelfast’s City Hall to hear speeches insupport of Nixon. The following day (14thFebruary 1924) the proceedings againstNixon began but were twice adjourned. Theinquiry was finally held on the 19th ofFebruary with County Inspector F. Britten,of Lisburn, and County Inspector W. Moore,of Armagh proceeding. The case againstNixon was based on the reports whichappeared in the newspapers and the threejournalists who wrote them refused to giveevidence as they had received threats fromsupporters of Nixon. The court was thendissolved and all proceedings against theDistrict Inspector dropped. Celebrationsamong Nixon’s supporters then began.
City Commissioner Gelston
Nixon (saluting) at the funeral ofSergeant Christopher Clarke
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 37
DISMISSEDNixon then reported back on duty and a fewdays later he was given an hours notice toreport to the Inspector General’s office.When he reported he found InspectorGeneral Wickham and City CommissionerGelston waiting to interview him andWickham informed him that he had ordersfrom the Northern Ireland Government toquery him and that he was to answer justyes and no to the questions put to him. Nixonprotested strongly throughout the interviewand when it finished stormed out of the room.It remains unknown exactly what thesequestions were but they are believed to havecentred around the murder squads. On the28th of February District Inspector Nixonwas dismissed from the R.U.C. on a fullpension.
PROTESTSNumerous protests were again organised insupport of Nixon and various GovernmentMinisters received death threats. Again hewas supported by a large section of theR.U.C. and ‘Specials’ and the night after hisdismissal the entire ‘B’ force in Co. Tyronerefused to go on duty. He also had thesupport of the Orange and Black Orders, theShankill Unionist Association as well asthe Loyalist Defence Association who allmade threats to oppose the governmentin the next elections. A large number ofM.P.’s supported Nixon and one of them,Sam McGuffin (Ulster Unionist LabourAssociation) offered to resign his seat toallow Nixon to stand in the following by-election. The others made demands inparliament that he should be reinstated anddescribed his dismissal as an attack on theOrange Order. On the 15th of April a largemeeting was held in the Ulster Hall andwhen Nixon got on to the platform to speakhe was given a standing ovation from thelarge crowd which included members of
the R.U.C. ‘Specials’ the Orange andMasonic Lodge’s and numerous Protestantclergy (five of whom were speakers.) In Julythe same year support for the ex-DistrictInspector was displayed on various orangearches throughout the Shankill area and inthe same area he had a loyalist band namedin honour of him.
COUNCIL ELECTIONSThe government stood firm knowing of theBritish and Irish interest in the whole caseand Nixon was never reinstated. Thefollowing year Nixon stood in a councilelection in the Court Ward of Belfast andwhich was the Old Lodge Road area. He waselected by 3.761 votes to 1.868 for aLabour candidate who opposed him. Heremained in this council seat for a numberof years afterwards but his main politicalcareer did not begin until 1929 when he stoodin the parliamentary election for theWoodvale area standing as an IndependentUnionist. The turnout for this election was75.2% of which 58.4% voted for Nixon thusoutvoting the Unionist candidate Mr. W.Beattie.Nixon’s next election was in 1933 when hedefended his seat against Mr. A. Dalzell whowas standing on behalf of the Unionist Party.At this election the turnout was 76.4% withNixon clinching 56.6% of the vote and
Brown Square Barracks (1968)
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Dalzell receiving 41%. Throughout theseelections another loyalist figure joined withNixon and stood in elections under theIndependent Unionist banner.
FRIENDSWilliam Wilton was a prosperous undertakerwho was well known for his extremeloyalist views. In Belfast Wilton had funeralparlours on the Crumlin Road, (whichremains today) the Shankill Road and a largenumber of others spread throughout the cityand all of which he permitted to be used forvarious loyalist meetings. Both Nixon andWilton were staunch supporters of the new‘Ulster Protestant League.’ This organisationwas founded in 1931 and its main purposewas to call on Protestants not to employ ordo business with Roman Catholics. Thisgroup also had connections with a similargroup named the ‘Ulster ProtestantAssociation and the main object of this groupwas quite simply the killing of Catholics.The Ulster Protestant League began to losesupport in the times leading up to the out-door relief protests of the 1930s and soondisbanded. The organisation then emerged
again in the 1950s and its name changedto ‘Ulster Protestant Action’ with the aimsof the previous group remaining. Like thefirst the grouping lasted a short time butamong its members who continued careersas militant loyalists were Noel Dochertywho was active in the paramilitary ‘Prot-estant Volunteers’ and Gusty Spence whowas one of the founders of the revived
Election poster for Nixon
The Rev. Ian Paisley who described Nixonas “the most effective politician of his day.”
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 39
‘Ulster Volunteer Force.’ Another personwho dominated the ‘Ulster ProtestantLeague’ and who was a personal friend ofboth Nixon and Wilton was the Rev. IanPaisley. Paisley was a fascinated followerof unionist politics in Northern Ireland andat least once a week, mainly Tuesdays,Nixon would drive him up to Stormont.Paisley later described Nixon as “the mosteffective politician of his day.”
Nixon’s next election was in 1938 and thistime he was defending his seat against theUnionist candidate Mr. J. E. Dickson. In thiselection he was proposed by John Johnstonof 39 Brookmount Street and was secondedby 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 defeatedthe Unionist who received 41% of the votes.
COWARDThe next election was after the Second WorldWar in 1945. The candidate chosen by theUnionist Party to oppose him was Mr.Samuel Megraw who lived at 4 HillsbroughParade. Megraw worked as a boilermaker inthe Belfast shipyard and was a member ofthe ‘Ulster Unionist Labour Association,’and because of this the Unionists believedthat he could relate to the working peopleof the Woodvale. Nixon’s proposer in thiselection was Thomas Meekin who in turnwas seconded by Annie M. Yeats, the
election agent being James Shannon wholived at 147 Ballygomartin Road. This wasto be Nixon’s hardest fought election andduring it Nixon was accused of being “acoward who had run away during theLuftwaffe blitz on Belfast.” Nixon deniedthe allegations and stated that he had goneas far as loaning his house to the civilauthorities during the course of the war. Ifthis is true then one question which remainsunanswered in connection with this is wherewas Nixon when his house was on loan?The Ulster Prime Minister Sir Basil Brookeshowed a personal interest in this electioncontest and at a rally in support of Megrawhe stated that “Nixon had an opportunity ofjoining the Unionist Party and that he wasquite unable to realise why he should havedecided to continue or remain anIndependent Unionist.” He then went on tostate his ‘regret’ that Nixon choose not tojoin his party. The turnout in this electionwas 69.3% with Nixon receiving 66.4% ofthe overall vote. After this election Nixon’shealth began to decline.The next election was in 1949 and this wasto be Nixon’s last. This time his proposerwas Wilton (the undertaker) of 227Ballygomartin Road and who himself stoodfor the seat in Clifton Ward. He wasseconded by Margaret Meekin who lived at83 Hopeton Street in the Shankill Road area.At this election the Unionist Partyrealised that there was too much supportfor Nixon in this area and that his seat wasunshakable. Nixon stood unopposed.
DEATH OF NIXONSoon afterwards Nixon’s health began to getworse and he was moved to the MusgraveClinic where he died on the 11th of May1949 at the age of 71.Nixon’ s funeral was on Friday 13th of Mayto Dundonald Cemetery in East Belfast.Thousands attended and large crowds lined
Page 40 THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS
the route of the funeral. Included amongthose in attendance was the Speaker of theNorthern Ireland House of Commons SirNorman Stronge; the Minister ofEducation Lieut - Colonel S. H. HallThompson; the Minister of Health and manyother Stormont Ministers. Many membersof various Orange and Masonic Lodges werealso present as were numerous clergymen.The officiating clergy were the Rev.Hastings Lyttle, M. A., the Rev. R. Craig andChancellor James Quinn. The PrimeMinister was represented by Sir RobertGransden, Secretary to the Cabinet, theMinister of Home Affairs by Mr. W.Wellwood and the parliamentary staff byMr. Alexander Clarke. The funeral made itsway slowly down the Shankill Road beforebeing drove to Dundonald were Nixon wasburied in the family plot.
An election was held in 1950 for Nixon’sseat and four politicians stood against each
other for it. The turnout was 57.9% and thefollowing 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 theyhad fought long and hard for but it was onlybecause the Independent Unionist vote wassplit. The Unionist Part continued to holdthe seat except for two elections when theseat was won by Mr. W. R. Boyd of theNorthern Ireland Labour Party in 1958 and1962.
COUNTY INSPECTOR HARRISONRichard Dale Winnett Harrison was born inKilkenny in 1883, his father being a districtinspector in the local R.I.C. After his educa-tion in Trinity College, Dublin, he followedin his fathers footsteps and joined the R.I.C
Nixon’s home at 147 Ballygomartin Road. Nixon loaned this houseout 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 “acoward 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 McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 41
in 1906 and became a third class districtinspector the same year. After serving inmany parts of Ireland he became an officerin charge of the Detective Office in Belfast.Harrison soon after teamed up with Nixonand their reign of terror throughout theCatholic communities of Belfast began. Atthe formation of the R.U.C. Harrisonseems to have disowned Nixon with thepromise of promotion which was soongranted when he was appointed City
Commissioner. He died at his Upper MaloneRoad home on the 22nd April 1982 at theage of 99.
LIBEL ACTIONS BY NIXONThroughout his police and political careerthe actions of Harrison and Nixon were wellknown. The Irish Government knew Nixonwas a killer as did the British Governmentas well as the Northern Government inStormont. In fact during a heated exchangein Stormont in May 1941 Lord Glentornshouted across the chamber to Nixon Youwill not murder me. Nixon had sued news-papers for stating that he was a killer andwon cases against the Irish News and DerryJournal. His most famous case however wasagainst the London book publishers Methuen& Co., which printed a book entitledNomad written by Charles McGuinness. Inthis book the author stated:-
The wiping out of the McMahon family ofBelfast, father and seven sons, who werein no way affiliated with the I.R.A., willforever remain as a stain on the well -spattered escutcheons of Ulster. One man,who has since been elevated to Parliamen-tary honours, was charged with the orderof execution of the McMahon’s and isluckier than he knows to be alive today...
Nixon stated that he was the M.P. referredto, and that he was a district inspector ofpolice in Belfast at the date of the murders.The allegations in the paragraph were saidto be absolutely false and a gross libel onhim. The court then ordered the publishersto pay Nixon £1.250. The reference in theabove paragraph luckier than he knows tobe alive today is believed to refer to plansby Michael Collins to have Nixon executed,plans which fell through after Collins him-self was killed in an ambush at Beal na mBlath, Co. Cork in August 1922.County Inspector Harrison
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GETTING AWAY WITH MURDERNixon has been dead for over 50 years and thereare a handful of his admirers still in Belfast whowill never admit that they respect him becausehe killed Taigs, after all what else has he everachieved? It is hard to believe that even todaythere are people who still admire District Inspec-tor Nixon but this is no great shock given the factthat there are still people today who admire AdolfHitler. They would try and use the fact that hewon the libel actions as proof that he wasinnocent but if the documents which are still keptlocked up in Public Record Offices in Belfast,Dublin and London were made available to thecourts then there is no doubt that things wouldhave been so different. Not only was Nixon nevercharged with any of these murders - he was nevereven investigated. At this time and throughouthis political career everyone in Belfast knewNixon was a killer - a fact that he never tried tohide. The R.I.C./R.U.C. knew he was a killer.The British, Irish and Stormont Governmentsknew he was a killer and more disturbingly hisvoters knew he was a killer. Those who wouldglorify Nixon would state that he was nevercharged with any of these killings but this leavesus with the question of who was going to chargehim? As detailed earlier in this publication Nixonkept a record of not only those who carried outthe killings but also those who ordered them. Thatis the reason why he was never charged. On theformation of the new police force the R.U.C. thosein command knew that Nixon had to go and whenthey eventually got rid of him it was all donebehind closed doors.Not only was Nixon never investigated, the kill-ings he carried out were never even investigatedand inquests were abolished. But what if they hadbeen? The survivors of the McMahon murderswould have recognised him. The widow of
Alexander McBride named Nixon as the man whotook him away to be murdered. The mother ofWilliam Kerr knew the faces of those who tookhim away as did the family of Malachy Half-penny. The people who saw what went on inArnon Street knew the faces of those responsibleas did those in Millfield. When McGarvey wasdragged from his home in Bray Street the land-lady of the house recognised Nixon and witnessesrecognised Nixon and Harrison as two of thoseinvolved. Looking at all the evidence today wecan see why no investigations were carried out.When the police enquiries were being made itwas often Nixon or Harrison who were on theground - the killers investigating the killings!
THE BELFAST TROUBLESThe main focus of this publication is to highlightthe activities of the murderous Cromwell Clubled by County Inspector Harrison and DistrictInspector Harrison. All of their victims wereRoman Catholic. However, it would be un-reasonable to try and suggest that it was onlyRoman Catholics which suffered during thishorrific period in our city’s history. There wereatrocities carried out by Catholics which rangedfrom indiscriminate attacks on trams with MillsBombs through to workers being lined up andshot dead such as that which occurred in LittlePatrick Street. On the next page begins a list ofthose who were recorded as being killed duringthe Belfast troubles of the 1920’s.The list is incomplete as some people were notrecorded due to a high number of killings in oneshort period. Another reason is that some secretburials took place so as not to let the ‘other side’know their ‘victories.’ These killings beganshortly after Unionist leader Edward Carson madethe following statement at an Orange Orderdemonstration:-
....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 usfrom 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 willre-organise, as we feel bound to in our own defence, throughout the province the Ulster Volunteers who sent you splendid help to maintain ourEmpire 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 wetell 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 madethat pretty clear. And those are not mere words. I hate words without action.
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 43
Military order issued at thebeginning of the Belfast
troubles after the partition ofIreland August 1920
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THE VICTIMS21ST July 1920
Francis FinneganAged 40Catholic
Lower Clonard StreetShot dead by military who firedindiscriminately into the KashmirRoad district
Margaret NoadAged 27Catholic
3 Anderson StreetAt the inquest her husband statedthat she had left the house aroundmidnight with her friend, Mrs.Mary Ann Curran, to go and visither mother who lived at 39 BondStreet. At the time the mother wasill and her daughter was keepinga check on her. (The Mother diedtwo days later,) Mrs. Noad wasshot dead by an R.I.C. sergeantwho fired a single shot at her. Hewas identified at the inquest byJames Geoghan and Hugh Erneas Sergeant Slacke who wasbased in Lisburn Road R.I.C.barracks. The inquest juryreturned a verdict of accidentalshooting.
