December 1919
|
Early-Dec |
IRA call off intended National Convention (to be held in UCD's playing grounds in Terenure, Dublin) when they find out that it has become known to British. |
Deasy (1973), pg 84 |
|
Dec-02 |
IRA ambush a hunting
party at Carron, Co. Clare in an attempt to obtain their arms. However, while a number of the hunting
party are wounded, the IRA do not succeed in obtaining any arms. |
Ó Ruairc (2009), pg
102 |
|
Dec-04 |
Reporting to IRA
GHQ, Ernie O’Malley wrote “Officers and men have not the faintest idea … of
military work in general. They know
very little of the organization and systematic training necessary to turn out
an efficient soldier” |
Townshend (2014),
pg 116 |
|
Dec-12 |
The Dungloe company
of Donegal No. 1 Brigade IRA, led by Joe Sweeney and Patrick Breslin, ambush
a party of RIC men at the Rampart, about two miles outside Dungloe. One RIC man is seriously wounded (Sgt
Farrell) and two others slightly wounded.
This was the first action of the Donegal No. 1 Brigade. |
Ó Duibhir (2009),
pgs 115-116; Ozseker (2019), pgs 114-115 |
|
Dec-14 |
RIC Constable Edward Bolger killed by IRA in Kilbrittain – he was unarmed at the time of his killing. First policemen to be killed in Cork. He had been involved in arresting seven IRA men and had been the principal witness against them at their trial in November. |
Hart (1998), pg 70; Abbott (2000), pgs 47-48; Deasy (1973), pg 86; Abbott (2019), pg 59 |
|
Dec |
First public meetings of Commission of Inquiry into the Industry and Resources of Ireland set up by the Dáil held in City Hall in Dublin. Many gave evidence (some opposed to Sinn Féin) and reporters from around the world present. Irish newspapers not permitted to publish reports on meetings. |
Figgis (1927), pgs 277-278 |
|
Dec-19 |
At Ashtown, Dublin the IRA ambushes the Lord Lieutenant, Lord French. One IRA man is killed (Martin Savage) and Lord French escapes. More Detail |
O'Farrell P (1997), pg xv; Breen (1989), pgs 85-92; Ryan (1945), pgs 117-122; Breen in The Kerryman (1955), pgs 43-46; Price (2017), pgs 97-99; Townshend (2014), pg 107; Leeson (2012), pg 15 |
|
Dec-21 |
Angered by their coverage of the Ashtown ambush, 20 to 30 IRA men lead by Paddy Clancy entered the building of the Irish Independent newspaper and smashed their printing machinery. (Price says that this was carried out under the leadership of Gearṍid Ua hUallachain – head of Na Fianna.) |
Breen (1989), pgs 93-94; Price (2017), pg 101 |
|
Dec-22 |
‘Better Government of Ireland Bill’ introduced into the House of Commons – it proposes two parliaments, one of the six counties of north-east Ulster and one for the other twenty-six. Also, proposes a Council of Ireland made up of twenty members of each parliament with initially few powers but with the hope that it would evolve into and all-Ireland Parliament. Comment See February 25th 1920 |
Macardle (1999), pg 321; Phoenix (1994), pgs 71-72 |
|
Dec-24 |
RIC Constable
William Murtagh is accidentally shot dead at Clonoulty police hut in Co.
Tipperary. |
Abbott (2019), pg 411 |
|
Dec-22(?) |
Raid on Limerick GPO by IRA men from East Clare led by Michael Brennan nets £1,500. More Detail |
Brennan (1980), pg 41 |
|
Dec-31 |
Maurice Keough is accidentally shot dead. |
Abbott (2019), pg
408 |