December 1920

 

Dec-01

In response to Bloody Sunday and Kilmichael, British Cabinet decide that the Chief Secretary (Greenwood) should apply martial law in such particular areas that he might consider it necessary. The military want martial law over the whole country but Greenwood and Llyod George only want it in the ‘distant provinces’ (‘leaving the seat of Government, Dublin, free for them as wants to negotiate’). The Lord Lieutenant (French), who had been an early supporter of martial law, said that it would be foolish to exclude Dublin.  See December 10th.

Townshend (1975), pg 133; Townshend (2014), pgs 217 -218

Dec-01

At a meeting arranged by Joe Devlin, Archbishop Clune of Perth tells Lloyd George of the reprisals in Lahinch.  Lloyd George expresses shock and denounces all reprisals.  He asks Archbishop Clune to interview Sinn Féin leaders in Dublin.  Gallagher says that Lloyd George asked Clune to go Dublin as “his emissary for peace” and to seek out the Sinn Féin leaders and arrange a truce, as a preliminary to discussion.  Comment  

 

Hopkinson (2002), pgs 182-185; Coogan (1990), pg 194; Macardle (1999), pg 413; Gallagher (1953), pg 262

Dec-01

P. Clancy from Ballyluskey, Co. Tipperary dies

O’Farrell (1997), pg 104

Dec-01

RIC Sergeant Thomas Keighary is shot dead by British military on a bridge over the River Boyne at Kilcarne outside Navan, Co. Meath.

Abbott (2019), pg 408

Dec-02

A planned ambush on two lorries at Clasinimuid, Co. Cork (on Crossbarry-Bandon road) by Column from Bandon Battalion of the Cork No. 3 Brigade is aborted when it becomes clear that lorries have civilians on board.

Deasy (1973), pgs 175-176

Dec-02

Three officers of the Cork No. 3 Brigade IRA are shot dead by the British Army (Essex Regiment) after they were seized on Laurel Walk, Bandon.  The three officers were Capt John Galvin (Main St, Bandon), Lt Jim O'Donoghue and Section Commander Joe Begley (Castle St., Bandon).  They had gone to meet an Essex Regiment sergeant who they thought would let the IRA into Bandon military barracks.  (Tom Barry was supposed to be with them but he got a heart attack as he set out.)

Deasy (1973), pgs 177-178

Dec-02

J. Lawlor from Main St., Waterford dies.

O’Farrell (1997), pg 111

Dec-03

Hopkinson says that Galway County Council pass peace resolution but Coogan says that six of the 32 members of Galway County Council (the remainder being on the run) meet and discuss a resolution (but do not pass) which calls on the Dáil to negotiate a truce.  Six members is not a quorum.  (Macardle agrees with Coogan’s version of events while Gallagher questions whether the resolution was passed.)  This resolution is bitterly criticised by Irish republicans, including Michael Collins.  However, the British take it as a sign that Irish resolve is weakening.

Hopkinson (2002), pg xv; Coogan (1990), pg 199; Macardle (1999), pg 413; Gallagher (1953), pg 262; Leeson (2012), pgs 53-54

Dec-03

Archbishop Clune meets with Arthur Griffith in Mountjoy Jail.  Clune subsequently meets Collins – truce terms are agreed.

Macardle (1999), pg 413

Dec-03

A three man RIC patrol is crossing the Blackwater Bridge near Youghal, Co. Cork when it is ambushed by men from the 3rd Battalion, West Waterford Brigade led by James Mansfield.  RIC Constable Maurice Prendiville is shot and subsequently dies from his wounds.

Abbott (2000), pg 163; McCarthy (2015), pg 71

Dec-04

Thomas Rooney is shot dead by a British soldier in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal.

Ó Duibhir (2009), pg 192

Dec-05

Father O'Flannagan (Sinn Féin Vice-President) sends telegram to Lloyd George reminding him that he stated that he was willing to make peace and said that "Ireland is also willing to make peace.  What first steps do you propose?"  This initiative is not approved by the senior members of Sinn Féin.

 

Hopkinson (2002), pg xv; Coogan (1990), pg 196

Dec-05

An Auxiliary (Cadet Hedley Balls) is shot dead during the search of a house in Sallymount Av., Lesson Park, Dublin.

Cadet Balls was from Suffolk in England. 

Abbott (2000), pg 164

Dec-05

Two senior IRA men, Jim Dawson and James McMonagle are arrested in Letterkenny, Co Donegal.  (Their names had been found in the capture of the Mulcahy papers – See 19th November.) In similar raids in south Donegal other IRA men are arrested.  They are all sent to Ballykinlar internment camp in Co. Down.