Bernard DevlinAged 18Catholic
39 Alexandra Street WestShot dead by military who openedfire indiscriminately into theKashmier Road district. Mr.Devlin was an ex-soldier.
22nd July 1920Brother Michael Morgan
Aged 28Catholic
Clonard MonasteryBrother Morgan was a native ofCo. Cavan who had joined theRedemptorist Order. In 1919 hewas moved to Clonard Monas-tery. He had been passing througha corridor of the Monastery when
bullets came through the windowsand struck him, he died instantly.Father Kelly, Rector of theMonastery, rushed to his aid butcould not get near him as bulletscontinued to be fired at thebuilding.
John DowneyAged 20Catholic
21 Roden StreetMr. Downey had left his home at6.30pm to visit his sister wholived in Kashmir Road. He wasshot dead by the military.
James StewartAged 18
ProtestantClydebank, Scotland
Mr. Stewart was on holiday fromScotland and was staying withrelatives at 20 Frome Street. Hewas walking down theNewtownards Road with hiscousin when he was shot dead bya passing military patrol.
Joseph GilesAged 19Catholic
11 Kashmir RoadShot dead in Bombay Street bymilitary. Mr. Giles was an ex-soldier.
Alexander McGovanAged 25
Protestant5 Tralee Street
Mr. McGovan was shot dead bythe military and was buried, byCatholics, in Milltown Cemetery.
Thomas RobinsonAged 33Catholic
6 Kane StreetShot dead at the corner of ClonardGardens and Kashmir Road bymilitary who opened fire with aLewis heavy machine gun. Thefatal bullet struck him betweenthe mouth and nose and came outthe back of his head.
Miraculously he lived for tenminutes afterwards with lastsacraments being administered tohim on the street by the Rev. Cartyfrom the nearby Monastery.
Albert McAuleyAged 19Catholic
Standfield StreetMr. McAuley was standing inEliza Street watching a crowd ofyouths throwing stones at anearby military patrol. The patrolopened fire and Mr. McAuley washit dying instantly. Two otheryouths who went to his aid werealso shot at and received gunshotwounds. Mr. McAuley was verywell known in sporting circulesas a whippet keeper.
William GodfreyAged 46
ProtestantArgyle Street
Shot dead by the military
William DunningAged 23
Protestant76 Bellevue Street
Shot dead by a military sniper atthe junction of Kashmier Road
The fatal bullet struck him between the mouthand nose and came out the back of his head.Miraculously he lived for ten minutesafterwards.
Military patrol on North Queen Street July 1920
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 45
and Cupar Street, Mr. Dunninghad the left side of his facecompletely blown off. He was anex soldier who had joined the 9th
Battalion Royal Irish Rifles withhis two brothers at the beginningof World War One. One of hisbrothers was killed in France andthe other had lost his sight.
James ConnAged 32Protestant47 James StreetMr. Conn was helping a Mr. JohnMcCleeve to lift the body ofWilliam Dunning (above) whenhe was shot dead by the samemilitary sniper.
Henry HennessyAged 48Catholic
120 Ardilea StreetMr. Hennessy was returning fromhis work at Mackies Foundrywhen he was shot dead by aProtestant GunmanAt the inquest on the victims ofthe military shooting in theKashmir Road area it was statedthat all the victims, except BrotherMorgan, had been killed in thecourse of a riot.
23rd July 1920Mary Ann Weston
Aged 29Protestant
24 Welland StreetMary Weston was a millworkerwho had been part of a crowdtrying to burn down St. Matthew’sconvent on the NewtownardsRoad. The military, who had beenguarding the convent, opened fireat the attackers and she was hitand died, William McCune(below) was also killed with tenothers receiving gunshot wounds.
William Mc CuneAged 39
Protestant2 Clonallen Street
(As Above)
24th July 1920John McCartney
Aged 36Catholic
41 Lucknow StreetDied as a result of a gunshotwounds received on the 22nd whenthe military opened fire into theKashmir Road district
Nellie McGregorAged 20
Protestant30 Frome Street
Nellie McGregor left her home ataround 9.30pm to go out for awalk. As she walked pastWestbourn Church in theNewtownards Road area she wasshot from a military lorry whichwas in Bryson Street. She wasinjured and detained in the RoyalVictoria Hospital where she died.
25th July 1920David Dunbar
Aged 20Protestant
64 Silvio StreetMr. Dunbar was a taxi driver whoworked as a driver for the UlsterTaxi-cab Company. At around2.30am on the above date hedrove up the Falls Road andturned into Northumberland
Street going to the garage at Car-low Street. In NorthumberlandStreet a military patrol had beenposted and as the car came to-wards it one of the soldiers calledon it to “Halt.” Failing to do sothe officer commanding orderedthe men to open fire which theydid. Mr. Dunbar died instantly. Atthe inquest the soldiers had statedthat he had jumped from the carand ran leaving the car to driveinto them.
David DunbarIn 1916, during the First WorldWar, he had joined the army. Hewas badly wounded in the leg in1918 and, after a number ofoperations, was discharged andreturned home. At the inquest Mr.Dunbar’s brother stated becauseof the war wound he could barleywalk never mind run from amoving car. No militarypersonnel were charged.
Junction of Seaforde Street and Newtownards Road July 1920
9th August 1920Private Matthew Parke
Protestant6 Lawther Street
Died as a result of injuriesreceived during earlier distur-bances.
11th August 1920John Doyle
Aged 24Protestant.
11 Prim StreetShot dead by a military patrol.
13th August 1920Susan Houston
Aged 15Protestant
Died as a result of injuries afterbeing shot by military during dis-turbances at a covent on theNewtownards Road on July 22nd.
25th August 1920James McCartney
Aged 19Protestant
1 Frome StreetShot dead by military during dis-turbances in the Dee Street area.
Page 46 THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS
Ethel BurrowsAged 20
Protestant77 Bright Street.
Shot in the abdomen duringdisturbances in the Dee Streetarea, she was rushed to the RoyalVictoria Hospital in a critical con-dition and died a short time later.
28th August 1920Terence Burns
Aged 36Catholic
17 Massarene StreetMr. Burns was shot in the legduring disturbances in AlbertStreet area; he was taken to theRoyal Victoria Hospital where hedied a shirt time afterwards. Mr.Burns was a cripple.
Francis McCannAged 55Catholic
38 Chemical StreetShot by the military who firedinto the Seaford Street in the ShortStrand area after disturbancesbroke out between the Catholicresidents and protestant shipyard
workers. A large number of peo-ple had been injured due to thegunfire.
29TH August 1920William Mullan
Aged 1Protestant
100 Upper Meadow StreetShot dead in Henry Street by aCatholic gunman after distur-
bances broke out between Catho-lics in the Great Georges Streetarea and Protestant shipyardworkers returning home in trams.
Henry KinneyAged 48Catholic
120 Ardilea StreetReceived a bullet wound to thechest during disturbances in theOldpark area. He later died in theMater Hospital. Killers believedto have been military.
John MurrayAged 20Catholic
11 Glenview StreetShot during disturbances in theMarrowbone district by themilitary who had opened fire. Hewas carried into the MaterHospital dead with bullet woundsto the abdomen.
Thomas TonerAged 19Catholic
Ardilea StreetShot in the chest by the militaryduring disturbances in theMarrowbone district.
Owen MoanCatholic
36 Flenview StreetShot by the military duringdisturbances in the Marrowbonedistrict.
William CassidyAged 25Catholic
42 Glenpark StreetShot dead by military duringdisturbances in the Marrowbonedistrict.
Mr. Chapman was part of a crowd who were orderedto disperse during disturbances in the Sandy Rowarea. The crowd refused and the military opened fire
The Marrowbone districtof North Belfast 1920
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 47
John LynchAged 17Catholic
20 Massereene StreetShot dead by the military duringdisturbances in the TownsendStreet area.
Patrick GilmoreAged 25Catholic
22B Campbell’s RowShot in the abdomen by themilitary during disturbances inthe Townsend Street area.
Henry HobsonAged 17
Protestant100 Cromwell Road
Shot during disturbances in theMillfield area and taken to theRoyal Victoria Hospital where hedied. Mr. Hobson as a keen foot-baller and members of DistilleryFootball Club attended thefuneral. Killers believed to havebeen Catholic.
30th August 1920John Thompson
Aged 18Protestant
3 Henry StreetShot and injured by Catholic gun-men in Great Georges Street. Hehad been taken to the RoyalVictoria Hospital where he dieda short time after.
Robert Mc AlphineAged 11
Protestant135 Little York Street
Shot dead by a Catholic sniper inthe Great Georges Street area.
John CoardAged 25
Protestant11 Lawler Street
Died as a result of bullet woundsreceived during disturbances inthe North Street area.Killers believed to have beenCatholic.
Adam Mc LeanProtestant
20 Southwell StreetReceived bullet wounds duringdisturbances In the York Streetarea and taken to the RoyalVictoria Hospital where he dieda short time later. Killers believedto have been Catholic.
Samuel ColvilleAged 18
Protestant16 Rowan Street
Shot dead in Henry Street by aCatholic gunman duringdisturbances in that area.
Paul ChapmanProtestant
161 Matilda StreetMr. Chapman was part of a crowdwho were ordered to disperseduring disturbances in the SandyRow area. The crowd refused andthe military opened fire. Mr.Chapman was one of four injuredand later died in the UnionInfirmary.
Grace OrrAged 23
Protestant1 Edenderry Street
Shot and injured during distur-bances in the Oldpark area. Diedlater in the Mater Hospital.
31st August 1920Edward Burns
Aged 65Catholic
65 Grove StreetShot dead by Protestant gunmenwho rushed into Earl Street shoot-ing revolvers.
Private JamisonProtestant
Scottish riflesVictoria Barracks
Shot dead by military patrol inLinfield Road
Fred SayeProtestant
62 Donegall PassShot dead by military patrol
Henry McCannAged 40Catholic
34 Wall StreetShot dead by a Protestant gunmanin Brown Street
James CromieAged 25Catholic
65 Trafalgar StreetMr.Cromie was one of a numberof Catholics employed in theBelfast docks. At around 9.00ama number of Protestant workers
149 Nelson Street after a device had been thrown throughthe window by Catholic bombers. August 1920
Military patrol passing through Little Georges Streetafter a night of disturbances August 1920
from the nearby Workman Clarkeshipyard attacked them andopened fire with revolvers killingMr.Cromie. He had served forfour years with the Royal Navy.
1st September 1920James Cowser
Protestant7 Benwell Street
James Cowser was part of aloyalist group pursuing aCatholic in the Oldpark area.
The Catholic ran through a houseat 8 Cliftonpark Avenue andescaped. Cowser chased after himand when he went to climb overthe yard wall he was shot dead bya military sniper.
Page 48 THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS
1
2
4
6
7
8
9
3
5
1. New Lodge Road2. Victoria Barracks
3. North Queen Street
4. Gallaher Tobacco Factory5. York Street Mill
6. Henry Street
7. York Street8. Nelson Street
9. Little Patrick Street
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 49
Thomas MaxwellAged 48
Protestant61 North Boundary Street
Mr. Maxwell was shot andwounded in the leg duringdisturbances in the Hartley Streetarea. He was taken to hospital anddied as a result of his injuries.
2nd September 1920Frederick Hobbs
Aged 28Catholic
26 Boundary StreetMr.Hobbs was standing at hisfront door when a Protestantgunman approached him and shothim in the head the previous day.He was badly injured and rushedto the Royal Victoria Hospitalwhere he died a short time after-wards. A man named AlexanderTrainor of 49 Dover Street waslater charged with the murder.
Thomas BoydAged 45
Protestant11 Northland Street
Mr.Boyd was admitted to theRoyal Victoria Hospital theprevious night suffering from abullet wound to the throat anddied a short time later.
3rd September 1920William McMurty
Aged 18Protestant
13 Derry StreetAdmitted to hospital onSeptember 1st with gunshotwounds, which he receivedduring disturbances in HartleyStreet.
John O’BrienAged 45Catholic
9 Kildare StreetShot in the head by a Protestantsniper who was firing into theCarrick Hill area.
4th September 1920Charles Harold
ProtestantSoldier
Victoria BarracksDied in military hospital as aresult of injuries received duringearlier disturbances.
12th September 1920John Toner
Aged 58Catholic
29 Cable StreetDied as a result of injuriesreceived in an earlier incidentwhen he was shot by a militarypatrol.
Robert SeymourProtestant
186 Sandy RowMr. Seymour was one of four peo-ple injured during disturbances inthe Sandy Row area when themilitary opened fire on August31st. Paul Chapman was alsokilled in the same attack.
20th September 1920James Mathews
Protestant18 Hartley Street
Died in the Royal Victoria Hos-pital as a result of gunshotwounds, which he received dur-ing earlier disturbances.
26th September 1920Constable Thomas Leonard
Aged 40Catholic
R.I.C.Springfield Road BarracksConstable Leonard was on patrolwith Constable Carroll on theFalls Road when they wereapproached by a number of I.R.A.gunmen who ordered them to puttheir hands up. Refusing to do sothe constables attempted to aimtheir rifles and were shot by theI.R.A. who then fled. ConstableLeonard died instantly andConstable Carroll, although veryseriously injured, survived theattack.
Edward Trodden Aged 45CatholicSinn Fein
68 Falls RoadShot dead in his home by mem-bers of the R.I.C. and B-Specialsled by County Inspector Harrison.
John McFaddenAged 24CatholicSinn Fein
136 Springfield RoadShot dead at his home by mem-bers of the R.I.C. and B-Specialsled by County Inspector Harrison.
James GaynorAged 40CatholicSinn Fein
54 Springfield RoadShot dead in his home by mem-bers of the R.I.C. and B-Specialsled by County Inspector Harrison
During a debate in the BritishHouse of Commons onNovember 4th it was stated thatJames Gaynor was shot deadwhile resisting arrest by membersof the R.I.C. and that the otherswere killed by persons unknown.Joseph Devlin , M.P. for WestBelfast asked if Sir HammerGreenwood was aware that at oneo’clock on the morning theoccurrences took place a motorlorry full of uniformed men went
from one house to another andmurdered those men in the pres-ence of their wives and children.Greenwood replied ‘no’ to thequestion and added that it was avery serious allegation to makeagainst the police.A heated debate continued andMr. Donald interrupted andshouted at Mr. Devlin that ifanymore policemen or soldiersare murdered in Belfast therewill be more than three SinnFeiners shot.
