July
1921
|
cJul-01-21/1 |
By early July, there were 3,414 ‘A’ Specials
in the six counties (outnumbering the RIC); 15,902 ‘B’ Specials and 1,310 ‘C’
Specials. |
McDermott (2001), pg 86 |
|
cJul-01-21/2 |
Shantonagh
House, belonging to the Fitzherbert family, in Co. Monaghan is burnt down by
the IRA. |
Dooley (2017), pg
115 |
|
cJul-01-21/3 |
Final ‘drive’ by the 5th Division of the BA – this time in Co. Carlow. According to the official history of 5th Division, the success of previous drives [see May-04-21/3 and May-27-21/1] had been hampered by the lack of intelligence on who were the local members of the IRA (and reliance on the RIC to identify them). However, they claim that on this ‘drive’, “18
out of the 20 known members of a local IRA company were taken” owing to the
“gradual improvement in the military intelligence service as a supplement to
the local police”. |
Sheehan (2009), pgs
91-92 |
|
Jul-01-21/4 |
The Dáil cabinet meets and decide to put truce
terms to Llyod George in response to his letter. But first, De Valera meets with Southern
Unionists - See Jul-04-21/1. |
|
|
Jul-01-21/5 |
The body of RIC Constable Joseph Shelsher was found at Barnlough, outside the village of Bansha, Co. Tipperary. He had been shot in the head. He may have been killed in retribution for the killing of the O’Dwyer brothers – see Oct-19-20/1. Constable Shelsher
was from London and had one year’s service in the RIC. |
Abbott (2000), pg 262; Abbott (2019), pg 333; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 198 & 503 |
|
Jul-01-21/6 |
Writing to a person called Hemming, Ormonde Winter confidently states that “There will be no peace settlement – of that you can be quite sure – at the present moment. … there will be no peace. And that is all there is to it.” Comment:
He did not have to wait long to be proved wrong (and he was the head
of intelligence in the RIC!). |
McMahon (2008), pg
58 |
|
Jul-01-21/6 |
A young IRA man, Bernard Moynihan, is killed
by Auxiliaries on Murphy's farm near Rathcoole, Co. Cork. As is often the case, the accounts given by
both sides are totally different.
According to the Irish side, Auxiliaries “fired on two youths who were
cutting hay on Murphy’s farm at Rathcoole and killed Bernard Moynihan of the Kilcorney Company”. However, the Auxiliaries claimed that a
bomb had been thrown at one of their lorries at Rathcoole Bridge, and that
they had returned fire. The also claim that they only shot Moynihan
after he had ignored an order to halt.
For some reason, the British decide not to
hold a Military Court of Inquiry. |
Lynch in The Kerryman (1955), pg 238; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 503; Cork Fatality Register |
|
Jul-01-21/7 |
The IRA ambush a seven-man RIC cycle patrol at
Culleens south-west of Dromore, Co. Sligo. Two RIC men (Constable Thomas Higgins and
Constable John King) were taken prisoner and, as the IRA were pursued by the
RIC and BA into the Ox Mountains, there was a disagreement among the IRA as
to what should be done with the two RIC men.
After some debate, it was decided to give them “a few short seconds in
which to say their prayers” before they were shot dead. The Irish Bulletin said the two RIC men were shot in a running gun fight between the IRA and Crown Forces. According to Farry, this ambush was carried out by the North Mayo Brigade ASU (to which Sligo IRA Volunteers from Easkey and Enniscrone were attached). Price also says that it was the North Mayo Flying Column but O’Halpin & Ó Corráin say that it was the Sligo Brigade. (Abbott, Price and O’Halpin & Ó Corráin give the date as July 1st but Hopkinson and Farry give the date as June 1st. From newspaper reports, it would seem that July 1st is the correct date.) |
Hopkinson (2002), pg 137; Abbott (2000), pg 26; Farry (2012), pg 71; Price (2012), pgs167-168; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 502-503 |
|
Jul-01-21/8 |
Francis Sullivan is taken from his home is Rosscarbery in Co. Cork by ‘two strange men’ and shot
dead. A label attached to the body
stated that anyone giving information to the Auxiliaries or police would meet
the same fate. |
Cork Fatality Register; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 503 |
|
Jul-02-21/1 |
An RIC patrol investigating the destruction of
property on the railway line at Oola, Co. Limerick was attacked by men
from the ASU of the Tipperary No. 3 IRA resulting in the death of two RIC men
(Sgt Andrew Johnstone and Constable William Hill) and the wounding of five
others. Constable Hill was from Liverpool and had eight months’
service in the RIC. Johnstone was from
Dublin. |
Abbott (2000), pg 262; Abbott (2019), pgs 333-334; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 504 |
|
Jul-02-21/2 |
A nine or ten-man RIC patrol is ambushed at Tallow, Co. Waterford by men from the ASU of the 1st (Fermoy) Battalion, Cork No. 2 Brigade IRA resulting in the death of Constable Francis Creedon. |
Abbott (2000), pg 262; McCarthy (2015), pg 86; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 503 |
|
Jul-02-21/3 |
A number of IRA men were wounded and captured
when a routine patrol of the BA’s South Lancashire regiment surprises them at
they were attempting to blow up the railway bridge at Hazelhatch,
near Cellbridge, Co. Kildare. The IRA men were from the Meath/North Kildare
flying column led by Paddy Mullaney. |
Durney (2013), pgs 205-206 |
|
Jul-02-21/4 |
Patrick Keelan is killed by the IRA as an alleged
spy at Kilmainhamwood in Co. Meath. He had previously been arrested by the IRA,
held from a number of days, severely warned and released. But the house in which he was held was
burnt to the ground after his release by Crown Forces. He was re-arrested and killed. |
O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 504 |
|
Jul-02-21/5 |
Private Lawrence Ganley of the BA’s King’s Own
Yorkshire Light Infantry dies from being shot in the thigh on board a ship on
its way to Ireland. |
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pg
504 |
|
Jul-02-21/6 |
Michael Rock, O/C Fingal Brigade of the IRA is
shot twice by the RIC as he passes a checkpoint. He was unarmed. He is taken to King George
V hospital where he eventually recovers. |
Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pg 319 |
|
Jul-03-21/1 |
Two off-duty RIC men were shot at as they sat on the banks of the Murrough river just outside Wicklow town resulting in the death of Constable John Fitzgerald. (According to Abbott, Fitzgerald put his hands up and said that he was unarmed but was still shot.) |
Abbott (2000), pg 262-263; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 506 |
|
Jul-03-21/2 |
John Cameron, who was in charge of Ballydavid Coastguard Station in Co. Kerry, is shot dead
at Murreagh (Muiríoch)
about a half a mile from the station by men from Ballydavid
Company, Kerry No. 1 Brigade, IRA.
Apparently, Cameron was unarmed. |
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pg
506 |
|
Jul-03-21/3 |
The body of an unknown man is found at Killavally, Tyrellpass, Co.
