August 1920

Early-Aug

Registration offices opened for Expelled Workers in Belfast with an estimated 2,000 enrolling.  During the Autumn, they appeal for funds all over Ireland and abroad – first payments made to expelled workers on Aug-19.  The government eventually sets up a fund for the expelled workers and with approximately 8,140 registered on this scheme by early October.

 

Parkinson (2004), pg 38

Aug-01

Meeting between IRA GHQ staff and representatives from southern brigades in 35 Lr Gardiner St., Dublin to discuss tactics.  More Detail

 

Coogan (1990), pgs 142-143; Deasy (1973), pgs 131-133

Aug-01

A member of the British cabinet, Arthur Balfour, goes to Rome with the objective of getting the Pope to ‘denounce all incitements to disturbance in Ireland’.  However, the mission is not a success and eventually the British come to the conclusion that the Pope remaining neutral is the best that can be hoped.

Ó Duibhir (2009), pg 153

Aug-02

Two British soldiers appear in the Gurteen area of south Sligo claiming to be deserters.  The IRA interrogate them and arrange employment for them in a local hotel.  However, the two soldiers go back to their barracks after a few days.  The captain of the Gurteen company of the IRA, John Finn, is subsequently arrested and sentenced to two years hard labour for aiding and abetting the two soldiers. Around this time another British soldier, John Watt, appears in the nearby Geevagh area claiming to be a deserter.  However, he is court martialled, convicted of being a spy and killed.  (His body was uncovered in 1962.)

Farry (2012), pg 57

Aug-02

Restoration of Order in Ireland Act (ROIA) placed before British Parliament – guillotined through and received royal assent on the 9th August.  It legalises internment and gives military courts power to try capital cases and a number of other offences.  Replaced coroners’ courts with Military Courts of Inquiry for deaths caused by Crown Forces. 

Townshend notes that the Defence of the Realm Act (DORA) had expired as it was war emergency law.  However, in many ways, ROIA simply replaced DORA. For example, DORA 14B which provided for internment became ROIA 14B. Townshend also notes that “Like so many coercive laws passed under the Union in the previous century, it [ROIA] confirmed Ireland’s separateness from British norms”

According to Leeson “the British counter-insurgency truly began in earnest on 9 August, when the Restoration of Order in Ireland Act was passed”.

Townshend (1975), pg 103; Carey (2001), pg 5; Macardle (1999), pg 380; Phoenix (1994), pg 92; Leeson (2012), pgs 13-15; Townshend (2014), pgs 151-152

 

Aug-02

The Irish Times reports that “the King’s writ runs no longer in many parts of the country” and continued that the Sinn Féin tribunals were “jostling British law into oblivion”

Townshend (2014), pg 129

Aug-05

On receiving information from IRA GHQ that a local hotel was to be taken over by the military, the Carrick battalion in Co. Donegal burn the hotel as well as the local police station.

Ó Duibhir (2009), pg 156

Aug-05

RIC barracks at Blackrock outside Dundalk, Co. Louth evacuated and it is burnt that evening.

Gavin and O’Donnell (1999), pg 27

Aug-05

The East Clare Brigade of the IRA, led by Michael Brennan raid the Sixmilebridge RIC barracks. They gain entry as a friendly RIC man, Patrick Buckley, leaves open the door to the barracks.  They overpower and tie up the RIC men in the barracks and make away with six carbines, six revolvers, a quantity of ammunitions and police intelligence information.  The police are unharmed. See also June 13th 1920 and March 7th 1923.

Ó Ruairc (2009), pg 143-144

Aug-05

Lecky Road RIC barracks in Derry City burned.

Gallagher (2003), pg 30

Aug-05?

An RIC patrol in Gortahork in Co. Donegal is attacked and disarmed by the local company of the IRA led by Frank O’Donnell.

Ó Duibhir (2009), pg 156

Aug-06

RC Bishop MacRory, in a letter, states that “Until this city [Belfast] is taught that it depends on Ireland, there will be recurrent outbursts of bigotry here, and a standing obstacle to the settlement of the whole of the Irish Question.”