28th September 1920Robert Gordon
Aged 18Catholic
80 Falls RoadShot by the military duringdisturbances in the Falls Roadarea. Mr. Gordon was injured inthe abdomen and died a short timeafterwards.
Thomas BarkleyAged 32Catholic
38 Rumania StreetShot dead by military during dis-turbances in the Falls Road area.
James ShieldsAged 19Catholic
Milan StreetShot dead by the military duringdisturbances in the Falls Roadarea.
Military post at the junction of York Street and GreatGeorges Street September 1920
Page 50 THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS
William TeerAged 30Catholic
23 Mill StreetShot dead by military duringdisturbances in the Falls Roadarea. At the inquest into the abovefour deaths the jury found that themilitary were justified in killingthe men even through they wereunarmed.
John LawtherAged 19
Protestant20 Everton Street
Shot dead by a Catholic Gunmanduring an attack on shipyardworkers returning from work.
16th October 1920John Gibson
Aged 55Protestant
10 Byron PlaceShot dead by a military patrolduring disturbances in theMarrowbone district.
Matthew McMasterAged 34
ProtestantKnocked down and crushed by amilitary armoured vehicle duringdisturbances in the Marrowbonedistrict. Mr. McMaster had beengetting his children to safety whenhe was killed.
Matthew McMaster
William MitchellAged 25
Protestant20 Downing Street
Shot dead by a military patrolduring disturbances in theMarrowbone district.
William Mitchell
25th October 1920Joseph McLeod
Aged 35Protestant
107 Conlig StreetShot dead by a Catholic gunmanduring disturbances in FoundryStreet. He was shot in the face andrushed to the Royal Victoria Hos-pital but had died. A man namedHenry Megraw was later chargedwith his murder.
4th November 1920John McLean
ProtestantGlenallen Street
Died as a result of injuriesreceived during earlierdisturbances.
21st November 1920Arthur Boundary
ProtestantSoldier
Victoria Barracks
Died as a result of injuriesreceived during earlierdisturbances.
2nd December 1920William Bell
Aged 19Catholic
100 Broom StreetDied as a result of injuriesreceived during earlierdisturbances.
3rd December 1920William Mullan
Catholic99 Urney Street
Died as a result of injuriesreceived during earlierdisturbances.
27th December 1920Joseph Morrison
Protestant19 Boyne Street
Died as a result of injuriesreceived during earlierdisturbances.
The family of Matthew McMaster
21st January 1921Daniel Horner
Catholic50 Kent Street
Died as a result of injuriesreceived during earlier distur-bances.
26th January 1921Constable Thomas Heffron
CatholicR.I.C.
Phoenix Park, DublinShot dead by the I.R.A., as he andanother two constables lay asleepin the Railway View Hotel,Townhall Street.
Constable M. QuinnCatholic
R.I.C.Phoenix Park, Dublin
As above. A third R.I.C. memberwas seriously injured in theattack. Constable R. Gilmartinwas taken to the military hospitalin Victoria Barracks where hemade a full recovery.
Michael GarveyAged 23Catholic
1 Bray StreetAt approximately 1.00am threemen approached the above houseand, using a key, opened the door
and let themselves in. the land-lady, Mrs. Morgan, called outwho was there from her bedroomand received no reply. She thengot up and went to the hallwayand was ordered back into herroom before one of the menclosed her bedroom door, theythen went to the bedroom whereMr. Garvey was sleeping. Mrs.Morgan (a Protestant) then heardtwo shots followed a short timeafterwards by a third. She thenrushed out and saw Mr. Garveylying dead in his bed, which wassoaked in blood, with the killersstanding over him. She thenshouted ‘you have murdered theboy’ before forced back into herroom, the men then went down-stairs and out on to the street. MrsMorgan went to the front bed-
She then rushed out and saw Mr. Garveylying dead in his bed, which was soaked inblood, with the killers standing over him
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 51
Herbert Street shortly after six children were badly injured in a Protestant bombattack. The blast marks can clearly be seen on the road. January 1921
room window and shouted‘murderers’ after the men whowere calmly walking down thestreet. A short time later districtInspector Nixon Arrived with adetachment of police and thebody was removed to the BelfastMorgue.
At the inquest into the murderheld in Victoria Barracks onMarch 23rd, Mrs. Morgan statedthat the three men then wenttowards the Crumlin Road andjoined a number of others. Theythen stood in conversation for afew minutes before getting into anopen car and driving off. MrsMorgan went onto describe thekillers. ‘I could not describe thefirst man but the second wasdressed as a policeman with ahelmet. He had on a dark, almostblack, greatcoat.’ She thencontinued with a brief descriptionof the third.The three who entered the houseto kill Michael Garvey wereCountry Inspector Harrison,District Inspector Nixon andHead Constable Pakenham. It isalso interesting to note that Nixonwas first on the scene.
21st March 1921John Graham
Aged 33Catholic
11 Emily PlaceDied as a result of injuriesreceived during disturbances theprevious day. Mr. Graham wassitting in his home when the out-break began and shootingcommenced,. He then rushed outto fetch his children in from GreatGeorges Street and a fewmoments later he staggered intohis hallway crying ‘Annie I’mshot’ before falling to the floor.He had a gunshot wound to thegroin and was rushed to the MaterHospital where he died thefollowing morning. At the inquestthe R.I.C. admitted that they wereshooting up Great Georges Street,
but all the constables involveddenied that it was their shot whichkilled him.
11th March 1921Constable John Mackintosh
Protestant‘Black and Tan’
Posted from Gormanstown forspecial duty in Belfast.At approximately 8.30pm threemembers of the special police unitknown as the ‘Black and Tans’were passing through VictoriaSquare.
When they reached Finley’s Soapbuildings they stopped and talkedto a girl named Agnes Murphy. Asthey were doing so four membersof the I.R.A. approached themand pulling out revolvers pro-ceeded to shoot them. Two ofthem fell dead and the third,William Cooper, was injured andstaggered further down the street.Two civilians were also injuredand staggered further down thestreet. Two civilians were alsoinjured in the attack, AgnesMurphy and Alexander Allen.
Constable R.E. CrooksProtestant
‘Black and Tan’Posted from Gormanstown forspecial duty in Belfast as above.
13th March 1921Constable William Cooper
Aged 50Protestant
‘Black and Tan’Posed from Gormanstown forspecial duty in Belfast.Shot and badly injured in anI.R.A. attack the previous day.Mr.Cooper had been taken to theRoyal Victoria Hospital withserious chest wounds and died thefollowing morning.
Alexander AllenProtestant
18 Austin StreetDied in the Military Hospital,Victoria Barracks, from gunshotwounds received in the aboveattack. Mr. Allen was passingthrough Victoria Square when theattack occurred and was struck bya stray bullet. He worked in theBelfast shipyard and was one ofa party of joiners who accompa-
nied the Ill-fated Titanic on itsmaiden voyage. Mr. Allen was awidower and left behind eightchildren.
23rd March 1921Annie Jamison
Catholic10 Moffat Street
Shot through the head by aProtestant sniper as she crossedVere Street
20th April 1921Charles Nicholson
Aged 28Protestant
Mr. Nicholson was arrested by themilitary when he was discoveredout after curfew hours. It wasalleged that he fell out of thevehicle and had his head crushedunder the wheels, however at theinquest it was discovered that thesoldier’s stories did not match andthat they had been telling lies.
A verdict of ‘accidental death’was recorded with no furtherinquiries being made.
Page 52 THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS
23rd April 1921Cadet Ernest Bolim
ProtestantAuxiliary Police
St. Georges Park, YarmouthCadet Bolim was walking alongDonegall Place with Cadet Baileswhen they were approached bytwo members of the I.R.A. whoshot them dead. The I.R.A. menthen ran up Fountain Lane and asthey did so they were chased byan off duty R.I.C. member whofired shots after them. The I.R.A.men then stopped and shot backinjuring two civilians named Tho-mas Kennedy and Ruth Gelston.
Cadet John BailesProtestant
Auxiliary PoliceSt. Georges Park, Yarmouth
(As Above)
Patrick DuffinCatholic
64 Clonard GardensShot dead in his home with hisbrother by a murder squad led byHarrison and Nixon.
Daniel DuffinCatholic
64 Clonard GardensAs above.
Alfred CraigAged 24
ProtestantHarbour Constable69 Kingswood Street
Alfred CraigAt approximately 4.00pmConstable Craig was on duty atthe Ship Street entrance of the
York Dock when he was ap-proached by a number of men.One of them then produced a re-volver and fired a single shot athim which struck him in the chestkilling him instantly. The menthen made of towards York Street.
17th May 1921Philomena Burns
Aged 15Catholic
15 Upton StreetDied as a result of injuriesreceived during earlier distur-bances.
18th May 1921John Smyth
Aged 29Catholic
22 Seaforde StreetDied as a result of injuriesreceived during earlier distur-bances.
19th May 1921Eleanor Lena Kelly
Aged 13Catholic
Kilmood StreetDied as a result of injuriesreceived during earlier distur-bances.
22nd May 1921Mary Ann Carroll
Aged 13Catholic
Carntall StreetDied as a result of a gunshotwound received on North QueenStreet after a sniper opened firefrom Henry Street on May 16th. Aman named Charles Stewart on 92Henry Street was later chargedwith the murder.
Thomas ReillyAged 37Catholic
Butler StreetShot dead by a Protestant gunmanduring an attack on the CatholicArdoyne area.
10th June 1921Sergeant James Glover
ProtestantR.I.C
Springfield Road BarrackDied as a result of injuriesreceived the previous day inCupar Street. Glover was a lead-ing member of the Harrison/Nixon murder squad and isknown to have been involved inmany killings.
Sergeant James Glover
11th June 1921Terence Mc Ginley
CatholicNorth Thomas Street
Killed in a Protestant bomb attackon Dock Street
Alexander McBrideCatholic
28 Cardigan DriveAround 1.00am a lorry pulled upoutside the home of AlexanderMcBride. A number of men thengot out and started to bang at hisdoor. Mr. McBride then went tohis window and inquired who it
Funeral of the Duffin brothers on Royal Avenue
Funeral of Harbour Constable Craig on theAlbertbridge Road
The following day District Inspector Nixon called to theMcBride home to express his regret at the death. MrsMcBride identified him as the leader of the men who hadtaken her husband away. No inquiry was held.
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 53
was and was told not be alarmedas it was police on duty. He camedown and opened his door and themen entered and ordered him toget dressed as he was needed foridentification purposes. Therewas some conversation as towhich barrack he was to be takento and Mrs. McBride was told thathe was going to Holywood mili-tary base. Knowing that some-thing was wrong and in her anxi-ety she attempted to get betweenher husband and the ‘police’ butwas stopped by one of the menwho told her ‘you will be all right,we are not the murder gang. Hewill be back in five minutes.’ Hewas then taken to the lorry anddriven off. The bullet riddledbody of McBride was found earlynext morning at Ligoneil. Herethe party marched to a small plotof grass, only ten yards from themain road, and it was here thatMr. McBride met his death. Therewere seven bullet wounds – fourin the head and three in the chest.
Rosary beads were entwined inhis hands.The following day District In-spector Nixon called to theMcBride home to express his re-gret at the death. Mrs McBrideidentified him as the leader of themen who had taken her husbandaway. No inquiry was held.
William KerrAged 26Catholic
47 Old Lodge RoadAt around 1.25am a number of
men called to the home of theKerr family, which stood at thecorner of the Old Lodge Road andCalifornia Street. They then wentto the door and opened it. Shenoticed that a tender was parkedoutside and the men asked ‘doesWilliam Kerr live here’ but beforethe question was answered themen forced their way in andrushed upstairs to her brothersbedroom. They then dragged himfrom it and forced him downstairsto where Miss Kerr asked themto take her instead, but the men
laughed and jeered at her. Shethen informed them that if any-thing happened to her brother shewould be able to identity them allagain, but they replied ‘you willnot see your brother again.’ Mr.Kerr was then dragged out on tothe street and then put on the lorryand taken away. His body wasfound later that morning in thefields near the Springfield Road.Mr. Kerr was a member of theHibernians and the Irish NationalForesters. His brother was aregimental sergeant major in the
The Ardoyne district of North Belfast
...the men forced their way in and rushed upstairs toher brothers bedroom. They then dragged him from itand forced him downstairs to where Miss Kerr askedthem to take her instead, but the men laughed andjeered at her. She then informed them that if anythinghappened to her brother she would be able to identitythem all again, but they replied ‘you will not see yourbrother again.’
Page 54 THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS
British Army which he had beenfor in for over eighteen years. Thefollowing notice was placed onthe door of Mr. Kerr’s shop thenext day;Closed in consequence of thedeath of the proprietor,murdered by Crown forces ofEngland.
Malachy HalfpennyAged 22Catholic
21 Herbert StreetAt around 1.30am armed men ina lorry pulled up outside the homeof Malachy Halfpenny and beganto bang his front door.Mrs. Halfpenny (Victims mother)came to the window and wasinformed that it was the militaryand to open the door, she refused.The men then burst in and rushedupstairs and grabbed Mr.Halfpenny outside to the waitingtender. His body was found laterthat morning near that of Mr.McBride. Mr. Halfpenny servedfor a number of years in the RoyalField Service. He fought inFrance during the First World Warand was wounded and gassed.On demobilisation he began workin the Post Office. Four of hisbrothers also served in the warand one of them, James was killedin action.A number of other homes were
‘visited’ this night and certainmen inquired for. In most casesthey were not at home or had fledthrough the back of their houses.
Constable Thomas SturdyProtestant‘A’ SpecialCastlederg
(Based in Court Street Barrack)Shot dead by an I.R.A. sniperduring disturbances in the YorkStreet area.
Patrick MulliganAged 24Catholic
2 Dock LaneShot dead by members of the B-Specials who burst into his home.
Joseph MillerAged 24Catholic
2 New Dock StreetDragged from his home by mem-bers of the B-Specials and shotdead. In this attack his mother wasinjured by a gunshot wound andrecovered. She was shot dead onthe 24 November 1921.
