Royal Commission report day 19 page 9
The Royal Commission evidence for 13/5/1881
(see also introduction to day 19)
Sgt Whelan giving evidence
6129 Was he standing in the open space?— Well, there were no trees exactly where they came out.
6130 Where Mr. Sadleir was?— He was not behind a tree.
6131 He was standing in an open space?— Yes.
6132 How great a distance from the hotel?— Not far from where they first came out.
6133 How many yards, about?— About thirty yards, I should think;—I had only a side look at it.
6134 Who was standing near Mr. Sadleir?— There was a whole crowd standing near Mr. Sadleir.
6135 Within thirty yards of the hotel Mr. Sadleir was standing in an open space?— I could not say exactly the distance, but I think it would not be more.
6136 Within this further fence?— Yes.
6137 A rifle would kill three times that distance?— Yes.
6138 And there was a large number standing round Mr. Sadleir at tire time, and all standing in an open space?— It did not last long, because, as soon as they were examined, they were passed on between those who were prisoners.
6139 Where did Mr. Sadleir go then?— I cannot say.
6140 Was there any number who stayed at that spot where Mr. Sadleir was?-—No, they all cleared off when they got free.
6141 How long were they there?— Just as long as to see they were not sympathizers, and then let go.
6142 Would it take ten minutes?— I think not so long.
6143 How soon after you saw those prisoners were released was a shot fired from the hotel?— The shot from the window was long after.
6144 How soon after the prisoners were released did you see a shot fired from the hotel?— I cannot remember.
6145 Was there any shot fired after that time till those shots after one o'clock ?— There were several shots fired from that window afterwards
6146 You have also told us you had a view of the front of the building?— I could not see along the front, but if there was a shot fired at the front or back I could not tell whether it was from front or
6147 Then, in point of fact, you could not tell that about the window?— That is quite different from looking along the front of the house. I could tell from the end where I was, where I was opposite.
6148 You could see it came through the window?— Yes, because I was right opposite.
6149 Could you not tell any shot also, in the position you stood, that you could see the front and back of the house, the railway station, and the platform, could you not see any number of shots fired from the front?— A shot might come from the front, and so at the end you cannot see the ball going, nor from the back could I see it either.
6150 Did you see the one through the window at the end?— Yes, because I was point-blank in front of it.
6151 Was that like a ball coming through?— No; I saw a flash inside.
6152 Was that like a ball coming through?— I could hear firing; I could not tell from our own men or the others.
6153 In point of fact you are not in a position to say whether any shots were fired from the hotel, except from the window, from the time the prisoners came out till after one o'clock?— No.
6154 Who served out the ammunition?— I served out the ammunition and the arms the whole time.
6155 What were the men armed with?— Some Martini long rifles, some with double-barrelled guns, some with Spencer rifles, the black trackers had Sniders, and I think Mr. O'Connor had a Snider.
6156 There was a variety of ammunition required for those various weapons?— Yes.
6157 How many rounds of ammunition did you supply to each man?— The regulation number was 20 balls Martini, 24 for guns, 18 for revolvers; but they got some extra ammunition, the men that went out first. The ammunition was sent up by train, afterwards to be divided, but I did not divide it.....
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