Attack on Kilmallock Barracks
Introduction from Chronology
Kilmallock RIC barracks attacked
by IRA led by, according to O’Farrell, Hopkinson, Townshend and Abbott,
'Sean Forde' (nom de guerre of Thomas
Malone). But, according to O’Halpin and
Ó Corráin, the attack was led by Sean Wall (who they
identify as O/C of the East Limerick brigade).
The IRA fail to capture the barracks but cause considerable
damage. Two RIC men (Sgt Thomas Kane and Constable Joseph Morton) and one IRA
man (Liam Scully).
More Detail
There were 28 RIC men in the barracks (McCarthy says 18 men) and the
attackers were about 30 men with another 30 - 40 involved in guarding and
scouting. Despite a night long battle, in which the IRA broke a hole in
the roof of the barracks from a nearby building and threw petrol into it in an
attempt to burn the building, the RIC (under Sergeant Tobias O'Sullivan) did
not surrender. They withdrew to an outhouse. Two RIC men are killed
(Sgt Thomas Kane and Constable Joseph Morton) and one IRA man (Capt Liam Scully from Glencar, Co Kerry).
This was an East Limerick operation but IRA men from East Clare, Cork,
Tipperary as well as West Limerick took part in the attack. Among whom were Tim
Crowley, Jack McCarthy, Michael Brennan (O/C East Clare Brigade), Donnacha
O'Hannigan, Jeremiah O'Mahoney, Sean Finn (O/C West Limerick Brigade), Garrett
McAuliffe, Patrick Clancy, Larry McNamee, Edmond Tobin, P Hannigan, Tadgh
Crowley, Denis Lacey, D P McCarthy, Connie Mackey, J Lynch and J O'Brien.
Constable Arthur Hooey and Constable Barry were among six RIC men
wounded.
McCarthy says that the attackers were "repeated name for name, and,
in many cases, in blood relationship" with the attackers on Kilmallock Barracks during the Fenian Rising on March 6th
1867.
RIC reprisals follow with the burning of houses, a creamery and a
public hall. Liam Scully is buried in Templeglantine
cemetery.
(Harnett claims that it was in the immediate
aftermath of this attack that Donnacha O'Hannigan came up with the idea of
forming the first flying column.)