Ó Duibhir (2009), pg 193-194

Dec-05

T. Hand from Skerries, Co Dublin dies

 

O’Farrell (1997), pg 109

Dec-06

Black and Tans looking for William Shanahan (see September 22nd) burst into a republican court, being held at Craggaknock near Kilkee, Co. Clare, looking for him. When they discover that he had managed to escape, they open fire on the unarmed civilians present, killing Thomas Curtin from Kilrush.  See December 18th.

O’Farrell (1997), pg 105; Ó Ruairc (2009), pg 213

Dec-07

Archbishop Clune meets with Michael Collins in the house of Dr Farnan in Merrion Sq.  He, along with Bishop Fogarty of Killaloe, have subsequent meetings in Mountjoy Jail with Griffith, MacNeil and Staines.

 

Coogan (1990), pg 195

Dec-07

J. Fleming from Cork dies.

O'Farrell P (1997), pg 107

Dec-08

Speaking at a British cabinet meeting, in response to the Galway County Council resolution (See December 3rd), Lloyd George says “The first necessary preliminary to the re-establishment of normal conditions is that murder and crimes of violence shall cease”.  Lloyd George thinks that the Irish insurrection is almost defeated.

Leeson (2012), pg 54

Dec-08

Archbishop Clune meets with Lloyd George again but finds his attitude to a truce changed.   Macardle says that this change was due to the Galway County Council resolution (see December 3rd) and Fr O’Flannagan’s telegram which were not supported by the Dáil Cabinet (see December 5th).  Clune continues his efforts.

Macardle (1999), pg 413; Gallagher (1953), pg 262

Dec-08

The Flying Column of the Cork No. 3 brigade, under Sean Lehane (Schull), attempts to ambush a lorry containing soldiers from the Essex regiment at Gaggin, Co. Cork but the lorry escapes from the ambush site and doubles back.  They capture and kill one IRA man (Michael McLeane, Lowertown, near Schull) but withdraw when they see the size of the column.  (O’Farrell says that Column was under command of Charlie Hurley and the surname of the IRA man killed was McClean .)

Deasy (1973), pg 183; O'Farrell P (1997), pg 47

Dec-09

Ernie O'Malley captured by British forces in Inistioge, Co Kilkenny.  A notebook found on him has the names of all the members of the 7th Battalion (Callan) of the West Kilkenny brigade - many of who are subsequently arrested.  He is taken to Dublin Castle where he is interrogated and tortured by the Auxiliaries.  However, they do not find out who he is (he had given them the name of Bernard Stewart). 

Gallagher puts this down to the split in the intelligence sections of the RIC, Auxiliaries and military who did not share their information.  A detailed description of his interrogation is given by O’Malley (but he does not mention that his notebooks led to the arrest of a number of men). Walsh says that the information found on O’Malley had a detrimental effect on the local IRA “the Auxiliaries obtained from O’Malley diary the full list of names of all Kilkenny captains along with the number of weapons and ammunition in each area”.  The house in which O’Malley was found was burnt by the Auxiliaries.

Hopkinson (2002), pg 123; Macardle (1999), pgs 394-395; Gallagher (1953), pg 155; O’Malley (1990), pgs 241-246; Walsh (2018), pgs 73-76

Dec-09

IRA leader Joseph Howley from Oranmore, Co. Galway is shot by the RIC as he alights from a train in Broadstone Station in Dublin. (See 21st August 1920.)  Henry says 5th December and gives three alternative possible accounts of how Howley met his death.

The IRA believed that Howley had been identified by an RIC called Eugene Igoe (who was from Mayo but who had served in Galway).  Sweeney Newell was brought to Dublin to identify Igoe but he was captured by Igoe in Greek St.  He was badly mistreated, shot a number of times and was lucky to get away with life

 

O’Farrell (1997), pg 109; McNamara (2018), pg 124 and 149; Henry (2012), pgs 173-178; 

Dec-10

The Lord Lieutenant (French) issues proclamation imposing martial law on Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary and later (Dec 30th) martial law was extended to Kilkenny, Clare, Wexford and Waterford in other to make the martial law area the same as the area covered by General Strickland’s British Army 6th Division.  Background 

Comment on Counties Under Martial Law

Curran J M (1980), pgs 43-44; Townshend (1975), pgs 133-135; Macardle (1999), pg 416; Townshend (2014), pgs 217-219

Dec -10

Lloyd George says in the House of Commons that his government was prepared to discuss with anyone who could claim to represent Irish opinion on the following basis: (1) The Six Counties to be treated separately; (2) No secession of Ireland or any part of Ireland from the UK and (2) No distraction from the security of these islands or their safety in times of war.

