April 1920
|
Apr-02 |
Jameson (who real
name is James Byrnes from Newcastle West in Limerick) shot as a spy by two
members of the Squad, Paddy O’Daly and Joe Dowling, near Albert College,
Glasnevin, Dublin. A trap had been laid for him by telling him that
Collins had a store of documents in a house in Iona Drive, Glasnevin.
When the house was raided he was rumbled.
See also January 21st above. |
Abbott (2000), pg
54-55; Gallagher (1953), pg 241; Putkowski (1994), no pgs given; Abbott
(2019), pgs 65-68 |
|
Apr-02 |
First battalion of
the Manchester Regiment arrive in Cork under Lt Col Gareth Evans billeted in
Fermoy and Kilworth. |
Sheehan (1990), pg
67 |
|
Apr-03/04 |
IRA burns more than
300 evacuated RIC barracks and almost 100 income tax offices in commemoration
of the Easter Rising. Abbott says that
approximately 150 barracks were destroyed on the night of 5/6 April and,
between 1st January 1919 and 30th June 1920, 351
unoccupied barracks were destroyed and a further 105 damaged.) (Abbott also notes
that, at the beginning of 1919, the RIC had 1,299 barracks – including 51
‘huts’ and 24 protection posts - but this was reduced to 865 by the beginning
of 1921.) McDermott gives
details of Belfast raids on 5th April. McCarthy gives
names of unoccupied barracks in Waterford destroyed. Coleman notes that
all unoccupied barracks in Longford were destroyed along with three more
which were evacuated the following month. McCluskey notes
that only four were destroyed in Tyrone along with one more on 1st
May. Ó Ruairc details
the barracks destroyed in Clare – at least 10. Price mentions two
(Deergrove and Cloontumper) that were destroyed in Mayo and, subsequently, at
least nine more are burnt out. Walsh lists 23
barracks that they destroyed on this night or subsequently in Kilkenny. In addition, two courthouses were burnt
down in Kilkenny and two income offices had their records burnt. Durney lists 14
barracks which were attacked in Co. Kildare and says that six courthouses
were also burnt. Hall lists 7
barracks that were burnt in Louth before the end of May and that the tax
office in Dundalk was burnt on the 14th April. Ó Duibhir lists 15
barracks in Donegal which were destroyed along with two customs and excise
offices. Perhaps the most
noteworthy aspect of this nationwide operation is that the little information
about it would seem to have got into the hands of the Crown Forces before it
happened. |
Hopkinson (2002),
pg 56; Abbott (2000), pgs 55-56; Dalton (199), pgs 68-72; McDermott (2001), pg 28; McCarthy (2015), pg 67; Coleman (2003),
pg 119; McCluskey (2014), pg 90; Ó Ruairc (2009), pg 129; Price (2012), pg 71
& 94; Walsh (2018); pg 66; Durney (2013), pgs 95-96; Hall (2019), pg 70;
Ó Duibhir (2009), pgs 130-131; Abbott (2019), pgs 69-71 |
|
Apr-03 |
Hamar Greenwood
(Canadian Coalition Lib) appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland replacing Ian
Macpherson |
Curran J M (1980),
pg32; |
|
Apr-05 |
Start of hunger
strike in Mountjoy Jail by IRA prisoners led by Peadar Clancy demanding
prisoner of war status. (Gallagher was a
prisoner in Mountjoy at the time and one of the leaders. Considerable detail is given by Gallagher
of the hunger strike from the inside.) |
Curran J M (1980),
pg36 & Hopkinson (2002) pg xiv & pg 37; Macardle (1999), pg 344; Gallagher (1953),
pgs 161-163; Townshend
(2014), pgs 142-143 |
|
Apr-05 |
Patrick Cloonan
from Maree, Co. Galway dies. But see April 6th
1921. |
O’Farrell (1997), pg 104; Henry
(2012), pg 115 |
|
Apr-07 |
Large cattle drives
take place in south Mayo carried out by men looking for local estates to be
sold and divided up among local people.
