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. 

 

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