Parkinson (2004), pg 39

Aug-06

Sean McEntee, one of the few Northerners in the Dáil, introduces a motion supporting a ban on financial and trade dealings with Unionist companies, initially only in Belfast.  The motion is defeated.  (Parkinson says that it was defeated by those who were wary of becoming embroiled in Northern affairs.)  - see Aug-11.  A Belfast Boycott Committee was set up in August by Catholics in Belfast – it included Sean McEntee, Bishop MacRory, Frank Aiken, Fr John Hassan, local businessmen and others.

 

Hopkinson (2002), pg 160; Parkinson (2004), pg 73

Aug-06

At a meeting in O’Mahonhy’s of Belrose near Upton, the Brigade Council of the Cork No. 3 Brigade of the IRA, Charlie Hurley is made Brigade O/C and Dick Barrett is made Brigade QM (to replace Hales and Harte respectively – See July 27th). 

 

Also, according to Deasy, Ted O’Sullivan is made Brigade V/C but according to O’Donoghue, he was made V/C on the August 16th 1919. 

Deasy (1993), pgs 131, 319 & 357

Aug-06

Two co-operative creameries burnt.

Macardle (1999), pg 377

Aug-07

Attempted attack on RIC barracks in Innishannon, Co. Cork has to called off when a weapon goes off prematurely and alerts occupants.

Deasy (1973), pg 134

Aug-07

IRA attack a six-man RIC patrol at Kildorrey Co Cork.  All six are wounded with one (Constable Ernest Watkins) killed.  More Detail

Abbott (2000), pg 110; O’Donoghue (1986), pg108

Aug-07

Flying Column of the Cork No. 2 Brigade formed at meeting in Mourneabbey.  More Detail

Lynch in The Kerryman (1955), pgs 79-80

Aug-07

The courthouse in Donegal Town is burnt down by the IRA.

Ó Duibhir (2009), pg 157

Aug-08

Archbishop Daniel Mannix of Melbourne is refused permission to visit Ireland and he has to disembark at Penzance instead.  He stays in Britain for several months to the annoyance of some British politicians

Hopkinson (2002), pg 85; Macardle (1999), pg 379

Aug-08

W. Hartnett from Emly, Co. Limerick dies

O’Farrell (1997), pg 109

Aug-09

The Under Secretary, John Anderson, and other members of the Castle Authorities who has been resident in Kingstown (Dun Laoghaire) move into Dublin Castle for their own protection.

Townshend (1975), pg 108

Aug-10

An IRA party of about 20 men, led by Frank Carty, ambush an RIC cycling party of four men near Chaffpool, Co. Sligo.  The RIC men are disarmed.  Carty is subsequently allowed by GHQ to purchase six Lee Enfield rifles in Dublin plus ammunition.

Farry (2012), pg 58

Aug-10

T. Farrell from Dublin dies

O’Farrell (1997), pg 107

Aug-11

Reported in the Irish News that a handful of long-serving Catholic workers are expelled from Dixon’s Saw Mills in Milewater Road in Belfast after they refused to sign a ‘loyalty’ pledge.  This occurred after a vote taken by their Protestant workmates.

Parkinson (2004), pg 35

Aug-11

Irish government agree to a limited Belfast Boycott confining it to Belfast banks and insurance companies.

Parkinson (2004), pg 73

Aug-11?

RIC patrol ambushed by IRA at Falcarragh, Co. Donegal and their weapons are taken from them.

Ó Duibhir (2009), pgs 157-158

Aug-12

Terence MacSwiney (Lord Mayor of Cork, TD for Mid-Cork and Commandant Cork No. 1 Brigade); Liam Lynch (Commandant Cork No. 2 Brigade); Sean O’Hegarty (Vice-Commandant Cork No. 1 Brigade); Joseph O’Connor (QM Cork No. 1 Brigade); Daniel O’Donovan (O/C 1st Battalion, Cork No.1 Brigade);  Michael Leahy (O/C 4th Battalion, Cork No. 1 Brigade) and six other men are arrested by British Military at City Hall, Cork.  See August 16th.

O’Donoghue (1986), pg91

Aug-12

A British army patrol arrives as a meeting of the officers of the Rosegreen Battalion of 3rd Tipperary Brigade is breaking up.  Three soldiers are wounded including Lieutenant Woufle.  

