Attack on Rearcross
RIC Barracks
IRA men from three brigades (East Limerick, North and South
Tipperary) attack the RIC Barracks in Rearcross, Co.
Tipperary. The RIC do not surrender despite the attack carrying on all
night. One RIC man (Sgt John Stokes) is killed.
More Detail
Breen says that they were invited by Paddy Ryan (Ryan Lacken),
captain of Knockfune company to help with this
attack. But Rearcross in is the area of the
North Tipperary Brigade and Ryan had not got Brigade HQ approval. As they
were planning the attack, local (or neighbouring) Battalion O/C Paddy Doherty
came and told them not to attack the barracks.
Ernie O’Malley, Ryan and Breen decided to go ahead. O’Malley
led the attack with about 50 men. Among those who took part were Paddy
Ryan, Yank Carty (Doon Battalion, East Limerick), Sean Tracey, Dan Breen, Jack
Ryan, Ned Reilly (South Tipperary Brigade), Jim Gorman and Paddy Dwyer
(Hollyford), Jim Stapleton and Paddy Kinnane (Borrisoleigh
Battalion, Mid-Tipperary Brigade).
RIC Sgt John Stokes is killed during the attack. He
comes out to shoot at O’Malley, Gorman and Tracey on the roof but is shot in
head and neck by Paddy Dwyer. O’Malley, Gorman and Tracey are
wounded. O’Malley goes back to Dublin and gets treated by Surgeon Taylor
in a private nursing home in Pembroke St.