British Military suppress another nationalist newspaper
2 March 1915 - British Military authorities today raided the offices of the Scissors and Paste newspaper on Middle Abbey Street.
The paper, run by Mr Arthur Griffith, is the successor to the Sinn Féin newspaper which had previously been suppressed. The premises of P. Mahon at Yarnhall Street, where the paper is printed, were also raided.
Both raids were carried out at around 3.30pm. At Yarnhall Street, Captain Atkinson, assisted by ten colleagues - including a superintendent, a sergeant and an inspector - proceeded to seize copies of the paper and assorted paperwork. A large crowd gathered outside to watch as the police, with assistance from Mr Mahon's staff, dismantled the machinery to ensure that no further printing could take place.
At the editorial offices on Abbey Street, the police read a warrant under the Defence of the Realm Act and warned that no further publications of the newspaper would be permitted.
Ian Kenneally, author of 'The Paper Wall: Newspapers and Propaganda in Ireland 1919-1921' discusses censorship and suppression during the First World War.
Dissent around the country
There were also arrests in other parts of the country as police sought to suppress any manifestation of dissent against the war effort.
After a recruiting meeting in Roscommon, Michael Purcell from Athleague was arrested and charged with interfering with recruiting. He was brought before J.J. Neilan, J.P., at the Constabulary Barracks, where evidence was given by Drummer Sergeant McKenna that while he was speaking to persons on the street, the accused interrupted and advised parties not to enlist.
The court heard that Mr. Purcell asked why they should fight for England, who had never done anything but oppress Ireland. He was remanded in custody under the Defence of the Realm Act.
In Wexford a journalist from the Enniscorthy Echo, James Bolger, was arrested at the newspaper’s offices and brought to Dublin. The charge against him was failure to disclose information about ammunition and explosives that were present in the house in which he lodged.
Elsewhere a German named Emil Markx, head waiter in the Slieve Donard Hotel, at Newcastle in Co. Down was arrested and conveyed to Belfast. The arrest has caused sensation in the town.
[Editor's note: This is an article from Century Ireland, a fortnightly online newspaper, written from the perspective of a journalist 100 years ago, based on news reports of the time.]
