Author Terence McSwiney arrested by British forces at his Cork residence

A daily notebook, Monday to Friday, recalling the events of the day 100 years ago, leading to the Easter Rising, and marking the commemorations this spring.

January 13th, 1916

Terence McSwiney, playwright, author, one of the founders of the Cork Irish Volunteers and president of the Cork branch of Sinn Féin, arrested by British forces at his residence, Grand View Terrace under Defence of the Realm Act. Lodged in Cork Jail.

“He was organiser in Cork county of the Sinn Féin Volunteers, which have grown to such dimensions during the past six months that the City Corps alone now numbers nearly 2,000 members.” (IT)

A measure of tensions between the two branches of the Volunteers is reflected in the Weekly Irish Times report of a riot in Carrickmore, Co Tyrone, a week ago when local “Nationalists” [Redmondites, “many said to be Hibernians”] attacked a national school hall where “Sinn Féiners” were holding a charity concert.

The Nationalists “resented the concert inasmuch as it is said some of the items on the programme were objectionable to them.”

The police drafted in 50 additional men, fully armed, “and that their services were urgently required became pretty evident”.

When the Nationalists surrounded the building as the concert began “desperate fighting of a hand-to-hand character ensued both within and without the hall, but for the most part the Sinn Féiners held the school, while the Nationalists remained on the outside”.

“The seriousness of the situation became accentuated by the frequent discharge of revolver shots. Those who had gained admittance hastily constructed barricades.

“The Sinn Féiners cheered for the Kaiser, and there were shouts of ‘Carson’ whilst the Nationalists cheered for the Allies and the Constabulary...The shrieks of the women which rose above the sounds of the blows and angry words were audible at a long distance as they were being crushed by the combatants.”

The concert was abandoned, the school left in ruins.

Japan - A man today threw two bombs at a car in which Count Okuma, prime minister, was riding. Count Okuma (right) was not injured.

In the Commons – “The Nationalists showed great indignation at the fact that the letters of the Bishop of Kerry were subjected to inspection by the post office censors.

“Mr Tennant assured them that the letters of bishops in other parts of the country were subjected to the sane treatment, but this did not mollify them, particularly Mr Flavin, who, in truculent tones, pointed out that the letters were confidential and religious.

“The House was not at all sympathetic.” (IT)