Hugh JenkinsAged 19
ProtestantEmerson Street
Shot dead by a Catholic sniper inthe Kashmir Road area.
13th June 1921Kathleen Collins
Aged 1835 Cupar Street
Died as a result of injuriesreceived during earlier distur-bances.
William FrazerAged 12
230 Mayo StreetWilliam Frazer went out to searchfor his sister at around teatime onthe above date. Some time laterhe was found lying in Ashmore
Street by an R.I.C. patrol. He hadbeen struck in the face by a bulletfired by a Catholic sniper. A fewyears previously two of hisbrothers were killed in theSpringfield Dam as they tried tosave a friend who had fallenthrough the broken ice.
Thomas MallonCatholic
North Thomas StreetDied as a result of injuriesreceived during disturbances inthe York Street area on June 11.
14th June 1921Hugh Mc Aree
Aged 28Catholic
12 Sackville StreetDied as a result of injuriesreceived during earlier distur-bances.
23rd June 1921Joseph Blackburn
Protestant52 Hillman Street
Died as a result of injuriesreceived during earlier distur-bances.Military patrol leaving Victoria Barracks June 1921
The body of Constable Galvin being removed fromUnion Street
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 55
6th July 1921Jim GalvinCatholic
R.I.C.Glenravel Street Barracks
At around 9.20am ConstableGalvin was standing at thecorner of Union Street and LittleDonegall Street with ConstableHenry Conway. A number of menthen came from Library Streetand when they got near theconstables two of them dashedforward and pounced on them.Constables. Constable Galvinwas knocked to the ground andhis revolver removed. It was thenused to shoot him dead. Constable Conway produced hisgun but before he could fire it hewas shot and badly injured. Thekillers then made their escapetowards the Catholic Carrick Hillarea.
10th July 1921Constable Thomas Conlon
Aged 28Catholic
R.I.C.Springfield Road Barracks
Shot dead during a gunbattle
Sectarian clashes at the junction of Donegall Street and York Street July 1921
between the R.I.C. and I.R.A. inthe Raglan Street area.
Alexander HamiltonAged 21Catholic
50 Plevna StreetShot in the head in Cupar Streetby a Protestant assisted by B-Specials.
William MullanAged 50
ProtestantShot and injured by a Catholicgunman. He died a short timeafterwards in the Royal VictoriaHospital.
Henry MulhollandAged 49Catholic
51 Bombay StreetShot dead by a Protestant crowdassisted by B-Specials.
James LenaghanAged 48Catholic
42 Locan StreetShot dead at the corner of DerbyStreet and the Falls Road by B-
Specials. Mr. Lenaghan was aformer soldier in the 6th Batt.Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Daniel HughesAged 50Catholic
Durham StreetShot dead by a Protestant crowdassisted by B-Specials. Mr.Hughes was a former soldier whoserved with the 7th Leinsters.
Patrick HicklandAged 46Catholic
Hamilton StreetMr. Hickland was attacked by aProtestant crowd in the BoydStreet area. He was kicked andbeaten before being shot dead.The crowd were assisted bymembers of the B-Specials.
David McMullanAged 26
Protestant58 Lawnbrook Avenue
Shot dead by a Catholic crowd.Mr. Mc Mullan was a footballerwho played for LawnbrookFootball Club.
Francis RobinsonAged 65
Protestant6 Brown Street
Mr. Robinson was lying in his bedill when fierce firing began in theMillfield and Peters Hill area. Anumber of bullets then entered hishome and Mr. Robinson wasstruck in the head dying instantly.At the inquest into his death hisson, George Robinson, stated thathe had seen members of the R.I.C.firing directly at the house frombehind a gate about 15 yards awayand that around 100 shots hadbeen fired. Questioning thenbegan about the R.I.C. actions anda District Inspector Deignanadmitted that bullets found in thehouse had been fired by thepolice.The inquest jury returned averdict of death by‘misadvanture.’
Bernard MonaghanAged 70Catholic
69 Abyssinia StreetShot dead by a Protestant gunmanas he stood at his front door.
Page 56 THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS
William TierneyAged 56Catholic
15 Osman StreetShot dead by a member of the B-Specials who fired through hisfront window.
James Mc GuinnessAged 35Catholic
27 Mc Millan’s PlaceLeft his home to go and fetch oneof his children from TownsendStreet. When he reached thecorner of McMillan’s Place andDurham Street he was shot dead.
William BaxterAged 12
126 Argyle StreetShot dead by a Catholic sniper ashe was going to Sunday school inAshmore Street.
Ernest ParkAged 16
Protestant42 Moyola Street
Shot dead by a sniper when hewas bringing a kitten to a friend’shouse. The sniper was hidden inthe back of the schools inAshmore Street which was a Prot-estant district.
Daniel HughesAged 28Catholic
6 Mc Cleery StreetShot through the head by aProtestant sniper as he was bring-ing his children home. The sniperwas hidden in the SpamountStreet area.
Frederick CraigAged 22Catholic
23 Turin StreetMr. Craig was walking homealong Clonard Street when he wasshot and injured by a Protestantsniper.He died a short time afterwards.He had been an ex-soldier who
had served during the First WorldWar.
11th July 1921William Brown
Aged 45Protestant
30 March StreetShot and inured by a Catholicsniper shooting into the DavidStreet area. He was taken to theRoyal Victoria Hospital where hedied a short time afterwards.
Mary McGowanAged 13Catholic
16 Derby StreetMary McGowan and her motherwere crossing the street outsidetheir home when they were shotat from an armoured car whichwas patrolling the area. At thetime of the shooting the area waspeaceful and quiet. At the inquestthe jury found that the girl was
shot by Crown forces and whenasked by a district inspectorwhich particular section should bespecified the jury altered thewords ‘Crown forces’ to ‘SpecialConstabulary.’ The jury thenadded that the interest of the peacethe Special Constabulary shouldnot be allowed into localitiesoccupied by people of oppositedenominations. (Catholic)The officer in charged of this ar-moured car was Head ConstablePakenham who was a member ofthe Nixon/Harrison murder gang.
12th July 1921James Ledlie
Aged 19Catholic
Plevna StreetShot dead by a Protestant gunmanwho was part of a crowd beingassisted by B-Specials to attackNorfolk Street. Mr. Ledlie was asquad commander in the I.R.A.
13th July 1921Maggie McKinney
Aged 26Catholic
71 Bulkan StreetMiss McKinney was shot andinjured before she staggered to afriend’s house at 64 BulkanStreet. She died a short timeafterwards. Killer believed tohave been a Protestant sniper.
14th July 1921Margaret Walsh
Aged 14Protestant
2 Ellis CourtShot in the head by a Catholicsniper firing from Little GeorgesStreet. She was taken to the RoyalVictoria Hospital and died a shottime afterwards.
Patrick McKennaAged 60Catholic
16 Lepper StreetShot dead by a Protestant sniperas he sat at his window.
15th July 1921Bernard Mooney
Aged 24Catholic
104 Spamount StreetShot dead by a Protestant sniperin a friend’s house in LepperStreet.
21st July 1921George Walker
Aged 19Protestant
29 Eight StreetDied as a result of injuriesreceived during disturbances onMay 19th. Mr. Walker was part ofan Orange possession in BeverleyStreet when it was attacked byCatholic gunmen.He was a member of the ‘BlueBanner’ Orange Lodge.
R.I.C. patrol at the junction of York Street and GreatGeorges Street July 1921
Military patrol at the junction of North Queen Streetand Donegall Street July 1921
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 57
15th August 1921Frederick Fox
CatholicDurham Street
Died as a result of injuriesreceived during earlier distur-bances.
25th August 1921Charles Green
Aged 39Protestant
23 Lincoln Avenue
Died as a result of injuriesreceived during earlier distur-bances.
29th August 1921Thomas Rafter
Aged 29Protestant
Burke StreetShot dead by a Catholic sniperduring disturbances in the NewLodge area.
Colin FoggAged 35
ProtestantLowther Street
Shot dead by a Catholic sniperduring disturbances, which brokeout in the New Lodge area.
30th August 1921Robert Bowers
Protestant9 Cambridge Street
Shot dead by a Catholic sniper ashe stood with a friend in YorkStreet.
William KennedyAged 26
Protestant9 Grove Street
Shot dead by a Catholic sniperduring disturbances in the NewLodge area.
William Kennedy
Stephen CashProtestant
77 Sussex StreetShot through the head by aCatholic sniper during distur-bances in the New Lodge area.
Annie WatsonAged 5
Protestant177 North Queen Street
Shot dead by a Protestant sniperduring disturbances in the NorthQueen Street area.
John CooganAged 40Catholic
Valentine StreetShot dead by a Protestant sniperduring disturbances in the NorthQueen Street area.
William SmythAged 28
ProtestantMaria Street
Shot dead by a Catholic sniperduring disturbances in the NorthQueen Street area.
Robert BowersProtestant
Cambridge StreetShot dead by a Catholic sniper ashe stood in York Street.
Thomas McMullanAged 48Catholic
North Queen StreetShot dead by a Protestant sniperduring disturbances in the NorthQueen Street area.
Funeral of Annie Watson on Duncairn Gardens
Funeral of Robert Bowers on Brougham Street
Funeral of Thomas Finnegan leaving Amelia Street
Funeral of William Kennedy on Royal Avenue
Page 58 THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS
Samuel FergusonAged 42
ProtestantDonegall Road
Shot dead by a Catholic gunmanas he was returning from a funeralin the City Cemetery.
31st August 1921James Bradley
Aged 24Catholic
74 McCleery StreetShot dead by the B-Specials inPeters Hill.The following report on thekilling was printed in the IrishIndependent on September 3rd
1921;‘At nine o’clock on Wednesdayevening District Inspector———(Name not printed at time butrecorded as D.I.Nixon) and acrowd of Specials enteredMolloy’s public house, BrownStreet, pushed their rifles into thefaces of the occupants, using themost obscene language, andgiving the people a minute toclear. They then rushed out and
drew a cordon across the street,firing wildly all around themkilling a man named JamesBradley. Bradley had passedthrough the cordon unmolested,but when he had done so theSpecials immediately turnedround and shot him dead.’
Alice DuffAged 54Catholic
67 Academy StreetShot and injured in her home bya Protestant gunman. She wasrushed to the Mater Hospital withsevere stomach wounds but dieda short time afterwards.
Alice Duff
Thomas FinneganCatholic
5 Keyland PlaceShot in the head by a Protestantsniper.
William McKeownAged 18Catholic
25 Thomas StreetShot in the head by a Protestantsniper.
John LeeAged 72
ProtestantManor Street
Crushed to death by a militaryarmoured car.
John Lee
Francis BradleyAged 26Catholic
McCleery StreetShot dead by a Protestant sniperfiring into West Street.
Richard DuffinCatholic
New Lodge RoadDied as a result of injuriesreceived during earlier distur-bances.
James McFaddenAged 16Catholic
107 Malvern StreetShot in the chest by a Protestantsniper.
1st September 1921Walter Campbell
Aged 16Protestant
95 Silvio StreetShot in the abdomen by aCatholic sniper shooting into theBrown Street area. Mr. Campbellwas a member of the ‘King
The New Lodge district of North Belfast
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 59
William Young Defenders’Orange Lodge.
6th September 1921Charles Harvey
Aged 3331 Columbia Street
Died as a result of gunshotinjuries received during earlierdisturbances. His brother waskilled in the same attack.
Leopold Burgess LeonardAged 55
Protestant5 Dover Street
Shot dead by a sniper as hewalked along Peters Hill.
18th September 1921James Johnston
Aged 13Protestant
19 Louisa StreetShot in the neck by a Catholicsniper firing into the Brown Streetarea on August 30
Maggie ArdisAged 22
Protestant7 Bute Street
Shot by a Catholic gunmanduring disturbances in Vere StreetMiss Ardis and her friend MissBlair were among a Protest crowdattacking Catholic homes in VereStreet when a Catholic sniperfired a single shot at them. Thebullet went through the head ofMiss Ardis killing her instantlyand then struck Miss Blair. Shewas injured and taken to hospitalwhere she died a short time later.A man named Francis Corr of 54Vere Street was later charged withthe killings
Maggie Ardis
Evelyn BlairAged 22
Protestant6 Vere Street
Shot along with Maggie Ardis
Evelyn Blair
23rd September 1921Samuel Robinson
Aged 53Protestant
140 Madrid StreetCrushed by a military armouredcar.
25th September 1921James McMinn
Aged 19Protestant
8 Reids PlaceMr. McMinn was part of aProtestant crowd attacking theShort Strand area when a bombwas thrown at the Catholics. Itfailed to explode and was thrownback at the Protestant crowd andwent off killing McMinn andAlexander Harrison.
Alexander HarrisonAged 19
Protestant20 Frazer Street
(As Above)
Murtagh McAstockerAged 23Catholic
5 Moira StreetKilled by a Protestant crowd whowere attacking the Short Strandarea. Mr.McAstocker was leavingSt. Matthews Church at the timeand was badly beaten beforebeing shot.
Eliza KellyAged 34
67 Seaforde StreetShot dead in her home by a straybullet fired by the R.I.C. duringdisturbances in the Short Strandarea.
George BerryAged 38
Protestant5 Shore Road
Killed during a bomb attackagainst Catholics in the MilewaterStreet area. At the inquest it wasstated that two constables left thearea to allow the attack to takeplace.
29th September 1921John OrrAged 32
Protestant84 Derwent Street
Shot dead on the Donegall Roadby a Catholic sniper as he wasreturning home from a funeral inthe City Cemetery.
John Orr and his family
9th September 1921Joseph Blakely
Aged 23Protestant
32 Campbell StreetDied as a result of injuriesreceived during earlier distur-bances.
21st November 1921James Hagan
Aged 23Catholic
9 Collage Place NorthMr. Hagan worked as a barmanin the Turbine public house inStation Street. Shortly after fiveo’clock a man walked into the barand after pulling out a gun andshot Mr. Hagan and anotherbarman. Both were injured andrushed to the Royal VictoriaHospital where Mr. Hagan died ashort time afterwards.
William HannaAged 40
ProtestantMontrose Street
Mr. Hanna was making his wayto work in the Belfast shipyard.When he reached the corner ofFoundry Street he was struck onthe head by a bullet fired by aCatholic Sniper shooting fromSeaforde Street. He was thenrushed to the Royal VictoriaHospital where he died a fewminutes after admission.