Ryan (1945), pg 143

Aug-12

The Dáil’s Dept. of Local Government (with William Cosgrave as Minister) writes to all local authority bodies in Ireland asking them to sever their connections with the Local Government Board and align themselves instead with the Dáil’s Dept. of Local Government.

Macardle (1999), pg 388; Phoenix (1994), pg 90

Aug-14

Patrick Lynch from Hospital, Co. Limerick dies after being taken from his house by British soldiers.  (O’Donoghue gives his name as James Lynch and indicates that they may have thought they had Liam Lynch.  He also gives the date as the 4th Aug.)

O’Farrell (1997), pg 111; Macardle (1999), pg 379; O’Donoghue (1986), pg93

Aug-14

The Connaught Tribune reports that Tyrone House near the village of Ballindereen, Co Galway was burnt to the ground.  It has been the home of the St George family but unoccupied for a number of years.

Henry (2012), pg 40

Aug-15

During riots in Limerick, two Black and Tans are attacked and beaten in Edward St., Limerick resulting in the death of one (Constable Cyril Nathan).

O’Callaghan says that Nathan was almost certainly shot by inebriated fellow Black and Tans as they engaged in reprisals. They damaged up to 100 houses and gave beatings to random civilians. An ex-soldier, Edward Paget, died after getting a savage beating by policemen in People’s Park.  Constable Nathan was from London with just over two months of service in the RIC.

Abbott (2000), pgs 110-111; O’Callaghan (2018), pgs 81-82; Abbott (2019), pg 139

Aug-15

Captain Joe McMahon of the South Cavan Brigade of the IRA is killed in an accidental explosion as he was trying to develop a homemade explosive.  He was originally from Kilmaley, Co. Clare and he is brought home for burial.  The local IRA fire a volley of shots over his grave.  He had also played a significant part on the attack on Hugginstown RIC barracks – see 8th March 1920

Ó Ruairc (2009), pg 147; Walsh (2018); pg 65

Aug-15

The RIC barracks in Mountcharles in Co. Donegal is attacked by the local IRA company.  This attack was meant to be a supporting operation to a major attack on the RIC barracks in Donegal Town but this latter operation was called off when many of the IRA men failed to show up on time.

Ó Duibhir (2009), pg 158

Aug-15

Kanturk Company of IRA attack a British military guard on a downed airplane at Drominagh near Clonbanin, Co Cork – See 16th August.

Lynch in The Kerryman (1955), pg 79

Aug-15

F. McNiece from Tartaraghan, Loughall, Co. Armagh dies.  As does IRA Volunteer Matthew Lynch.

O’Farrell (1997), pg 113; Ó Ruairc (2009), pg 325

Aug-16

The British authorities release all the men they captured at City Hall, Cork on the 12th August except Terence MacSwiney who goes on hunger strike started on the 11th August by untried prisoners in Cork Jail led by Maurice Crowe (Tipperary) and Michael Fitzgerald. 

O’Donoghue says that, if they had not been released, the capture of so many important IRA men could have been a staggering blow to the IRA.  Townshend says that it was “an almost incredible intelligence failure”.   See October 26th 

O’Donoghue (1986), pg 92; Townshend (2014), pgs 193-194

Aug-16

Patrick Clancy (O/C Kanturk Battalion) and Jack O’Connell are killed resisting arrest by joint party of RIC and British Army at Jack O’Connell’s home at Derrygallon, Co. Cork.  They had taken part in an attack on soldiers guarding a plane downed by accident near Kanturk the previous day.

O’Donoghue (1986), pg94; O’Farrell P (1997), pg 16 & 104; Lynch in The Kerryman (1955), pg 80

Aug-16

RIC reprisals in Templemore, Co Tipperary after the killing of District Inspector William Wilson in George St., Templemore.  It is said that he was killed by Jim Stapleton, the same IRA man who killed DI Hunt in Thurles over a year earlier. (See June 23rd 1919.) As part of a general rampage by the RIC in the aftermath of the killing, the Templemore Town Hall and three local creameries are burnt.

