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(Ballina
Herald, May 4, 1922)
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On
Monday last quite a sensation was caused in Ballina when a number of Volunteers
visited the Bank of Ireland for the purpose of commandeering a large sum of
money. About 2 p.m., when quite a number of people were transacting business in
the bank, a Crossley tender drove up to the door and a number of unmasked men
entered, while others remained at the door and on duty outside. While revolvers
were not actually presented, a number of the men were fully armed, and it was
evident they were determined to carry out their instructions.
When the men entered the bank the officials
were held up, and a document signed by the Div. Commandant, 4th
Western Division, handed to the manager, on which the party were acting. This
document pointed out that Dail Eireann called on the I.R.A. to defend the
country in the hour of need, which they did, and that while Dail Eireann still
expects the army to give service in maintaining peace, yet it refuses to defray
its expenses for the past few years.
Considering such action, and the fact that
the Bank of Ireland is treasurer of the Provisional Government, the I.R.A.
demanded that they be handed over a sum to assist in clearing their debts due
and falling due. At the start the bank officials explained that they had no
authority to hand out any money, but the volunteers stated they had come to get
it and would insist on getting it. They were then told that the keys of the
safe were not in the bank and asked to be satisfied with the amount not under
lock. This money they refused to touch, and said they would take an official by
motor car to where he could get the keys. For close on an hour they officials
parleyed with them, but finally they were compelled to hand over the keys. The
amount taken, £10,000, was then counted and tied up, and the manager by
request, sealed same with the bank seal, and was then given a receipt for the
amount signed by the Div. Quartermaster, who took possession of the money. The
amount taken was vouched for by two divisional officers to headquarters in
Castlebar. The money in the cashier’s hands was not touched, and the officials
state the Volunteers were most courteous and inclined to avoid giving any
trouble except what their visit necessitated. A number of valuable documents
might have been destroyed or disturbed, but this was not done. It is also stated
that a much larger sum could have been taken if the visitors wished. The whole
business which was carried out with the utmost coolness, was watched by many
from the street, that is as far as those on duty outside and in the hall were
concerned, and all were satisfied that something startling was taking place.
==============================
BANK RAIDS
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(Ballina Herald, 20th
March, 1923)
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At the Special
Sessions held in Castle bar by his, Honor Judge Doyle, K.C., for the hearing of
malicious injury claims, the Bank of Ire kind claimed £10,000 for notes and
cash taken from the Ballina branch on 1st May, 1922.
Mr. T.
G. Lendrum, sub-agent, in reply to Mr. Smith, said that on the date in
question he was walking down the street when he saw two lorry loads of men
drawn up outside the bank. When he went to enter the premises he was stopped,
but when he told them who he was he was let pass in. Witness entered the public
office and he noticed that the private office was closed. He asked one of the
officials what was on and they could not tell him. The man then who appeared to
be the leader of the raiding party came up to witness and demanded his keys. He
said he hadn’t them, and the man said he would have to get them. He pleaded
with them, but it was no good. They went to take him out, but fearing that if
he went down to his own house in a lorry with armed men it would frighten his
wife, he was brought them to another place.
He asked them how much they wanted, and:
the leader said: "We must get every penny in the place or ten thousand
pounds." There were £40,003 in the bank at the time. The fellow who
accosted me, added witness, said he did not care 'whether they got the keys or
not as they would get at the money. There was another raid on the 10th
September. Tbat was the day they took
the town, and when the firing ceased a number of armed men came up in a tender,
accosted witness, and one of them said: "Hand me up any money
you have and hand over your books." The cashier brought round the books to
the other armed man, and witness, addressing the leader, said "You are
down in your luck; we haven't much to-day." They took £99 8s. Id.
Replying to Mr. Kelly, State
Solicitor, witness said there were 122 cancelled notes for which the bank did
not claim. He could not say how many of the bank notes were their own. He did
not know any of the men who raided the bank. They were armed and were in
uniform. He produced the receipt signed by the Divisional Quartermaster.
Decision reserved.
The Bank of Ireland also claimed in respect of
a raid on their Westport branch on the 1st May for a sum of £2,671 0s. 3d.
Mr.
Smith for the applicants.
Mr.
Gardiner, the agent., gave evidence of the raid. On the date in question
five or six armed men came up to the bank after office hours. They entered the
bank. He knew only one of them, John Gibbons; he was in the Irregulars, and was
in uniform. Gibbons said the Government refused to pay them and they wanted
money. . The staff were marshalled up in the hall. They took witness inside
under a guard, and he bad to stand there while thev took the money.
By Mr. Kelly—There were £400 in Bank of
England notes.
His Honor—I have been required to sign my name
on the back of a Bank of England note. Why is tbat ?
Witness—That is required in case notes would
be forged.
His Honor—Would it be unusual if a man went in
with a Bank of England note in Westport? I don't think so.
Decision reserved.
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