January 1921
|
Jan-01 |
With British
Government authorisation, the military governor in Cork, General Strickland,
orders the burning of six or seven houses in Midleton, Co Cork after the
ambushes on the 29th December in which three policemen had been
killed. This is the first of Macready's 'Official reprisals'. The
formal notice told the house owners that their houses were being burnt
because they “had failed to give information to the Military or Police
Authorities”. However, if they had done so, they could have faced with a
reaction from the IRA so they were in an invidious position. (Abbott says seven
houses were destroyed by troops under the command of Brigadier-General
Higginson. Gallagher gives Strickland’s official statement which names
the owners of the seven houses. Gallagher also gives a series of
official and unofficial reprisals over the next two weeks around the
country.) Commenting on the
policy of official reprisals, Townshend says “When the British military
finally initiated ‘official reprisals’ … the policy of systematic republican
retaliation took off, and ensured that official reprisals weighed at least as
heavily on loyalists as republicans.
Thereafter the policy’s attraction would inexorably wane.” |
Abbott (2000), pgs
168-69; Townshend (1975), pg 149; Gallagher (1953), pg 271; Abbott
(2019), pg 217; Townshend (2014), pg 164 |
|
Jan-01 |
One RIC man
(Constable Michael Malone) and one civilian (John Somerville who was a
Presbyterian) killed and three RIC men wounded on the main street of
Ballybay, Co Monaghan. Somerville may have
been killed when going to the aid of the RIC man or he may have been
deliberately targeted. (Lawlor says
that he was drinking in a public house in which RIC men had taken refuge
after they were shot at and volunteered to leave the pub to alert the police
in the RIC barracks.) There were 16 men
in the attacking IRA party – most of them were arrested in the aftermath of
the attack. One of them, Patrick McCabe, received such a beating and kicking
that he almost died. 12 of those arrested were subsequently sentenced to
death but were saved from hanging by the Truce in July 1921. |
Hopkinson (2002),
pg 147; Abbott (2000), pgs 179-180; Dooley (2017a), pg 86; Lawlor (2011), pgs
87-90 |
|
Jan-01 |
J. Lawlor from
Ardfert, Co. Kerry dies as does D. Tobin from Ballinalackin, Co. Limerick. |
O’Farrell (1997),
pg 111 & 119 |
|
Jan-03 |
The unoccupied RIC
barracks in Dungloe, Co. Donegal is burnt by the IRA – so is the coast guard
station in Burtonport. |
Ó Duibhir (2009),
pg 204 |
|
Jan-04 |
Ten policemen were
attacked on Parnell Bridge, Cork City resulting in the deaths of two RIC men
(Constable Thomas Johnson and Constable Francis Shortall), the wounding of
four other policemen and the wounding of five civilians. (In the 2019 edition of his book, Abbott says
1st January.) |
Abbott (2000), pg
180-181; Abbott (2019), pg 229 |
|
Jan-04 |
Newmarket Battalion
IRA, Cork No. 2 Brigade, under Sean Moylan, ambush British military at
Meelin, Co Cork. No casualties on either side. |
O’Donoghue (1986),
pg 129 |
|
Jan-04 |
George Murnaghan
writes to Griffith asking for guidance on what line Sinn Féin in the north
should take to the elections for the Northern Parliament due to take place in
May. Griffith writes a memo for his cabinet colleagues putting forward
the two alternatives that Murnaghan put forward (1) contest the elections
with the view of elected members joining Dáil or (2) boycott
completely. |
Phoenix (1994), pg
107 |
|
Jan-04? |
Humphrey Murphy
takes over as O/C Kerry No. 2 Brigade from Dan O’Mahony after GHQ sends Andy
Cooney to Kerry. |
Horgan (2018), pg 4 |
|