Macardle (1999), pg 415

Dec-10

Attack by recently formed Fermoy Battalion Column (led by Capt Patrick Egan, O/C Bartlemy Company) on lorry containing British soldiers at Leary's Cross near Castlelyons.  Nine soldiers surrender and are disarmed.

O’Donoghue (1986), pg 110

Dec-10

Auxiliaries discover IRA munitions workshop in the basement of 198 Parnell St., Dublin  It was the only munitions workshop that the IRA had – it was making grenade shells (which were packed with gelignite and primed in another workshop in Dominick St).

Hopkinson (2002), pg 99; Townshend (2014), pgs 199-201

Dec-10

de Valera leaves the U.S. (There is quite a bit on his voyage back to Ireland in Gallagher.)

Hopkinson (2002), pg 173; Gallagher (1953), pgs 261-265

Dec-11

The Burning of Cork

In retaliation for an IRA attack on a lorry load of Auxiliaries at Dillion's Cross in Cork City (which resulted in the death of Cadet Spencer Chapman),  Black and Tans and Auxiliaries burn substantial parts of Cork city centre – over 60 shops are burned and looted including two department stores.  The City Hall and city library are also destroyed.  The Auxiliaries also kill two IRA men in their beds (Con & Jerh Delaney) and shoot five other people. 

Afterwards, some Auxiliaries take to wearing piece of half-burnt cork in their hats. There is a detailed map of the huge level of destruction on pages 382-383 of the Atlas of the Irish Revolution (2017).

A report by General Strickland lays the blame firmly at the feet of the Auxiliaries but this report is suppressed.  A subsequent report by Tudor shifted the blame away from the RIC.

The Irish Labour Party/Trades Union Council carry out their own investigation and interview more than 70 eye-witnesses – they publish their report as Who Burnt Cork City?

Cadet Chapman was from Westcliffe-on-Sea in England.

Hart (1998), pg 99; Abbott (2000), pg 164 & pg 179; O’Donoghue in The Kerryman (1955), pgs 129-137; Macardle (1999), pgs 416-418; Townshend (2014), pgs 218-219

Dec-11

Lloyd George sends Archbishop Clune back to Dublin with message that Dáil could meet openly to discuss peace terms but arms have to be given up and neither Mulcahy or Collins could attend.

Coogan (1990), pg 197

Dec-11

A train driver, James Lawlor, is shot by a British sentry in Lismore, Co. Waterford for allegedly refusing to stop when told to do so.

McCarthy (2015), pg 71

Dec-12

Dr Daniel Colahan [or Cohalan], Bishop of Cork, issued a decree saying that anyone, within the diocese of Cork who organises or takes part in ambushes or murder or attempted murder shall be excommunicated.  He also says that the crimes of the Government of Ireland are infinitely greater than the crimes of a private military organisation.  (It is odd that he should issue this statement on the day after the burning of Cork city centre by the Auxies but it was probably in preparation since Kilmichael.)  When the Cork Examiner endorses Cohalan’s views, their presses are smashed by the IRA.

Coogan (1990), pg 201; Townshend (2014), pgs 270-272

Dec-12

On the night of the 12th, a large IRA force led by Frank Aiken, attacks the RIC barracks in Camlough, Co. Armagh but fail to take the barracks. 

At the railway bridge between Camlough and Newry, a group of IRA men try to impede the progress of a convey of 29 British soldiers traveling to Camlough after being summoned by the RIC.  In the ensuing gunfight, 19-year old IRA Volunteer William Canning is killed.  In addition, Volunteer John J. O’Hare is injured and ten months later dies of his wounds.  Four men are subsequently arrested and given fifteen years’ penal servitude. 

A few nights later a number of houses and businesses in Camlough were burnt by members of the Crown Forces, including the Ulster Special Constabulary.

Lawlor (2011), pgs 78-81

Dec-12

P. Breen from Tempo, Co. Fermanagh dies. (See November 8th)

O’Farrell (1997), pg 103

Dec-12

W. Canning from Ballymaclane, Magilligan Pt., Co. Londonderry dies

O’Farrell (1997), pg 103

Dec-13

Griffith writes to Clune saying that Lloyd George's terms amounted to surrender and that "there would be no surrender, no matter what frightfulness was used".

Coogan (1990), pg 198

Dec-13

In an attack on RIC Ballinalee Barracks, Co. Longford by the IRA, one RIC man (Constable Frederick Taylor) is killed.  After the Crown forces had re-occupied Ballinalee after the Battle of Ballinalee (see November 3rd above), their positions were frequently sniped – it was during one of these sniping that Constable Taylor was killed.