Westmeath. A label was attached to his body saying “Spies Beware. IRA”. He had been killed by men from the 1st Offaly Brigade, IRA. He is believed to be Samuel Lee who was a tramp.
|
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pg
505 |
|
Jul-03-21/4 |
Maurice Cusack from Ballycotton,
Co. Cork is killed by members of BA’s Queens Own Cameron Highlanders in what
was probably a case of indiscriminate shooting. After a mine explodes under a BA lorry,
injuring a number of soldiers, Seamus Whelan is killed in Ballycotton
in what was likely to be a reprisal killing by the BA. Neither Cusack or Whelan were members of the
IRA. |
O’Farrell (1997), pg 105; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 505 |
|
Jul-03-21/5 |
Seventeen-year old Kathleen Kelleher is shot
by RIC Constable John McCansh in the Phoenix Park,
Dublin. She dies later in Dr Steeven’s
Hospital. This may have been a deliberate killing by McCansh who was romantically involved with Kelleher or
may have been an accident. McCansh was charged with manslaughter but acquitted. |
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs
504-505 |
|
Jul-03-21/6 |
After an earlier attack on a mixed RIC and USC
patrol by the IRA, Specials from Cookstown and Dungannon
raid the village of Dunamore in Co. Tyrone. They shoot one man and burn the parochial
hall and several houses. |
McCluskey (2014), pg
101 |
|
Jul-03-21/7 |
A civilian, Joseph Murray, is shot dead by an
RIC patrol at Moneyrea, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim for
‘failing to stop’. The O/C of the
Antrim Brigade of the IRA termed this the killing of a ‘simpleton’. |
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pg
505 |
|
Jul-03-21/8 |
Daniel Duffy, a fitter in Guinness Brewery, is
shot dead by a BA soldier for ‘failing to stop’ on Upper Clanbrassil
St, between Harold’s Cross Bridge and the South Circular Road in Dublin. |
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pg
506; Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pg 320 |
|
Jul-04-21/1 |
The Earl of Midleton and a number of southern unionists meet de Valera in the Mansion House in Dublin. De Valera says he cannot go to London to discuss peace with Craig (as per Llyod George’s letter of June 24th) as Craig represents a part of the country of which he was the only accredited representative. Midleton says that he will try to get to meet Llyod George. He also says that he will try to get a truce if de Valera would ensure that any arrangements would be observed by the IRA. He says that he will report back on July 8th. Midleton goes to London and meets Llyod George on July 6th. He tells him that there must be a truce or troops withdrawn to barracks before there can be negotiations. (Llyod George’s letter of June 24th did not mention a truce.) Lloyd George agrees to exclusion of Craig and an informal truce and says that he will discuss this with his cabinet. See Jul-05-21/2. |
Curran J M (1980), pg 60; Townshend (2014), pg 307; Fanning (2013), pg 261; Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pgs 321-322 |
|
Jul-05-21/1 |
Peter Keyes is shot dead as an alleged spy at
Rushin, Mountrath, Co. Laois by men from the Laois
Brigade, IRA. |
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs
506-507 |
|
Jul-05-21/2 |
General Jan Smuts meets de Valera in Dr
Farnan’s house in Merion Sq in Dublin along with
Griffith, Barton and Duggan. De Valera
argues for a republic on natural right while Smuts argues against it on the
basis of his political experience. He relates to de Valera the
compromise which ended the Boer War and relationship which had since
developed between South Africa and the British
Commonwealth. De Valera was wary of two traps (1) that he
would be tricked into implicitly recognising partition and, more importantly,
(2) that he would be portrayed as refusing talks which the British would use,
on the international stage, to portray Sinn Féin as fanatical extremists and,
on the British domestic stage, to justify the imposition of martial law in
Ireland (as agreed at the British cabinet meeting of June 2nd – see
Jun-02-21/2). De Valera asked Smuts would Llyod George meet
him without Craig and would he agree to a truce as a precondition. Smuts says that de Valera spoke like a
visionary and “spoke continually of generations of oppression and seemed to
live in a world of dreams, visions and shadows”. Smuts reports back to the British cabinet the following day (July 6th) asking if they would agree to meeting de Valera on his own and if they would agree to a truce before the meeting takes place. Smuts also says to the British cabinet that “I would go a long way to humour them”. The British Cabinet agrees to meet de Valera
on his own subject to Craig agreeing.
Balfour did not like the use of the word ‘truce’ as it implied
recognising the IRA as belligerents (rather than ‘murderers’) but is persuaded
to agree but on the basis that the six-counties of NI would not be coerced
into any agreement which the unionists reject. See Jul-08-21/1 and Jul-08-21/2. Afterwards, Smuts sends a letter to de Valera
advising again that he accept Dominion status. He also advises that, in
replying to Llyod George, the “less said about Ulster the better”. Also, on this day, de Valera has a Dáil cabinet meeting on the letter from Lloyd George of June 24th.
|
Curran J M (1980), pg 60; Townshend (1975), pgs 197; Macardle (1999), pg 474; Fanning (2013), pgs 261-262; Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pgs 321-323; Townshend (2014), pgs 307-308 |
|
Jul-05-21/3 |
RIC Constable Cyril Brewer was shot in Hospital, Co. Limerick by men from the local Hospital Company, East Limerick Brigade IRA and dies from his wounds the next day. This killing was probably in revenge for the killing of Patrick Lynch – see Aug-14-20/1. Constable Brewer was from the London and had six months’
service in the RIC. |
Abbott (2000), pg 263; Abbott (2019), pg 334; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 508 |
|
Jul-05-21/4 |
Teresa McAnuff from Shinn, outside Newry, Co.
Armagh is killed in her family home during a raid by members of the Ulster
Special Constables. It would seem that, at least, some of the USC party
were drunk and engaged in their increasingly frequent practice of terrifying
local Catholics. |
Lawlor (2011), pgs
185-186; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin
(2020), pg 507 |
|
Jul-05-21/5 |
Thomas McGowan is killed by members of the IRA
in his home at Lack, Roosky, Co. Roscommon. However, this killing is unauthorised and
arose due to a local dispute. The O/C of the 3rd Battalion, North Roscommon Brigade, Sean Leavy, court martials two IRA men involved. They are found guilty and deported. |
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pg
507 |
|
Jul-06-21/1 |
Two RIC men were directing traffic at the corner of Union St and Little Donegall St in Belfast when they were attacked by four men resulting in the death of one (Constable Timothy Galvin) and the wounding of the other (Constable Henry Conway). |
Abbott (2000), pg 263; McDermott (2001), pg 93; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 511; Parksinson (2020), pg 87 |
|
Jul-06-21/2 |
Two brothers, John and Thomas O’Reilly from Cloghogue near Newry, Co. Armagh, are arrested in a raid
on their home by Ulster Special Constables and taken to the McGinnity
farmhouse in Ballymacdermott. Nineteen-year-old Peter McGinnity is also
arrested and all three are taken to nearby Altnaveigh
where they are shot dead. The same group of Special Constables later
shoot dead Patrick Quinn in his lodgings in the McQuaid house in Carnagat, Bessbrook, Co. Armagh. A fifth man, Thomas Carr, has a lucky
escape from this gang. The four men killed were probably members of
the IRA but this is not certain. See Jul-09-21/3. |
Lawlor (2011), pgs
186-188; Hall (2019), pg 98; Harnden (2000), pg 132; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 507-508 |
|
Jul-06-21/3 |
After a critical GHQ report on the East Waterford
Brigade of the IRA, the East and West Waterford Brigades are amalgamated with
Pax Whelan as O/C (and Paddy Paul as Training Officer). |
McCarthy (2015), pg
84 |
|
Jul-06-21/4 |
75-year old Thomas Russel is shot dead by
Crown Forces at Maurice Mills, Inagh, Co. Clare for
‘failing to stop’. He was drawing water from a well at the time
accompanied by a three-year-old boy. |
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pg
509 |
|
Jul-06-21/5 |
RIC man Sgt Patrick Smyth dies from burns in Tarmonbarry, Co. Roscommon. He had received his burns after having an
accident with a signal rocket. |
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pg
509; Abbott (2019), pg 412 |
|
Jul-06-21/7 |
BA soldier John Ramsey of the 6th Dragoon Guards is accidently shot dead by a fellow BA soldier in the Curragh Camp in Co. Kildare. |
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pg
509 |
|
Jul-07-21/1 |
The RIC barracks in Ballinhassig,
Co. Cork was attacked by the IRA. The attack is repulsed. Afterwards the body of RIC Constable James Connor (or O’Connor), who had left the barracks just before the attack, was found dead at the side of the road. This was the last attack on an RIC barracks by the IRA before the Truce on July 11th. According to Townshend, between January 1st 1919 and the Truce, 267 occupied RIC barracks were damaged during this period but only 25 destroyed.