Jan-04 |
Referring to the
official reprisals on the 1st January, the Daily Express says “This is, of course, martial law. It is legal and disciplined. It is, we believe, necessary. But it is
horrible.” The official reprisals became a focus point of the ongoing
propaganda war. |
Abbott (2019), pg
217 |
|
Jan-05 |
In retaliation for
previous day's ambush, British forces burn six houses in Meelin, Co. Cork and
kill an inoffensive youth called Morgan Sweeney. |
O’Donoghue (1986),
pg 130 |
|
Jan-05 |
Finbar Darcy, an
ex-Alexian Brother, is shot dead in the Imperial Hotel, Cork during a raid by
British forces. |
O'Farrell P (1997),
pg 25 |
|
Jan-05 |
The IRA shoot dead
Michael Cassidy on the farm of James Campion (where Cassidy worked) in
Knocknadogue, 5kms from Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny. A placard was placed on his body stating
“Spies beware – killed by the IRA”. It
would seem that the IRA found out that Cassidy was sending information to the
RIC via raids that they made on the local postal services. |
Walsh (2018); pgs
77-78 |
|
Jan-05 |
RIC Sgt Peter John McArdle was shot in
Strokestown, Co. Roscommon on the night of 5th January 1921 and died on 30th
January in Dublin. Both Abbott and Herlihy say that Sgt
McArdle was killed on the 12th October at the Fourmilehouse ambush
near Ballinderry – See 12th October 1920. Research by Dr Kay MacKeogh,
which draws on RIC records, BMH statements, the proceedings on the Military Court
of Inquiry into Sgt McArdle’s death (held in Lieu
of an Inquest) and contemporary newspaper reports, shows that Sgt McArdle was
shot in Strokestown on the 5th January. Her research also reveals a number of
unanswered questions surrounding the killing of Sgt McArdle - This research is given in More Detail |
See More Detail
Abbott (2019), pgs
169-170 and Herlihy (2016), pg 259 |
|
Jan-06 |
Meeting at William
Barry's, Ballylegan, Glanworth, Co Cork of IRA Brigade Officers from the
three Cork Brigades, two Tipperary Brigades (Numbers 2 and 3) and the East
Limerick Brigade. More Detail |
O’Donoghue (1986),
pgs 149-153 |
|
Jan-06 |
Meeting between
Llyod George and Fr O'Flannagan, Acting Vice-President of Sinn Féin (along
with Lord Justice O'Connor) - Hopkinson claims that Llyod
George's objective was to set up communications with de Valera. |
Hopkinson (2002),
pg 186 |
|
Jan-06 |
Chief Secretary
(Greenwood) issues a direct order to his Under Secretary (Anderson) to
release the editor and proprietor of the Freeman's Journal who had
been sentenced to six months in prison for 'spreading a false report'.
The reaction of the British press forced the British Government to release
him but Anderson had procrastinated on the order to release as he did not
like it. |
Townshend (1975),
pgs 158-159 |
|
Jan-06 |
Men from the East
Waterford Brigade IRA, under Paddy Paul (assisted by West Waterford men under
George Lennon), tried to replicate the Pilltown Cross ambush (see 1st
November 1920). This time the feint
attack was on the barracks in Tramore while most of the IRA lay in ambush at
Pickarstown Cross, a mile from Tramore on the Waterford side. As expected, the police in Tramore
summoned help from Waterford City.
However, not only did the British send more help than anticipated
(four lorries instead or one or two) but, also one of the volunteers shot
prematurely and this alerted the British.
A fire fight ensued – most of the ambushers withdrew but one section
was caught and suffered two dead (Michael McGrath and Thomas O’Brien) and two
badly wounded (Michael Wyley and Nicholas Whittle). There was much recrimination in the East
Waterford Brigade in the wake of this ambush.
