February 1921

Feb-01

Capt Cornelius Murphy of Millstreet Battalion, Cork No. 2 Brigade is executed in Cork - the first official execution under martial law.  (He was arrested on 4th January and charged with possession of a loaded revolver.)  Patrick Lynch KC had applied for habeas corpus.

O’Donoghue (1986), pg 129

Feb-01

Led by their company captain Daniel O'Driscoll of the Drimoleague company in Co. Cork, the IRA ambushed four RIC men in the village killing one (Constable Patrick O'Connor) and wounding another (Constable Griffin).

Abbott (2000), pgs 191-192

Feb-01

Thomas Whelan and three other men (James Boyce, M J Tobin and James McNamara) are charged with the murder of Capt Baggally on Bloody Sunday in a court martial held in City Hall, Dublin.

Carey (2001), pgs 57-58

Feb-01

Lord Mayor of Dublin, O’Neill, initiates an Irish organisation, the White Cross Society, which distributes food and clothing to people affected by the troubles.  By the end of August 1922, it had a total income of over £1.75m (over £1.25m of which came from the U.S.).  Their aid was given to all victims who were not otherwise entitled to compensation. A lot of aid went to families expelled from their homes in Belfast and other towns in the North. 

 

Feb-02

The Flying Column of the Longford Brigade of the IRA, under Sean MacEoin, ambush two lorries with 17 Auxiliaries on board at Clonfin (between Granard and Ballinalee) who after a prolonged engagement are forced to surrender.  Four Auxiliaries are killed.  More Detail

 

Townshend (1975), pg 152; O’Farrell (1997), pg 71; Abbott (2000), pgs 193-195 & Hopkinson (2002), pg 143; Kautt (2017), pg 411; Coleman (2003), pgs 126-127; Lawlor (2011), pgs 105-107; Leeson (2012), pgs 137-138

Feb-02

RIC Constable Samuel Green is shot in a public house in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin and dies from his wounds the next day.

Constable Green was from Middlesex in England and had two months’ service with the RIC.

Abbott (2000), pg 192; Abbott (2019), pg 244

Feb-02

The Flying Column of the 3rd (West) Cork Brigade is almost surrounded by the RIC in Burgatia House (home of Thomas Kingston JP) outside Rosscarbery but it manages to escape.

Deasy (1973), pgs 207-208; Barry (1974), pg 25

Feb-02

George Dixon JP is robbed and killed in Dunlavin, Co. Wicklow. Dixon is a unionist and Protestant. Two RIC men Constables Arthur Hardie and Mitchell (both British recruits to the RIC) are arrested and charged with murder.  See Feb 3rd and 7th June.

Leeson (2012), pg 199

Feb-02

James Tormey (O/C ASU 1st Battalion, Athlone Brigade, IRA) shot dead while leading an ambush at Cornafulla in South Roscommon.  Only four men in the ambushing party and many more RIC and military arrive than expected.

Sheehan says that Tormey may have been in a bad state after the killing of his brother (see January 14th) and that the ambush may have been badly planned.  In reprisals for the ambush, the RIC give severe beatings to a number of young men in the locality. One, Bernard Gaffey, who was a battalion O/C,  later dies of his wounds.

O’Farrell (1997), pg 98; Sheehan (2017), pgs 360-361; O’Callaghan (2012), pgs 180-185

Feb-02

RIC Constable Patrick Mullany is shot dead on Trinity St., Dublin near the Moira Hotel.  Constable Mullany was in civilian clothes.

Abbott (2000), pg 192

Feb-02

RIC Constable Orr Graham commits suicide in Bessbrook Barracks, Co. Armagh.

Abbott (2019), pg 406

Feb-02

Constable William Vanston was leaving his wife’s home near the Turnpike outside Portlaoise in Co. Laois when he is approached by a man on a bicycle.  The man dismounts and shoots the constable dead.

