Report of the Commissioners of inquiry into disturbances in Londonderry

Back to Search Bibliographic Data Print


LONDONDEREI RIOTS INQUIRI COMMISSION, 1869.


EEPOET.


TO HIS EXCELLENCY JOHN POYNTZ, EAEL SPENCEE, E.G.,


LORD LIEUTENANT-GENERAL AND GENERAL GOVERNOR OF IRELAND.


May it please tour ExcellenoYj


On the 11th of August, 1869, your Excellency was pleased to issue your warrant to
us, whereby, having recited that certain riots and disturbances, of a serious character,


had on recent occasions taken place in the city of Londonderry, and that your Excellency
deemed it expedient that inquiry should be made in respect of the several matters set
forth in your Excellency's warrant, in order that such measures should be adopted as
may be found necessary for securing the future tranquillity of the city, your Excellency
authorized and directed us "to hold a Court of Inquiry at Londonderry aforesaid, on Tuesday
the 17th day of August, 1869, and following days, and to inquire into the circumstances of the
said riots and disturbances; the existing local arrangements for the preservation of the
peace of the city of Londonderry; the magisterial jurisdiction exercised within it; and
the amount, and constitution, and eiSciency of the police force usually available there ;
the proceedings taken by the magistrates and other local authorities towards the preven¬
tion or suppression of the said riots and disturbances; and whether those authorities
and the existing police force are adequate to the future maintenance of order within the
city; and whetlier any and what steps ought to be taken, and whether any and what
changes ought to be made, in the local magisterial and police jurisdiction, arrangements,
and establishment, with a view to the preservation of the public peace, and the prevention
or prompt suppression of riot and disorder."


In obedience to your Excellency's warrant, we opened the Inquiry, so directed, in the Minutes of Evi-
Record Court-house, Londonderry, on Tuesday the 17th of August last, at the hour of p. 25.
12 o'clock. The warrant under which we sat was read by the Secretary to the Commis¬
sion ; and the Senior Commissioner briefly stated the general scope and purport of the
investigation to be entered on, intimating likewise the manner in which we proposed to
carry it out. He invited the attendance and co-operation of all who could give evidence
with respect to any of the matters stated in the warrant, at the same time informing
those present that no power was conferred by it of compelling anyone to attend
or be examined; but that means would be taken to procure the attendance and evidence
of all persons under the control of the Executive, whose names should be given as
persons likely to aid in elucidating the facts, from which correct conclusions could be
arrived at. It was our intention to adjourn the proceedings to the next morning, when
these announcements had been made; but, at the instance of professional gentlemen,


representing different parties in Londonderry, who appeared before us, and requested a
longer adjournment, we consented to fix the next day but one, at 11 o'clock, a.m., for
the commencement of the Inquiry, an arrangement that seemed to satisfy all parties,


and that, we have no doubt, was sufficient for all purposes connected with the legitimate
objects of the investigation.


Pursuant to the adjournment thus made, on Thursday the 19th of August, at 11 o'clock. Ibid., p. 28.
we again sat, and, after some preliminary discussion, as to the mode of proceeding,


between the professional gentlemen, representing what they regarded as opposing interests,


we declared the course we would pursue, and entered on the examination of the witnesses.


That examination we continued daily, with the exception of Sunday the 22nd of August,


till the conclusion of our Inquiry, on the 27th of the same month. During the time thus
occupied, we examined forty-six witnesses, with very few exceptions inhabitants of
Londonderry, and representing the various classes and sections of the population;


commercial and professional; Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Presbyterian. Th