One hundred years ago
The bitter feeling existing in Belfast between Protestants and Catholics has produced serious rioting. Some ship- builders and navvies quarrelled, a boy was killed, and on Saturday the Catho- lics, while marching to his funeral, attacked a Protestant district. At least, that is Mr Morley's account; but in an Irish riot neither side ever admit that they began it. The police attempted to restore order, but the rioting continued from day to day; and on Wednesday they were furiously attacked, driven into their barracks, and compelled to fire — a proceeding which did not cow the mob, who are aware that the police fire with buckshot instead of bullets. It was necessary at last to produce the soldiers, but not till eight persons had been killed — two of them women, and one a child. It has now been resolved to maintain order by severe measures, which ought to have been taken at first. The incident shows clearly the hatred existing between the two creeds and races, and the impossibility that any Government but the Imperial one should maintain order in North Ireland. We are not quite sure that even it will succeed; for magistrates and police are alike paralysed by the probability that they will before the end of the year be handed over to a Government elected by the supporters of the Nationalist League.
Spectator, 12 June 1886
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