|
Abbott (2000), pg 263; Townshend (1975), pg 214; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 509 |
|
Jul-07-21/2 |
The IRA in Kilgobnet, Co. Waterford allow the filling in of a trenched road to facilitate a funeral. When the trench is being re-opened the
following day by IRA volunteer John Quinn, a booby-trap bomb (planted by the
British Army) exploded resulting in the deaths of Quinn and five men helping
him. The five men are Thomas Burke,
Thomas Dahill, James Dunford, William Dunford and Richard Lynch. |
McCarthy (2015), pg
84; O’Farrell (1997), pg 103 & 105 & 107
& 111; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin
(2020), pgs 512-513 |
|
Jul-07-21/3 |
17-year-old, William J Nolan, is abducted near his home at Annmount, Friar’s Walk in Cork City by men from E Company, 2nd Battalion, Cork No. 1 Brigade, IRA. He is held at Tory Top Lane and later killed. He had recently applied join the RIC. (Borgonovo says July 7th while O’Halpin and Ó Corráin say July 10th.) The Cork Fatality Register says that he was abducted on July 11th and shot shortly after the Truce. Also, Borgonovo says that on July 7th James Bagley disappeared from Cork City. O’Halpin and Ó Corráin say that he disappeared around July 11th and give his name as John Begley. They say that Begley was an ex-BA soldier and that he was killed around July 16th. The Cork Fatality Register also gives his name as John Begley and say that he was abducted on July 11th. The IRA claim that Begley implicated William
Shields, a former BA soldier who had joined the North Cork IRA. It is alleged
that Shields informed the Crown Forces about the IRA planned ambush at Mourne
Abbey (see Feb-15-21/3) and also informed about the IRA units sheltering
around Nadd (see Mar-10-21/1). For more on William Shields – see
cJul-11-21/1. |
Borgonovo (2007), pg 69; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 519 & 522; Sheehan (2017), pg 76; Cork Fatality Register |
|
Jul-07-21/4 |
The body of a retired RIC Sergeant (Sgt Anthony Foody) was found at Carralavin, Co. Mayo (between Ballina and Balliconlon) with a label around his neck reading "Revenge for Dwyer and the Ragg". Sergeant Foody had retired from the RIC on June 19th. The IRA blamed ex-Sgt Foody for the killing of Thomas Dwyer in the Ragg, (Bouladuff), Co Tipperary on 30th March 1920 – See Mar-30-20/4. (However, Abbott and Price would seem to incorrectly link the killing of Foody to the killing of Francis and Edward Dwyer on October 19th 1920 – See Oct-19-20/1. O’Halpin and Ó Corráin correctly link Foody to the killing of Thomas Dwyer.) |
Abbott (2000), pg 264; Price (2012), pg 168; Abbott (2019), pgs 335-336; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 509 |
|
Andrew Knight, who worked as a ticket inspector for the Dublin United Tramway Company, is killed as an alleged spy at Castlepark Road, Dalkey, Co. Dunlin by men from 6th Battalion, Dublin Brigade, IRA. It is claimed that Knight was giving
information to the DMP on IRA activities. It would seem that information was
given to the IRA on Knight’s informing by DMP Constable Patrick Mannix. |
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pg
510; Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pg 328 |
|
|
Jul-07-21/6 |
A group of RIC men were bathing near Doolin,
Co. Clare when they were attacked resulting in the death of one RIC man
(Constable James Hewitt) and the wounding of one other (Constable Allan
Massey). Ennistymon was shot up by the RIC afterwards. |
Abbott (2000), pg 264; Ó Ruairc (2009), pg 331; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 510 |
|
Jul-07-21/7 |
BA soldier, John Groves, from the King’s Own
Yorkshire Light Infantry dies in Drogheda, Co. Louth. It was probably an accident. |
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pg
511 |
|
Jul-07-21/8 |
As ex-BA soldier, William MacPherson, is
abducted by the IRA and executed as an alleged spy at Knockpogue,
Mallow, Co. Cork. Apparently, his provision of information to
the BA was revealed by a letter intercepted in a raid on the local post
office. |
O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 510; Cork Fatality Register |
|
Jul-07-21/9 |
Late at night, members of the 3rd Battalion, Kilkenny Brigade IRA surround the home of Florence Dreaper at Finsboro House, Coolbawn near Castlecomer. Dreaper had informed the Crown Forces about
the IRA being in an ambush position of June 18th (see Jun-18-21/4). The IRA burnt down Finsboro
House and ordered her out of the country. |
Walsh (2018), pgs
94-94 |
|
Jul-07-21/10 |
An ex-BA soldier and civil bills processor,
John Maloney, is taken from his home by the IRA and shot dead at Ardykeohane, Bruff, Co. Limerick. The IRA called him a spy but it could have
been his unpopular occupation which led to his death. |
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pg
511 |
|
Jul-08-21/1 |
After a day of consultation, de Valera telegraphed Llyod George stating that he would meet with him to discuss setting up a conference and discuss “on what basis such a conference as that proposed can reasonably hope to achieve the object desired”. |
Macardle (1999), pg 474; Fanning (2013), pg 262; Kautt (2014), 170 |
|
Jul-08-21/2 |
Midleton and three other southern unionists
meet with Macready to discuss a truce.
