Washington Street - October 18/22 1922

 

For a few days in October in 1922 Washington Street played host to scenes of mayhem and tragedy.

On the 18th of October 13 year old Ellen 'Lily' Gallagher left her home on the Western Road and  was walking along Washington Street with a friend when a grenade was thrown at a passing Free State Crossly Tender. It bounced off the vehicle and landed by the Lee Boot Factory just as the two girls were walking past. It exploded and injured them both. Lily Gallagher had head injuries so severe she died four days later in the Mercy Hospital. Her friend survived. 

The old Lee Boot Factory, the large red brick building on Washington Street.

On October 22nd another incident happened near the same spot on Washington Street when a Free State Crossely tender crashed into a horse & trap. 

Confusion reigned as gunfire was heard near the Court House. A Free State crossly tender sped from the scene of the gunfire and at full speed hit a horse & trap outside the entrance to the Lee Boot Factory injuring its passengers and killing one - David Nolan.

Free Staters in their lorry on Patrick Street 1922.

Mr Nolan worked as secretary in the Lee Boot Factory. A married man with children from Homeville on Magazine Road, he was seriously injured and died four days later.