THE Sinn Féin members of the dissolved County Council of Fermanagh were determined not to allow Thursday’s holding by the Commissioner to pass off without some show of opposition.

Mr. John McHugh summoned the members to meet in the Courthouse at 11.30am – the hour fixed for the ordinary meeting – and when that hour arrived, Mr. McHugh and seven Sinn Féin members walked in a body to the Courthouse, and there were met by the police guard and closed gates.

For some minutes there was hesitancy on the part of Mr. McHugh and his friends. Those entitled to come and go entered the Courthouse premises and after some minutes waiting, Mr. McHugh and those with him approached the gate, and addressed the constable in charge through the railings,

Mr. McHugh said – I demand admission in the name of the Fermanagh County Council of which I am the Chairman.

Constable on guard – Who are you?

Mr. McHugh said – I am John McHugh, Chairman of the Fermanagh County Council. We have been elected by the people of the county on this council, and we are legally entitled to be admitted here, and the man in charge now has no right, except the right of force, to keep us out. We have a legal right to be admitted, notwithstanding the force that man has gathered round him.

Sergeant in charge – We cannot admit you. We are only doing our duty. You had better see Mr. McNeill.

Mr. McHugh – We do not recognise Mr. McNeill here at all, or any other representative of the Northern Parliament.

Mr. Cahir Healy – He has no right whatever to exclude us, except the right of the rifle and bayonet.

Mr. McHugh (to the sergeant) – Do I understand that you refuse to allow us in?

The Sergeant – I must do so.

Mr. James Tierney – It is a poor thing to see you arrayed up against the Irish people. It does not look good for Ireland.

Mr. McHugh – You refuse to allow this County to discharge its duties?

The Sergeant – Certainly.

Mr. Tierney – We will get in here yet.

The Sergeant – I hope you will.