Macready consults with Cope, Tudor and
Boyd. Macready and Midleton go to meet Sinn Féin leaders (de Valera, Griffith, Barton and Duggan) in the Mansion House in Dublin and agree a truce. It is agreed that the truce would start at noon on July 11th at noon. (The truce has imprecise terms which gives
rise to subsequent disagreements - see Townshend (2014) for what the two
sides thought that they had agreed to and see Kautt
(2014) for the BA’s version). Midleton and Macready are cheered by crowds filling Dawson St as they arrive at Mansion House. (Fanning says that the truce was agreed on June 9th and that it was Macready and Cope who were present on the British side. Perhaps he is referring to the meeting which took place on July 9th – see Jul-09-21/1.) |
Curran J M (1980), pg 61; Townshend (1975), pgs 197; Townshend (2014), pg 308-310; Fanning (2013), pg 262; Kautt (2014), pgs 170-173 |
|
Jul-08-21/3 |
Curfew restrictions in Dublin (see May-14-21/21) eased by the British – now 11pm to 4am. All curfew restrictions are lifted on July 11th. |
Sheehan (2007), pg 67 |
|
Jul-08-21/4 |
RIC searches of the Union and Stanhope St. area of Belfast turns into an hour-long gun battle with the local IRA. Also, there was a series of post office raids by the IRA. |
Parkinson (2004), pg 152; McDermott (2001), pgs 94-95. |
|
Jul-08-21/5 |
Two farmer brothers, Thomas and Michael
Waldron are taken from their home at Aghaderry, Loughglinn, Co. Roscommon and shot dead. These could have been political killings but
more likely they were agrarian killings. |
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pg
511 |
|
Jul-08-21/6 |
Three RIC men are attacked in Neary’s grocery
and pub on the Fair Green, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow resulting in the death of
one RIC man (Constable Frederick Cormer). Constable Cormer
was from Middlesex in England and had six months’ service in the RIC. |
Abbott (2000), pg 264-265; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 512 |
|
Jul-08-21/7 |
There is an attack on a train carrying British
military by Nos. 3 and 4 Sections ASU, Dublin Brigade, IRA at the railway
bridge at Ballyfermot in Dublin. Heavy fire was opened on the train and bombs
were thrown at it. A Thompson
sub-machine gun was also used. The
British troops fired back. This train also carried civilians. No British troops or IRA men were injured
but four civilians were. One of these,
John Rossiter, died from his wounds. |
O’Connor and Connolly (2011), pgs 58-59; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 511-512;
Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pgs 325-326 |
|
Jul-08-21/8 |
An IRA unit on its way to burn Baronscourt, near Newtonstewart,
Co Tyrone is discovered by a USC patrol.
The IRA men try to escape but are fired on –
one IRA man (James McSorley – an ex-British Army soldier) is shot dead at Dunteague. |
Hutton (2019), pgs
28-29; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin
(2020), pg 514 |
|
Jul-08-21/9 |
The IRA raid the Army and Navy Canteen at Ballymany, Newbridge, Co. Kildare where they hold up the
caretaker, William Doran. They remove some material and then sprinkle
the remaining goods with paraffin oil.
Doran goes upstairs to where he, his wife Bridget and three children
live. Doran and two of his children manage to escape but his wife and 11 or
13-year old stepson, John, perish in the fire. (Molyneux and Kelly say that the family name
was Dolan and that William and his son perished in the fire. However, the other sources say that that
the family’s name was Doran and it was Bridget and her stepson who perished
in the fire.) |
Durney (2013), pgs
206-207; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin
(2020), pg 509; Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pg 326; Cullen (2020), pg 95 |
|
Jul-08-21/10 |
David Cummins, and ex-BA soldier, is shot by
the IRA as a suspected spy and his body is left at Dualla,
Cashel, Co. Tipperary. |
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pg
513 |
|
Jul-08-21/11 |
An RIC man, Constable Alfred Needham, is shot in
O'Connell St, Ennis, Co. Clare and later dies of his wounds. Constable Needham was from London
and had nearly seven months’ service in the RIC. |
Abbott (2000), pg 265; Ó Ruairc (2009), pg 256; Abbott (2019), pg 338; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 515-516 |
|
Jul-09-21/1 |
At 3.00p.m., at a meeting in the Mansion House between Macready, Colonel J. Brind and Andy Cope (on the British side) and Robert Barton and Eamonn Duggan (on the Irish side) agreement is reached that a truce will start on July 11th at noon. Text of truce agreement given in Macardle. In telegrams between de Valera and Llyod George, it was also agreed that Irish and British delegations were to meet in London the July 14th - See Jul-12-21/1. In a statement issued later on July 9th, de Valera says “In the
negotiations now initiated your representatives will do their utmost to
acquire a just and peaceful termination of this struggle, but history,
particularly our own history, and the character of the issue to be decided
are a warning against undue confidence”. (Fanning says that the meeting on this day took place in the Mansion House but Molyneux & Kelly and Kautt say that this meeting took place in the BA’s Irish Command HQ in Parkgate St.) |
Macardle (1999), pgs 475-476; Price (2012), pg 169; Fanning (2013), pg 262; Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pgs 328-329; Kautt (2014), pg 171 |
|
Jul-09-21/2 |
An ex-BA soldier, Eric Steadman, is shot dead
by the IRA as an alleged spy at Puttaghaun,
Tullamore, Co. Offaly. He body bore a notice saying “Convicted Spy. Eric Steadman, X Soldier, Birmingham: Tried, Convicted and Executed on the 9th July. Sooner or later we get them. Beware the IRA”. |
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pg
514 |
|
Jul-09-21/3 |
Draper Holmes, a platelayer with the GNR, is
shot dead by the IRA as he goes to work early in the morning. Holmes was a Protestant – this could have
been a sectarian attack or he could have come across a group of IRA men
trying to remove rails from the railway line.
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin say that the IRA were waiting to
carry out reprisal killings on B Specials for the killings on July 6th – see
Jul-06-21/2. Some of the Specials were
linesmen and Holmes was the first linesman to come along. He was not a member of the Specials.
|
Lawlor (2011), pgs
188-189; Hall (2019), pg 84; O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pg
513 |
|
Jul-09-21/4 |
IRA man, Denis Spriggs is arrested at his home
in Cork City by BA soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment
under the command of 2nd Lieutenant Adelin Eugene P.F.M.G. van Outryve d’Ydewalle.
