Civilian James Patrick Quinn was an Air Raid Precautions Warden during the Second World War. He was the son of David Quinn and Annie Quinn of Saul Street, Belfast.
On 9th May 1940, a gang of armed men dragged Quinn who worked as a labourer into the street and carried out a vicious attack. The incident took place at the A.R.P. Post at St. Matthew’s Boys’ School at 52 Seaforde Street, Belfast. He sustained bruising around the head and shoulders, lacerations to the legs, and a suspected broken rib.
The Royal Ulster Constabulary carried out immediate investigations in the area but made no arrests. Quinn received treatment at the Mater Hospital, Crumlin Road, Belfast. At the time of the attack, Quinn was 42 years old and resided at 10 Saul Street in the same locality. Newspaper reports from 22nd June 1940, state that Quinn claimed £200 damages in respect of criminal injury. Belfast Recorder’s Court issued a settlement of £50.
Several years after the end of the Second World War, the Northern Whig ran the following story:
Imposing a similar sentence of 15 months on James P. Quinn (49), a labourer of 10 Saul Street, for a serious offence against a seven-year-old girl, the Recorder said that his despicable act might have ruined the little girl’s life.