Trauma And Tragedies Of 'Troubles' From The Past
WHILE the tragedies and trauma of the recent conflict have affected many families in the Newry region, almost as much murder and mayhem occurred during a two-year period in the 1920’s, from 1921 to `23.
Six people were killed by the I.R.A. in the “Altnaveigh Massacre,” four young men were shot dead by security forces at Ballymacdermott; The Egyptian Arch ambush claimed the lives of three republicans; two teenage girls were gunned down by British soldiers at Jonesboro; two brothers were shot dead by “B” Specials at Grinan; two farmers were killed by police at Lislea, while two so-called informers were “executed” by republicans at Camlough.
Meanwhile, a magistrate was gunned down, while leaving Newry Cathedral; a young man was dragged from his bed at Kilmorey Street, his body dumped on the outskirts of the town, while another youth was shot dead on the Rathfriland Road, - in retaliation for the killing of Special Constables in the town. And a Donaghmore teacher was killed during a police road on her home at Shinn.
At Altnaveigh, the I.R.A. placed landmines on approach roads to deter the “Specials” coming to the rescue. Those killed in the gun and incendiary bomb-attack on their cottages were Thomas and Elizabeth Crozier; John Heslip and his 19-year-old son, Robert; Jim Lockhart and Joseph Gray. The survivors, some of whom had been wounded, escaped across the fields in their nightclothes.
A sister of Joseph Gray reported that there had been 13 members of the family at home, when the raiders threw burning torches into the house. On making their escape, gunmen told them to put their hands up. The mother asked why the attack was being carried out. She was told it was “in reprisal for the murder of Catholics in Belfast.”
Joseph Gray was shot and fell to the ground. Dying, he made the appeal: “Don’t call them brutes; perhaps they had to do this. I forgive them, and I hope that God will forgive them. I am going to Jesus.”
Less than a mile away was the scene of another multiple murder. John O’Reilly (25), a teacher at Killeen primary school, and his 21-year old brother, Thomas, - sons of a former R.I.C. sergeant and the principal of a girl’s school, - were taken away by an armed gang, after a search of their home.
The party drove to the McGennity farmhouse at Ballymacdermott, from which 19-year-old Peter was removed, with the excuse that he was being taken “for questioning.” A few minutes later, the McGennity sisters heard a volley of shots. Rushing out, they discovered the bodies of Peter and the O’Reilly brothers lying in a ditch. They had been shot through the head.
The same gang, believed to have been Special Constables, were also involved in a fatal gun-attack on 34-year-old Patrick Quinn from Derrybeg, who was staying at the home of a friend, James McQuaid at Corrinshegoe.