Abbott (2000), pg 193,  Abbott (2019), pg 245

Feb-03

IRA ambush two RIC lorries at Dromkeen, near Pallas, Co Limerick resulting in the deaths of eleven RIC men. More Detail

Townshend (1975), pg 152; Abbott (2000), pgs 195-197 & Hopkinson (2002), pg 121; McCarthy in The Kerryman (1955), pg 154-160; Regan (2007), pg 135; O’Callaghan (2017), pg 553;

Leeson (2012), pgs 27-28 & 151

Feb-03

A four-man RIC cycle patrol is ambushed at Tulligbeg near Ballinhassig, Co. Cork resulting in the death of two (Constable Edward Carter and Constable William Taylor) and the serious wounding of another.

Constable Carter was from Lancashire in England and Constable Taylor was from Yorkshire in England. The had three and two months’ service with the RIC respectively.

Abbott (2000), pg 198; Abbott (2019), pg 251; Leeson (2012), pg 139

Feb-03

RIC Constable Arthur Hardie commits suicide in Dunlavin Barracks – See February 2nd.

Abbott (2019), pg 407; Leeson (2012), pg 199

Feb-04(?)

Sir Edward Carson visits Belfast and resigns as lead of the UUP.  Speaking to the UCC in Belfast, Carson says that Catholics have nothing to fear from the Protestant majority and urges his listeners to “give the same rights to the religion of our neighbours”.  See February 8th.

Parkinson (2004), pg 112

Feb-04

Paddy Crowley, a Kilbrittain IRA man, is shot dead as he tries to fight his way out of round-up by the Auxiliaries. A veteran of Rathclarin, Tooreen and Newcestown engagements.

Deasy (1973), pg 209; O'Farrell (1997), pg 23

Feb-04

Eight (out of the ten) men captured after the Dripsey ambush (on the 28th January) are brought before a court martial in Victoria Barracks in Cork City.  More Detail Also See February 8th to 10th

Sheehan (1990), pg 116

Feb-05

James 'Skankers' Ryan is executed by the IRA in Dublin - he is believed by then to have informed on McKee and Clancy on the eve of Bloody Sunday.

Breen (1989), pg 158

Feb-05

Speaking to American journalists, De Valera says that “The so-called Ulster difficulty is purely artificial as far as Ireland itself is concerned.  It is an accident arising out of the British connection and will disappear with it.  If it arose from a genuine desire of the people of the North East for autonomy, the solution proposed would be the obvious one.  But it is not due to such a desire – it has arisen purely as a product of British Party manoeuvring.”

 

Parkinson (2004), pg 113

Early-Feb

De Valera and Devlin meet to discuss possible co-operation between Sinn Féin and the nationalists on the forthcoming elections to the Northern parliament.  Various options were discussed but no decisions arrived at.  Negotiations continued between both parties.

 

Phoenix (1994), pgs 114-115

Feb-06

A patrol of one RIC man and two Special Constables is ambushed at Seaview Rd., Warrenpoint, Co. Down resulting in the death of S/Constable John Cummings.

Abbott (2000), pg 198; McDermott (2001), pgs 71-72; Lawlor (2011), pgs 109-110

Feb-06

On the night of the 6th and over the following week, at least six houses were burnt by the RIC in the Castlegar, Rosshill and Dunmore areas of Co. Galway.

Henry (2012), pg 191

Feb-06

The Dublin Brigade of the IRA lay a large scale ambush in the Amiens St area (involving 165 men) but have to retire when no vehicles carrying Crown Forces appear.

Townshend (2014), pg 249

Feb-07

Patrick Falsey was shot (accidently?) by the IRA in Coolaclare, Co Clare and dies later that evening of his wounds.  He was filling in a road trench which the IRA had dug.

Also, on the same day at Kilfenora, three prominent republicans – John Joe Neylon, Tom McDonagh and Joe Murphy – were captured by the RIC.  A few days later they were handed over to the British military where they were tortured by, among others, the notorious Sergeant David Finlay.