A subsequent investigation by IRA GHQ concluded that, due to its inexperience,
the East Waterford Brigade should not have undertaken such a large ambush. |
McCarthy (2015),
pgs 75-7; O’Farrell (1997), pg 112 |
|
Jan-07 |
RIC District
Inspector Thomas McGrath, who is leading a patrol at Kilshrewly, near
Ballinalee, Co. Longford searching for Sean MacEoin (O/C Longford Brigade
IRA), knocks on a cottage door. McKeon opens the door and fires at point
blank range at McGrath. He dies of a
wound to the head. Sean MacEoin throws
out a grenade, which wounds other members of the patrol and he escapes out
the front door. An account of this incident, from the RIC perspective,
is given in Leeson. (Hayes et al say
it happened on Jan 9th.) |
Abbott (2000), pgs
181-182; Hayes et al in The Kerryman (1955), pg 214; Hopkinson (2002), pg
142; Leeson (2012), pg 144-145 |
|
Jan 07/08 |
Three members of
the Ulster Special Constabulary from Camlough, Co. Armagh are wounded in an
ambush at Carrickbracken. The
following night a shop and houses in the area are burnt down by men in police
uniform. |
Lawlor (2011), pgs 91-92 |
|
Jan-08 |
Three IRA men are
sleeping in the Leonard’s house in Kennyboro’, Ballintubber, Co. Roscommon
when it is surrounded by the RIC. Two
of the IRA men manage to escape but Paddy Durr does not. He is taken outside and shot dead.
(O’Callaghan says 6th.) Also, in Galway
City, two prisoners died of ‘fever’ in the first week of January while being
held in the Town Hall. They were Michael Mullins and Patrick Walsh. |
O’Farrell (1997), pg 107; McNamara (2018), pg 143; O’Callaghan (2012), pgs 78-79 |
|
Jan-09 |
The Mid-Clare
Brigade Flying Column, 70 men strong, try to ambush a large convoy of lorries
containing a mixed force of RIC men and British soldiers near Caherea, on the
Ennis to Kilrush road. However, their
ambush position had been given to the Crown Forces and the ambushers had to
fight their way out of an attempt to outflank them. After this incident, the large brigade
flying column was broken up into a number of smaller flying columns. |
Ó Ruairc (2009), pg
213-216 |
|
Jan-09 |
Acting on
information received, the RIC (led by Head Constable Wray) raid Beckett’s saw
mill in Shamble St, Ballina, Co. Mayo.
They capture a large supply of arms and ammunition. They also arrest Patrick Coleman who is
tortured by RIC DI White and Sergeant O’Brien. Coleman manages to escape when he is
brought outside the town to be shot but he is badly wounded. |
Price (2012), pgs
113-116 |
|
Jan-09 |
Joe Greene from Co.
Clare is shot dead in a land dispute. |
Ó Ruairc (2009), pg
328 |
|
Jan-09 |
RIC Constable
Frederick Gordon Smyth is killed in a traffic accident in Gormanstown Camp. |
Abbott (2019), pg
412 |
|
Jan-10 |
Newly formed Dublin
Brigade ASU attacks an ‘enemy motor car’ on Charlemont Bridge. |
Townshend (2014),
pg 248 |
|
Jan-11 |
Collins replies to
Griffith’s memo (see January 4th) on the Northern elections saying that the
elections should be contested with those elected joining the Dáil. |
Phoenix (1994), pgs
107-108 |
|
Jan-11 |
Six or seven masked
men enter the home of John Doran from Camlough, Co. Armagh and drag him from
his bed and shoot him dead outside. Doran was said to be a prominent Sinn Féiner. |
O’Farrell (1997), pg 106; Lawlor (2011), pgs 92-93; Harnden
(2000), pg 131 |
|
Jan-12 |
A party of some 150
soldiers from the Dorset regiment board a specially scheduled train in Derry
City with the aim of going to Burtonport in west Donegal with the aim of
conducting a surprise sweep. However,
the IRA, under Joe Sweeney (O/C No. 1 Donegal Brigade), ambush the train near
Kincasslagh Station at Meenbanad.