Other cattle drives occurred around Ballyhaunis, Hollymount and
Ballindine later in the month |
Price (2012), pgs
69-70 |
|
Apr-09 |
Two RIC men
(Constables William Finn and Daniel McCarthy) shot dead in an ambush at
Lackamore Woods between Rearcross and Newport, Co Tipperary. Part of the reprisals for these killings
were attacks on eight creameries in the surrounding areas. (A total of 48 creameries were attacked by
Crown Forces, with varying level of destruction, during the War of Independence.) |
Coogan (1990), pg
139; Abbott (2000), pg 68; Hart (1998), pg 76; Leeson (2012), pg 138
& 156; Breathnach (2017), pg 556 |
|
Apr-10 |
Under a front page
headline ‘Western Land Hunger’, the Mayoman
reported that “the fight for the grazing land is developing all over South
Mayo, Galway and South Roscommon. Cattle drives were occurring in many
areas”. |
Price (2012), pg 69 |
|
Apr-12 |
Five prisoners in
Galway Jail go on hunger strike. A
general strike is organised in the city.
The prisoners are released after ten days. |
Henry (2012), pgs 60-63 |
|
Apr-12 |
Large
demonstrations in Dublin in support of jailed IRA hunger strikers (some
convicted under DORA and some untried).
Thousands of keening women gather outside Mountjoy Jail. |
Townshend (1975),
pg 76; Townshend (2014), pg
143 |
|
Apr-12 |
Call from General
Strike to support the hunger strikers signed by Thomas Farren (Chairman,
National Executive of Trade Unions) and Thomas Johnson (Secretary, Irish
Congress of Trade Unions) |
O’Farrell (1997), pgs 33 &
48; Macardle (1999), pg 344 |
|
Apr-13 |
One-day strike
throughout Dublin in support of the hunger strikers. The Britsh flew aircraft over the streets
of Dublin to buzz the crowd with one flying below the eaves of the
houses. Even the use of Lewis machine
guns from the air seems to have been considered. A nationalist MP
tells the House of Commons in London that the Thomas Ashe’s death on hunger
strike was the reason that “we have seven representatives here today rather
than seventy-seven”. |
Townshend (1975),
pg 76; Townshend (2014), pg
143 |
|
Apr-14 |
IRA prisoners
released. Originally, it was intended only to parole unconvicted
prisoners but, due to a mix-up, all 90 hunger-striking prisoners were
released of whom 31 were convicted prisoners. There was huge consternation within the RIC
after the release of the prisoners. As
Townshend notes “The error delivered a dramatic republican victory and a
correspondingly staggering blow to the forces of order (sic)”. Later in the
evening, a joint RIC and military (Highland Light Infantry) party, led by RIC
Sgt Hampson, shoot at crowd celebrating release of prisoners in Miltown
Malbay, Co Clare killing three (John O'Loughlin, Thomas O'Leary and Patrick
Hennessy) and wounding nine. O’Loughln was a member of the Irish
Volunteers but O’Leary and Hennessy were not.
See May 7th. There are also
riots in Derry when the released prisoners arrive back in the city. |
Townshend (1975),
pg 76; Hopkinson (2002), pg 36; O'Malley (2001), pgs 84-85; O'Kelly and Mulvey
in The Kerryman (1955), pg 148 & Coogan (1990), pg 139; Gallagher (1953),
pgs 162-193; Regan (2007), pg 141; Ó Ruairc (2009), pgs 131-132 & 328;
Grant (2018), pg 95; Townshend
(2014), pg 144 |
|
Apr-14 |
Detective Constable
Henry Kells, DMP is shot dead at the corner of Upr Camden St and Pleasants
St, Dublin by Paddy O’Daly, commander of the Squad. He had earlier
engaged in trying to identify the leaders among IRA prisoners in Mountjoy who
were on hunger strike. (The day before Collins had sent a message
to Peadar Clancy, who was in Mountjoy, saying “I am going to Kells
to-morrow.”) |
Abbott (2000), pg
69; Gallagher (1953), pg 159 |
|
Apr-14 |
RIC Sgt Patrick
Finnerty is shot in Clonard St, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin when accompanying a
group of people coming back from an illegal assembly. He died two days
later in the Mater Hospital. |
Abbott (2000), pg
69-70 |
|
Apr-14 |
Constable Patrick
Foley, who is on leave in Annascual, Co. Kerry, is abducted after leaving