Ó Ruairc (2009), pgs 226-227

Feb-08

Flying Column of the 3rd (West) Cork Brigade enters Skibbereen in an attempt to engage British forces in the town.  They do not succeed in drawing out their enemy but do arrest two unarmed privates of the King's Liverpool regiment.  Out of respect for Colonel Hudson of the King's Liverpool regiment, they release the two privates after holding them for some time. See June 18th below.

Deasy (1973), pg 213

Feb-08

The new leader of the Unionist Party, Sir James Craig, speaking to the Belfast Reform Club says “Remember that the rights of the minority must be sacred to the majority and that it will only be by broad views, tolerant ideas and a real desire for liberty of conscience that we here can make an ideal of the Parliament and Executive”

 

Parkinson (2004), pg 112

Feb-08 to Feb-10

Court martial of eight men captured at the Dripsey ambush (charged on Feb 4th) resumes in Victoria Barracks in Cork.  In an unusual move, the IRA allowed their men to be represented in court.  Among the people who spoke on behalf of the accused were Mrs Peggy Bowen-Colhurst, Major Woodley (a Protestant farmer from Coachford) and serving RIC Sergeant Patrick Culhane. 

(Mrs Bowen-Colhurst had been forced out of her home in Dripsey Castle in 1920 by the IRA as retaliation for the murders carried out by her son, Capt John Bowen-Colhurst in Dublin during the 1916 Rising.)

The court martial finds three not guilty (Jeremiah O'Callaghan, Eugene Langtry and Denis Sheehan) and they are released.  The remaining five were found guilty and they were told that their sentences would be announced in due time.  See February 17th and 26th

 

 

Feb-09

A party of Auxiliaries loot and burn Richard Chanler's public house in Robinstown (O’Farrell says Balbradagh), near Trim, Co. Meath.  The Commander of the Auxiliaries, General Crozier went to Trim and summarily tried 26 Auxiliaries of N Company - dismissing 21 of them and placing 5 under arrest pending court-martial.  Tudor subsequently re-instated the 21 until a full inquiry was made - this leads to the resignation of Crozier on the 19th February. He alleges that the police authorities had surrendered to the threats of the dismissed men to reveal the misdeeds of the police in Ireland.   Comment   

 

Finn in The Kerryman (1955), pg 90; Townshend (1975), pg 163-164; O'Farrell P (1997), pg 15; Leeson (2012), pg 121

Feb-09

Two IRA men (Patrick Kennedy and James Murphy) are arrested by F company of the Auxiliaries in Talbot St., Dublin.  They are taken to Dublin Castle where they are questioned. They are then taken to a field at Clonturk Park, Drumcondra, Dublin.  They are both shot – Kennedy dies immediately but Murphy survived.  He was discovered by DMP constables and taken to the Mater Hospital.  Before he died two days later, Murphy told his brother that were taken to the field and their heads were covered with tin buckets before they were shot.  Murphy’s testimony is read out in the House of Commons on the 21st February.

Capt W L ‘Tiny’ King, commander of F Company and two of his men are arrested by the military authorities.  They are acquitted at a court-martial on the 15th April despite a lot of dubious testimony.  

 

Townshend (1975), pg 163-164; O’Farrell (1997), pg 51 & 72; Leeson 92012), pgs 185-186

Feb-09

Thomas Halpin (a Sinn Féin Alderman on Drogheda Corporation ) and John Moran (originally from Church St., Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford) were taken from their homes in Drogheda and shortly afterwards their bodies were found on the side of the road.

O’Farrell (1997), pg 108 & 113; Hall (2019), pgs 76-77; Leeson (2012), pg189

Feb-09

Major sweep by up to 2,000 British military in west Donegal. The arrest seven IRA men. Later in the week, there is another sweep in Dungloe and surrounding areas.  Over 60 men are arrested and taken to Derry City – most released but 20 are detained.

Ó Duibhir (2009), pgs 219-221

Feb-10

Simon Donnolly, V/C 3rd Battalion, Dublin Brigade IRA arrested in Dame St., Dublin and interrogated by the notorious Auxiliary Capt ‘Hoppy’ Hardy.