There are some British army wounded but no fatalities. After the ambush,
the British dismount and march to Burtonport. Another train is sent to rescue
them but it, in turn, is ambushed at Crolly station. Again, there are no casualties. |
Lawlor (2011), pgs
93-96; Ó Duibhir (2009), pgs 208-212; Ozseker (2019), pgs 123-124 |
|
Jan-13 |
A lorry with eight
RIC men on board is ambushed at Cratloe, Co Clare resulting in the deaths of
two policemen (Sgt Stephen Carty and Sgt Jeremiah Curtin). One IRA man
(Matty McGrath) was injured. The IRA ambush
party of 20 men (plus scouts) from the East Clare Brigade is led by Michael
Brennan with sections under the command of Joseph Clancy and Austin
Brennan. In the aftermath of the
ambush, the IRA men narrowly escape encirclement by a large British military
force sent from Limerick. In reprisal,
a number of houses are burnt by the British in the area of the ambush. (These are the first ‘official’ reprisals
in Clare.) |
Abbott (2000), pg
182; Brennan (1980), pgs 66-67; Ó Ruairc (2009), pgs 217- |
|
Jan-13 |
An RIC Special
Constable (S/Constable Robert Compston) was shot after an ambush near
Ballyfarnham Lodge, near Crossmaglen, Co. Armagh by the South Armagh IRA
under Frank Aiken. He was the first member of the relatively newly
formed Special Constabulary to lose his life in the line of duty. Earlier, a group of
five Special Constables had accompanied a local postman, Patrick Kirk, on his
rounds as he was delivering the old age pension. They were attacked and the postman and one
Special Constable were wounded. The
constables brought their colleague back for medical attention but left
Kirk. RIC men came from
Dundalk and S/Constable Compston agreed to bring them to the ambush
scene. As they were entering an empty
house, a shot rang out and S/Constable Compston was hit. Lawlor says that he could have been hit the
accidental discharge of his own or a colleague’s firearm. Compston is taken
to Dundalk hospital but he dies on the way. They find Kirk and
he is still alive. He too is brought
to Dundalk hospital but dies later that evening. |
Abbott (2000), pgs
182-183; Lawlor (2011), pgs 97-98 |
|
Jan-13 |
The ASU of the
Dublin Brigade of the IRA attacks a lorry carrying Crown Forces on Bachelor’s
Walk |
Townshend (2014),
pg 248 |
|
Jan-13 |
De Valera writes a
lengthy memo to Collins on the “Ulster Six Counties”. He said that he was
also in favour of contesting the May election as long as Sinn Féin was sure
of winning as least ten seats and requested an urgent analysis of electoral
figures in the six counties. |
Phoenix (1994), pgs
108-109 |
|
Jan-14 |
RIC Sgt Thomas Kemp
is walking up Market St., Armagh City when a bomb is thrown at him - he later
dies from his wounds. A civilian is
also wounded. |
Abbott (2000), pg
183; Lawlor (2011), pgs 99; Abbott (2019), pgs 232-233 |
|
Jan-14 |
William McGrath, KC
(Counsel for Dublin Corporation) shot dead at 129 Altona Tce., North Circular
road, Dublin. |
O'Farrell P (1997),
pg 63 |
|
Jan-14 |
Patrick Sloan and
Joseph Tormey (from Moate, Co. Westmeath) internees in Ballykinlar Camp, are
shot by a sentry called Murfitt. A military court of enquiry found that
the killings were justified but also that Murfitt had contravened the
regulations by opening fire. (Sheehan
say 17th) |
O’Farrell (1997), pg 94 &
98; Sheehan (2017), pg 360 |
|
Jan-15 |
An extended search
by the British Army in Church St/Capel St area of Dublin over the 15th
to 17th results in no significant arrests or arms. |
Townshend (1975),
pg 155 |
|
Jan-15 |
A second attack is
made on Kilbrittain RIC Barracks in Co. Cork (See December 31st,
1920). Again the IRA's explosive failed to ignite and they are forced
to withdraw. IRA attacking party led by Jackie O'Neill. |
Deasy (1973), pgs
195-196 |
|