Abbott (2000), pg 164; Coleman (2003), pg 125

Dec-13

J. Mulan from Killucan, Co. Westmeath dies.

O'Farrell P (1997), pg 114

Dec-13

Two IRA men from the West Clare brigade (William Shanahan, Brigade Police Officer and Michael McNamara, Captain of Doonbeg company) are captured - both men are shot dead while in custody.  Shanahan was subjected to brutal torture while in custody and killed by a British Army Sergeant named David Finlay, who had a notorious reputation for torturing prisoners. (Ó Ruairc says that they were captured on the 18th.)

O'Malley (2001), pgs 83-84;  Ó Ruairc (2009), pgs 212-213

Dec-14

J. Hickey from Dun Laoghaire dies

O’Farrell (1997), pg 109

Dec-14

British military issue a proclamation that after 27th December anyone found guilty by a military court of carrying arms or “adding and abetting” rebels in the martial law area would be liable to be shot.

Macardle (1999), pg 418

Dec-14

Following the burning of Cork, Tudor issues an Order to the RIC depreciating reprisals by burning.  This is described by General Hubert Gough (of Curragh mutiny ‘fame’) as not an order but an appeal.

Townshend (2014), pg 218

Dec-15

Auxiliary Cadet Harte kills a young retarded man, Timothy Crowley, and a seventy-year-old priest, Canon Magner, near Dunmanway, Co Cork.  Harte was found guilty but insane at his trial.

Reflecting on the fact that in an similar incident during the 1916 Rising where a British soldier had been found guilty but insane of murdering three unarmed civilians, Mark Sturgis, in his diary on the 19th December, comments that if Harte was insane then those who let him loose “on the world … armed to the teeth should take his place in the dock”.

Townshend (1975), pg 139; Breen (1989), pgs 74-75; Leeson (2012), pg 204; Townshend (2014), pg 219

Dec-16

Four RIC men killed (Constable Patrick Halford, Constable Ernest Halden, Constable Albert Palmer and Constable Arthur Smith) and three wounded in an IRA ambush by North Tipperary Column at Kilcommon Cross near Thurles. 

(Most of the Column was from Nenagh.  After this ambush, the O/C of the local 5th Battalion, Paddy Doherty, told the column O/C, Ned O’Leary “Fuck off back to Nenagh and have your ambushes there”.)

Constable Halford was from Co. Meath.  The other three constables killed were from England.

Hopkinson (2002), pg 121; Abbott (2000), pg 165 ; Dooley (2015), pg 61; Abbott (2019), pgs 208-209

Dec-16

Michael Edmonds from Tipperary is dragged from his bed and his body is found later – he had been shot in the head with signs of torture on his body.  Auxiliaries suspected.

O’Farrell (1997), pg 32; Gallagher (1953), pg 218

Dec-16

At a meeting initiated by Edward Doheny in the Bankers’ Club in New York, the American Organisation for Relief in Ireland is founded.  It provides substantial aid to Ireland over the coming period.

 

Macardle (1999), pg 409

Dec-17

RIC District Inspector Philip O'Sullivan is shot and killed as he walks along Henry St., Dublin with his fiancée.  What happened after the shooting becomes part of the propaganda war between both sides.

 

Abbott (2000), pg 165; Gallagher (1953), pg 108

Dec-17

A three-man RIC patrol is ambushed outside Swanlinbar, Co. Cavan resulting in the death of one RIC man (Constable Peter Shannon).  As usual, there are reprisals.

 

Abbott (2000), pg 166; Lawlor (2011), pgs 83-84

Dec-17

RC Bishop of Kilmore, Dr Finnegan says that "Any war … to be just and lawful must be backed by a well-grounded hope of success … What hope of success have you against the mighty forces of the British Empire?  None … none whatever and if it unlawful as it is, every life taken in pursuance of it is murder."

 

O'Malley (2001), pg 96

Dec-18

Archbishop Clune has a lengthy meeting with Griffith at which a draft peace proposal was formulated.  This proposal is very similar to the one that is accepted in July 1921.  Clune brings it to Lloyd George in London – See December 21st

 

Coogan (1990), pg 198

Dec-18

Meeting in Barry's Hotel, Gardiner Row, Dublin between Cathal Brugha, Michael Collins, Liam Mellows, Sean McMahon, Joe Vize (IRA GHQ) and representatives of two of the Cork brigades - Florrie O'Donoghue (Adj Cork No. 1) and Liam Deasy (Adj Cork No. 3) - to discuss possible landing of arms on Squince Strand near Myross, Co. Cork.  (O'Donoghue says 13th-14th).