Donnelly in The Kerryman (1955), pgs 164-168

Feb-11

Milstreet Battalion Column, Cork No. 2 Brigade, under Jerh Crowley, (the Battalion Commandant was C J Meaney) attack a train carrying British Soldiers at Drishaneberg (a mile west of Rathcoole) after waiting in ambush for ten nights.  One soldier was killed and the Volunteers collected 15 rifles and 700 rounds of ammunition.

O’Donoghue (1986), pg 132; Lynch in The Kerryman (1955), pgs 160-164 & Gleeson (1962), pg 109

Feb-11

Sir Warren Fisher issues a second report on the Dublin Administration and points out that the civil, police and military authorities have developed into separate, almost rival powers, and concluded that the need for a unified command was incontrovertible.  His advice is not taken by the British cabinet.  (For first report, see May 12th 1920.)

 

Townshend (1975), pg 161; Townshend (2014), pg 153

Feb-11

Attack by Flying Column of 3rd Cork Brigade IRA on Drimoleague RIC Barracks.  Even though the IRA mine exploded (first time for 3rd Cork Brigade) it did not breach wall of barracks. No casualties on either side.  (Barry disputes Deasy's account of this attack.)

 

Deasy (1973), pgs 214-216; Barry 1974, pgs 26-27; Townshend (2014), pg 241

Feb-11

Attack by North Roscommon Brigade IRA on RIC barracks in Elphin, Co. Roscommon.  Mine explodes but does not cause a lot of damage.  No casualties on either side.

O’Callaghan (2012), pgs 104-107

Feb-12

RIC constable (Constable Patrick Walsh) killed in a public house in Charville, Co. Cork.  He was killed by men from the Cork No. 2 Brigade under the command of Paddy O’Brien.

O’Donoghue (1986), pg 137; Abbott (2000), pg 198-199; Abbott (2019), pg 252

Feb-12

Kilkenny IRA, aided by men from the Carlow Brigade, carry out simultaneous attacks on the RIC barracks in Gowran and Callan.  There are no casualties on either side.

Walsh (2018); pg 79

Feb-13

A Crossley tender with 13 RIC men on board  is ambushed at Ballough, Co. Dublin resulting in the death of Constable John Lynch.

Abbott (2000), pg 199

Feb-13

A number of armed and masked men enter the house of Bridget Quinn in Kinvara, Co. Galway.  Seven men in the house are taken out, stripped and flogged.  Afterwards, Mrs Quinn’s house in burnt down.

Leeson (2012), pg 57

Feb-13

A series of large meetings held by nationalists in West Belfast. 

Parkinson (2004), pg 112

Feb-13

Winston Churchill leaves the War Office and is replaced by Laming Worthington-Evans.  Also, Walter Long leaves the Government at this time through ill-health.  (Townshend says that these changes may have weakened Tudor's position and that he was soon getting conflicting messages from Llyod George.)  See also March 17th.

 

Townshend (1975), pg 164

Feb-14

Frank Teeling (captured on Bloody Sunday and sentenced to hang); Ernie O'Malley and Simon Donnolly escape from Kilmainham Jail.  A bolt cutter had been smuggled in by a soldier. More Detail 

Hopkinson (2002), pg 101; Donnelly in The Kerryman (1955), pgs 164-168; Carey (2001), pgs 73-74; O’Malley (1990), pgs 266-275; O’Daly, WS 387, BMH, pg 40; O’Connor and Connolly (2011), pgs 34-36

Feb-14

The blindfolded body of RIC Constable John Carroll is found in a field near Ballywilliam (near Nenagh), Co. Tipperary. He had been visiting his father who lived in Ballywilliam but he had gone missing after leaving his father's house.

 

Abbott (2000), pg 199

Feb-14

Two IRA men (brothers J & P Coffey) are shot in Enniskeane, Co Cork.  The IRA believe that the killings were carried out by Protestants.  Two members of the 'Anti-Sinn Féin Society' are also shot.