Jan-15 |
Collins replies to
de Valera’s memo of the 13th Jan on the Northern Elections and
calls for a vigorous policy on the North including getting county (Fermanagh
& Tyrone); city (Derry); town and rural councils to give allegiance to
the Dáil with a view to making partition unworkable over large areas of the
north. (Phoenix suggests that as early as this point, Collins was
beginning to formulate an Ulster policy that would attempt, by reducing the
partitioned area, to make the new state non-viable.) |
Phoenix (1994), pg
110 |
|
Jan-15 |
The Irish
Independent reports that the previous day in Ballina, Co. Mayo, Crown
Forces arrested five prominent merchants and made them parade through the
streets carrying the Union Jack with one trailing the Republican flag on the
ground. Before they were released they had to kneel and kiss the Union
flag while at the same time the Republican flag was burned. Two days
later the Irish Independent carried a report that the merchants were
not arrested but “were merely asked to come to the auxiliary headquarters,
and that when desired to carry the Union Jacks through the town they did not
object”. |
O’Malley (1990),
pgs 283-284 |
|
Jan-17 |
1,478 internees at
this point. |
Hopkinson (2002),
pg 94 |
|
Jan-17 |
A policeman
(Constable Robert Boyd) is shot dead in Mrs Moran's public house in
Cappawhite, Co. Tipperary |
Abbott (2000), pg
184 |
|
Jan-17 |
De Valera meets
with Dr MacRory, RC Bishop of Down and Connor, to discuss the situation in
the north. He reports that the bishop thinks that “all … Nationalist
parties will stand down in favour of Sinn Féin” |
Phoenix (1994), pg
111 |
|
Jan-18 |
Flying Column of
the 3rd (West) Cork Brigade IRA re-assembles at Rossmore under Tom
Barry. (It had been demobilised on the 21st December.) |
Deasy (1973), pgs
184 & 196 |
|
Jan-18 |
De Valera sends
Collins long letter asking him to go to the States to carry out a number of
tasks. This proposal meets with a lot of opposition (except for Brugha
and Stack) and is dropped. |
Coogan (1990), pg
204; Townshend (2014), pg 233 |
|
Jan-18 |
Dublin Brigade of
the IRA attacks a lorry carrying Crown Forces in Harold’s Cross. |
Townshend (2014),
pg 248 |
|
Jan-18 |
RIC District
Inspector A. H. R. Richmond commits suicide in an hotel room in New Ross, Co.
Wexford. |
Abbott (2019), pg 412 |
|
Jan-19 |
Following an ambush
by the IRA on lorry load of Auxiliaries at Kilroe (four miles from Headford,
Co. Galway), Crown Forces go on a sustained campaign of retaliation burning
many buildings over the next few days.
Four local farmers’ sons are killed and eight houses burnt. The four men are Thomas Collins (21) of
Keelkill (or Kilkeel), William Walsh (30) of Clydagh, Michael Hoade of
Caherlistrane and James Kirwan (22) of Ballinastack. A number of other civilians were
wounded. Collins was killed
on the 18th or 19th when ‘attempting to escape’ – he
had ten bullet wounds including one through his head. These wounds are inconsistent with being
shot ‘attempting to escape’. It is
reported by the commander of the Auxiliaries in the area, Lieutenant Colonel
Guard, that he was shot by Sergeant Keeney of the RIC. The other three men
were shot ‘attempting to escape’ a few days later. In his monthly
report for January, the RIC County Inspector for the West Galway Riding said,
when commenting on the killing of the four men, that “This resolute action on
the part of the Crown Forces is having an excellent effect on the peace of
the locality.” |
McNamara (2018), pg
148; Leeson (2012), pgs 56-57 & 184 |
|
Jan-19 |
Dublin Brigade of
the IRA attack a lorry carrying Crown Forces on Parliament St. |
Townshend (2014),
pg 248 |
|
Jan-20 |
IRA ambush of a
police patrol in a Crossley tender at Glenwood,
four miles from Sixmilebridge, Co Clare.
