St Patrick Street - April 21 1923

It was Saturday night and a number of youths were hanging out near the ruins of the Munster Arcade, burnt by British forces three years previously. A Free State officer walked past the youths who turned on him and then, all hell broke loose. 

The Munster Arcade on the right, Cash's in the background, in 1927 after the street was rebuilt. 


As the youths attacked the Free State officer he drew his gun and let off a round of bullets. One or maybe two of the youths also had arms and they returned fire. Just as this scrap was happening, elderly William Murphy was approaching from Robert Street.

      Robert Street, at the side of Penney's, today. The scene of the gun fight in 1923. 



A bullet hit Mr Murphy in his side just as he turned the corner from Robert Street onto Patrick Street. He was from 98 Street and was making his way home. 

                          Then and Now: 98 Street where William Murphy lived.


The elderly Mr Murphy somehow managed to run from the scene of his shooting up the street towards the Victoria Hotel where he collapsed in its doorway. 

 The Victoria Hotel, with the canopy, where Mr Murphy ran to, from the top of Robert Street (at the corner of Penney's today!) 



An ambulance was called for Mr Murphy and he was taken to the Mercy Hospital where he died hours later.