William Hanna
Andrew StewartAged 24
Protestant126 Nelson Street
Killed in a bomb attack launchedon a tram full of workers by theIRA on Corporation Street.
The bullet went through the head of MissArdis killing her instantly and then struckMiss Blair.......... She died a short time later
Page 60 THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS
23rd November 1921Hubert Phillips
Aged 25Protestant
8 Michael StreetShot dead by a Catholic sniper inMolyneaux Street during distur-bances in the York Street area.
Herbet Phillips
David CunninghamAged 19
Protestant32 Lendrick Street
Died as a result of injuriesreceived during earlier distur-bances.
Andrew JamesAged 27
ProtestantNelson Street
Killed by a Catholic sniper at thecorner of Earl Street. As the fu-neral of Mr. James passed alongYork Street a number of ‘mourn-ers’ attacked Catholics. A manwas shot near Vere Street and an-other was brutally beaten at thebottom of Lancaster Street.
Neil McConveyAged 55Catholic
Thompson StreetKilled after a stray bulled fired bythe R.I.C. burst a gas main in theirhome during disturbances in theShort Strand area.
Mrs. McConveyAged 56Catholic
Thompson Street(As Above)
Miss KellyAged 20Catholic
Thompson StreetShot dead by the R.I.C. duringdisturbances in the Short Strandarea.
J.P. KeatingCatholic
Jocelyn AvenueDied as a result of injuriesreceived earlier.
William McMordieProtestant
3 Sandhurst StreetDied as a result of injuriesreceived during earlier distur-bances.
William McMordie
Patrick MaloneCatholic
Beersbridge RoadShot dead by a Protestant gun-man.
Patrick BurtonAged 38Catholic
Vere StreetShot through the head by aProtestant sniper as he stood inDock Street.
Ellen BellAged 75Catholic
Lepper StreetShot dead by a Protestant sniperin Great Patrick Street.
Michael SpallenCatholic
32 Moffat StreetShot dead by a Protestant sniperduring disturbances in the YorkStreet area.
Andrew PattonAged 32
Protestant93 Saunders Street
Died as a result of injuries re-ceived during disturbances on theNewtownards Road on the 21st.
Andrew Patton
John McNallyCatholic
7 Park StreetDied as a result of gunshot inju-ries received during disturbancesin the Carrick Hill area on the 21st.
William CairnduffAged 40
ProtestantComber
Killed in an IRA bomb attack ona tramcar on Corporation Street.
James RodgersProtestantComber
(As Above)
Patrick ConnollyCatholic
Duncairn GardensShot and badly injured in agrocery shop in DuncairnGardens by a Protestant gunmanon the 22nd. He was taken to theMater Hospital where he died onthe above date.
Richard GrahamAged 45
Protestant38 Beverly Street
Killed in an IRA bomb attack ona tram in Royal Avenue. A numberof other workers in the tram werevery seriously injured.
Richard Graham
Jeremiah FlemmingAged 50
Protestant4 Glenvale Street
(As Above)
John KellyCatholic
Crumlin RoadMr. Kelly was standing in hisshop at 38 Ohio Street talking toa Mr. Thompson when aProtestant gunman entered. Theman then shot a revolver at thetwo men killing them instantly.Mr. Kelly’s son was injured.
Thomas ThompsonProtestantOhio Street
As Above. Mr. Thompson was amember of both the Orange andMasonic Orders.
Margaret MillarAged 60
4 Dock LaneShot in the chest by a Protestantsniper.
25th November 1921James McIvor
Catholic55 Little Patrick Street
Shot dead by a Protestant gunman
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 61
as he stood at his shop door.David Duncan, an ex-officer inthe Royal Irish Fusiliers, was latercharged with the murder.
Robert GrahamAged 48
Protestant10 Beerbridge Road
Shot in the stomach by a Catho-lic sniper in Thompson Street.Died a short time afterwards.
John McHenry(Harbour Constable)
Catholic15 Slate Street
Shot dead by Protestant gunmenat the corner of Duncrue Road andMilewater Road.
John McHenry
Eugene KellyCatholic
Crumlin RoadDied as a result of injuriesreceived in his father’s shop theprevious day.
Robert JohnstonAged 45
Protestant65 Westmore Street
Died in the Royal VictoriaHospital from injuries receivedduring a bomb attack on a tramin Royal Avenue on the 24th.
Robert Johnston
Thomas RodgersAged 65
Protestant42 Northumberland Street
(As Above)
Robert NesbitAged 17
Protestant22 Josephine Street
Died as a result of injuriesreceived during an attack on atram in Corporation Street on the21st.
Mrs. McNamaraCatholic
56 Keegan StreetStruck on the throat by splintersfrom a bomb, which was throwninto Keegan Street by a Protes-tant crowd.
Alexander ReidAged 50
Protestant33 Silvergrove Street
Mr. Reid was going to work in theshipyard. When he reached thecorner of Cromac Street andCatherine Street where he wasshot dead by a Catholic Sniper.
Alexander Reid
14th December 1921Michael Crudden
CatholicOld Park Road
Mr.Crudden was returning fromthe Sacred Heart Chapel with hisbrother. As the pair were walkingup Glenview Street they whereshot by a Protestant gunman. Thebrother was uninjured and
Mr.Crudden was struck on thespine dying a short time later inthe Mater Hospital.A youth named John Porter ofBallycarry Street was latercharged with the murder.
17th December 1921Walter Pritchard
Aged 30Protestant
9 Malcolm StreetMr. Pritchard was one of anumber of workers laying downnew tram tracks on theNewtownards Road. As they weredoing so a Catholic sniper openedfire on them from Young’s Rowin the Short Strand districtkilling Mr. Pritchard instantly.Mr. Pritchard was a well-knownIrish Boxer.
John McMeiganAged 35
ProtestantLower Mount Street
Shot dead by a Catholic sniperduring disturbances in the ShortStrand area.
Edward BrennanAged 21Catholic
44 Short StrandShot dead by a Protestant gunmanduring disturbances in the ShortStrand area.
19th December 1921Charles McCallion
Aged 30Catholic
19 Boundry StreetShot through the head by a Prot-estant sniper in Boundry Street.
Francis DonnellyAged 40Catholic
109 Ravenhill RoadShot dead by a Protestant gunmanon the Castlereagh Road.
23rd December 1921William Armstrong
ProtestantConnsbrook Avenue
Shot dead by Catholic gunmenwho lay in wait for him outsidehis home.Mr. Armstrong was the owner ofthe ‘Union Jack’ public house onthe Newtownards Road.
27th December 1921David Morrison
CatholicMayfield Street
Shot dead by the B-Specials onthe Oldpark road.
1st January 1922John Wilson
Aged 71Protestant
48 Greenmount StreetMr. Wilson was going to workalong the Newtownards Road on
Junction of Cromac Street and Catherine Streetwhere Alexander Reid was shot dead
Page 62 THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS
the 21st December when he wasstruck on the leg by a Catholicsniper. He died in the RoyalVictoria Hospital on the abovedate.
2nd January 1922John Murphy
Catholic225 York Street
Shot dead in his shop by a Prot-estant gunman.
Hugh CorrAged 14Catholic
60 Little Patrick StreetHugh Corr was shot in the headand injured by a Protestant sniperduring disturbances in the YorkStreet area. The bullet, whichstruck him, ricocheted and hit ababy named Samuel Campbell.
Private E. BarnesProtestant
Norfolk RegimentVictoria Barracks
Shot dead by a Catholic sniper inDale Street.
Alexander TurtleAged 22
Protestant96 Mountcollyer Street
Shot through the head by amilitary patrol during distur-bances in the York Street area. Itwas later stated that Mr.Turtle wasone of a number of ProtestantSnipers firing in the area.
3rd January 1922Samuel CampbellAged 21 months
Catholic15 Nelson Street
Struck by the bullet, which killedHugh Corr on January 1st as hismother held him in her arms.
John GribbonAged 20Catholic
28 Arnon StreetShot dead by an R.I.C. patrol,
which was driving around theCarrick Hill area.
4th January 1922Albert McCrea
Aged 1819 Roundhill Street
Mr. McCrea was part of a Protes-tant crowd attacking the ShortStrand district. He was shot deadby a military patrol.
7th January 1922John McDonagh
Aged 26Catholic
24 Dock StreetShot dead by Protestant gunmenin Meadow Street.
8th January 1922William Allwell
Aged 19Catholic
6 Coates StreetShot and injured by a Protestantgunman during disturbances inthe Divis Street area. He wastaken to the Royal VictoriaHospital where he died a shorttime afterwards.
11th January 1922Andrew Anderson
Protestant31 Hooker Street
Mr. Anderson was standing at hisfrond door with his wife when aCatholic sniper fired three shotsat them. Mrs. Anderson died in-stantly and Mr. Anderson died ashort time afterwards.
Mrs. AndersonProtestant
31 Hooker Street(As Above)
Mary HoggAged 40Catholic
20 Fifth StreetAt around 11.00pm a number ofmen called to the Hogg familyhome at Fifth Street in theShankill area. Mr. Hogg answeredthe knock to the door and the menasked for his wife. When shecame to the door they produced agun and shot her dead.
Bridget DevlinCatholic
PercyPercy Street
Died as a result of gunshotinjuries received duringdisturbances in the Divis Streetarea on January 8th.
12th January 1922Hugh Kelly
Aged 28Catholic
Benterick StreetDied as a result of injuriesreceived during earlier distur-bances.
16th February 1922Thomas Gray
Aged 19Catholic
Earl StreetDied as a result of injuries
received during earlier distur-bances. Mr. Gray was a memberof the IRA.
13th February 1922Margaret Page
Catholic249 North Queen Street
Shot dead as she worked in hershop by a Protestant gunman laterstated that he was around sixteenyears of age.
David BoydAged 18
Protestant118 Urney Street
Shot dead by a Catholic sniper ashe stood at the corner of HanoverStreet.
William TennysonAged 23Catholic
7 Cavendish StreetThe body of Mr. Tennyson wasdiscovered lying in the Millfieldarea with gunshot wounds to thehead. Members of the B-Specialswho had attacked the area hadmurdered him.
James MathewsCatholic
Jude StreetBody discovered in the Millfieldarea a short distance from wherethe body of Mr. Tennyson wasfound. Mr. Mathews of the B-Specials who had attacked thearea.
Francis NearyAged 40Catholic
9 Peter’s PlaceShot dead in Kildare Street by aProtestant sniper.
James GreggAged 50Catholic
11 Kildare StreetShot dead in Kildare Street by aProtestant sniper.
The children of Mr and Mrs Anderson outside their home whereboth their parents where shot dead a few hours earlier
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 63
James BrownAged 25
ProtestantEighth Street
Shot through the head by anunknown sniper. It is believed thatMr. Brown was shot by a Protes-tant in mistake for a Catholic.
Patrick LambCatholic
York StreetMr. Lamb was the owner of ‘TheBlacksmiths Arms’ public housein York Street. At around 12.10pma number of men burst in and shothim. He was rushed to the MaterHospital where he died a shorttime afterwards. Protestant gun-men attacked Mr. Lamb’s funeral.
Peter McNelisAged 28CatholicJoy Street
Shot dead during disturbances inthe Markets area.
Rose McNeillCatholic
Mary StreetDied as a result of injuriesreceived during earlier distur-bances.
Anthony SadlierAged 18Catholic
Tyrone StreetShot dead by an unknown sniper.It is believed Mr. Sadlier was shotdead by a Catholic in mistake fora Protestant.
Joseph BrownAged 50Catholic
4 Regent Street Shot dead by a Protestant gun-man.
Ben LundyAged 21
ProtestantUpper Meadow Street
Shot and injured by a Catholic
sniper shooting into NorthHoward Street. Mr Lundy wastaken to the Royal Victoria Hos-pital where he died a short timelater.
Ben Lundy
taken to the Royal VictoriaHospital where he died a shorttime later. Weaver Street
THE WEAVER STREET BOMB ATTACKWeaver Street was a small Catholic street in the centre of an exclusively Protestant area. It connected NorthDerby Street to Milewater Street where a year previously, in a similar attack, a large number of children wereinjured by a bomb attack which was deliberately thrown among them. On the 13th of February a number ofchildren were playing in Weaver Street when a Protestant bomber came to the corner of North Derby Streetand hurled a bomb towards the children. The device exploded with two young girls being killed almostinstantly and a number of others very badly injured. The following is a list of those who were killed andinjured. The reason that we have included the injured is due to the fact that many died at future dates.Died
Mary JohnstoneAged 13Catholic
Weaver Street
Catherine KennedyAged 14Catholic
25 Weaver Street
WoundedW.J.Dempsey
Aged 13Catholic
27 Weaver Street
Annie PimleyAged 16Catholic
20 Weaver Street
John O’HanlonAged 16Catholic
Weaver Street
Elizabeth O’HanlonAged 11Catholic
Weaver Street
Murtie O’HanlonAged 16Catholic
Weaver Street
Barney KennedyAged 10Catholic
25 Weaver Street
John Mc CluskeyAged 12Catholic
18 Weaver Street
Rose Ann Mc NeillAged 13Catholic
6 Weaver Street
Mary Mc ClintonAged 18Catholic
6 Weaver Street
Mary Mc ClintonAged 18Catholic
Weaver Street
Mary KerrAged 6
CatholicWeaver Street
Susanne LaveryAged 14Catholic
5 Weaver Street
Page 64 THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS
George O’ConnorAged 16Catholic
26 Weaver Street
Mary OwensAged 40Catholic
49 Shore Street
Margaret SmithAged 53Catholic
Weaver Street
Joseph ConwayAged 12Catholic
Weaver Street
Patrick MaguireAged 14Catholic
16 Weaver Street
Kate O’NeillAged 14Catholic
Weaver Street
Robert Mc BirneyAged 16Catholic
Weaver Street
William ConnollyAged 13Catholic
Weaver Street
Many of the bomb attacks carriedout against the Catholiccommunity at this period were bymembers of the B-Specials whomade them from the gun powderfrom their bullets.
14th February 1922Frank McCoy
Catholic33 Forfar Street
Found dying in SpringfieldAvenue with a number of bulletwounds. He was rushed to theRoyal Victoria Hospital but haddied on arrival. Mr. McCoy was
a member of the I.R.A. and hiskilling is believed to have beenordered by D.I. Nixon.
George HarperAged 16
Protestant16 Earl Street
Shot through the head by aCatholic sniper duringdisturbances in the York Streetarea.