Hart (1998), pg 280;  O'Farrell (1997), pg 104; Deasy (1973), pg 200

Feb-14

GOC 5th Division British Army (Jeudwine) writes to GOC in Ireland (Macready) saying that martial law should be applied to the whole country as this "would substitute for the present divided control by military and police"

 

Townshend (1975), pg 158

Feb-15

Paddy Moran and Joseph Rochford are charged with the murder of Lieutenant Ames at 38 Upper Mount St on Bloody Sunday.  Rochford is acquitted but Moran is found guilty and sentenced to be hung.  See March 14th.

A large number of alibi witnesses had come forward for Moran but three British soldiers identified him as being in Upper Mount St.  (According to O’Daly, Moran had led the group who killed two men in the Gresham Hotel on Bloody Sunday.  It would therefore seem that the British had got the leader of one of the Bloody Sunday attacks but pinned the wrong attack on him.)

 

Carey (2001), pgs 73-80; O’Daly, WS 387, BMH, pg 40

Feb-15

IRA ambush of train carrying British Troops at Upton Station (between Cork and Bantry) goes badly wrong due to bad intelligence.  Six civilian passengers are killed and ten wounded.  Three IRA men are also killed.  More Detail

 

Hopkinson (2002), pg 113; Deasy (1973), pgs 219-223

Feb-15

IRA ambush party at Mourne Abbey in Co. Cork is surprised by British force. Four IRA men are killed and eight captured – two of whom are subsequently executed.  More detail

O’Donoghue (1986), pg 136

Feb-15

Frank Carty, O/C South Sligo Brigade, IRA escapes from jail in Derry.  The rescue party was led by Charles McGuinness and Patrick Shield or Shiels.  Carty was taken from the city in a boat belonging to a Norwegian fisherman called Oscar Nolde or Norby (who had been smuggling arms into Ireland for the IRA).

Carty is brought to Glasgow to recover from pleurisy but is arrested again.  Yet another attempt is made to rescue him – it fails but results in the death of police inspector Johnston.

O'Farrell P (1997), pg 14; Gallagher (2003), pg 34; Grant (2018), pgs 111-112; Lawlor (2011), pg 113-114

Feb-15

In a speech, Llyod George says that “The organisation [of the IRA] which was so perfect six months ago, is now shattered.”  The Irish Bulletin points out that six months ago, Llyod George was calling the IRA a ‘Murder Gang’.

Gallagher (1953), pg 112

Feb-15

An ex-soldier called Henry Murray from Carrickmacross is shot dead on Chapel St, Dundalk, Co. Louth.  The RIC County Inspector reported that the IRA regarded Murray as a spy as he has applied to join the RIC.

Hall (2019), pg 77

Feb-16

Two squads of IRA men were trenching roads near Crushnalanive Cross (or Crois-na-Leanbh) when they are surprised by a night-time British patrol.  Four IRA men are killed - Jerh O'Neill (Knockpogue), Timothy Connolly (Farranngark), Jack McGrath (Rathclarin) and Con McCarthy (Kilanetig). Memorial

Deasy (1973), pg 223; O'Farrell P (1997), pg 63

Feb-16

IRA man John Aherne from Ballyrickard Co. Cork, killed in action at Ballymoe Cross.

O’Farrell (1997), pg 3

Feb-17

Mrs Mary Lindsay and her butler, Mr James Clarke, are abducted from her house by men from the 6th Battalion, Cork No. 1 Brigade  More Detail

 See February 28th

Sheehan (1990), pgs 119-121

Feb-17

RIC Constable James Roberts dismissed from the RIC for committing larceny.

Leeson (2012), pg 83

Feb-17

M. Looney from Burnfort, Co. Cork dies.

 

O’Farrell (1997), pg 111

Feb-18

The British Army conduct another major search in Dublin, this time around the Mountjoy Sq area.  Like the earlier extended search (see January 15th), this extended search was also unsuccessful.  After this search, British Army extended searches in Dublin were of more limited extent.

