The Knocklong
Rescue
Introduction
from Chronology
Sean Hogan is rescued from the
RIC’s custody at Knocklong railway station, Co
Limerick. This rescue results in
the killing of two RIC men (Sgt Peter Wallace and Constable Michael Enright).
More
Detail
The
rescue party consisted Seamus Robinson, Tom Breen, Sean Treacy (all 3rd
Tipperary Brigade), Ned (Eamon) O'Brien, James Scanlon, J J
O'Brien, Sean Lynch and Edward Foley (all from Galbally
and members of the Galtee Battalion, Limerick East
Brigade). A volunteer from Thurles, Goorty
McCarthy, travelled with the train from Thurles to Knocklong.
Hogan
had a four-man RIC escort - Sergeant Wallace and Constables Enright, Ring
and Reilly. Breen and Tracey were both injured as were Eamonn O'Brien and
James Scanlon - Breen was badly injured. (Eamon O'Brien and James Scanlon
went to the States in the Autumn after they had recovered.)
In
September, six men were arrested and charged with the murder of the two RIC
men. Three of these men were charged with taking part in the rescue. They were Edward Foley, who took part in
the rescue, and two men who did not take part in it - Paddy Maher and Michael
Murphy. After many postponements and change of venues, the three men were
found guilty and Foley and Maher were hung in Mountjoy on June 7th
1921 – see Jun-07-21/1.
Murphy was released after the Truce. See also Mar-09-20/1 and Mar-15-21/3.
The
'Big Four' (Robinson, Breen, Tracey and Hogan) spent the summer staying with
various people in West Limerick, Clare, Cork and Tipperary.