Hopkinson (2002), pg 80; Abbott (2000), pg 111; Breathnach (2017), pg 557; Macardle (1999), pg 377; Leeson (2012), pg 170

Aug-17

Macready issues a Special General Order warning that the severest disciplinary measures would be taken against any sign of looting or retaliation.  Tudor was supposed to issue a parallel order but did not do so until the 9th November and then it was not an order but a memorandum for information and guidance.

Townshend (1975), pg 112

Aug-17

Terence MacSwiney is transferred from Cork prison to Brixton prison

Hopkinson (2002), pg 86

Aug-17

A four-man RIC patrol is attacked by IRA men from the Ardara, Co. Donegal battalion of the IRA resulting in injuries to all four RIC men with two being seriously wounded. The same unit attacks another RIC patrol near the chapel in Ardara the following night.

Ó Duibhir (2009), pg 159

Aug-18

IRA men from the 4th and 5th Battalions of the Kerry No. 1 Brigade ambush a joint RIC-British Army patrol two miles west of Annascual on the Dingle peninsula.  The Crown Forces surrender – two are wounded and are brought to a local doctor.  The remainder are marched to Annascual, given tea and sent to Dingle in commandeered cars. (Unusually, there were no reprisals – perhaps because there were no fatalities and the men who surrendered were not badly treated.)

Horgan (2018), pgs 78-81

Aug-18

Longford IRA, led by Sean MacEoin and Sean Connolly, carry out a raid for arms on the Upper Military Barracks, Longford Town.  Barracks was occupied by a division of the 18th Lancers and raid was assisted by a deserter.  IRA get away with eight rifles and a quantity of ammunition.

Hopkinson (2002), pg 142; Coleman (2003), pg 120

Aug-19

A RIC foot patrol opens fire on a vehicle approaching with no lights on near Boston on the Clare-Galway border.  However, the approaching vehicle is carrying RIC men and the shots kill one RIC man called James (or Jason) Duffy.  

Abbott (2000), pg 316; Ó Ruairc (2009), pg 153; Abbott (2019), pg 405

Aug-19

P. Kennedy from Annascual, Co. Kerry dies

O’Farrell (1997), pg 110

Aug-19

Ballymahon RIC barracks attacked by Longford IRA.  Sean Connolly made a hole in the roof of the barracks and threw in home-made bombs containing sulphur. The 11 RIC men surrendered.  The IRA captured 10 rifles, 4 revolvers, 12 grenades and assorted ammunition.

Coleman (2003), pg 121; Hopkinson (2002), pg 142

Aug-20

General Macready, GOC-in-C of the British Army in Ireland writes to the War Office making the case for the use of military aircrafts in Ireland “fire from aeroplanes would materially assist the forces on the ground, with little or no danger to harmless individuals”.  This is supported by the War Office but not by Chief of the Air Staff, Hugh Trenchard who says that the difference between friendly and hostile people would not be obvious to people in the planes.  He continued that this “would lead to endless mistakes” and “great bitterness would be engendered”.  With the exception of Churchill (Secretary of State for War and Air), the British Cabinet agreed with Trenchard.

As Townshend notes, Trenchard’s arguments against using air power in Ireland were at odds with the arguments that he was making in favour of the use of ‘air policing’ in the Middle East and other parts of the British Empire at this time, strongly supported by Churchill (mainly on the grounds of lower cost).  For example, see Catherwood (2004), pgs 82-89.

Townshend (2014), pgs 153-154

Aug-21

RIC Sgt Daniel Maunsell is shot and killed as he returns from his home in Inchigeela to Macroom.  A police patrol returning from the scene of the attack is itself ambushed resulting in the injury of a number of RIC men.

Abbott (2000), pgs 111-112

Aug-21

RIC Detective Constable John Hanlon is shot dead in the kitchen of Walsh’s public house in Moore St., Kilrush, Co Clare.  He was shot by Liam Haugh of the West Clare Brigade IRA.  In the follow-up searches around Kilrush, Volunteer Patrick Burke is arrested with a revolver and severely mistreated.  He is sentenced to two years in prison but dies shortly after his release due to his bad treatment.