This ambush resulted in the deaths of six policemen. Ambush carried
out by the Flying Column of the East Clare Brigade led by Michael
Brennan. More Detail |
Townshend (1975),
pg 152; Abbott (2000), pgs 186-187; O'Kelly and Mulvey in The Kerryman
(1955), pgs 142-150; Brennan (1980), pgs 68-70 |
|
Jan-20 |
When walking with
his seven-year-old son, RIC District Inspector Tobias O'Sullivan is shot dead
20 yards from the Police Barracks in Listowel, Co. Kerry by members of the 6th
Battalion, Kerry No. 1 (North) Brigade. O'Sullivan had led
the defence of Kilmallock RIC Barracks - see 28th May 1920 and had
been sent to Listowel to restore RIC discipline in the aftermath of the
‘Listowel Mutiny’- see June 19th 1920. Later, on the basis
of information, eight men were arrested and four of these were found guilty.
The information came from a Miss Burke (who had to leave the country) and
James Kane (see 11th June 1921). |
Abbott (2000), pgs
184-186; Regan (2007), pg |
|
Jan-20 |
IRA (3rd
Cork Brigade) execute ex-British soldier as spy at Mallowgaton near
Laragh. Shortly afterwards a farmer is tricked by the IRA into
admitting he is a spy and he too is shot. |
Deasy (1973), pg
199 |
|
Jan-21 |
P. Donovan from
Culnigh, Timoleague, Co. Cork and D. Hegarty from Clanflusk, Co. Cork die as
does T. Lawless from Portlaoise. Also, M. Magee from 20 Osman Pl.,
Arbour Hill, Dublin. |
O’Farrell (1997), pg 106 &
109 & 111 & 113 |
|
Jan-21 |
Thomas Lawless, an
ex-British Soldier from Portlaoise, Co. Laois, refuses to open his door to
two RIC men and two British soldiers who were looking for a bed for the
night. One of the RIC men, Constable
William Wilton, fires his revolver through the front door and kills
Lawless. Wilton is found guilty of
manslaughter at a Military Court of Inquiry on January 22nd and he
is sentenced to ten years’ penal servitude on the 27th May. He has the remainder of his sentence
remitted on March 9th, 1922.
|
Leeson (2012), pgs
90-91 & 250 |
|
Jan-21 |
At first Dáil Cabinet
meeting since his return, de Valera demands large scale military activities
and reduced level of terrorism but withdraws demand under pressure and gives
full support to IRA (and says it is under government control).
Gallagher says that de Valera’s demand was to lead to the raid by the IRA on
the Customs House (in May) and that an attack on the Auxiliary HQ in Beggars’
Bush was also considered. |
Curran (1980), pg
46; Coogan (1990), pg 204; Gallagher (1953), pg 275 |
|
Jan-21 |
Two RIC men are
ambushed near Waterfall, Co. Cork resulting in the death of one (Sgt Henry
Bloxham) and the wounding of the other (Head Constable Larkin). |
Abbott (2000), pg
187 |
|
Jan-21 |
IRA ambush on an
RIC lorry at Drumcrondra Bridge, Dublin is foiled when Auxiliaries arrive on
the scene. Six IRA men are captured.
One dies of his wounds and four of remaining five are subsequent
hung. See February 23rd. |
Hopkinson (2002),
pg 102; Carey (2001), pgs 98-99; Townshend (2014), pg 248 |
|
Jan-22 |
Three off-duty
policemen go for a walk near their barracks at Stranooden, Co.
Monaghan. They fail to return and two (Constable Robert Hegarty and
Constable Frederick Taylor) are later found dead from bullet wounds.
The third (Constable Sibney Clarke) is found alive the following morning but
he dies from his wounds nine days later.