William WaringAged 50
ProtestantRegent Street
At around 10.00am Mr. Waringleft his home and opened the rearentrance of Clifton Street OrangeHall. When he came back out aCatholic sniper, who lay in waitfor him, opened fire fromStanhope Street. He was struck onthe throat and was rushed to theRoyal Victoria Hospital where hedied a short time later.
-
William Waring
James MorrisonAged 20
ProtestantSultan Street
Died as a result of injuriesreceived during disturbances onFebruary 13th.
Johnston CrothersProtestant
35 Ivan StreetShot in the neck by a Catholicsniper during disturbances in the
York Street area on February13th.
Johnston Crothers
John WalesProtestant
Enfield StreetDied as a result of injuriesreceived during earlier distur-bances.
James RiceAged 19
20 Avondale StreetAttacked in Ravenscroft Street bya Protestant mob who beat himbefore shooting him ten times.
Mary RobinsonAged 18
Lancaster StreetShot and injured in the abdomenby a Protestant sniper during
disturbances in the York Streetarea on February 13th. She wastaken to the Mater Hospital whereshe died on the above date.
John Mc ClellandProtestant
Christhoper StreetMr. Mc Clelland was working inHughes Flour Mill on DivisStreet when a number of armedmen burst in and ordered theworkers to put their hands up.They were then lined up againsta wall and the gunmen asked theirreligions. Those who stated theywhere Catholic where taken toanother part of the building andheld. Mr. McClelland andanother man stated that they wereProtestants and were shot down.Both were seriously injured andrushed to the Royal VictoriaHospital where McClelland dieda short time later.
Thomas BlairAged 40
Protestant63 Bainaby Street
Mr. Blair was one of a number ofworkmen laying new tram trackson the Grosvenor Road. As theywere doing so a number ofCatholic gunmen approachedthem from Dunville Park andopened fire killing Mr. Blairinstantly.
Divis Street showing Hughes Flour Mill
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 65
15th February 1922William Duffin
Aged 24Protestant
Roselands, AndersonstownShot dead by the I.R.A. during anattack on the New NorthernSpinning Company in North-umberland Street.
Peter McCallAged 22Catholic
41 Tyrone StreetShot dead by a military patrol thatopened fire into the Carrick Hillarea.
Mrs. O’BrennanCatholic
My Lady’s RoadDied as a result of shock after anR.I.C. raid on her home. She hadgiven birth a few days previously.
Hector StewartProtestantB-Special
22 Ship StreetShot dead at the corner of the NewLodge Road and EdlinghamStreet by a Catholic sniper.
Hugh FrenchAged 39
ProtestantOld Lodge Road
Mr. French was sitting in his shopon the Old Lodge Road when theR.I.C. opened fire on the crowdwho were about to attack theshop. One of the bullets camethrough the shop window andstruck Mr. French on the headseriously injuring him. He wastaken to the Royal VictoriaHospital where he died a shorttime afterwards.
Owen BondCatholic
Stanhope StreetShot dead by a military patrol,which opened fire into the CarrickHill area.
Thomas NeilProtestant
Peveril StreetSniper shot dead by the R.I.C. onthe roof of a building in YorkStreet.
16th February 1922James McCormick
Aged 45Protestant
8 Roseberry GardensShot through the head by aCatholic sniper duringdisturbances in the Short Strandarea.
John DevlinAged 5
CatholicHuddleston Place
John Devlin was playing inSeaforde Street with a number ofother children when a Protestantgunman appeared at the streetscorner on the Newtownards Road.He fired a single shot and struckyoung Devlin on the stomach.The child was then rushed to theMater Hospital where he died ashort time afterwards.
24th FebruaryJames Reilly
Catholic‘Thornview’
Cliftonpark AvenueShot dead by Protestant gunmanwho lay in wait in the grounds ofthe Mater Hospital. Mr. Reillywas a well known Belfastpublican.
James HuttonAged 45
Protestant27 Central Street
Shot dead by Protestant gunmenwho burst into his home.It is believed Mr. Hutton was mis-taken for a Catholic.
Edward HardyProtestant
Brookhill AvenueDied as a result of injuries
received during earlier distur-bances.
26th February 1922Isaac McMillan
Aged 22Protestant
30 Donegore StreetShot dead by a Catholic sniperwho opened fire on a crowd offootball supporters returning fromthe Oval.
James HughesAged 23Catholic
315 Crumlin RoadMr. Hughes was walking up theCrumlin Road with his motherwhen they were approached byProtestant gunmen who thenopened fire with revolvers. MrHughes was struck on the back ofthe head and taken to the MaterHospital where he died a shorttime later. Mrs. Hughes escapeduninjured.
Charles McMullanAged 49Catholic
Sherwood StreetShot and badly injured two weekspreviously when Protestant gun-men burst into his home.
27th February 1922David Fryer
Aged 27ProtestantB-Special
59 McClure StreetShot and injured by a Catholicsniper in Thompson Street theprevious day.
David Fryer
6th March 1922Owen Hughes
Aged 20Catholic
16 Skegoniel AvenueShot dead by a Protestant gunmanwho entered a tram car at thejunction of Henry Street and YorkStreet
James MartinAged 37
ProtestantBrunswick Street
Found dead in Albert Street. Hehad been shot dead by Catholicgunmen.
6th March 1922Thomas Eastwood
Aged 17Catholic
31 Upton StreetShot dead by a military patrol inWall Street.
John MullanAged 19Catholic
40 Wall StreetShot dead in Upper Library Streetby a military patrol.
William WarderAged 16
16 Lower Urney StreetShot dead by a military patrol inthe Carrick Hill area.
John MorrisonAged 23
Protestant43 Gardiner Street
Shot dead by a Catholic sniper inStephen Street.
8th March 1922William Johnston
Aged 4024 Cavour Street
Shot and injured by a Catholicsniper. He was struck on the neckand rushed to the Royal VictoriaHospital where he died a shorttime afterwards.
Page 66 THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS
William Johnston
Joseph DuffyAged 50Catholic
3 Dock LaneShot dead by a Protestant sniperin York Street.
Robert HazzardAged 24
Protestant16 Earl Street
Shot dead by a military patrol ashe was sniping from the roof of abuilding in York Street. At hisfuneral two Catholics namedHugh McAnaney and ThomasMcBridge were shot andseriously injured by ‘mourners.’McAnaney died a few days laterMr. Hazzard was a member of theOrange Order and the paramili-tary loyalist group ‘The ImperialGuards’ who were responsible fora number of gun and bomb attacksagainst the Catholic community.
9th March 1922John Roddy
Aged 15Protestant
43 Broadbent StreetShot and inured by a Catholicsniper on March 7. He was takento the Royal Victoria Hospitalwhere he died on the above date.
Patrick MorganAged 58Catholic
32 Upton StreetShot dead by a Protestant sniperas he tried to feel his way into a
doorway after shooting broke outin the Carrick Hill area. Mr.Morgan was blind.
10th March 1922William Kerr
Aged 35Catholic
‘Whitehouse’ MountpleasantMr. Kerr was dragged by Protes-tant gunmen into ground knownas the ‘boilerfields’ in the YorkRoad area. He was then shot dead.
Constable Patrick ConnorCatholic
Springfield Road R.I.C. BarracksShot dead by I.R.A gunmen onFalls Road.
Constable John CullenAged 26Catholic
Springfield Road R.I.C. Barrack(As Above)
Lieut.E.Bruce.Protestant
Seaforth HighlandersVictoria Barracks
Shot dead by I.R.A. gunmen inAlfred Street.
12th March 1922Benjamin Leith
Aged 23Catholic
8 Regent StreetShot in the eye and seriouslyinjured by a Protestant snipershooting into the Carrick Hill
area. Mr. Leith was taken to theMater Hospital where he died onthe above date.
Catherine NeesonAged 27Catholic
39 Little Georges StreetShot dead by Protestant gunmenas she answered a knock on herfront door. Exactly a week beforea bomb was thrown into the samehouse by a Protestant mob whowere attacking the area, Mrs.Neeson was eight months preg-nant.
Herbert WoodsAged 26
ProtestantCalifornia Street
Shot in the head by a Protestantsniper on March 10th. Mr. Woodswas mistaken for a Catholic.
Hugh McAnaneyAged 34Catholic
8 Maple TerraceMr. McAnaney was shot dead inGreencastle by ‘Mourners’attending the funeral of Protestantsniper Robert Hazzard.
Terence MurphyAged2
Catholic61 Harthly Street
Shot and injured by a Protestantsniper in North Thomas Street onMarch 9. He was hit on the thigh
and taken to the Mater Hospitalwhere he died on the above date.
Charles VokesAged 38
Protestant89 Upper Meadow Street
A - SpecialMr Vokes was arrested by amilitary patrol and was shot deadas he tried to escape.
Sarah KeyesProtestant
117 Hillman StreetShot dead by a Catholic sniper inthe New Lodge area.
13th March 1922Christopher Clarke
R.I.C.Protestant
Forthriver GardensSergeant Clarke was returningback to his barracks with Con-stable Cladwell when he was shotdead on the Falls Road by theI.R.A. Clarke and Cladwell weremembers of the Nixon/Harrisonmurder squad and are known tohave been involved in a numberof killings. They had been at thefunerals of Constables Connorand Cullen who had been shotdead by the I.R.A. on March 10th.During this attack a man namedDaniel Rogan was seriouslyinjured in the crossfire and wastaken to the Royal VictoriaHospital where he died on March19th.
Dunlewey Street where Constables Cullen and Connor were shot dead
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 67
Christopher Clark
Andrew LeonardAged 21Catholic
Duffy StreetDied as a result of injuriesreceived during earlier distur-bances.
15th March 1922Mary Wilson
Aged 4Catholic
57 Norfolk StreetShot dead by a Protestant sniper. Patrick Rooney
Aged 24Corporation Street
Shot dead by a Protestant sniperduring disturbances in the YorkStreet area.
16th March 1922William Kane
Aged 50Catholic
DunmurryShot dead by Protestant gunmenas he delivered milk to a shop onthe Newtownards Road.
John TaylorAged 52
ProtestantTrevelyn Terrace
Shot dead by a military patrol atthe gate lodge of the NewNorthern Spinning Company.
19th March 1922Augustus Orange
Aged 24Catholic
Ravenhill RoadShot dead by Protestant gunmenin Clermont Lane.
Mary MullanAged 40Catholic
32 Thompson StreetMary Mullan was sleeping in herbed when two Protestants randown the street and threw a bombthrough her bedroom window.The bomb landed on the bed andMiss Mullan had her legs blown
Mulholland Terrace, Falls Road, where SergeantClarke was shot dead
County Inspector Harrison at the funeral ofSergeant Clarke (below x)
x
Clermont Lane where the body of Augustus Orangewas found
apart and died of her injuries ashort time afterwards. Her auntRose McGreevy who was alsosleeping in the house wasseriously injured in the attack anddied on March 26th.
Margaret MurphyProtestant
28 Campbell StreetShot dead by Protestant gunmenwho burst into her home andasked for her husband who wasnot at home at the time. Her hus-band was a Catholic.
Henry GarveyAged 25
Protestant74 Denmark Street
Shot by a Catholic sniper as hedelived newspapers in NorthHoward Street.
Alexander DevaneyAged 35
Protestant68 Church Street East
Killed during a Catholic bombattack on a tramcar on the AntrimRoad.
Daniel RoganCatholic
20 Lincoln StreetMr. Rogan was found shot andinjured in Cavendish Street afterthe killing of Sergeant C. Clarkeon March 13th. It is believed hewas shot during the crossfire.
The body of Alexander Devaney being removed froma tram after it was bombed on the Antrim Road
Page 68 THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS
20th March 1922James Harkness
Aged 24Protestant
14 Lackagh StreetShot dead by a Catholic sniper onthe Newtownards Road. Mr.Harkness was a member of theUlster Protestant Association, agroup which was responsible fora number of attacks againstCatholics.
James MageeAged 4
11 Harding StreetMr. Magee was walking up EarlStreet when he was approachedby a Protestant gunman and shot.He was taken the Mater Hospitalwhere he died a few hours later.
James HillisAged 23Catholic
8 Nail StreetMr. Hillis was attacked andbrutally beaten by a Protestantmob. They battered his head andkicked out most of his teethbefore one of them produced agun and shot him dead. Mr. Hillisworked for the Belfast Corpora-tion and previous to the attack anumber of those who worked withhim threatened him to leave orelse he would ‘be done in.’ Amember of the B-Specials, wholived in the Sandy Row areaconstantly threatened that hewould shoot him.
22nd March 1922Thomas Mullan
Catholic67 Short Strand
Died as a result of gunshotwounds received during earlierdisturbances.
John KerneyCatholic
Young’s RowDied as a result of injuriesreceived during earlier distur-bances.
23rd March 1922Thomas Cunningham
Aged 22Protestant
Josford StreetA-Special
Mr. Cunningham was on patrolwith William Chermisde at thecorner of May Street and GreatVictoria Street when they wereapproached by a number of I.R.A.men. The men then producedguns and shot both constablesdead.
William ChermisdeAged 21
ProtestantJosford Street
A-Special(As Above)
Margaret SmythAged 52Catholic
Weaver StreetDied as a result of a bomb attackon Weaver Street on February18th. Mrs. Smyth was the firstadult to die as a result of thisattack, all the other victimsbeing children.
24TH March 1922Owen McMahon
Aged 50Catholic
3 Kinnaird TerraceShot dead in his home by amembers of the Nixon/Harrisonmurder squad.
Thomas McMahonAged 15Catholic
3 Kinnaird Terrace(As Above)
Frank McMahonAged 24Catholic
3 Kinnaird Terrace(As Above)
Patrick McMahonAged 22Catholic
3 Kinnaird Terrace(As Above)
Edward McKinneyAged 25Catholic
3 Kinnaird Terrace(As Above)
William CampbellProtestant
35 Oldpark AvenueShot dead during a gunbattlebetween Catholics and Protes-tants in the New Lodge area.
Patrick FitzsimonsAged 20Catholic
5 Frederick StreetShot by a Protestant gunman atthe corner of Fountain StreetNorth and New Lodge Road theprevious day. He was taken to theMater Hospital where he died.
John MurdockAged 20
Protestant2 Richmond Street
Shot and fatally wounded inGreeves Mill the previous day.