Abbott (2000), pg 112; Art O’Donnell BMH Statement, No.  1322, pg 54; Ó Ruairc (2009), pg 147

Aug-21

A five-man RIC cycle patrol is ambushed at Red Bridge near Oranmore, Co Galway.   One RIC man is killed (Constable Martin Foley) and two are wounded (Sgt Mulhearn and Constable Brown).  The Volunteers taking part in the ambush are from Castlegar and Oranmore companies and led by Joseph Howley and Brian Molloy.

The RIC carry out major reprisals in the village of Oranmore burning a number of buildings and the family home of Joseph Howley (Keane’s Bar). (Henry says that this ambush was not sanctioned by Seamus Murphy, O/C Galway Brigade.  Murphy left Galway for Dublin the following month and the Galway brigades were re-organised.)  Also see 9th December 1920. 

Abbott (2000), pg 112;

McNamara (2018), pgs 123-124; Henry (2012), pgs 73-79 & 174; Leeson (2012), pg 44

Aug-21

Due to the number of mail raids by the IRA, the British Army took to delivering mail by plane.  In the Munster (6th Division) area, a typical flight would start in Fermoy and make drops in Dungarvan, Waterford, Kilkenny and Clonmel before returning to Fermoy.  On this date, a Bristol Fighter plane got into difficulty and was forced to land near Lismore, Co. Waterford.  The crew was unharmed but the local IRA burnt their plane before releasing them. See 17th November.

McCarthy (2015), pg 70

Aug-21

An RIC patrol from Kill Barracks, Co Kildare is ambushed at Greenhills on the main Dublin to Naas road.  One RIC is killed at the scene (Constable Patrick Haverty) while another (Sgt Patrick Reilly) later dies from wounds received. 

The IRA is led by Thomas Harris.  There were reprisals in Kill village and in Naas following this ambush with a large number of raids, a business burnt and people attacked by the RIC.

Abbott (2000), pg 112; O’Farrell P (1997), pg 42; Durney (2013), pgs 110-115

Aug-21

A four-man RIC patrol is ambushed in Jocelyn St., Dundalk resulting in the death of one RIC man (Constable Smyth Thomas Brennan) and the wounding of two others (Sgt Clarke and Constable Isdell).  In retaliation, the Sinn Féin hall is attacked as are two public houses owned by the McGuill family – Lawlor says that these attacks were “sectarian violence” i.e. carried out by loyalists.  (James McGuill, had been elected to the urban and county councils for Sinn Féin and was O/C of the local Battalion of the IRA.)

In response, the large drapery store owned by Thomas Craig (who was a Protestant) on the Market Square is set on fire on the 27th August.  Most of the thirteen shop assistants and servants living above the shop manage to escape the burning building but three do not.  They are Elizabeth Wilson from Ballyhooley, Ballynure, Co. Antrim;  Georgina Rice from Ardee and Alexander Alderdice from Drogheda.  All three are Protestants. 

McGuill publicly disassociated the IRA from the attack on Craig’s store. 

Abbott (2000), pg 113;

Lawlor (2009), pgs 178-179; Lawlor (2011), pg 58; Hall (2019), pgs 71-72

Aug-22

RIC man (Sgt Thomas Craddock) is shot and killed on King’s St., Athlone. IRA Athlone squad led by James Tormey.

Abbott (2000), pg 113; Sheehan (2017), pg 359; O’Callaghan (2012), pg 185

Aug-22 to Sep-01

District Inspector Oswald Swanzy, RIC, shot by IRA on August 22nd just after he left Christ Church Cathedral, Market Sq., Lisburn, Co Antrim. 

After the killing of Swanzy, riots broke out in Lisburn, Bangor, Banbridge and Belfast with 22 people being killed in one week in Belfast (Parkinson says at least 25 in a 5-day period and McDermott says 22 killed in late August violence with approximately equal numbers of Catholics and Protestants.  Putting all the names mentioned in various reports together adds up to 35 people killed.  Approximately, 19 Protestants, 14 Catholics and 2 others.)  More Detail

O’Farrell P (1997), pg xvi; Coogan (1990), pg 149 & Hopkinson (2002), pg 156; Hart (1998), pg 79; Abbott (2000), pgs 113-115; Macardle (1999), pg 384-385; Phoenix (1994), pg 89; Parkinson (2004), pgs 49-50 & 66-72; McDermott (2001), pgs 50-58; Lawlor (2009), pgs 102-151

Aug-22

East Mayo IRA under Sean Corcoran (O/C Swinford Battalion and East Mayo Brigade) and Sean Walsh (Captain of the Bohala company) capture Ballyvary RIC Barracks. They get away with 20 rifles, 25 revolvers and a considerable amount of ammunition. 