He is shot dead close to his home. According to the BA, he was shot for allegedly
jumping from a vehicle in which he was being held on Blarney St in Cork
City. A BA officer told the Military
Court of Inquiry that “When the Crossley had proceeded about 200 yards down
Blarney Street, the tail board either fell down or was released by Denis
Spriggs. Spriggs then leaped out of the Crossley and started to run up
Blarney Street. The escort on the Crossley opened fire and he fell. He was
apparently dead when picked up.” The CFR notes that the South
Staffordshire was a “regiment that had become notorious for its lethal
treatment of IRA and civilian prisoners” and goes on to say that “The
expression ‘shot dead while trying to escape’ from British lips had long been
understood by Irish republicans to mean execution without trial.” Spriggs was a member of C Company, 1st
Battalion, Cork No. 1 Brigade. O’Halpin and Ó Corráin say that
“It has been argued that this killing precipitated those of four unarmed [BA]
soldiers two nights later” - see Jul-10-21/7. |
O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 513; Borgonovo (2007) pg 112; Cork Fatality Register |
|
Jul-10-21/1 |
A two-man patrol from the Lincolnshire
Regiment is attacked by the IRA in the village of Mulliahone,
Co. Tipperary resulting in the death of one (Sergeant John William Reynolds)
and seriously injuring the other (Lieutenant Rowles). This was a final attempt to kill Lieutenant
Litchfield (Litchford). |
Walsh (2018), pg 96;
O’Halpin and Ó Corráin
(2020), pg 520 |
|
Jul-10-21/2 |
BA soldier, Private Richard Larter (20) of the
Machine Gun Corps, is abducted and killed by the IRA in the Doneraile area of Co. Cork. Later, BA soldiers shoot at a group of young
people attending a dance for ‘failing to halt when ordered to do so’ at Kilconnor, near Doneraile. One young man, Thomas McCarthy (same age as
Larter) is killed in this incident. It
is believed that the McCarthy killing was in revenge for the killing of
Larter. |
O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 516 & 519; Sheehan (2017), pg 160 |
|
Jul-10-21/3 |
American President Harding issues an
invitation to the world’s principal powers to participate in a conference on
the “limitation of armament”. See Nov-02-21/4. |
Roskill (1972), pg
234 |
|
Jul-10-21/4 |
A large unionist owned creamery in Dunamore, Co. Tyrone (Doon’s) is burnt by the local IRA,
led by Charlie Daly, in retaliation for the burning of a number of co-op
creameries by the RIC/USC and their burning of the local Sinn Féin hall in
the village. |
Grant (2018), pg 119 |
|
Jul-10-21/5 |
John Foley is killed in a raid on his home in Leemount, Coachford, Co. Cork
by soldiers from the BA’s West Yorkshire Regiment. The BA soldiers who took part in the raid allege
that Foley attacked them with a knife but the Irish side say that Foley was
shot in the back by the BA soldiers after they forced their way into his home. Foley was not in the IRA. The CFR notes that “The army officers
heading the inquest admitted that Foley ‘had no connections whatsoever to the
IRA’, but found nevertheless that Foley ‘had launched an unprovoked attack on
a force of armed British soldiers’ “. |
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pg
515; Cork Fatality Register |
|
Jul-10-21/6 |
The last major incident of the War of
Independence is a gun battle which takes place in Castleisland, Co.
Kerry. Accounts vary as to the number killed in this
incident. Hopkinson says four BA
soldiers and five IRA men are killed. Horgan says five BA soldiers and three
IRA men lost their lives. O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin say four BA soldiers and three IRA
men are killed. They name them as follows: The IRA men killed were John Flynn
from Ballymacelligott or Gortatlea;
John Prendiville from Cordial and Richard Shanahan. The BA men killed were Sgt John Davies;
Private William Kelly; Private George Rankin and Private William Ross. The BA
soldiers were all from the Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire). IRA led by Humphrey Murphy, O/C Kerry No. 2
Brigade. They were attempting to
attack a curfew patrol but it goes wrong from them when one of the IRA men
fires prematurely.
|
Hopkinson (2002), pg 126; O'Farrell P (1997), pg 107; Horgan (2018), pgs 190-191; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 517-518; Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pgs 329-330 |
|
Jul-10-21/7 |
Four unarmed BA soldiers, who are stationed in
Victoria Military Barracks in Cork City, are captured by the IRA near Goal
Cross. They are taken to Togher and
executed. The four were Sappers Albert Camm and Albert
Powell of the Royal Engineers and Lance-Corporal Harold Daker and Private
Henry Morris of the South Staffordshire Regiment. Sheehan says that they bodies were found
blindfolded in a field near St Finbarr’s Cemetery. There is some evidence that these killings
were reprisal killings for the killing by the BA of Denis Spriggs – see
Jul-09-21/4. |
O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 516; Sheehan (2017), pg 160; Cork Fatality Register |
|
Jul-10-21/8 |
During a search by men from the IRA’s
Tipperary No. 3 Brigade of the Dillon farmhouse at Kilcash,
Co. Tipperary, 15-year-old Brigid Dillon is accidently shot dead. There are a number of different accounts of
this incident. |
Ó Ruairc (2021), pg 36; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 515 |
|
Jul-10-21/9 |
Cork Justice of the Peace, Charles Sealy-King
leaves Ireland. He had been abducted
by the IRA and held for ten days before being released. Another Cork JP, Edwin Swanton, was abducted by the IRA on this day and held for ten weeks before managing to escape and go to England. (He was also managing director of the unionist Skibereen Eagle newspaper.) |
Hughes (2016), pgs
41-43 |
|
Jul-10-21/10 |
Two dispatch riders from the Royal Welch
Fusiliers are crossing Bunratty Bridge from the Limerick direction when the
bridge collapses. It had been
sabotaged by IRA. One of the riders –
Private William R. Williams – falls into the river and is drowned. |
O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 518 |
|
Jul-10-21/11 |
RIC Constable Matthias Kelly commits suicide
in the RIC Barracks in Spiddal in Co. Galway. |
Abbott (2019), pg
408; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin
(2020), pg 519 |
|
Jul-10-21/12 |
A JP and ex-British Army soldier, Major George Bernard O’Connor is shot dead outside his home in Douglas or Rochestown in Cork City. He was shot as an alleged spy by men from the 2nd Battalion, Cork No. 1 Brigade, IRA. (He had stood as a Unionist candidate in Dublin’s College Green constituency many years before.) |
Borgonovo (2007), pg 69; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 514-515; Sheehan (2017), pg 160 |
|
Jul-10 to 15-21/1 |
Riots
in Belfast – July 10th to July 15th July 10th is known as Belfast’s ‘Bloody Sunday’. During a large raid by the RIC and USC on
Raglan St in the late hours of July 9th, an RIC patrol in a Crossley tender
is attacked in Ross St., off the Falls Rd in Belfast resulting in the death
of one RIC man (Constable Thomas Conlon) and the wounding of two other people
in the tender. As the result of this and other incidents,
lorry loads of Specials attack Catholic areas, shooting wildly. The
ensuing disturbances last until July 15th and results in the
deaths of 22 or 23 people with injuries to many more. Over 200 houses were
destroyed. (15 or 16 of those killed were Catholics and 7 were Protestants.) |
Abbott (2000), pg 265; Hopkinson (2002), pg 163; Macardle (1999), pg 478; Gallagher (1953), pg 304; Phoenix (1994), pg 140; Parkinson (2004), pgs 143-146 & 152-156; McDermott (2001), pgs 99-103; O’Farrell (1997), pg 111; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 513-522; Parksinson (2020), pgs 88-89 |
|
cJul-11-21/1 |
According to O’Halpin and Ó Corráin, the Riverstown Company, Cork No. 1 Brigade, IRA reported that sometime between April 1st and July 11th, William Shields was arrested by them. Shields, a former BA soldier, had joined the
Cork No. 2 Brigade ASU. It is alleged
by the IRA that Shields informed the Crown Forces about the IRA’s planned
ambush at Mourne Abbey (see Feb-15-21/3) and also informed about the IRA
units sheltering around Nadd (see
Mar-10-21/1). It is also alleged that
he recruiting other men to act as informers – see Jul-07-21/3. The Riverstown
Company report says that Shields was court martialled and executed. However, O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin note that some IRA veterans claim
that Shields was never caught by the IRA. Ó Ruairc says that
Shields was not killed but that he fled Ireland and “after the Truce both the
IRA and Free State Army pursued him”.
