RELIGIOUS RiOT IN IRELAND.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 215, 7 September 1912, Page 17

RELIGIOUS RiOT IN IRELAND.

SUNDAY-SCHOOL EXCURSION ATTACKED. At Magherafelt, County Derry, fight Unionists and twenty-eight Nationalists were charged with rioting at Castiedawsou on the 2»tu June. 'Die town was crowded with partisans of both sides, and eighty extra police had been drafted in, but good order prevailed.

The principal witness was the Rev. Robert Burr on. minister of Wbllehouse Presbyterian Church, who described how hie Sabbath school excursion, numbering five hundred—all children save a score or so or parents— to Castledawson on tie date mentioned, and when returning to the railway station in the evening were attacked by Hibernian processionists. Tire band accompanying the children was playing a hymn when passing the Iliboruini a, and one of tlie latter suddenly leapt forward ami clutched the Union Jack carried by 11 boy. lie tore the flag from tup staff and waved it triumphantly. Immediately the Hibernians rushed at (lie witness' procession, stabbing right and left with lons iron weapons, and seriously injuring men, women, and children. The Hibernians seized lie school flag, but some of the witness' party clung to it, and there was a general struggle. The police assisted the excursionists, and a number or people came running from Castledawsiou to heip them. The fight gradually moved towards the town, where the parties were separated by the police.

In cross-examination, witness said none of hie party gave any offence to the Hibernians when passing.

Police-Sergeant BlrcMll deposed 'that the Hibernians were the aggressors. He was struck with a pike by one of them. They also carried batons. He did not hear or ccc any provocation given by the excursionists.