Deasy (1973), pgs 178-180; O’Donoghue (1986), pg 153

Dec-18

The Flying Column of the Mid-Clare Brigade IRA led by Joe Barrett and consisting of 56 men ambushes three lorries of a joint British military and police patrol at Monreal (between Ennis and Ennistymon), Co. Clare.  Two lorries were expected but nevertheless it was claimed by Barrett that 16 British were killed and 14 wounded.  Ó Ruairc says six British soldiers and one RIC man were wounded.

Five IRA men were wounded (Paddy O'Loughlin, Bill McNamara, Bill Carroll, Jack Hasnett and Jim Kierse).  Among the IRA men present were Ignatius O'Neill, John Joe Neylon, Martin Slattery, Frank Barrett, Sean Casey, Peadar O’Loughlin, Andrew O’Donoghue and John Minihan,

 

Barrett in The Kerryman (1955), pgs 137-142; Ó Ruairc (2009), pgs 205-211; Townshend (2014), pg 237

Dec-18

Brigadier-General Higginson (Cork) issues a notice saying that captured rebel officers will in future be carried on British lorries as protection.

Macardle (1999), pg 418

Dec-19

Ambush by East Limerick Brigade Column (led by Donnchadh O'Hannigan) with help from Castletownroche Battalion Column (Cork No. 2 Brigade) and Mitchelstown Company (Cork No.2 Brigade) at Glencurrane (in Co Limerick but just north of Mitchelstown).  Two of the British party killed and three wounded and rest surrender.  Attackers capture 18 rifles. (O’Farrell says 17th)

O’Donoghue (1986), pg 109-110; O’Farrell (1997), pg 80

Dec-19

Opening of the Nation Committee in Washington to enquire into British atrocities in Ireland - it was subsequently addressed by Muriel and Mary MacSwiney (wife and sister respectively of Terence MacSwiney) and the new Lord Major of Cork Donal O'Callaghan.

Hopkinson (2002), pg 173-4

Dec-20

7th Battalion, Kilkenny IRA carry out an ambush on a joint police-military patrol at Nine-Mile-House near the Kilkenny-Tipperary border (between Callan and Glenbower).  Abbott says that eight soldiers and an RIC sergeant (Sgt Thomas Walsh) are killed.  He also says that the IRA had several men killed and 30 others captured.

On the other hand, Walsh says that the IRA planned an attack on a joint RIC-Auxiliary patrol but, due to premature gunfire, the IRA did not cause any casualties.  What happened was that, in the dark bleak December night, soldiers of the Devonshire regiment fired on the RIC (killing Sgt Walsh) and only one soldier was killed.  He also says that no IRA men were killed. 

However, the official report on ‘important episodes’ from the 6th Division of the British Army (held in the Strickland papers in the Imperial War Museum) states that only one member of the Crown Forces was killed “chiefly owing to patrols meeting in the dark” so it would seem that Sgt Walsh was the only fatality.    

Hopkinson (2002), pg 123; Abbott (2000), pg 166; Walsh (2018); pg 76

Dec-20

Two IRA men (Capt J J Lobby and Vol William Delaney) are taken from Cashel, Co. Tipperary by Auxiliaries and shot dead near Kilfeacle cemetery.  (O’Farrell says 18th for Delaney and 19th for Lobby.)

Ryan (1945), pg 189; O’Farrell (1997), pg 55 & pg 26; Gallagher (1953), pg 111

Dec-20

During a search by Royal Navy personnel of Inishmore (largest of the Aran Islands), local man Laurence McDonagh is shot dead ‘while trying to escape’.  Henry says that along with McDonagh, another man, Michael Mannister, was also killed by the Crown Forces and eleven men were arrested and taken back to Galway. (Leeson says it was Inishmaan which was searched by a force of 250 police and soldiers.)

McNamara (2018), pg 147; Henry (2012), pgs 182-183; Leeson (2012), pg 55

Dec-20

Two masked men enter Patrick McDonnell’s public house in Ballyroan, Co. Laois and demand money.  A scuffle breaks out and McDonnell’s son in law, James Whelan, is killed and McDonnell is wounded. 

Two Auxiliaries – J. H. Cockburn and John Rieve – are subsequently arrested.  They escape but as re-arrested.  On the 18th June 1921, they are sentenced to death for murder by a general court martial but their sentences are commuted to penal servitude for life. 

Leeson (2012), pgs 200-202

Dec-21

Archbishop Clune meets with Lloyd George in London and gives him Griffith's truce proposal.  Lloyd George rejects it as it does not include the handing in of arms and he tells Clune that his military are confident of mopping up the IRA.

Coogan (1990), pg 198

Dec-21

The Irish Labour Party/Trade Union Council met in the Mansion House in Dublin and voted to call of the railwaymen’s embargo on carrying military supplies and return to normal work. At this stage, 15,000 railwaymen out of work for taking part in the embargo. See May 20th.