Hopkinson (2002), pg 133; Price (2012), pgs 94-95

Aug-22

Creamery at Knocklong, Co Limerick burnt down by RIC men.  (It is owned by Sir Thomas Cleeves, a Unionist)

Coogan (1990), pg 144; Macardle (1999), pg 377

Aug-22

Joseph Cunningham, judge in the Republican Courts for Co. Westmeath, is arrested by the RIC and severely beaten.

Gallagher (1953), pg 81

Aug-23

Ambush at Macroom, Co. Cork is which six police are shot and a number of rifles captured.  (Same as Abbott's on 21st?)

Coogan (1990), pg 143; Macardle (1999), pg 353

Aug-24

RIC patrol ambushed at Glengarriff, Co. Cork resulting in the death of one policeman (Constable John McNamara) and the wounding of another (Constable  Patrick Cleary).

Abbott (2000), pg 116

Aug-25

RIC patrol ambushed on Chapel St., Bantry, Co. Cork resulting in the death of one RIC man (Constable  Matthew Haugh)

Abbott (2000), pg 117

Aug-26

Led by Sam O’Flaherty and Dr. J. P. McGinley, the IRA attack the RIC barracks in Drumquin, Co. Tyrone resulting in the death of one RIC man (Constable James Munnelly). The RIC man was shot by James McMonagle.  More Detail

 

Abbott (2000), pgs 117-118; McCluskey (2014), pg 91; Lawlor (2011), pgs 59-60; Ó Duibhir (2009), pgs 161-168; Ozseker (2019), pg 117

Aug-26

An ambush is laid for a RIC/British Army patrol by IRA men from the Cork No. 3 brigade (mostly from the Bandon Battalion) led by Sean Hales at Brinny on the Crossbarry-Bandon Rd.  However, the ambush party is attacked from the rear and Lt Tim Fitzgerald from the Mount Pleasant company is killed.  He is the first member of the Cork No. 3 brigade to lose his life in action.  (O’Farrell says that the patrol was trying to attack was one from the Essex Regiment and that the date was 28th August.)

Deasy (1973), pgs 135-136; O’Farrell (1997), pg 40 & 107

Aug-26

John Hynes from Shanagolden, Co. Limerick dies.  Toomey says that Hynes was 60 years old and shot by a Constable Thomas Huckerby (a notorious Black and Tan) during a reprisal.

O’Farrell (1997), pg 110, Toomey (2008), pg 64

Aug-26

Sligo IRA, with help from North Mayo IRA, attack and destroy Enniscrone coastguard station. Six rifles, six revolvers and gelignite captured.  The following Sunday, four men are arrested by Crown Forces – three of whom are convicted of taking part in the raid. (Price says 2nd September)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Hopkinson (2002), pg 136; Farry (2012), pg 58; Price (2012), pgs 95-96

Aug-27

When cycling from Roscommon to Kiltoom, Constable William Potter is shot and killed at Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon.  Some days later the RIC arrive in the village of Knockcroghery during a fair day.  They round up all the men who are at the fair and herd them into a handball alley.  The men are then bull whipped. Two days later when searching a nearby house, the RIC shoot dead an elderly blacksmith called Pat Coyle.

Abbott (2000), pg 118; O’Callaghan (2012), pgs 187-188

Aug-27

Sean Buckley from Middleton, Co. Cork is taken prisoner by the Cameron Highlanders along with his brother Batt.  When being taken to Cork both were shot, Sean fatally.

O’Farrell (1997), pg 103; Macardle (1999), pg 380

Aug-27

An RIC patrol is attacked at Graigue, Co. Longford (between Drumlish and Ballinamuck) resulting in the death of one RIC man (Constable John Mullan) and the wounding of three others (Constables Brogan, Reidy and King).  Constable Mullan is the first RIC casualty in Longford.

