Northern Ireland

On this day in 1917: Fate of dead paupers

Royal Avenue, Belfast witnessed a strike by Messrs Sinclair’s drapers this day 1917.
Royal Avenue, Belfast witnessed a strike by Messrs Sinclair’s drapers this day 1917. Royal Avenue, Belfast witnessed a strike by Messrs Sinclair’s drapers this day 1917.

MR JOHN Scully, JP (Chairman) presided at the weekly meeting of the South Dublin Guardians yesterday. Mr Kennedy drew attention to the case of a man named Jordon who died in the Workhouse and was buried in Glasnevin. His sister, who was quite willing to bury him, was not informed of his death and burial.

The Master explained that the man’s address was in the register as 6 Townsend Street and the notice of his death was sent there without inquiries being made. A mistake had been made and he felt sorry. ‘You know’, said Mr Byrne, ‘there are people who die here that are never buried.’ Mr Foran – Would there be any truth in the statements that bodies in this house that are not claimed by relatives go to the Dissecting Room?

The Master – Certainly, there is truth in it. Mr Foran – Is it a fact that there is a financial consideration for each body handed over for dissection?

The Master – There is a fee paid for the issue of the prescribed certificate. Mr Foran – It is outrageous the way the poor are treated.

Strike at Royal Avenue Firm

There was no change yesterday in the situation with regard to the strike of the young lady assistants at the drapery establishment of Messrs Sinclair’s, Royal Avenue, Belfast. The premises were, as usual, closed yesterday afternoon for the half-holiday but the girls continued to distribute the handbills which set forth their grievances against the firm.

North Eastern Assizes

The timetable for the North East Circuit Assizes is as follows: County Meath – Trim, July 2nd; County Louth – Dundalk, July 4th; County Monaghan – Monaghan, July 6th; County Armagh – Armagh, July 10th; County Down – Downpatrick, July 13th; County Antrim – Belfast, July 17th at 1 pm. City of Belfast – July 19th at 11 am. Judges – The Right Hon. Mr Justice Ross and the Right Hon. Mr Justice Dodd. (The old prepartition North East Circuit stretched from Co Meath to Co Antrim with the judges and their entourage of barristers and clerks moving northwards like a medieval court. The North-West Circuit stretched from Westmeath to Derry.)

Poems from Mr Cathal O’Byrne

The title which Mr Cathal O’Byrne [the Belfast poet and ballad singer 1871-1957] has given the latest collection of his poems to appear in book form indicates the school to which they belong. The Grey Feet of the Wind contains many poems which have already reached the public both here and in America.