The "Redan Push" in Trouble

In July 1894, six members of a gang known as the Redan Push, were gaoled following a fight during a football match in Ballarat East. The men were players for the Redan Football Club. Charges were brought against the players by a plain clothes policeman.

The details
THE REDAN "PUSH" IN TROUBLE. A BRUTAL AND COWARDLY ASSAULT. EXEMPLARY SENTENCES. Much interest was taken at the Town Police Court yesterday in the proceedings in stituted by Plain-Clothes Constable M'Pherson against six young, men members of what is known as the Redan “push,” named Michael Bourke, Patrick Walsh, William Phillips, Henry Streight, William M'Lellan, and Michael M'Murray. Defendants were charged with unlawfully assaulting John Griffiths, a resident of Eureka street, on Saturday, 9th June. The cases were taken together, and were heard before Mr Leader, P.M., and a bench of honorary magistrates. Mr Townsend M'Dermott defended the accused. Inspector Hamilton, in stating the particulars, described the assault as most unprovoked, and asked the bench if they believed the evidence to inflict severe penalties. Constable M'Pherson gave evidence relative to the injuries Griffiths had received when he complained about the conduct of the accused.

John Griffiths stated that he was on the date mentioned a spectator of a match at the Eureka football ground. During the game two of the players started wrestling, and M'Murray ran up and told Bourke to kick one of them. M'Murray was going to strike the player, when witness caught his hand and prevented him. In a few minutes a large crowd assembled around him. Phillips and others assaulted him, and gave him some severe blows. He was then only able to recognise Phillips. He was knocked down and kicked severely. Whilst he was getting on to his feet Walsh struck him in the face. Phillips kicked him in a dangerous part of his body, felling him to the ground again. M'Lellan struck him behind the ear and kicked him. He positively identified the accused as some of his assailants. About half-an-hour after the assault he proceeded towards his home, and when near the Cremorne hotel he was set upon by Phillips and knocked down. A fight took place between him and Phillips, when Walsh stepped forward, and said, "Look here; I’ll take that ____man’s place," meaning Phillips. Walsh closed on him, and someone else held him by the throat. Bourke said his brother had been fined £25 through the witness, and called out "Give it to the____ ." He was then severely ill-treated, and felt the injuries he had received for a fortnight afterwards. The only provocation he gave was when he told a Redan player not to strike another player. Cross-examined by Mr M'Dermott—He was not a fighting-man, and was never convicted for assault. He did not say he was a match for any four men. Was concerned in the row, at the Essex Paddock with the Redan "push." He did not belong to any "push," and had only one friend on the ground. There were at least 40 against two at the Eureka. He walked half a mile to his home after the assault. To Mr Hamilton—Could produce good references as to his character. He did not throw stones. He was a member of the Ballarat Rowing Club.

Frederick Boyce, miner, gave evidence as to seeing Griffiths assaulted by the Redan "push," and going to his assistance armed with a paling. He could have done no good without some such weapon. He identified Bourke, Walsh, Phillips, and M'Lellan out of 18 or 19 ; who were ill treating Griffiths. Edward Carney, miner, also a resident of Eureka street, stated that he was wrestling with Bourke in the match. He saw Griffiths roughly handled ; near the centre of the ground by Streight and Phillips, amongst others. A paling was handed to him, and he used it on Phillips who at that time held Griffiths. Streight struck him in the face. Witness belonged to the Eureka club. Nicholas Hill, Walter Darrow, and Rush Furlong gave corroborative evidence, Darrow stating that he heard Walsh say to Griffiths "I have been waiting for you for many a long time."

Mr M'Dermott asked the bench to dismiss the cases,, and treat them on the merits of a football row, and let the clubs interested deal with the offenders. He maintained that Griffiths would not have taken proceedings but for the action of the police. Mr M'Dermott concluded a long address by asking Mr Hamilton to withdraw the cases. Mr Leader, P.M.—These cases cannot be withdrawn. The police have a duty to perform. If men will lower themselves to the status of dogs, they should certainly suffer. The evidence called for the defence was merely negative. The witnesses said they had seen stone-throwing and a row, but did not see Griffiths ill-treated.

Mr Leader said the bench considered that a conviction must be recorded against each of the accused, but there would be a distinction between Straight and M'Murray and the punishment to be inflicted on the other four. The sentence of the court was that Bourke, Phillips, Walsh, and M'Lellan be sentenced to 14 days’ imprisonment each, the last six days of the term to be spent in solitary confinement. Streight and M'Murray were each fined £5, or in default 14 days' imprisonment. The accused were ordered to pay 10s costs each. When the sentences were announced much excitement prevailed among the crowd at the rear of the court, but the noise was immediately suppressed by the police. MrLeader said the bench desired to congratulate Plain clothes Constable M'Pherson in bringing the offenders to justice. The magistrates were determined to put a stop to rowdyism in Ballarat, and, next time any of the offenders were brought up on a similar charge, they would be sentenced to three months' imprisonment each.