Ó Ruairc says that he first went to Scotland
and then to Australia where he died in 1960.
|
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs
520-521; Borgonovo (2007), pg
69; Ó Ruairc (2021b), pg
61 |
|
Jul-11-21/2 |
An RIC man (Sgt James King) is shot in Patrick
St., Castlerea, Co. Roscommon around 10.00am and dies of his wounds shortly
afterwards. The IRA claim that King was “the principal man in the murder gang that was organised in the RIC in Castlerea”. |
Abbott (2000), pg 266; O’Callaghan (2012), pgs 203-204; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 520 |
|
Jul-11-21/3 |
IRA Volunteer Bartholomew Hegarty dies as the
result of a fall near Carrignavar, Co. Cork. |
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pg
521 |
|
Jul-11-21/4 |
RIC Constable Francis Hayward accidentally
drowns. |
Abbott (2019), pg
407 |
|
Jul-11-21/5 |
RIC Constable George Adam is shot in Edenderry, Co. Offaly and dies of his wounds on September 14th 1922. Constable Adam was from Forfar in Scotland and
had nearly eighteen months’ service in the RIC. |
Abbott (2019), pgs
338-339 |
|
Jul-11-21/6 |
John Poynton is abducted by the IRA from his home
in Kilbride, Portarlington, Co. Laois and killed as
an alleged spy. |
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pg
519 |
|
Jul-11-21/7 |
At 11.30am, the IRA attack members of the
Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) in High St, Killarney, Co Kerry
wounding Sergeant Edward Mears and Sergeant F. J. Clarke. Sergeant Mears dies
the next day. RIC men, on their way to this incident, start
shooting wildly and kill Hannah Carey, an hotel worker who was cleaning a
carpet outside the Imperial Hotel in College St., Killarney. |
Horgan (2018), pg
317; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin
(2020), pgs 520-521 |
|
Jul-11-21/8 |
RIC Constable Alexander Clarke is shot dead by
the IRA early in the morning in Townsend St. in Skibbereen, Co. Cork. According to the IRA, Clarke had “accompanied the army & Tans on every raid as he knew every man in Skib[ereen] and outlying districts”. Clarke had been in the RIC since 1887. |
Abbott (2000), pg 266; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 519 |
|
Jul-11-21/9 |
British Intelligence
draws up a report on the key personalities in Sinn Féin. De Valera was
described as a “school teacher type, idealist, feels Ireland is in bondage,
strong on the wrongs to Ireland”.
Overall, the report said that the British will have to show patience
with the leaders as they had been under severe strain during the
conflict. It goes on to say
that “All of them will probably be found to be children in statesmanship and
politics” and “They have no real experience of politics. They have no
opportunity to maturing under responsibility.” |
McMahon (2008), pg
57 |
|
Jul-11-21/9 |
At noon the Truce Begins - greeted by jubilation in Dublin (Monday) |
Curran J M (1980), pg 61 |
|
|
|
|
|
Jul-1921/1 |
Curran says that in mid-1921, there were over
70,000 men in the IRA but only 5,000 in active service units. |
Curran J M (1980), pg 39 |
|
Jul-1921/2 |
Curran says that, around this time, there were
about 70,000 British troops and police in Ireland with about half of them
being infantry effectives. |
Curran J M (1980), pg 62 |
|
Jul-1921/3 |
According to Hopkinson, 4,554 people are
interned by the week ending July 16th. Townshend gives a similar figure and notes
that despite this number “there was no sign that the rebel forces were
threatened by a manpower shortage”. However, Hopkinson notes that some key men
were arrested like Sean MacEoin and Sean
Moylan. Laffen backs up this by noting
that, by the Truce, the British had interned 19 Brigade O/Cs of the IRA; 90
Battalion O/Cs and over 1,600 company officers. Therefore, by the Truce, it can be said that
the IRA had no shortage of men but had lost some ‘key operatives’. |
Curran J M (1980), pg
62 & Hopkinson (2002), pg 94; Townshend (1975),
pg 195; Laffen (1999), pg
296 |
|
Jul-1920/4 |
With regard to armaments, Townshend notes
that, according to Dublin Castle, in the six months from December 1920, 300
rifles, 554 shotguns, 731 pistols (including automatics) and 45,593 rounds of
ammunition were captured by Crown Forces. (Townshend says that “It is evident
that the moral and material effect of arms captures were greatest in
Dublin”.) However, Mulcahy reported in June 1921, that
the IRA had 3295 rifles, 49 Thompson submachine guns, 12 machine guns, and
about 15,000 shotguns and 6,000 pistols. Therefore, for the scale of the number of men
in active service, the IRA’s arms were reasonable but ammunition levels were
a constant problem. |
Townshend (1975), pg
195; Curran J M (1980), pg 301 |
|
Jul-1921/5 |
Hart considers the claims by both sides to
have the upper hand in the military struggle in the months before the Truce
and concludes that "For either side to impose its will on the other was
a very distant prospect." The BA did not agree with this assessment –
see Jul-1921/12. |
Hart (1998), pgs 104-108 |
|
Jul-1921/6 |
The volume of the official BA Record of the Rebellion dealing with intelligence says that “From August, 1920, to July, 1921, 6,311 raids and searches were carried out [by Crown Forces] in the Dublin District alone”. This volume also states that “From 21st November, 1920, to June, 1921, 310 revolvers, 34 rifles, 20 shotguns, many thousands of rounds of ammunition, and a large quantity of bombs, explosives, detonators and articles of equipment were found in this [Dublin] Area”. |
Hart (2002), pg 69
& 70 |
|
Jul-1921/7 |
The volume of the official BA Record of the Rebellion dealing with intelligence says that “On 27th May, 1920, the Intelligence Staff to the Chief of Police consisted of one officer. On the 11th July, 1921, this has increased to, roughly, 150, exclusive of the Special Branch and outside agents”. |
Hart (2002), pg 75 |
|
The BA did not like to use the use the words ‘Truce’ or ‘Armistice’ but rather ‘suspension of activities’ because (according to the official history of the 5th Division of the BA) “the words ‘truce’ and armistice’ had no application in a situation where one side had no belligerent rights”. However, referencing Townshend, Kautt says that “by reporting the Truce to the newly created League of Nations, the [British] Cabinet granted the IRA what is legally known as ‘combatant’ status as a ‘legitimate’ army. … This, then, legitimized many IRA actions over the previous five years”. He goes on to say that “The Truce was formal, reported to the League of Nations, gave de facto and, one could argue, de jure legitimacy to the IRA”. The BA’s attitude towards the IRA can best be summarised by the following quote from the official history of the 5th Division of the BA in Ireland “[BA] Officers could not but feel humiliation and disappointment at the necessity for treating on equal terms with those whom they regarded as callous and treacherous murderers, among whose victims were reckoned many of their friends”. See Jul-16-21/1. |
Kautt
(2014), pgs 5 and 179; Sheehan (2009), pgs 104-105 |
|
|
Jul-1921/9 |
Curran reckons that British got more out of
truce than Irish. Even though British lost some face, a return
to fighting if the truce broke down would have had public support in Britain
and the members of the IRA would be known to Crown Forces. Also, by
threatening drastic actions (with public support) the British were likely to
get most of what they wanted by way of a settlement – see Jul-05-21/2. |
Curran J M (1980), pg 63 |
|
Jul-1921/10 |
According to Curran, about 2,000 killed
between Easter Monday 1916 and the Truce. British casualties between
Jan 1919 and truce were 405 police killed and 682 wounded and 150 soldiers
killed and 345 wounded. IRA deaths were about 650, which if the ~500
killed in 1916 are subtracted, would leave only ~300 civilian deaths during
the War of Independence. This was an underestimation – according to O’Halpin and Ó Corráin, there
were 504 fatalities in 1916 and a further 2,346 between the beginning of 1917
and the end of 1921. |
Curran J M (1980), pg 62; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 543 |
|
Jul-1921/11 |
During the War of Independence, the IRA burnt 76
Country Homes (‘Big Houses) – 42 of them in Munster. |
Dooley (2017), pg
449 |
|
Jul-1921/12 |
In its official history, the Dublin District
of the BA claimed that “Certainly by this stage [Truce] the rebels had again
begun to realise how hopeless was force”.