 

Townshend (1975), pg 155-156

Feb-19

The British Army conduct a house by house search on an area of Dublin bounded by Nassau St, Kildare St, Molesworth St and Dawson St.  This is a much smaller area than their previous Dublin extended searches. 

 

Townshend (1975), pg 155-156

Feb-19

The Auxiliaries commander, General Crozier, resigns.  See February 9th.

O'Farrell P (1997), pg xvii; Townshend (1975), pg 163

Fed-19

Michael (Bob) McElligott, O/C Listowel Battalion of Kerry No. 1 Brigade is shot dead by the British Army at Derrymore, west of Tralee when returning from a brigade meeting.

Horgan (2018) , pg 128; O'Farrell P (1997), pg 61 & 112

Feb-19

The East Clare Brigade of the IRA arrest three Englishmen in civilian clothing walking in the countryside near Feakle.  The three – Privates D.J. Williams; W.S Walker and H. Morgan of the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry – were court-martialled and executed as spies. 

Ó Ruairc (2009), pgs 230-231

Feb-20

Four boys are searching for birds’ nests in the Clonlara area of Co. Clare when they are shot at by Crown Forces.  Two boys – Cecil and Aidan O’Donovan – are killed.

Ó Ruairc (2009), pg 230

Feb-20

At Clonmult, Co Cork (five miles north of Middleton) the twenty men of the 4th Battalion Column of the Cork No. 1 Brigade IRA (4th Battalion covers Middleton, Cobh and Youghal) get surrounded in an abandoned farmhouse by a combined force of soldiers and police - 12 IRA men are killed and four wounded and captured.  More Detail

Hart (1998), pg 97-98; Breen (1989), pg 162; Hopkinson (2002), pg 111; O’Farrell (1997), pg 77

Feb-20

J. Morrissey from Athlone dies

O'Farrell P (1997), pg 114

Feb-20

Sinn Féin district councillor and IRA volunteer, John Geoghegan from Moycullen in Co. Galway is taken from his bed and shot dead.  It is widely believed that the killing was carried out by Crown Forces.  (Geoghegan had shot the informer, Patrick Joyce, after his court martial.)

McNamara (2018), pg 150; Henry (2012), pgs 202-203; Leeson (2012), pgs 57-58

Feb-21

IRA carry out an ambush on members of the Devonshire Regiment in Friary St, Kilkenny City.  The attack misfires and results in the deaths of two IRA men.  One is Michael Dermody who dies almost instantly and the other is Thomas Hennessy who died on the 4th March.  A civilian, Thomas Dollard is also killed by the British who mistake him for one of the attacking party. 

 

Hopkinson (2002), pg 123-124; O’Farrell (1997), pg 106 & 109; Walsh (2018); pgs 79-80

Feb-21

Greenwood announces in the House of Commons that the elections to the Dublin and Belfast parliaments would be held within two months.

 

Phoenix (1994), pg 117

Feb-21

The IRA shoot but only wound a Special Constable called George Lester in the village of Roslea in Co. Fermanagh.  He had been harassing local Catholic schoolboys and had been sent a warning letter by the IRA.  In retaliation, Special Constables and UVF men wreck and burn ten nationalist-owned houses in the area including the priest’s home. (A UVF man called Finnegan may have died when his rifle accidently discharged as he used the butt of the rifle to break down a door.)   The harassment of Catholics in the area continues into March – see March 22nd

Lawlor (2011), pgs 114-117

Feb-21

A six-man RIC patrol is attacked in Maynooth, Co. Kildare resulting in the death of Sgt Joseph Hughes.

 

Abbott (2000), pg 200; Durney (2013), pgs 183-185

Feb-22

A joint military/police party is ambushed at the Glen, near Mountcharles, Co. Donegal resulting in the death of Constable Thomas Satchwell.  Later in the day, the RIC run amok in Donegal Town burning, breaking windows and looting. 