Abbott (2000), pg 118; Coleman (2003), pg 121

Aug-28

A British army officer (Major Johnstone or Johnston) is shot and killed in Glenties or Rosbeg, Co. Donegal.  The major was seventy years old and it was a raid for arms that went wrong.

Macardle (1999), pg 384; Ozseker (2019), pg 116.

Aug-29

P. Hughes from Roscommon dies.

O’Farrell (1997), pg 110

Aug-31

Lt Colonel FH Dorling takes over as O/C of the Manchester Regiment in Cork.  In charge of No. 3 District covering Ballincollig to Blarney to Donoughmore to Millstreet to Ballyvourney.

Sheehan (1990), pg 69

Aug-31

The Kilkenny IRA kill William Kenny from Graiguenamanagh as a spy.  The execution is carried out by drowning Kenny in the River Barrow. 

Walsh (2018); pgs 70-72

Aug

Workers in the bakery and mill in Bruree, Co. Limerick declare a soviet under the banner “Bruree Workers Soviet Mills – We make Bread not Profits”.  Countess Markievicz intervened on behalf of the owners and the soviet ended on the 3rd September.

O’Callaghan (2018), pg 126

Aug

During August, 148 magistrates resign.  With regards to the republican courts, the Inspector General of the RIC notes in his August report that the “directions that the police are to attend these courts, but not otherwise interfere is undoubtedly doing harm and steadily undermining the authority of the government.  They could easily be dispersed in most cases”. 

As part of the more the stringent coercive policy (enactment of the Restoration of Order Act, introduction of the Auxiliaries, withdrawal of grants from Sinn Féin controlled local authorities, etc.), republican courts were to face widespread disruption over the coming months and were, to a large extent, driven underground. However, they still managed to function, albeit at a reduced level. 

Macardle (1999), pg 363;  Coleman (2003), pgs 104-105

Aug

Dublin Castle begins to issues a “Weekly Summary of Outrages”.

Macardle (1999), pg 379

Aug

First company of the Auxiliary Division of the RIC in Ireland, ‘A’ Company, is stationed in Woodstock House near Inistioge in Co. Kilkenny. They soon begin to make their presence felt. 

Walsh (2018); pg 72

Late-Aug

An attempt is made to burn the Church of Ireland church in Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo.  The IRA arrest three men – they are released after they plead guilty and agree to pay compensation.

Farry (2102), pg 56

Late-Aug

IRA GHQ issued general instructions on the forming of flying columns.  (Townshend believes that the formation of flying columns was an unintended consequence of ROIA.) In his 2014 book, Townshend gives the 4th October as the date that GHQ issued a general order on the formation of flying columns.

Townshend (1975), pg 114; Townshend (2014), pg 184

Aug-30

A curfew is imposed in Belfast. (It was to last until 1924.)

Abbott (2019), pg 349

Aug-31

Loyalist workers from the GNR’s Adelaide Works force Catholic workers from their place of work – some 430 Catholic workers are driven out.  By the 15th September, Catholic engine drivers and firemen are allowed to return but others are only allowed to return if they sign a declaration of loyalty to the king and the constitution. 

Lawlor (2011), pgs 62-63

Aug-31

Monaghan IRA, under Eoin O’Duffy, carry out a series of raids for arms on unionist houses in the Monaghan area.  In a raid on the Crawford family house outside the village of Drum, IRA Volunteer Peter O’Reilly is mortally wounded.  IRA man Bernard Marron is killed in a raid on McCauls and Volunteer Owen [Mc]Keenan is killed on another raid.  In a raid on Flemings at Drumgara outside Castleblayney, Volunteer Patrick McKenna is shot dead.  In two other raids, two IRA men are badly injured.

Monaghan unionists organise local patrols to defend themselves and their property.  This eventually led to the formation of the County Monaghan Protestant Defence Association.

Dooley (2000), pgs 42-43; Dooley (2017a), pgs 82-83; Lawlor (2011), pg 65-67; O'Daly in The Kerryman (1955), pg 51; O’Farrell (1997), pg 113

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