Townshend (2014), pgs 144-148

Dec-21

A cortege of a number of Crossley tenders and other vehicles passes through the village of Callan, Co. Kilkenny carrying the body of Constable Thomas Walsh (see December 20th above).  The Auxiliaries had ordered all businesses to shut and civilians to stay in-doors during the procession.  As the cortege moved through the village, a shot rang out from one of the Crossley tenders (with probably members of J Company Auxiliaries on board) and killed a pregnant 36-year old woman called Margaret Ryan who was in a front room of her home next to her shop. Despite three inquiries, nobody were ever charged with this murder.

Walsh (2018), pgs 97-100

Dec-22

J. Hyman from Emly, Co. Limerick dies

O’Farrell (1997), pg 110

Dec-22

RIC Constable William Jones is in a public house (Kelly's) in Newtownbarry, Co. Wexford when he shot dead.

 

Abbott (2000), pg 167

Dec-23

Johnnie McGowan from Porthard, Frenchpark, Co. Roscommon, captain of the Tibohine company IRA, is killed by the RIC in the home of Pat Dwyer of Rarthkeary.  It would seem that he was dragged from his bed and identified by a local RIC man and then shot dead by a Tan. Afterwards the Dwyer home is wrecked by the RIC. 

Michael Considine from Co. Clare also dies on this day.

O’Farrell (1997), pg 112; Ó Ruairc (2009), pg 328; O’Callaghan (2012), pgs 66-68; Leeson (2012), pg 166

Dec-23

Three RIC men stationed in Longford – Constables William Gibson, Edwin Hollins and Harvey Skinner – are arrested for robbing the Northern Bank in Strokestown, Co. Roscommon. They, and another RIC man (Thomas Chester), are convicted to five years’ penal servitude and dismissed from the RIC on the 6th February 1921.  The four men had the remainder of the sentences remitted on February 18th, 1922.

Leeson (2012), pgs 83-84 & 89 & 250

Dec-23

De Valera returns to Ireland.  Met on Custom House dock by Tom Cullen and (possibly) Batt O'Connor.  Brought to Dr Farnan's house where he meets Cathal Brugha.  (Macardle says Christmas day and Gallagher says Christmas Eve.)

Commenting on de Valera’s time in the United States, Townshend says that it was successful in mobilizing public support and in raising money but “the deed the republicans desired above all, formal US recognition, remained elusive”.  Townshend continues “De Valera lacked one big advantage that the original ‘Chief’, Charles Stewart Parnell, had possessed … he was not a Protestant. American Protestant sentiment was worryingly vulnerable to the anti-Catholicism of a well-organized unionist mission demanding self-determination for Ulster”.

 

Curran J M (1980), pg 45, Macardle (1999), pg 420;  Townshend (2014), pg 72

Dec-23

Government of Ireland Act receives royal assent (see 25th February 1920).  In its final passage through the British parliament, southern unionists managed to get elective second chambers to both Belfast and Dublin parliaments.  However, Craig manages to have the senate of the Belfast parliament elected by the lower house (thus reducing even this safeguard for northern Catholics).  On the 22nd, the Belfast Telegraph expressed “thankfulness that the right of Ulster to separate treatment and to be arbiters of her political testimony is now recognised in fact and by Act of Parliament”.  However, on the 24th the Irish News, in an editorial, says that “a more ghastly ‘Christmas gift’ was never thrust on our Nation” and on the 1st January goes on to say, with reference to the Act of Union, that “The undoing of the crime of 1800 has been accomplished by the commissioning of a still more odious deed”.

O'Farrell P (1997), pg xvii; Macardle (1999), pg 420; Phoenix (1994), pg 100-101; Parkinson (2004), pgs 101-102

Dec-23

When trying to close down a poteen still in Dunamore, Co. Tyrone, the IRA kill Joe Mallan in an exchange of shots.

McCluskey (2014), pg 82

*Dec-23

RIC Constable William Gaffney is killed in a motor accident near Carrickmore, Co. Tyrone after his car left the road.

Abbott (2019), pg 406

Dec-23

Andrew Moynihan (43) is arrested by Auxiliaries in Co. Kerry.  He is subsequently shot dead ‘when trying to escape’.  However, the medical witness to the Military Court of Inquiry gives evidence of wounds which are inconsistent with being shot when trying to escape.

Leeson (2012), pg 184

Dec-24

British cabinet briefed by Lloyd George on Clune negotiations.  Cabinet also informed that arms were being surrendered in some quantities.