They later move to Mountcharles and continued their rampage, breaking into houses and ransacking them.  In one house, an Auxiliary fires his gun and kills RIC Sgt John Hughes.  (Not wanting it said that he was killed by an Auxiliary, the authorities put out the story that he was killed in the Main St., Donegal Town.  Abbott sticks with the sergeant being killed in Donegal Town.)

In another house in Mountcharles, a young woman (Mary Harley) was shot through the heart. In all six houses are burnt down.

The following night the co-operative stores at Inver were burnt by Crown Forces.

Abbott (2000), pg 200; Lawlor (2011), pgs 112-113; Ó Duibhir (2009), pgs 222-224; Ozseker (2019), pgs 107 & 124-125; Abbott (2019), pgs 254-255

Feb-22

A section of the Flying Column of the Kerry 1st (North) Brigade under Denis Quile attacks two men (RIC Constable George Howlett and a sailor called Wells) in the village of Ballylongford resulting in the death of the policeman and the wounding of the sailor.

Constable Howlett was from Yorkshire in England and had two months’ service with the RIC.

Abbott (2000), pg 201

Feb-23

Three RIC men (Constables Martin Greer; Daniel Hoey and Edward McDonagh) are shot and killed at the junction of Parliament St. and Essex St. in Dublin by an IRA man called J Conway.

Constable Hoey was from Lancashire in England and had one month’s service with the RIC.  The other two constables killed were Irish. 

 

Abbott (2000), pg 202

Feb-23

The five IRA men captured at Drumcrondra on the 21st January are charged at a court martial (presided over by Lt Col Powell) with high treason which carried the death penalty.  All except one are sentenced to death.   More Detail  See March 14th

Carey (2001), pgs 100-108

Feb-23

The Flying Column of the 3rd (West) Cork Brigade, under Tom Barry, entered Bandon in an attempt to ambush a patrol of the Essex Regiment.  More Detail

Abbott (2000), pgs 202-203, Deasy (1973), pgs 227-228; Barry (1974), pgs 27-28

Feb-23

RIC Constable William Fennessy is accidentally shot dead

Abbott (2019), pg 405

Feb-25

The Irish Bulletin reports that an elderly farmer, Michael Farrell, is shot dead by Crown Forces in Co. Longford.   It is believed that he was shot in reprisal for the Clonfin ambush – see February 2nd.

Coleman (2003), pg 133; Lawlor (2011), pg 107

Feb-26

The Flying Column of the 1st (Mid) Cork Brigade under the command of Sean O'Hegarty planned to ambush the Auxiliaries at Coolavokig, near Ballyvourney.  As they occupied the ambush position over a few days their position became known and a force of 70 Auxiliaries and 7 RIC constables moved against them.  In the ensuing battle, the Auxiliaries' Commandant (James Seafield-Grant) was killed and a number of other policemen wounded.  Two of these (Constable Arthur Kane and Cadet Clevel Soady) later died of their wounds. 

IRA GHQ was scathing about the organisation of this ambush saying that “it might easily have been a disaster”.   Memorial

Commandant Grant was from Suffolk in England.  Constable Kane was from London and Cadet Soady was also English.

Hopkinson (2002), pg 112; Abbott (2000), pgs 203-204; Townshend (2014), pgs 241-242

Feb-25

The British Army conduct an extended search in Dublin in the Kildare St area.

Townshend (1975), pg 155-156

Feb-25

RIC Constable Timothy Keane is accidently shot dead at Bandon, Co. Cork.

Abbott (2019), pg 407

Feb-26

A letter is delivered to General Strickland from the IRA saying that they are holding Mrs Lindsay and James Clarke, that they been convicted of spying they will be shot if the five IRA men convicted of taking part in the Dripsey ambush are executed on Feb 28th as planned.  It is accompanied by a note from Mrs Lindsay imploring him to spare the prisoners.  Strickland phoned Macready but the latter was against any cancellation of the executions.  See February 28th.