Dooley says that the three RIC men were ambushed after leaving
Leonard’s pub in Corcaghan. Constable Taylor
was from Plymouth in England; Constable Clarke was from London and Constable
Hegarty was from Cork City. All three
were members of the RIC for short periods.
|
Abbott (2000), pg
188; Dooley (2017a), pg 86; Lawlor
(2011), pg 100 |
|
Jan-23 |
The Flying Column
of the 3rd (West) Cork Brigade, under Tom Barry, entered Bandon in
three sections in an attempt to attack both RIC barracks and the military
barracks. Deasy says that the IRA lost one man (Dan O'Reilly of Kilbrittain.) |
Deasy (1973), pgs
201-202 |
|
Jan-23 |
A party of 15 ‘A’
Special Constables based in Newtownbutler, Co. Fermanagh decide (after their
time of duty had ended) to go to Clones in Co. Monaghan and break into a
public house owned by John O’Reilly.
The RIC in their barracks on the Diamond in Clones are alerted and 12
RIC men go to investigate. When the
RIC men challenge the Specials, who were in the process of looting O’Reilly’s
pub, they are shot at by the Specials.
In the ensuing gun battle, one Special (S/Constable McCullagh from
Belfast) is killed and another (S/Constable Archdale from Enniskillen) is
seriously wounded. The RIC arrest the
remaining Specials and escort them back to Newtownbutler. (Abbott does not mention the death of
Special Constable McCullagh.) Subsequently, six
S/Constables are convicted and sentenced to between five years and three
months in prison. However, it is
unclear if they served their sentences.
|
Lawlor (2011), pgs
100-103 |
|
Jan-23 |
IRA volunteers from
the Dunfanaghy, Falcarragh and Cresslough companies attack the RIC barracks
in Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal. However,
the explosives they are using do not have the intended effect and they
withdraw after an hour’s firing with no casualties on either side. |
Ó Duibhir (2009),
pg 216 |
|
Jan-24? |
Thomas Shannon, a
judge in the republican courts, is shot dead by Black and Tans in his home at
Kilkishen, near Kilkee, Co. Clare. |
Ó Ruairc (2009), pg
223 |
|
Jan-24 |
RC Archbishop of
Tuam, Dr Gilmartin issues a letter saying that men who took part in an ambush
"have broken the truce of God, they have incurred the guilt of
murder" |
O'Malley (2001), pg
97 |
|
Jan-26 |
A second IRA attack
on Innishannon RIC Barracks (see August 7th, 1920) fails when the
explosives fail to ignite. |
Deasy (1973), pgs
202-203 |
|
Jan-26 |
Writing in the
London Daily News, Robert Lynd writes: “Various incidents have shown
that the incitements of the Weekly Summary have had their natural
result in making the Black-and-Tans feel towards their Irish ‘enemies’ as men
feel towards wild beasts.” |
Gallagher (1953),
pg 295 |
|
Jan-26 |
In response to
attacks on British Army vehicles in Dublin, the British start carrying IRA
prisoners in their lorries while on patrol - however this practice is stopped
on the 4th February. Also, on this date, loitering on Dublin's streets
is made an offence under ROIA which reduces IRA ability to mount prepared
attacks. |
Townshend (1975),
pg 153 |
|
Jan-26 |
Three members of
the RIC Reserve Force were shot in their beds in the Railway View Hotel,
Townhall St., Belfast resulting in the deaths of two (Constable Thomas
Heffron and Constable Michael Quinn) and the wounding of the third (Constable
Gilmartin). Some hours later a Catholic (Michael McGarvey) is shot in his bed
in Bray St. More Detail |
Abbott (2000), pgs
188-189; Parkinson (2004), pgs108-109; McDermott (2001),
pg 71 |
|
Jan-26 |
Dublin Brigade of
the IRA attack a lorry carrying Crown Forces on Ussher’s Quay. |
Townshend (2014),
pg 248 |
|
Jan-26 |
A six-man RIC
patrol is attacked on Haggard St, Trim, Co. Meath resulting in the death of
one policeman (Constable Robert Barney). |
Abbott (2000), pg
189; Abbott (2019), pg 240 |
|
Jan-28 |
Hyde Marmion, son
of a local JP, is shot dead by the RIC near Salterbridge, Cappoquin, Co.
