Attack on Ruan
RIC Barracks
Introduction from Chronology
The IRA attack and capture the RIC barracks in Ruan,
Co. Clare. This attack results in
the death of one RIC man.
More Detail
The attack is carried out by the Mid-Clare Brigade of the IRA, under O/C
Frank Barrett, in the early hours of the morning. They gain entrance as an
RIC constable goes for the milk and leaves the back gate open. There were
13 RIC men in the barracks. One RIC man is killed (Constable John
Longhead or Lougheed) and two others are wounded (Constables Roddy and Farrelly).
Two other constables are reported missing - while one (Constable Wilmot)
re-appears another (Constable William Carroll), according to Abbott, is not
heard from again. However, Barrett claims that Carroll joined the IRA and had
helped them with the planning of the attack on the barracks. (He was subsequently wounded at the Monreal ambush on December 18th 1920 – see
Dec-18-20/3). (Barrett in The Kerryman
(1955), pg 142).
There were 32 IRA men in the attacking party with many others blocking
roads in the vicinity. Among the arms captured by the IRA are 14 rifles and 14
revolvers. Except for Constable Carroll and Constable Wilmot), the
captured RIC men are released after they are drilled (by Ignatius
O’Neill) and give an undertaking not to engage in reprisals. They
are told that Wilmot and Carroll would be shot if there are any reprisals. The barracks is burnt down.
Among the IRA men were Joe Barrett, Sean Casey, Sean MacNamara,
Mick Tuohy, Sean Moroney and Ignatius O'Neill. (Barrett gives date as October
14th.)