THE methods of the armed robber gangs of the South of Ireland have begun in Fermanagh, with the first highway robbery taking place on Tuesday night.

The victims of the hold-up were a party of Pilgrims, returning home from a religious meeting held at Derrygonnelly.

Bernard Flanagan, a motor driver, of Garrison, has been arrested and returned for trial in connection with the outrage.

The crime was carefully planned, and there seems little doubt that the robbers, who came, it is believed, from the Co. Leitrim side, had the assistance of men with a knowledge of Derrygonnelly and the customs of the inhabitants.

The principal merchant in the village is Mr. David Donaldson. Tuesday was Fair Day, and it had been for some time Mr. Donaldson’s custom to go to his home at Rahaton, a few miles distant, near the shores of Lough Erne. Here was the motive for the hold-up.

Service

It chanced that on the Tuesday evening the religious sect called ‘Pilgrims’, of which Mr. Donaldson is a prominent member, held a service.

He left for home 9pm, with a number of friends. They travelled in a trap and car, and the party consisted of Mr. Donaldson; his brother, Robert; Mrs. Donaldson; Miss Rodgers and Miss McGurk.

The night was dark, and as the party drove up Glenlevin Hill, a motor car – the occupants which had evidently watched the departure of the Donaldson party – passed the trap on the hill.

When the motor car reached Drumskinney or Tullnadall crossroads, it halted, and Mr. Donaldson thought that it was held up by engine trouble, though the engine continued running.

The front trap had a restless pony and Mr. Donaldson got off the car to hold it. He was immediately surrounded by men with flash lamps, who held revolvers to his head and shouted hands-up, declaring “You are the man we want”.

Mr. Donaldson was searched and letters, a notebook, private articles and £2 was taken.