Moriaty's Hotel. His body is found two days later in a creamery yard in
Deelis, Co. Kerry. Foley had given the local RIC information on IRA men in
the area (including his brother). The
RIC District Inspector informed the local IRA that he had done this so he was
seized and court martialled. He was
subsequently shot 24 times. (Abbott gives the date of his abduction as the 21st
April in the 2019 edition of his book.) |
Abbott (2000), pgs
70-71; O’Callaghan (2017), pg 552; Abbott (2019), pg 90 |
|
Apr-14 |
RIC Sergeant
Patrick Lavin commits suicide when in his room in the RIC Depot in Dublin. |
Abbott (2019), pgs
408-409 |
|
Apr-16 |
Thomas Mulholland,
QM of IRA C company, Dundalk of John St., Dundalk is killed by RIC Sgt Joseph
Bustard during an attempt by party of eight IRA men (led by Patrick Culhane)
to disarm a three-man RIC patrol. At his inquest, Sgt Bustard said that
he shot as he feared for his own life but the jury still brought the finding
that there was no justification for his shooting. At Mullholland’s
funeral on the 18th, Culhane is badly beaten. He is to receive
another beaten from Crown forces in May after which his health fails. He will die on the 19th
September 1920. On this night, a
two man RIC patrol is relieved of their weapons by six IRA men at Seatown,
Dundalk without any casualties on either side. |
Gallagher (1953),
pg 200; O’Farrell (1997), pg 114; Hall (2019), pg 70 |
|
Apr-16 |
RIC Constable Harry
Moscrop commits suicide. |
Abbott (2019), pg 410 |
|
Apr-17 |
Constable Martin
Clifford, who was on home leave in Derinaden, Co Kerry, was ambushed and
killed at Bradley's Cross, Dromod between Waterville and Derinaden. (Possibly
a retired RIC man.) |
Abbott (2000), pg
71; Abbott (2019), pg 88 |
|
Apr-17/18 |
Widespread riots in
Derry when six prisoners are removed from Derry Jail to Wormwood Scrubs in
England. A number of serious injuries
(and many minor injuries) but no fatalities. Catholic clergy intervene to
calm the situation. |
Gallagher (2003), pg 21; Grant (2018), pg 96; Townshend (2014), pg 173 |
|
Apr-17 |
Bouladuff, Co.
Tipperary shot up by police. |
Macardle (1999), pg 353 |
|
Apr-18 |
Lord French writes
to Bonar Law (Lord Privy Seal) asking for a complete review of the Castle
Administration. Bonar Law (who was acting for Lloyd George while the
latter was at the Peace Conference in Versailles) agreed to set up an
investigating committee under Sir Warren Fisher. See May 12th. |
Townshend (1975),
pg 78 |
|
Apr-18 |
The IRA attacks a
number of RIC men leaving a church in Kilmihill, Co. Clare. One IRA man
(John Breen) and one RIC (Sgt Patrick J Carroll) are killed. Another RIC man (Constable Collins) is
wounded. Abbott says that a number of
IRA men are wounded but Ó Ruairc does not mention any being wounded. |
Abbott (2000), pgs
71-72; Ó Ruairc (2009), pg 134-135 |
|
Apr-18 |
The local IRA
company from Ballysteen, Co. Limerick conduct a raid for arms on the house of
Peter Switzer, a member of the Church of Ireland. Switzer fires on the raiders and mortally
wounds Lieutenant Dan Neville. The O/C
of the West Limerick Brigade, Sean Finn, reports to GHQ but Mulcahy orders
that no reprisal is to be taken. See
19th September 1920 and 10th January 1922. |
O’Callaghan (2018),
pg 116-117 |
|
Apr-18 |
P. Fogarty from
Clontarf, Dublin dies. |
O'Farrell P (1997),
pg 108 |
|
Apr-20 |
The coroner’s
inquest in Cork brings in a verdict that Tomas MacCurtain was murdered and that
“the murder was organised and carried out by the R.I.C. officially directed
by the British Government; and we return a verdict of wilful murder against
David Lloyd George, Prime Minister of England; Lord French, Lord Lieutenant
of Ireland; Ian Macpherson, late Chief Secretary for Ireland; Acting
Inspector General Smith of the R.I.C.; Divisional Inspector Clayton of the
R.I.C.; District Inspector Swanzy, and some unknown members of the R.I.C.” See August 22nd. |
Gallagher (1953),
pgs 199-200; Lawlor (2009) pg 34 |
|
Apr-20 |
Detective Constable Laurence Dalton, 'G' Division, DMP is shot dead in
