Figures for attacks on police and military in Ireland announced

Westminster, 19 March 1920 - The Chief Secretary of Ireland, Ian Macpherson, revealed to the House of Commons yesterday the number of murders and attempted murders of police, soldiers and government officials across Ireland during the last 15 months.

Responding to a question from the Conservative-Unionist MP, Lt Col. Walter Guinness, the Chief Secretary said that since 1 January 1919, there had been 27 murders and 89 attempted murders, with a further 25 attacks on police barracks.

The full breakdown of information, as provided to the House of Commons, is as follows:

•  Royal Irish Constabulary – 18 murders, 65 attempted murders
•  Dublin Metropolitan Police – 6 murders, 17 attempted murders
•  Soldiers – 2 murders, 4 attempted murders
•  Other public servants – 1 murder, 3 attempted murders

[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.]