Waterford for allegedly refusing to stop when ordered to do so. |
McCarthy (2015), pg
71 |
|
Jan-28 |
T. Blake from
Alphonsus Ave., Limerick dies. |
O’Farrell (1997), pg 102 |
|
Jan-28 |
B. Browne from
Fealsbridge, Co. Kerry dies |
O’Farrell (1997),
pg 103 |
|
Jan-28 |
The Flying Column
of Newmarket Battalion, Cork No. 2 Brigade IRA, under Sean Moylan, and some
East Kerry Volunteers ambushed seven RIC men travelling in two cars at Tureengarriff (or Toureengarriv), Co
Kerry (2 miles west of Ballydesmond) resulting in the death of two RIC men
including RIC Divisional Commander Philip Holmes. More Detail |
Abbott (2000), pgs
189-191; O’Donoghue (1986), pg 130; Hopkinson (2002), pg 112 (who gives
a date of 28th February); Lynch in The Kerryman (1955), pg
150-154; Lawlor (2009), pgs 200-202 |
|
Jan-28 |
Outside Dripsey, Co Cork, (at Godfrey's Cross
on the road to Coachford), the 6th (Donoughmore) Battalion column of the Cork
No. 1 Brigade IRA, are lying in ambush for an Auxiliary convoy when they are,
in turn, ambushed by Crown Forces (from 1st Battalion, Manchester
Regiment). Ten men are captured, six of whom are badly wounded. One of the wounded subsequently dies and
five more are executed on 28th February. More Detail Also
see 4th February. |
Hart (1998), pg
308; Townshend (1975), pg 153; Sheehan (1990), pgs 90-124; O'Callaghan
(1974), pgs 17-19; Townshend (2014),
pgs 239-240 |
|
Jan-29 |
The Longford Leader reports on the killing
of two young Protestants from the Ballinalee area in Co. Longford. One was William Charters (17) who was
charged by the IRA of giving information to the RIC which led to the arrest
of two republicans. The other was
William Elliott (26) was charged with identifying local people for the Black
and Tans and Auxiliaries. |
Coleman (2003), pg
153; Lawlor (2011), pg 91 |
|
Jan-30 |
RIC Constable
Terrence Sweeney is accidentally shot dead. |
Abbott (2019), pg
413 |
|
Jan-31 |
Mrs King, wife of
Capt W H King, RIC is killed during attempt to kill Capt King near Mallow
Railway station. In retaliation, British military and Black and Tans
kill three railway men (Patrick Devitt, Daniel Mullane and Bennett). |
O’Donoghue (1986),
pg 133 |
|
Jan |
The arms dump of
the Mid-Limerick Brigade of the IRA discovered by RIC. |
McCarthy in The
Kerryman (1955), pg 154 |
|
Jan |
In a raid at
Clogheen near Cork City, the British find a large amount of IRA
correspondence (from Cork No1 Brigade to/from battalion and from GHQ).
They also got a large haul of rifles, ammunition, explosives, etc. |
O'Callaghan (1974),
pg 50 |
|
Jan |
Labour Commission
to Ireland publishes its report. It is very critical of British
Government policy in Ireland especially of its security policy. It
stated that the Auxiliaries did not 'seem to recognize even the authority of
Dublin Castle' and in creating the Black and Tans, the Government had
'liberated forces which it is not at present able to dominate.' |
Townshend (1975),
pg 159 |
|
End-Jan |
The Dáil cabinet
agrees on a northern policy which includes intensification of the Belfast
Boycott (with Joe McGrath made Director of the campaign); dissemination of
propaganda in the six counties area and creation of an election machine.
There is a detailed discussion on the effectiveness and
repercussions of the Belfast Boycott in Parkinson. |
Phoenix (1994), pg
111; Parkinson (2004), pgs 73-82 |