A5 28 page - Edition 4 - Maghull Press singles - Flipbook - Page 12
A frightening past event in Maghull
In the small, quiet, rural community of Maghull, the peace was shattered at
12.10am on the 28th July 1939. This was due to a deliberate explosion that
occurred on the Leeds – Liverpool Canal at the Green Lane 'Swing Bridge' in
Maghull. When the explosives were detonated by what was assumed to be a
timer, the windows of several nearby houses were shattered by the shock
wave from the explosion. The bridge was destroyed, and the canal was
blocked. Thankfully, no loss of life or casualties occurred.
So, why did this happen and who
was responsible? Why? The attack
was part of an Irish Republican Army
(IRA) S-Plan or Sabotage Campaign
and presumably, it was to block a
vital goods supply route. Who?
Three Irish men, who all admitted to
being active members of the IRA
were arrested and later convicted of
the crime; Terence O'Hanlon (17),
The aftermath of the explosion on the
John Carney (25) and Christopher
Green Lane bridge, Maghull.
Kenneally (19).
A little time after the bridge explosion a worker from Thorn's Farm,
Downholland, Richard Dolan, discovered 78 sticks of gelignite, a battery and
an alarm clock timer (set to go off at 1pm) attached to an electricity pylon.
Richard bravely removed the timer and the
explosives, he reported the incident to his boss
who immediately contacted the Police The
discovery of the explosives on the pylon led
directly to the arrest of the three IRA men, who
then also admitted being responsible for the
destruction of the Maghull canal bridge. The
three men appeared handcuffed to detectives
Green Lane bridge,
at a 'Special Court' in Ormskirk which was
present day
guarded by armed police officers. All three men
were found guilty.
Wri琀琀en be Cllr R Ferguson
11
11
Thanks go to family of the late Dr John Rowlands for their kind permission in
letting me use material from Dr Rowlands research.