William AllenProtestant
4 Sackville PlaceDied as a result of injuriesreceived on March 13th
William Allen
26th March 1922Rose McGreevy
Aged 80Catholic
32 Thompson StreetDied as a result of injuries re-ceived during a Protestant bombattack on her home on March 19th.
John BellAged 36
Protestant71 My Lady’s Road
Two R.I.C. members outside the McMahon homehours after the attack
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 69
Died as a result of injuriesreceived on the Ravenhill Roadthe previous day.
John McGarryProtestant
Glenwherry StreetShot dead by Protestant gunmenin Earl Street in mistake for aCatholic. In the death notices ofnewspapers the family recordedhis death as ‘accidental shooting.’
John McGarry
Maggie Savage
Maggie SavageAged 21Catholic
2 Burke StreetOn the above date the R.I.C. werearresting a woman from her homein Lepper Street. When she wastaken out on to the street shebegan to shout “murder, murder.’After the killing of the Mc Mahonfamily the Catholic clergy toldpeople to do this when R.I.C.units came to their homes. In thiscase it was a ‘normal’ policearrest by people came out of their
homes and began to blowwhistles and create a generaldisturbances. A gunbattle soonafter broke out between theI.R.A., R.I.C. and the militaryMiss Savage was sitting in theparlour of her home when a straybullet came through the windowkilling her instantly.
James MageeAged 45Catholic
47 Mc Donnell StreetShot dead by the military duringdisturbances in Raglan Street.
Harry BrennanAged 19
Protestant254 Donegall Road
Shot and injured in the head onthe Grosvenor Road by aCatholic sniper. He was taken tothe Royal Victoria Hospital wherehe died a short time afterwards.
James NeesonCatholic
26 Roumania StreetShot dead by the military duringdisturbances in Raglan Street.
29th March 1922Samuel Mullan
Aged 20Catholic
67 Havana StreetShot dead as an informer by the I.R.A.
30th March 1922John Dempster
Aged 20Catholic
32 Mountcollyer AvenueDied as a result of gunshotwounds received on March 25th.
31st March 1922Thomas Hall
ProtestantB-Special
Mountpottinger BarracksAttacked and beaten by aCatholic mob in Short Strand andthen shot.
John SweeneyAged 18Catholic
Stanhope StreetShot dead by a Protestant sniperin the Carrick Hill area.
Francis DonnellyAged 2
Protestant29 Brown Street
At around 10.15pm a number ofCatholic men approached thehome of Francis Donnelly at 29Brown Street in the Millfield area.One of the men produced a bomband, after setting the fuse, threwit through the front window. Itexploded in the middle of thefloor and killed two year oldFrancis instantly. The father wasseriously injured as was two of hisother children one of whom dieda short time later.
Joseph DonnellyAged 12
Protestant29 Brown Street
(As Above)
Joseph Donnelly (right)
R.I.C. raid on homes in Little May Street March 1922
2nd April 1922Constable J. Turner
Aged 29Protestant
Brown Square BarracksConstable Turner died in whatremains to the present daymysterious circumstance. Theofficial reports state that he wasshot dead by a Catholic snipershooting from Stanhope Street.
Constable Turner
Joseph McRoryAged 40Catholic
Stanhope StreetShot dead in his home during anattack in the Carrick Hill area bythe Nixon/Harrison murdersquad.
Bernard McKennaAged 36Catholic
Park Street(As Above)
Bernard McKenna
Page 70 THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS
William SpallinAged 70
16 Arnon Street(As Above)
Michael WalshAged 7
Catholic3 Alton Street
(As Above)
Joseph WalshAged 39Catholic
18 Arnon Street(As Above)The last five killings becameknown soon after as ‘The ArnonStreet Massacre.’ It is believed
that Constable Turner was shotdead by a member of the Nixon/Harrison squad to provide an
excuse to attack this area. Duringthese attacks hundreds of people(including the military) sawmembers of the R.I.C. and B-Specials openly carry them out.The following week the NorthernIreland Cabinet stated that therewould be no more public juriesat future inquest hearings. At thistime many newspapers through-out the world were anxiouslyawaiting the findings in theseinquests into the Mc Mahon andArnon killings and if the policeofficers accused would be orderedto attend. It is believed that thisorder was to cover up theactivities of the Nixon/Harrisonmurder gang and is further proofof the Cabinet connection.
John MallonAged 60
Skegoniel AvenueMr. And Mrs. Mallon were sittingin their home which was knownas the ‘the Grove Lodge’ when aknock came to their door. Mrs.Mallon answered it and three menasked her ‘is Jimmy in?’ (Herson.) She told them he was notand at this point Mr. Mallon cameto the door. The men then pro-duced guns and shot him dead.
Francis FlynnAged 81Catholic
Unity StreetDied as a result of injuries re-
ceived in a Protestant bomb attackthe previous week.
4th April 1922Bernard McMahon
Aged 26Catholic
3 Kinnaird TerraceDied as a result of gunshotwounds received during a gunattack on his home by the Nixon/Harrison murder squad on March24th.
6th April 1922Joseph Hannigan
Aged 9Catholic
27 Marlin StreetDied as a result of injuriesreceived during a Protestant bombattack on children playing inWeaver Street on February 13th.
Mary OwensCatholic
Shore StreetDied as a result of injuries re-ceived during a Protestant bombattack on children playing inWeaver Street on February 13th.
14th April 1922Matthew Carmichael
Protestant20 Moyola Street
Shot dead by Protestant gunmenin mistake for a Catholic. MrCarmichael was a very wellknown Belfast Freemason.
Holes dug through the yard walls of houses at the rearof Vere Street. Their purpose was to prevent residentsgetting shot by snipers. The holes soon after took a zigzag form so that they could not be seen straight through.This was just one measure and in some streets eventhe sewers were used. March 1922
Funerals of the victims of the Arnon Street massacre passing along Royal Avenue
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 71
Thomas GillanCatholic
Midland Railway StationShot dead by a Protestant gunmanas he was working on a train inthe Midland Station. His killersthen approached a number ofcleaners and asked them theirreligion. After being told theywere all Protestants the killersthen took their wages (which theyreceived that day) and left.
Daniel BeattieCatholic
65 Herbert StreetShot dead by Protestant gunmenon the Crumlin Road.
John SloanProtestant
20 Harrison StreetShot dead by Protestant gunmenin Tasmania Street in mistake fora Catholic.
William CowanAged 5
ProtestantTemplemore Avenue
Died as a result of gunshot inju-ries received during earlier distur-bances.
William JohnstoneAged 27
Protestant100 Louisa Street
Mr. Johnstone was a Protestantsniper who was shot dead by amilitary patrol.
James FearonAged 56Catholic
22 Glenpark StreetDied as a result of injuriesreceived during disturbances inthe Marrowbone district onMarch 17th.
Patrick McGoldrickCatholicAged 27
Madrid StreetShot dead as he served in his shopby Protestant gunmen.
19th April 1922Mary Ann Berry
Aged 29Catholic
17 Arran StreetWas sitting in a house inThompson Street with relativesduring disturbances in the ShortStrand area. A fierce gunbattlewas in progress and a militarypatrol fired a number of bulletsthrough the front window killingMrs. Berry and her friend RoseDougan.
Rose DouganAged 32
15 Arran Street(As Above)
Francis HobbsAged 36Catholic
26 Kilmood StreetShot dead by a military patrolduring disturbances in the ShortStrand area.
John ScottAged 16
Protestant15 Well Street
Shot through the head by aCatholic sniper during distur-bances in the Short Strand area.
20th April 1922James Johnstone
Aged 50My Lady’s Road
Shot dead by a Catholic sniperduring disturbances in the ShortStrand area.
Sergeant Bruen(R.I.C.)Catholic
Henry Street BarracksShot and injured during a robberythe previous week In York Street.Was taken to the Mater Hospitalwhere he died on the above date.
Mary KeenanAged 13Catholic
Marine StreetMary Keenan and her friendChristina Toal, aged 5, were play-ing swing with an old rope tied toa lamppost in Marine Street. Ataround 4.30pm a Protestant gun-man came to the streets corner atLittle Ship Street and proceededto fire a number of shots at thetwo children. Both were taken tothe Mater Hospital where MaryKeenan died a short time later.Christina Toal was detained witha number of gunshot injuries tothe chest and abdomen and latermade a full recovery.
Junction of Tasmania Street and Crumlin Roadwhere John Sloan’s body was discovered
Area of the Crumlin Road where Daniel Beattie wasshot dead
Grove Back Lodge, home of Mr John Mallon. It washere that he was shot dead by Protestant gunmen
At around 4.30pm a Protestant gunman came to thestreets corner at Little Ship Street and proceeded tofire a number of shots at the two children.
Page 72 THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS
Patrick DevlinAged 28Catholic
Quadrant StreetDied as a result of injuriesreceived during disturbances inthe Albert Street area theprevious July.
John WalkerAged 16Catholic
97 Short StrandShot dead by the military duringdisturbances in the Quinn Streetarea.
Daniel DiamondAged 25Catholic
50 Vulcan StreetShot dead by a Protestant sniper
Andrew McCartneyCatholic
22 Dagmar StreetShot dead by a Protestant gunmanin Henry Street.
21st April 1922James Greer
Aged 14Protestant
Lower Frank StreetDied as a result of gunshotwounds received during distur-bances in the Short Strand area onApril 19th.
Thomas BestAged 18
Protestant66 Louisa Street
Shot dead by Protestants in theOldpark area in mistake for aCatholic.
23rd April 1922Robert Millar
Aged 68Protestant
34 Beechfield StreetMr. Millar, a blind man, wassitting in his front parlour with afriend when two Catholic gunmenburst in through the rear of his
house. When the gunmen enteredthe room one of them put arevolver to Mr. Millars mouth andshot him dead. His friend was alsoshot and seriously injured butlater recovered.
Elizabeth McCabeAged 30Catholic
Killed during a Protestant bombattack on St. Matthews CatholicChurch on the NewtownardsRoad.
24th April 1922James Corr
Aged 70Catholic
33 Lowry StreetShot dead by a Protestant gunmanas he delivered coal in MiddlepathStreet.
William SibbisonAged 31
Protestant1 Havelock Place
William SibbisonMr. Sibbison worked as a time-keeper in Richardson’s ChemicalCompany in Short Strand. Ataround 4.30pm a Catholic gun-man entered his office and shothim in the stomach. He wasrushed to the Royal VictoriaHospital where he died a shorttime later.
William SteeleProtestant
Disreali StreetDied as a result of injuriesreceived during earlier distur-bances.
Ellen GreerProtestant
Enniskillen StreetDied as a result of gunshotwounds received during earlierdisturbances.
12th May 1922Michael Cullen
Aged 44Catholic
27 Havanna StreetShot dead by a Protestant gunmanin the Marrowbone district.
John MansfieldProtestant
(Tram conductor)Died as a result of injuries re-ceived during a Catholic bombattack on a tram depot.
Robert BeattieProtestant
8 Palmer StreetShot dead by a Catholic gunmanin Butler Street. Mr Beattie wasa well-known member of theOrange Order.
14th May 1922Kathleen Douglas
Aged 13Catholic
38 Marine StreetShot by a Protestant sniper firingfrom Ship Street. Seriouslyinjured in the abdomen shestruggled into her house crying‘daddy, I’m hit.’ She was takento the Mater Hospital where shedied a short time later.
Lizzie McAloreyAged 4
Protestant8 Melbourne Court
Shot dead by the military duringdisturbances in the TownsendStreet area.
Lizzie McAlorey
Ellen DarganAged 19Catholic
10 Emily PlaceShot dead by a Protestant sniperduring disturbances in the GreatPatrick Street area.
16th May 1922William Madden
Aged 22Catholic
Sackville StreetShot dead in North Street byProtestant ‘mourners’ attendingthe funeral of Robert Beattie.
17th May 1922John Gribbon
Aged 21Catholic
Gordon StreetShot and injured in the chest by a
Funeral of John Mansfield passing along Clifton Street
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 73
Protestant sniper in Great PatrickStreet. He was taken to the MaterHospital where he died a shorttime afterwards.
Robert DudgeonAged 19
ProtestantWestland Street
Shot dead by the military duringdisturbances in the Cupar Streetarea. Mr. Dudgeon was an ex-member of the Royal Irish Rifles.
18th May 1922Samuel McPeake
Aged 50Catholic
Ligoniel PlaceShot dead in a tramcar as theywere going to work. The tram wastravelling down the CrumlinRoad and it is believed that Mr.Mc Peake and his friend JamesDonaghy were identified asCatholics when they blessedthemselves passing the CatholicHoly Cross Chapel. After themurders the gunmen ran from thetram and into Tudor Place.
James DonaghyAged 46
53 Ligoniel Place(As Above)
Thomas McCaffreyCatholic
43 Shore PlaceShot dead in a tram passing alongMountcollyer Avenue by aProtestant gunman.
Constable John CollinsAged 50Catholic
R.I.C.Musgrave Barracks
Shot dead by the I.R.A during anattack on Musgrave Barracks.
William McKnightAged 34
ProtestantMc Tier Street
Shot dead by a Catholic gunmenin Academy Street
19th May 1922William Patterson
Aged 39Protestant
Frazer StreetMr. Patterson was one of anumber of men working in acooperage in the Little PatrickStreet area when nine armed menburst in and lined them all upagainst a wall. The men thenasked who the ‘Micks’ were(Catholics.) It is unclear whathappened next, but one of the menwas identified as a Catholic andremoved to another part of theworks. The others were then shotdead. The killings are believed tohave been carried out by theI.R.A.
Thomas BoydAged 23
ProtestantLousina Street
(As Above)
Thomas MaxwellAged 30Protestant(As Above)
Constable William HeslipProtestant
R.I.C.Brickfield Barracks
Shot through the head by aCatholic gunman.
Constable William Heslip
Mary DonaldsonAged 50
Protestant220 Spamount Street
Shot dead at her front door by amilitary patrol.
20th May 1922John Connolly
Aged 25Catholic
7 New Lodge RoadAt around 10.00am two Protes-tant gunmen entered J.P. CorryTimber Merchants in HenryStreet. Once inside the saw roomthey lined up the workforce andasked their religion. Afteridentifying Mr. Connolly as aCatholic they shot him dead.