Later in the same history, it states “By 11 July 1921, the IRA formations had virtually broken up as such, and many leaders were in our hands. The IRA as an army had ceased to exist, and were reduced to a band of ruffians who, sooner or later, were bound to fall into our hands. Drastic shooting, after a quick and decisive trial for certain offenses was required to end the matter for the time being but that was all”. They concluded that “the IRA in the Dublin District … was reduced to a condition which can only be described as “cowardly, cunning and contemptible”. … The coup de grace might have taken a little longer, but, given real power, it was inevitable”. McMahon notes “As time passed, the
retrospective conviction that they had the IRA beaten, but had been betrayed
by the politicians in Westminster, would become a powerful myth within
military and unionist circles.” For Wilson’s view on the Truce – see
Jul-12-21/4. |
Sheehan (2007), pgs 60 & 78-80; McMahon (2002), pg 59 |
|
Jul-1921/13 |
As part of the truce, the USC were immobilised
and no more recruitment was permitted. No further security powers
transferred to Northern Ireland government (until November). Parkinson notes that “Unionists felt they were
being sacrificed on the high altar of political pragmatism.” |
Phoenix (1994), pg 139; Parkinson (2004), pg141 |
|
|
|
|
|
Jul-12-21/1 |
Irish leaders leave for talks in London. The delegation consisted of de Valera,
Stack, Griffith and Barton. (Pakenham says that Childers was also in the
delegation.) See Jul-14-21/2. |
Gallagher (1953), pg 305 |
|
Jul-12-21/2 |
Giving a speech to Orangemen in Belfast, Craig says “How can we ever forget what has been done to our kith and kin in the South of Ireland? … We are going to enforce peace if it does not come naturally.” |
Parkinson (2004), pg 160 |
|
Jul-12-21/3 |
Michael J Marren, O/C of the Ballymote Battalion IRA, is drowned accidently at
Strandhill, Co. Sligo. Over 2,000 IRA
men march behind the coffin at his funeral. |
Farry (2012), pg 81 |
|
Jul-12-21/4 |
Writing to Walter Congreve (Commander of
British forces in Cairo), CIGS Henry Wilson says that the problem of
Palestine was “exactly the same … as the problem in Ireland, namely two
people living in a small country hating each other like hell for the love of
God”. The answer he said was “to have an overriding authority so strong that it can enforce its will on both opposing parties”. He continued that, in Palestine, Britain could not do that “for the simple reason that we do not have the troops”. However, in Ireland, he wrote “we must be that over-riding authority for the simple reason that we cannot lose the country”. Referring to the invitation of Sinn Féin
leaders to talks in London, writing to Macready, Wilson says “How anybody in
their senses, or out of them, can hope to get peace in Ireland by this means
passes my understanding”. |
Jeffrey (2006), pg 253; McMahon (2002), pg 59 |
|
Jul-12-21/5 |
BA soldier, William Choles, accidently drowns
in Cootehill, Co. Cavan. |
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pg
555 |
|
Jul-13-21/1 |
At the trial of IRA man Philip McDade for his part in the attempted robbery of a post office on the Sandy Row in Belfast, after which McDade was caught and badly beaten by a loyalist crowd, he was cross-examined by RIC DI Nixon who said “The crowd that caught you did their duty but did not finish it”, |
McDermott (2001), pg 108 |
|
Jul-13-21/2 |
The Belfast Telegraph reports on a court case taken a farmer, Edward Fitzpatrick, from Clinaroo, Co. Fermanagh seeking compensation as his home had been burnt down by Special Constables. However, the case is dismissed without costs
as the judge said that an order given by an officer commanding a unit of his
majesty’s forces was, in itself, a justification. |
Lawlor (2011), pg 191 |
|
Jul-13-21/3 |
BA soldier, William Exley, dies as a result of
a gunshot wound in Kilworth Camp, Co. Cork. |
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pg
556 |
|
Jul-14-21/1 |
As part of the on-going Belfast Boycott, notices appear stating that paper money of the northern banks (including the Northern, Ulster and Belfast banks) would cease to be legal tender from July 14th. The posters state that “any persons trading
with [these] banks will be severely punished and banknotes seized.” |
Parkinson (2004), pg 76; Parkinson (2020), pg 127 |
|
Jul-14-21/2 |
First meeting between Lloyd George and de Valera
in London - Lloyd George offers Dominion status and threatens terrible
coercion if no settlement. (Art O’Brien joined the Irish delegation.) See Jul-15-21/1. |
Curran J M (1980), pg 64; Gallagher (1953), pg 306 |
|
Jul-15-21/1 |
2nd meeting between Lloyd George and de Valera
in London. De Valera pushes for an Independent but
Associated Republic but Lloyd George refuses to contemplate this
proposal. See Jul-18-21/1. |
Curran J M (1980), pg 64 |
|
Jul-16-21/1 |
Truce
Liaison As part of the Truce, liaison officers were
set up between British Army/RIC and IRA to sort out details and resolve any
disputes at local level.
|
McDermott (2001), pg 105; Grant (2018), pg 120; McCarthy (2015), pg 89; Kautt (2014), pg 184 |
|
Jul-16-21/2 |
A member of the BA’s RASC dies as the result
of a gunshot wound in George V Hospital in Dublin. |
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pg
556 |
|
Jul-17-21/1 |
Patrick McCarry from Ballyligg,
outside Ballycastle, Co. Antrim was accompanying RIC Constable William Barry
to Ballycastle RIC Barracks at 1am.
The RIC man was in civilian attire.