Coogan (1990), pg 198-199

 

Dec-24

Two deserters from the British Army, who give their names as Peter Monahan and Tommy Clarke, offer their services to the IRA in Kilbrittain, Co. Cork.  Despite initial scepticism, they are accepted and Monahan proves very useful to them.

 

Deasy (1973), pg 184; Barry (1974), pgs 24-25

Dec-24

Black and Tans go on the rampage in Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan

Dooley (2017a), pg 85

Dec-24

W. McNamara from Doonbeg, Co. Clare dies

O’Farrell (1997), pg 113

Dec-25

An Auxiliary patrol led by Major John Mackinnon in Ballymacelligott, Co. Kerry kills two men and burns their homes.  (One is John Leen or Lean and the other is Maurice Reid or Reidy)

Despite unbelievable evidence from Mackinnion (Commander of H Company of the Auxiliaries), the Military Court of Inquiry found that the two men were to blame for their own deaths.

See 15th April 1921.

 

Hopkinson (2002), pg 126; Abbott (2000), pg 221-222; O’Farrell (1997), pg 111 & ; Lesson (2012), pgs 217-218

Dec-25

Two creameries in the Athea area of Co. Limerick are destroyed by Crown Forces.

Breathnach (2017), pg 557

Dec-25

RIC Constable Edward King is arrested for committing burglary in Co. Clare and dismissed from the RIC on February 6th 1921.

Leeson (2012), pg 83

Dec-26

J. Hickey from Knocknagashel, Co. Kerry dies.

O’Farrell (1997), pg 109

Dec-26

RIC Constable Patrick McCann is accidently shot dead by a fellow constable in Cappamore barracks, Co. Limerick.

Abbott (2000), pg 318; O’Callaghan (2018), pg 79

Dec-26

John ‘Flyer’ Nathan, one of the Kilmichael ambushers, is captured at Shannonvale, Co. Cork and imprisoned in Ballykinlar.

 

O’Farrell (1997), pg 74

Dec-27

The British Army and the RIC, led by Colonel Wilkinson, raid a dance being held by the 3rd Battalion of the East Limerick Brigade to raise funds in Caherguillamore House near Bruff, Co. Limerick.  Shooting broke out leading to the deaths of five IRA men (including Martin Conway, V-C of the 3rd Battalion from Holycross, Bruff, Co. Limerick and Edward (Ned) Maloney or Moloney) and one or two RIC men (Constable Alfred Hodgsden and possibly Constable John Reid). 

128 men were taken prisoner and many of them were given long penal sentences after being court martialled.  Conway may have killed one of the RIC men.  Toomey says that only one RIC man was killed (Hogsden) and that it was Moloney who killed him and that Moloney was killed immediately after this. Regan says that it was a solo RIC operation which he led.

Constable Hodgsen was from London and had under two months’ service with the RIC.

 

Abbott (2000), pg 167-168; O’Farrell (1997), pgs 104 & 113;  O’Malley (1990), pg 310; Toomey (2008), pg 65; Regan (2007), pgs 158-160

 

Dec-27

J. Hackett from Knocknagashel, Co. Kerry dies

O’Farrell (1997), pg 108

Dec-28

Following shooting on a police patrol in Boleran, near Garvagh, Co. Londonderry, the police fire back and shoot dead a young man called Joseph Doherty.

O’Farrell (1997), pg 106; Grant (2018), pg 109

Dec-28

Men in police uniform enter the house of 18-year old Peter Mackin in Aughanduff, Co. Armagh and drag him outside where he is shot in the leg and head. Despite severe injuries, he manages to survive but only just.  The following day, Michael Smyth from Belleeks, Co. Armagh is shot “while trying to escape” from Specials.

Lawlor (2011), pgs 82-83

Dec-28?

The Dublin Brigade of the IRA set up a full-time Active Service Unit (ASU) at a meeting of St Laurence O’Toole Hall on the North Strand.  The men are addressed by Brigade O/C, Oscar Traynor and O/C of the 2nd Battalion, Tom Ennis.  The ASU O/C is Paddy Flanagan and there are four sections (based on the four battalions). Frank Flood (see January 21st 1921) heads Sections 1 & 2.  Gus Murphy heads Section 4.  ASU HQ in Eustace St and the Brickworks in Dolphin’s Barn is the base for Section 4. 

O’Connor and Connolly (2011), pgs 33-34

Dec-29

The British Labour Party Commission on Ireland presents its report to a special conference in Caxton Hall in London. It states that the Auxiliaries and Black and Tans are “compelling the whole Irish people … to live in an atmosphere of sheer terrorism”. It claimed that British reprisals were “a confession of bankruptcy of statesmanship and the desperate expedient of men who had lost all sense of humanity”.  It concluded that only negotiation could end the conflict. 