Patrick McAuleyAged 18Catholic
4 Ton StreetShot dead by Protestant gunmenas he worked in the DuncrueStreet area.
Thomas McGuiganAged 18Catholic
95 Stanfield Street(As Above)
Musgrave R.I.C. Barracks shortly after Constable Collins was shot dead duringan I.R.A. attack on it 18th May 1922
Page 74 THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS
Arthur McMudroughCatholic
Grosvenor PlaceShot dead by Protestant gunmenon the Milewater Road.
Brigid SkillenAged 3
Catholic26 Fleet Street
Shot dead in York Street by aProtestant sniper.
Agnes ConditAged 22Catholic
28 Fleet StreetShot dead in York Street by aProtestant sniper.
Thomas McShaneAged 35Catholic
5 Jennymount StreetShot through the neck by aProtestant sniper.
John HickyAged 50Catholic
Nelson StreetShot dead by a protestant gunmanduring disturbances in the YorkStreet area.
Robert NewellAged 24
Protestant14 Clonallen Street
Shot dead by Catholic gunmenduring disturbances on theNewtownards Road.
Robert Newell
Hugh McDonaldCatholic
5 Saul StreetDragged from a tram at BridgeEnd and beat to death by a Prot-estant crowd.
Peter PruntyCatholic
Kildare Street Shot dead by a Protestant gun-man during disturbances in theAlbert Street area.
22nd May 1922John McLarnon
Catholic61 Moyola Street
Shot dead by Protestants in theMidland Railway Station, YorkRoad
Charles McMurtyCatholic
Trades Hotel,Frederick Street
Shot dead by a Protestant gunmanas he worked at Tiphead.
James BradyAged 30Catholic
9 Kilmoud StreetBelieved to have been shot deadby a Catholic sniper in mistake fora Protestant.
Thomas BoydAged 25
Protestant208 Donegall Road
Shot dead on the AlbertbridgeRoad by a Catholic sniper.
George LawsonAged 30
Protestant27 Maymount Street
Shot dead by a Catholic sniper ashe returned home from workalong Beechfield Street.
William Twaddell M.P.Protestant
Malone ParkShot dead by Catholic gunmen inGarfield Street as he was goingto his business premises in NorthStreet.
23rd May 1922Mary Grant
Aged 60Catholic
Fleet StreetDied of gunshot wounds receivedthe previous day by a Protestantsniper.
Robert PowellProtestant
86 Isabella StreetShot dead by a protestant gunmanin Edward Street.
24th May 1922James Telford
Aged 63Protestant
21 BroadwayMr. Telford was returning homefrom work in the City Cemetery
During the Belfast troubles after the partition of Ireland the I.R.A. also carriedout a massive firebombing campaign to undermine the local economy. This
picture shows buildings ablaze in Donegall Quay after one such attack.
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 75
when he was approached by anumber of Catholic gunmen out-side Broadway Church on theFalls Road. He was beaten beforebeing shot dead.
John MooreAged 17
Protestant79 Hooker Street
Died as a result of injures receivedduring earlier disturbances.
George KiddProtestant
44 Brookvale AvenueShot dead by a Catholic sniper onthe New Lodge Road.
Jack O’HareCatholic
Thompson StreetMr. O’Hare was returning homeacross the Albert Bridge when hewas attacked by a Protestant mob.He was beaten and then thrownover the bridge into the RiverLagon where he drowned. Apatrol of the R.I.C. and militarystood on the opposite side of thebridge watching but did nothingto intervene.
25th May 1922Ester McDougal
Aged 19Catholic
Stanhope StreetShot dead by a Protestant snipershooting into the Carrick Hillarea.
Patrick HughesAged 38Catholic
Carntall StreetDied as a result of injuriesreceived during disturbances onMay 21st.
Constable James MurphyAged 27
ProtestantB-Special
Shankill Road Barracks
Shot dead by an I.R.A. gunmanin Conway Street.
William ShieldsAged 19
Protestant32 Delaware Street
Shot dead by a Catholic gunmanin the Short Strand area.
William Shields
26th May 1922Alexander Morrison
ProtestantBallyclare
Killed by a Protestant mob on theAlbert Bridge Road in mistake fora Catholic.
Georgina CampbellAged 10
Protestant5 Roxburgh Street
Shot dead by a Catholic sniper inGertrude Street.
William ToalAged 17Catholic
42 Mayfair StreetDied as a result of gunshotinjuries received the previous dayby a Protestant sniper shootinginto the Marrowbone district.
28th May 1922Robert Rainey
Aged 50Catholic
Cyprus StreetShot dead during disturbances onthe Falls Road.
William SmythAged 21Catholic
Died as a result of gunshotwounds received on May 24th onthe Newtownards Road.
Grace ToddAged 30
Protestant25 Beoeque Street
Died as a result of injuriesreceived during disturbances inthe North Street area on May 24th.
29th May 1922Thomas Drumgoale
CatholicSeaforde Street
Shot dead by an R.I.C. patrolduring disturbances in theCullingtree Road area.
Minnie BoydAged 38
ProtestantWilson Street
Died as a result of injuriesreceived during earlier distur-bances.
Constable J. McGarrityProtestantB-Specials
Court Street BarracksShot dead by a Catholic sniper inMc Donnell Street
30th May 1922Constable Henry O’Brien
Aged 24Catholics
R.I.C.Cullingtree Road Barracks
Died as a result of injuriesreceived the previous day duringan I.R.A. attack on CullingtreeBarracks.
31st May 1922Robert Monaghan
Aged 20Catholic
Arizona StreetShot dead by the B-Specials.
William CollumProtestant
13 Portallo StreetDied as a result of injuries receivedduring earlier disturbances.
Mary Ann McIloryAged 52Catholic
28 Old Lodge RoadMrs. McIlory was killed alongwith her daughter after Protestantgunmen burst into their home.
Rose McIloryAged 29Catholic
28 Old Lodge Road(As Above)
Cullingtree Road R.I.C. Barracks after an I.R.A. gun andbomb attack in which Constable Henry O’Brien was killed
Page 76 THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS
Jane DoranCatholic
Peter’s PlaceShot dead by Protestant gunmenwho burst into her home. Beforeleaving the killers set fire to thehouse and Mrs. Doran’s remainswere discovered in the burnt outremains the following day.
John JenningsProtestant
Peter’s PlaceShot dead by a Protestant mobwho burst into his home. As in theprevious attack, the house was seton fire and his body was found inthe burnt out remains. Mr.Jennings was a partly paralysedand blind.
Hugh KennedyAged 26Catholic
98 Servia StreetShot dead by the B-Specials.
William O’HaraCatholic
Mc Donnell StreetShot dead by the B-Specials.
Constable A. RoulstonAged 23
ProtestantB-Special
Smithfield BarracksShot dead in Millfield by theI.R.A.
Patrick McGurkCatholic
Ardmoulin AvenueDied as a result of injuriesreceived during earlier distur-bances.
Arthur McGaheyAged 17Catholic
Irwin StreetDied as a result of injuriesreceived during earlier distur-bances.
R.U.C. raiding party at the junction of Foundry Street and Newtownards Road
R.U.C. armoured car at a funeral on Royal Avenue
R.U.C. patrol at the junction of May Street and Joy Street
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 77
1st June 1922Michael McHugh
Aged 27Catholic
137 New Lodge RoadShot dead on the Shankill Roadby Protestant gunmen.
James KaneProtestant
Limestone RoadShot dead on the Falls Road byCatholic gunmen.
Albert McMordieAged 11
ProtestantLower Urney Street
Shot dead by a Catholic sniper.
2nd June 1922Lizzie Donnelly
CatholicWest Street
Died as a result of injuries re-ceived during earlier distur-bances.
John KaneAged 16
ProtestantDisraeli Street
John Kane was one of a numberof youths looting a pawnshop onPeter’s Hill when the militaryarrived and opened fire. Kane waskilled instantly and a number ofothers injured.
3rd June 1922John Black
CatholicNew Dock Street
Mr. Black was standing at hisfront door when a Protestant whowas shooting from Little ShipStreet shot him through the head.
Robert HuntAged 50Catholic
14 Millford StreetShot and injured by a protestantsniper as he drove a car alongRoss Street. He was taken to theMater Hospital where he died ashort time later.
Bernard McCaffreyAged 16Catholic
New Lodge RoadShot in the stomach by a
Protestant sniper. He was taken tothe Mater Hospital where he dieda few hours later.
William RiceAged 25Catholic
Shot dead by the military in LimeStreet.
5th June 1922Thomas Gough
Catholic17 Mineral Street
Mr. Gough was leaving thebrickfields in Skegoniel Avenuewhen Protestant gunmen stoppedhim. They asked for his name andafter he informed them what itwas they took him around thecorner and shot him dead.
6th June 1922Patrick O’Malley
Aged 45Catholic
1 Stratheden StreetShot dead by Protestant gunmenas he stood at his front door.
7th June 1922John McMenermy
Catholic58 Conway Street
Shot dead by a Protestant sniperas he walked along Cupar Street.
12th June 1922Edward Devine
CatholicSpringfield Road
Mr. Devine was managingdirector of Barney Hughesbakery. He was shot dead duringa robbery in the bakery and hiskillers are belived to have beenCatholic.
13th June 1922William Smyth
Aged 54Catholic
Hardinge StreetMr. Smyth was standing at thecorner of Hardinge Street and
North Queen Street when a Prot-estant sniper shot him dead fromVere Street.
16th June 1922Thomas Mullaney
Aged 38Catholic
East StreetMr. Mullaney was visiting hisbrother when he was shot dead bya military patrol during distur-bances in North Queen Street.
20th June 1922Charles O’Neill
Aged 50Catholic
Balkan StreetShot dead by Protestant gunmenas he worked on the grounds ofBrantwood Football Club.
David FrenchAged 30Catholic
5 Elms CourtMr. French was riding a horse andcart along Duncrue Street whentwo Protestant gunmen jumpedon to the cart and shot him dead.
James TuttonAged 55Catholic
Brookfield StreetMr. Tutton was driving a cartloadof rubbish along Duncrue Streetwhen two Protestant gunmenattacked him. He was shot deadand the killers are belived to havebeen the same killers as Mr.O’Neill a short time earlier.
William ThorntonAged 22Catholic
Catherine StreetShot dead by an R.U.C. patrol.(The Royal Irish Constabularywere disbanded in this month andthe new Royal UlsterConstabulary established.)
Military patrol at the junction of Carrick Hill andPeter’s Hill shortly after the killing of John Kane
Page 78 THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS
Henry StirlingProtestant
46 Clandeboye StreetDied as a result of injuriesreceived six months ago by aCatholic sniper in Bryson Street.
21st June 1922P.Ward
CatholicDied as a result of injuriesreceived during earlier distur-bances.
William MillarAged 70Catholic
29 Willowfield StreetShot dead by Protestant gunmenwho burst into his home.
Thomas JohnstoneCatholic
28 Frederick StreetDied as a result of gunshotwounds received during earlierdisturbances.
23rd June 1922John Ireland
Aged 30Catholic
5 Elms CourtShot through the head by themilitary during disturbances inthe York Street area.
Leo ReaAged 16Catholic
Leeson StreetShot dead by a Protestant gunmanduring disturbances in theGrosvenor Road area.
William KirkwoodAged 27
Protestant3 Marlborough Place
Mr. Kirkwood was the managerof Hughes Mill. At around12.15pm on the above date he wasleaving the mill when he was ap-proached by a number of armedmen and shot dead. Killers un-known.
Joseph HursonAged 15Catholic
87 Unity StreetShot dead as he went in throughhis front door by a Protestantsniper firing from Hanover Street.His brother was also shot.
Mary SempleAged 25
Protestant61 Ardgowan Street
Died as a result of injuriesreceived during earlier distur-bances.
24th June 1922Isabella FosterAged 4 Months
Protestant26 Ballycarry Street
Shot dead by a stray bullet, whichcame through the window of herhome.
Bella McKeownAged 22Catholic
11 Arran StreetDied in the Mater Hospital as aresult of gunshot injuries receivedon June 1st.
4th July 1922Mr. Hurson
Catholic87 Unity Street
Shot and injured by a Protestantsniper on June 23rd. His brotherwas shot dead in the same attack.
6th JulyJames Mooney
Aged 80Protestant
25 Third StreetDied as a result of injuries re-ceived on July 3rd. has been shotby a Catholic sniper in UpperNorth Street.
Harry LittleAged 35
Protestant26 Bramcote Street
Shot dead as he helped aCatholic neighbour fight off twoProtestant gunmen who came tokill him.Thomas Bowens of 103 EastBread Street was later chargedwith the murder.
13th July 1922Robert BoydProtestant
41 Convention StreetDied after being crushed under anR.U.C. crossley tender during dis-turbances on the NewtownardsRoad.
5th August 1922Samuel Hayes
(C-Special)Aged 45
ProtestantSusan Street
Shot dead in the Britannic Bar onthe Newtownards Road bymembers of the I.R.A.
29th August 1922Peter Mullan
Aged 65Catholic
109 Joy StreetShot dead by Protestant gunmenat the Crumlin Road PictureHouse where he worked as anattendant.
1st September 1922George Higgins
Aged 30Catholic
5 Eglinton StreetShot dead on the MusgraveChannel Road by Protestantgunmen. He had worked as apostman and had been deliveringletters at the time he was killed.
13th September 1922John Walker
Aged 15Catholic
18 Molyneux StreetShot dead by a Protestant sniperin Little Georges Street.
17th September 1922Thomas McCullagh
Aged 40Catholic
Hardinge StreetShot dead by a Protestant sniperas he stood at the corner of GreatGeorges Street and York Street.
James McCloskeyAged 41Catholic
68 Marine StreetShot dead by a Protestant gunmanas he stood at his front door.
Jane RaffertyAged 40Catholic
Marine StreetShot dead by Protestant gunmenwho burst into her home. Mrs.Rafferty’s Protestant husband wasaway at sea at the time of thekilling.
Louisa CannonAged 30Catholic
Frederick LaneDied as a result of injuriesreceived during a Protestant bombattack in the Cullingtree Road. Amember of the B-Specials namedEdward Gill of Devonshire Streetwas later charged with causing theexplosion.
22nd September 1922James Spratt
Aged 50Protestant
21 Wigton StreetShot dead by an R.U.C. patrolduring disturbances inWestmoreland Street.
5th October 1922Mary Sherlock
Aged 44Catholic
Vulcan StreetShot dead on the NewtownardsRoad by a protestant gunman.
THE McMAHON FAMILY MURDERS Page 79
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