56 ARRESTED IN THEIR BEDS

In the grey dawn of morning 40 arrests were effected at Portadown and 16 at Lurgan, in connection with the serious riots in those two North of Ireland towns. The greatest secrecy was maintained by the police as to their intentions, and few people in the district knew anything of the occurrence until after the breakfast hour. At daybreak the force at Portadown was formed into detachments, and then marched into the chief districts concerned, where domiciliary visits were made. Most of the accused were discovered in bed, and after more or less voluble protest consented to dress and accompany their escort to the Town Hall. One man was found partly dressed in a hen-roost, whither he had retreated on the approach of the police. The prisoners at Lurgan embraced 33 Protestants and seven Roman Catholics. They were of all ages, from 16 upwards, and included three women one the mother of a family.

Charged later in the day at a special court, they were remanded until September 6, bail being allowed.

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