Constable Barry tapped on the window to gain
entrance. Special Constable Samuel
Steele or Steel looked out and, as he did not recognise either man, he fired
his revolver through the window hitting Patrick McCarry in the chest. He later died of his wounds. |
O’Farrell (1997), pg 112; Lawlor (2011), pg 192; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 522-523 |
|
Jul-18-21/1 |
Third meeting between Lloyd George and de
Valera in London. Lloyd George says if no partition then there would be civil war. De Valera says that South would rather leave North than have civil war so Lloyd George asks “Why not leave it alone now?”. De Valera says he will consult with his cabinet. So does Llyod George – see Jul-20-21/1 Llyod George also meets Craig and a delegation
of unionists. Llyod George says that
an agreement with Sinn Féin was impossible if the unionists did not agree to
some sort of arrangement for an All-Ireland state. He outlines five possibilities but Craig
rejects them all. Craig says that, so
far that he is concerned, negotiations with Sinn Féin are a matter between
Britain and southern Ireland. |
Curran J M (1980), pg 64; Matthews (2004), pg 34 |
|
Jul-19-21/1 |
A statement by James Craig is printed in The Times of London saying that “it now merely remains for Mr de Valera and the British people to come to terms regarding the area outside that which I am Prime Minister”. |
Boyce (1972), pg 144 |
|
Jul-20-21/1 |
British Proposals of July 20th. British cabinet agrees detailed proposals for a
settlement with Ireland (including use of word Treaty) which would grant
qualified Dominion status for Southern Ireland. These proposals would form the basis of future
negotiations. They also give the
British side ‘first mover advantage’. |
Curran J M (1980), pg 65; Macardle (1999), pgs 482-487; Gallagher (1953), pgs 308-309; Fanning (2013), pg 264; Boyce (1972), pgs 140-143; Pakenham (1967), pgs 75 & 89 |
|
Jul-20-21/2 |
Auxiliary Cadet Major Cyrus Hunter Regnart commits suicide by shooting himself in Woodstock
House, Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny. |
Walsh (2018), pg 154; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 523 |
|
Jul-20-21/3 |
BA soldier, Harold Degville,
accidently drowns in Fermoy, Co. Cork. |
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pg
556 |
|
Jul-21-21/1 |
Fourth meeting between Lloyd George and de
Valera in London. De Valera rejects proposals of July 20th saying that they contained “denials and reservations unheard of in the case of the Dominions”. He demands full Dominion status for all Ireland or complete independence for South. De Valera gives Lloyd George a long speech of English misdeeds in Ireland. De Valera says that he could not even accept bringing the British proposals back to Ireland for the consideration of his colleagues. Llyod George says “But you realise that this means war? Do you realise that the responsibility for it will rest on your shoulders and yours alone?” De Valera replies “No, Mr Llyod George, if you insist on attacking us it is you, not I, who will be responsible”. However, after some verbal sparring, Llyod George asks for a considered response. De Valera agrees to bring British proposals back to Ireland (where they are unanimously rejected by the Irish cabinet). He formally replies to Llyod George’s proposals on August 10th – see Aug-10-21/1. Llyod George later described this meeting to
his king as ‘pretty hopeless’. He says that talking to de Valera was like
trying to pick up mercury with a fork.
(Later, when de Valera hears this, he says “Why doesn’t he use a
spoon?”) Llyod George also wrote to Craig saying that
de Valera would not accept dominion status unless it included Ulster and the
only other alternative was the complete independence for southern
Ireland. He asked Craig to meet with
de Valera. For Craig’s reply, see
Jul-29-21/1. With regards to partition, one British cabinet
official observed that “To ask the Irish people to leave Ulster out would be
like asking an English Parliament to leave Yorkshire outside their
jurisdiction”. |
Curran J M (1980), pg 65; Fanning (2013), pg 265; Matthews (2004), pg 35; Pakenham (1967), pg 75 |
|
Jul-22-21/1 |
Writing to his mother, Liam Lynch says that,
before the Truce, “the enemy were continually dogging me and often close on
my trail”. |
Sheehan (2017), pg 165 |
|
Jul-24-21/1 |
The RIC attack civilians in Limerick and badly injure several people. According to Macardle, this was one of many such attacks at this time. |
Macardle (1999), pg 538 |
|
Jul-26-21/1 |
The Master of the Rolls in Ireland (Charles O’Connor) issues a judgement and a writ of Habeas Corpus in the case of two men sentenced to death in the Martial Law area. The two men are released. See
Aug-10-21/2. |
Kautt
(2014), pgs 210-211 |
|
Jul-26-21/2 |
BA soldier, Alfred Leyland, commits suicide in
Naas, Co. Kildare. |
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pg
556 |
|
Jul-27-21/1 |
RAF man, Stanley Shields, commits suicide by
hanging himself in Aldergrove Aerodrome in Co. Antrim. |
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pg
556 |
|
Jul-28-21/1 |
Ruling from the British House of Lords that the court martials held in Ireland were illegal. |
Macardle (1999), pg 465 |
|
Jul-28-21/2 |
Private Terrance Steele of the BA’s Gordon
Highlanders is shot dead when a British officer accidently discharges his
revolver in the Curragh Military Camp in Co. Kildare. |
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pg
524 |
|
Jul-28-21/2 |
Volunteer Michael McInerney, of A Company,
London Battalion, IRA, is badly burnt in a rented garage in South St,
Greenwich, London when the improvised incendiary bomb on which he was on
working explodes. McInerney dies two
days later in hospital. |
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pg
524 |
|
Jul-29-21/1 |
In response to Llyod George’s letter of July
21st, Craig refuses to have any meeting with de Valera until he acknowledged
the separate existence of Northern Ireland.
He goes on to say that Ulster had already made
its “sacrifice” for peace by agreeing to have its own government and
concludes “we have nothing left to give”.
Unfortunately, Craig does not detail how it was a “sacrifice” for
unionists in NI to agree to have its own government. |
Matthews (2004), pg
35 |
|
Jul-29-21/2 |
Cathal Brugha, Minister for Defence, writes to E. Benson (sister of Mary Lindsay) confirming that the IRA had killed her sister the previous March. See cMar-21-21/4. |
Sheehan (1990), pg 185 |
|
Jul-29-21/3 |
Ellen Beirne from Drumdoo,
near Mohill, Co. Leitrim is knocked down and killed
by a BA vehicle driven by RASC driver T. Mawn. |
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pg
524 |
|
Jul-29-21/4 |
Speaking to a Unionist/Conservative
deputation, Llyod George says that “we should make a mistake if we came to
the conclusion that Sinn Féin is purely a Bolshevist conspiracy against Great
Britain. It is deeper than that; it is
older than that. It is an old friend,
which breaks out now and again in Ireland.” |
Boyce (1972), pg 91 |
|
Jul-30-21/1 |
Brugha
sends a highly critical letter, using strident language, over the IRA over
the handling of a case of a businessman called Robbie who had been banished
from Ireland by the IRA on incorrect information. See Sep-02-21/2. |
Townshend (2014), pg 326 |
|
Jul-31-21/1 |
Thomas Reid, a Protestant railway worker, was
shot dead by a member of the USC near the Newtownards USC Camp outside
Belfast for ‘failing to stop’. |
O’Halpin
and Ó Corráin (2020), pg
524 |