 

Sheehan (1990), pgs 149-152

Feb-26

Bombs are thrown into the home of two Sinn Féin county councillors – Michael Finnigan and C. J. Kennedy - in Dunmore, Co. Galway

Leeson (2012), pg 58

Feb-27

An IRA man (Capt Joe Taylor) is killed by RIC men near his home in Glencar, Co. Kerry. The RIC said that Taylor was ‘shot trying to escape’.  Taylor may actually have been trying to escape.

Macardle (1998), pg 31; Leeson (2012), pg 182

Feb-28

Six IRA prisoners are executed in Cork.  In retaliation, the IRA shoots twelve unarmed British soldiers in the streets of Cork the following day.

The names of the six IRA prisoners were Sean Allen; Timothy McCarthy; Thomas O'Brien; Daniel O'Callaghan; John Lyons and Patrick O'Mahony.  Sean Allan was from Bank Place, Tipperary and a member of the Tipperary No. 3 Brigade and the others were captured after the Dripsey ambush.  See March 12th and 21st.

 

O'Farrell P (1997), pg xvii; O’Donoghue (1986), pg 157; Sheehan (1990), pg 154 & Hart (1998), pg 99; O’Farrell (1997), pg 102

Feb-28

A six-man RIC patrol is ambushed 100 yards from the RIC barracks in Rosscarbery, Co. Cork by men from the 2nd Battalion, 3rd West Cork Brigade led by Battalion Commandant Jim Hurley.  One RIC man is killed - Constable Alfred Brock.

Constable Brock was from England and had seven months’ service with the RIC.

Abbott (2000), pgs 204-205; Abbott (2019), pg 260

Feb-28

O’Farrell says that during a fight with Black and Tans in Malinbeg, Co. Donegal, M. O h-Ighne is shot dead. Ó Duibhir gives his name as Michael Heaney and says he was dragged from his house and shot execution-style by two Auxiliaries.  Ozseker gives his name as Heeney and quotes the county inspector’s report as saying that he was shot when he pointed a shotgun at police.

O’Farrell (1997), pg 81; Ó Duibhir (2009), pg 226; Ozseker (2019), pg 125

Feb-28

P. Casey from Grange, Co. Limerick dies as does M. Moore from Cobh, Co. Cork

O’Farrell (1997), pg 103 & 111 & 113

End Feb

Follow-up meeting of Southern Brigades to the meeting of 6th January in Mrs Hickey's, Tubbereenmire, near Glenville, Co Cork.  More Detail 

O’Donoghue (1986), pg 153; Deasy (1973), pg 227

Feb?

Two local men (Patrick Harnett and Jeremiah Healy) are shot dead by a notorious RIC man (Black and Tan) called Huckerberry as they pass the RIC barracks in Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick.

O'Farrell P (1997), pg 46

Feb

Thomas Hoggett, Protestant postmaster from Navan, Co. Meath is taken from his home.  A month later his body is taken from the Boyne.  Dublin Castle say that his killing is a Sinn Féin outrage against the minority religion.  The Irish Bulletin claims that the killing was carried out by a County Inspector of the RIC and a notorious sergeant from Dublin Castle.

 

Gallagher (1953), pgs 114-115

Feb

The Mid-Clare Brigade capture two British Army soldiers near Connolly.  One escapes but the other, Private Robinson of the Royal Highland Light Infantry is executed and secretly buried.

Ó Ruairc (2009), pgs 229-230

Feb

A lorry load of RIC and Special Constables is ambushed at Edergoole on the main Cavan to Enniskillen road by the Wattlebridge company of the IRA.  The policemen surrender and are relieved of their arms.  Some of the policemen are released while others are kidnapped and held for some time but later released.

Lawlor (2011), pgs 107-108

Feb

E. Healy from Lismore, Co. Waterford dies.

O’Farrell (1997), pg 109

Feb

After the arrest of Desmond Fitzgerald, Erskine Childers takes over as Dáil Minister of Propaganda.  He works out of May Langan’s house in Victoria Avenue in Rathgar with Lily O’Brennan and Moira O’Byrne on his staff and in his own house on Bushy Park Road. 

 

Gallagher (1953), pg 280

 

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