Mountjoy St, Dublin near St. Mary's Place (or Avenue?). |
Abbott (2000), pg
72; Abbott (2019), pgs 89-90 |
|
Apr-21 |
Hunger strike
starts among IRA prisoners in Wormwood Scrubs resulting in the release of
some 200 internees in May. |
Macardle (1999), pg 345; Murphy
W (2017), pg 442 |
|
Apr-21 |
Private Thomas
Sibthorpe of the Royal Highland Light Infantry dies in the British Army
barracks in Ennis, Co. Clare. The
inquest returns a verdict of death by suicide but he could have been killed
by his fellow soldiers. |
Ó Ruairc (2009), pg
133 |
|
Apr-23 |
Constable
Michael McCarthy of the DMP is shot dead when on home leave and working
in a field on his brother's farm at Lackenalooha, near Clonakilty, Co. Cork. |
Abbott (2000), pg
73 |
|
Apr-23 |
Writing to Walter
Long (or John Anderson), General Macready (GOC-in-C, British Army in Ireland)
says “as regards the RIC, we are sitting on a volcano” and continued “if they
were turned into an ordinary unarmed police force, they would fulfil their
functions in time of peace a good deal better than at present”. |
Townshend (2014),
pg 155 |
|
Apr-24 |
RIC Detective
Swanton is shot at by the IRA in Ennis, Co. Clare. He is wounded but survives and resumes his
work. |
Ó Ruairc (2009),
pgs 135-136 |
|
Apr-24 |
Liam Lynch goes to
the Milstreet area of Co. Cork and sets up an investigation into the robbery
of two back officials the previous November (see November 17th
1919). Eight men are arrested and
seven confess to be involved. £10,000
is recovered and the seven are sentenced to various lengths of deportation or
exile within Ireland. |
Townshend (2014),
pg 132 |
|
Apr-25 |
A three-man RIC
patrol is ambushed at Ballinspittal, Co. Cork by IRA men from the local
battalion of the 3rd (West) Cork Brigade led by Jim O'Mahoney (Adj
Bandon Bat). Two RIC men are killed (Sgt Cornelius Crean and Constable
Patrick McGoldrick). Sgt Crean's brother (Tom Crean) was a member of
Shackleton voyage to the South Pole in 1909. (Deasy places this ambush
at Highfort on the Innishannon to Upton road.) |
Abbott (2000), pg
73; Deasy (1973), pg 106 |
|
Apr-26 |
Private F. Quinn of
the Royal Welch Fusiliers is killed in Limerick. |
General Staff, 6th
Division (1921), pg 3 |
|
Apr-26 |
Kilcommon, Co.
Tipperary partially wrecked by police. |
Macardle (1999), pg 353 |
|
Apr-28 |
East Limerick
Brigade, IRA attacks and capture Ballylanders RIC barracks, Co Limerick led
by Vice-OC Thomas Malone (Sean Forde). More Detail |
Abbott (2000), pg
79; Breen (1989), pg 106; O'Daly in The Kerryman (1955), pgs 51-55; O’Callaghan (2018), pg 79 |
|
Apr-28 |
In retaliation for
Ballylanders attack, Black and Tans go on rampage in Limerick city. (Macardle
says 27th) |
O'Farrell P (1997),
pg xvi; Macardle (1999), pg 353 |
|
Apr-29 |
British soldiers
from the Royal Horse Artillery in Kildare town sell the local IRA 17
revolvers and 723 rounds of ammunition. |
Durney (2013), pg
91 |
|
Apr-29 |
During an attack on
an RIC barracks in Rush, Co. Dublin, an RIC sergeant (John Brady) is wounded
and dies 10 days later. |
Abbott (2000), pg
74 |
|
Apr |
J. Byrne from
Gracefield, Ballylynan, Co. Laois dies |
O’Farrell (1997),
pg 103 |
|
Apr |
Forbes Paterson,
(the Presbyterian editor of Red Hand which was a Sinn Féin journal
founded by FJ Bigger in 1920) writes a report on the political situation in
north-east Ulster. In it he suggests the founding of a paper
which aims to bind Labour to Sinn Féin – he also warns of the arming of
unionists which is setting the stage for a pogrom against Catholics.
(Diarmaid O’Hegarty does not think much of the idea of setting up a paper and
says so to Collins.) |
Gallagher (2003), pgs 23-24 |
|
Apr |
Art O’Connor takes
over from Robert Barton as Minister of Agriculture in the Dáil Cabinet |
Townshend (2014),
pg 127 |
|
End-Apr |
Nearly £150,000
raised for the Dáil Loan. See June 29th.
|
Townshend (2014),
pg 92 |
|
Apr |
Michael O'Callaghen
(QM, Bantry Bat, Cork No. 3 Brigade IRA) discovers 4,000 detonators left
behind by an RIC escort at Drimoleague Junction. |
Deasy (1973) pg 107 |