Ambush at Kallegbeg Cross
Introduction from Chronology
Ambush on an RIC patrol
(consisting of both cycle and car) by North Tipperary Flying Column led by Sean
Gaynor at Kallegbeg
Cross, Modreeny (between Borrisokane
and Cloughjordan). This ambush results in the death of four RIC men.
More
Detail
The
four RIC men killed were Con James Briggs, Con John Cantlon,
Con Martin Feeney and Con William Walsh. Abbott says that there were also
5 wounded but Hopkinson says 14. O'Malley says 14 were wounded but
that British only admitted 5.
The
Column consisted of 17 men including Gaynor, Jack Collison (was Flying Column
leader but handed over to Gaynor who was O/C Tipperary No. 1 Brigade), Bill O'Dwyer, Felix Cronin (Borrisokeane
Battalion O/C), Paddy O'Brien (from Silvermines -
section Leader), Sean Glennon (Section Leader), the two Bouchiers,
Joe Mangan and two shotgun men from Cloughjordan, Dinny Whelan and Sean
Kenny. In O'Brien's section were Paddy Kennedy, Paddy Daly, Paddy
Nolan and Jimmy Nolan.
The
Column had been expecting a cycle party of between 12 and 13 RIC men but with
them came three cars and a lorry with RIC men in each vehicle. (Abbott
says that the RIC force consisted of 28 men, Hopkinson says 40 and
O'Malley says between 40 and 45.) Despite the larger RIC patrol than anticipated,
the IRA decided to attack nevertheless. The lorry withdrew and
after some fighting the Column withdrew with no casualties.
An
informer was unmasked before the ambush but, although arrested by the IRA, he
managed to escape. (Abbott says that he was not an informer but a local ex-BA
soldier and that the “IRA decided to shoot him after they had ambushed
the police”.)
Abbot
says June 2nd; Hopkinson says that ambush happened on June 3rd
as do O’Halpin & Ó Corráin.
O'Malley say June 4th.
Constable Martin Fenney had passed information to Sean Gaynor.