During the Land War of 1879-1882, Galway was regarded as 'dangerously disturbed' because of the large number of harsh crimes reported. In an attempt to restore order, the authorities enforced repressive legislation in the form of two Coercion Acts. The result was the arrest and internment without trial of 166 individuals. This took place in 1881 and 1882.

In Loughrea, there was a sense that the town was under siege because of the intimidating presence of military and police. Extensive research places the events in the social and political context of the time.