 

Macardle (1999), pg 419; Townshend (2014), pg 219

Dec-29

The column of 4th Battalion, Cork No. 1 Brigade under Diarmuid O’Hurley attack a RIC patrol on the Main St, Middleton, Co. Cork.  This results in the deaths of two policemen (Constable Ernst Dray and Constable Arthur Thorp).  Another policeman (Constable Martin Mullen) may have been killed when reinforcements on their way to Middleton are ambushed near the village of Ballyrichard.

In the wake of this attack there were the first ‘official’ reprisals – see January 1st.    

Constable Dray was from Kent in England and Constable Thorp was from Middlesex in England.  They had six months’ and 23 days police service respectively.

Abbott (2000), pgs 168-169;  Townshend (1975), pg 149; O’Neill (2006), pg 19

Dec-29/30

British (Lloyd George, Bonar Law, Churchill, Greenwood, Anderson, Wilson, Macready, Tudor, Boyd & Strickland) meet in conclave. The generals argue that another four months will bring favourable progress.  Tudor argues that, in his area, “in four months’ time the terror will be broken if there is no truce.  The great hope of the extremists was a change of policy”.  Strickland also promises that there would be ‘definite and decisive results in four months’ time”.  Wilson and Macready argue for extension of martial law countrywide. They get four more counties – see December 10th 

Elections to southern and northern parliaments set for May 1921.  Archbishop Clune informed, after this meeting, that all prospect of a truce had been closed.

 

Curran J M (1980), pg 43; Macardle (1999), pg 415; Leeson (2012), pg 55; Townshend (2014), pg  224

Dec-31

Collins papers found by British forces in raid on Eileen McGrane's flat at 21 Dawson St, Dublin. 

Hopkinson (2002), pgs 57 and 225; O'Farrell P (1997), pg 62

Dec-31

J. Balgrife from Ballykeran, Co. Westmeath dies 

O’Farrell (1997), pg 102 & 111;

 

Dec-31

Attack on Kilbrittain RIC Barracks by the IRA is aborted after their mine fails to explode.

Deasy (1973), pgs 186-188

Dec-31

Richard Leonard, a civilian, is shot dead by the British army at Caherconlish, Co. Limerick.  Three soldiers – Major Gray, Captain Davis and Lieutenant Loup – are charged with his murder but the military court found that he was shot to prevent his escape.  The British Army’s senior officer in Limerick, Brigadier R P Cameron,  subsequently writes to 6th Division HQ in Cork saying: “There seems to be no reason why, under normal circumstances Leonard should have made a dash for liberty, knowing what the risks would be.”

O’Callaghan (2018), pg 85; Toomey (2008), pg 65; O’Farrell (1997), pg 111;

 

Dec-31

A group of three young men are stopped by the RIC in Limerick City.  They try to run away but one, John Lawlor (17), is caught up with and hit on the back of the head with a rifle butt.  He got home but dies a few hours later from his head injury.

Leeson (2012), pg 182

Dec

An old farmer is shot dead in his field by the Black and Tans.

Harnett (2002), pg 76

Dec

Tim Madigan is shot dead by Crown Forces near Shanagolden, Co Limerick ‘while trying to escape’.

O’Callaghan (2018), pg 83

Dec?

The Flying Column of the West Limerick Brigade stop a train containing RIC at Barrygone between Foynes and Askeaton.  The RIC are scattered through-out train but no civilian, RIC or IRA casualties result.

Harnett (2002), pgs 73-74

End-Dec

After being appointed O/C of the 2nd Donegal Brigade of the IRA (which includes Derry City), Peadar O’Donnell convened a meeting of the IRA in the Shamrock Hall in the Bogside on the 29th December. He announced that he wanted to take Derry City volunteers to join an active service unit (ASU) in Donegal where they would take the fight to the British.  Nine (or eleven) IRA men volunteer and on this day, they leave the city and join up with other members of the ASU in Donegal.  The column sets out for west Donegal on the 31st December. Referred to as the No. 1 Column. 

Ó Duibhir (2009), pg 202; Grant (2018), pg 110

Late 1920

Michael O’Meara shot dead by the IRA in Limerick as a spy.

O’Callaghan (2018), pg 90

End 1920

Increasing number in Britain saying give Ireland Dominion status (Asquith and Liberal opposition, Labour and TUC)

Curran J M (1980), pgs 50-51

End 1920

Macardle claims that 203 unarmed persons were killed by Crown Forces during 1920 (including 6 women, 12 children and 36 men killed in custody). She also says that 184 Crown Forces were killed in action and another 65 killed while unarmed as “Secret Service agents”.

Macardle (1999), pg 419

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