May 1921

May-01

The Government of Ireland Act, which had received royal assent on the 23rd December, comes into effect.  Electioneering starts for the Northern Ireland parliament. (Abbott and Macardle say 3rd May.)

 

Parkinson (2004), pg 118-123; Abbott (2000), pg 274; Macardle (1999), pg 452

May-01

Sean Duffy, O/C 1st (Tipperary Town) Battalion, 3rd Tipperary Brigade IRA is shot dead by Auxiliaries at Monard, Limerick Junction.  (He is from Monaghan.)  Paddy Moloney (brother of Con) is killed with him.  O’Halpin suggests that the Auxiliaries got information on their whereabouts from an informer.  (He also says that it was the 4th Battalion.)

O’Farrell (1997), pg 30 & 107; O’Malley (1990), pg 308; O’Halpin (2019), pg 20

 

Early-May

At around this time, O’Malley sets up his 2nd Southern Division HQ with Con Moloney as Adj and Dan Breen as QM.  They set up Divisional HQ near Donohill, Co. Tipperary.

 

O’Malley (1990), pgs 308 & 312

May-01

Two RIC men (Constable George Cutherberston and Constable Walter Shaw) leave Arva Barracks, Co. Cavan and go for a walk.  A search party later finds their bodies in the townland of Finhora.

Constable Cutherberston was from Sterling in Scotland and Constable Shaw was from Yorkshire in England.  They has four and three months’ service with the RIC respectively.

Abbott (2000), pg 227-228; Coleman (2003), pg 132; Lawlor (2011), pgs 154-156; Abbott (2019), pg 289

May-01

H. Clancy; J. Horan and T. Hennessy from Limerick die as does and P. Starr from Silver St., Nenagh.  Some of these are killed at Shraharla

O’Farrell (1997), pg 103 & 109 & 113 & 119; Malone (1996), pg 142

May-02

Captain Patrick Casey of 5th Battalion, Mid-Limerick Brigade executed in Cork

O’Donoghue (1986), pg 157

May-02

P. Farrell from Longford dies

O’Farrell (1997), pg 107

May-02

Ambush at Uskerty Wood, Co. Kilkenny led by George O’Dwyer

O’Farrell (1997), pg 32 & 79

May-02

A mixed police and military bicycle patrol from Galbally, Co Limerick is attacked by the IRA at Lackelly.  According to Hopkinson, despite vastly outnumbering the patrol, the IRA suffer between 5 and 14 casualties.  Malone says there were four IRA casualties and names them as Tom Howard (from Glanbrohane, Co. Limerick); Willie O’Riordain (both East Limerick Brigade); James Frawley (Frahill in O’Farrell) and Pat Ryan Waller (Mid or West Limerick Brigade).

 

Hopkinson (2002), pg 121; O'Farrell P (1997), pg 108; Malone (1996), pgs 142-145

May-02

 The body of a chemist, Thomas McEver, is found at Dunmore, Tuam, Co. Galway with a label saying “Convicted Spy – Executed by IRA”. It is alleged that he was killed by Crown Forces.

O'Farrell P (1997), pg 62

May-03

The flying column of the South Mayo Brigade of the IRA, led by Brigade O/C Tom Maguire, ambushes an RIC supply patrol in the village of Tourmakeady - four RIC men (Constable Christopher O'Regan, Constable Herbert Oates or Oakes, Constable William Power, Sergeant John Regan) are killed. It is claimed that Regan was killed while lying injured.  

In a subsequent wide-scale search by the British Army, Tom Maguire is wounded and his Brigade adjutant, Michael O'Brien (from Neale) is killed.  In addition, an IRA scout (Padraic Feeney) was captured and later killed by the RIC.  Two other IRA men – Patrick King and Philip Hallinan – were captured.  There may also have been one British Army casualty.  More Detail 

Hopkinson (2002), pg 135; Abbott (2000), pgs 228-229; O'Malley (2001), pgs 116-133; Gallagher in The Kerryman (1955), pgs 211-214; O’Farrell (1997), pg 75; Macardle (1999), pgs 440-441; Kautt (2017), pgs 413-414; Price (2012), pgs 135-139

May-03

Two RIC men are killed in a shop in Barrack St., Clonakilty, Co. Cork.  One dies (Constable James Cullen) dies the same day while the other (Constable Martin Fallon) dies six days later.

Constable Cullen was from Wiltshire in England.  He had three month’s police experience. Constable Fallon was from Co. Roscommon.

Abbott (2000), pg 230; Abbott (2019), pg 292

May-03

In an interview with Dr. Eugen Zehnder of the Neue Zeitung from Zurich, de Valera is asked if he would accept Dominion Home Rule on the Canadian model.  He replied that Canada and New Zealand were members of the Commonwealth of their own free will and if England were to offer Ireland Dominion Home Rule then it would, in effect, be admitting its right to have a republic.

Macardle (1999), pg 449

May-03

Sean (Jack) O’Sullivan dies in Ballykinlar Camp from the beatings he had received after this arrest and his ill treatment in the camp.  Originally from Co. Tipperary, he was living in Sallins, Co. Kildare when he was captured.

Durney (2013), pgs 193-195

May-03

M. Downey from Limerick dies

O’Farrell (1997), pg 106

May-04

At Bog Road, a half-mile from Rathmore, Co Kerry, a combined force from the Cork No. 2 and Kerry No. 2 brigades ambushes a nine-man party of police, who were lured to the spot by the body of a suspected spy (80-yr-old Thomas Sullivan) placed by the side of the road. 

The ambush results in the death of eight policemen (Sgt Thomas McCormack, Constable Walter Brown, Constable William Clapp, Constable Robert Dyne, Constable Alfred Hillyer, Constable James Phelan, Constable Samuel Watkins, Constable Hedley Woodcock).  Constable Hickey is the one survivor of the ambush. 

In retaliation, the Crown forces burn five houses in the vicinity of the ambush and Rathmore creamery.

Six of the eight RIC men killed were from England with between three and eight months’ service with the RIC.

O’Donoghue (1986), pg 168; Abbott (2000), pg 230-231 & Hopkinson (2002), pg 126; Abbott (2019), pgs 292-293

May-05

Craig and de Valera meet in Dublin - Macardle claims that both had misleadingly been brought to believe that the other sought the meeting - for details of meeting see Hopkinson. Parkinson notes that nothing came of the meeting.

Augusteijn (2002), pg 234; Macardle (1999), pg 450 & Hopkinson (2002), pg 161; Parkinson (2004), pg 122

May-05 

D. Killoury from Moymore, Co. Clare dies. 

O’Farrell (1997), pg 110

May-05

Attack by the IRA on Mountfield RIC barracks in Co. Tyrone.

McCluskey (2014), pg 101

May-05

IRA attack on British Army truck at the Half-Way House on Crumlin Road in Dublin.

O’Connor and Connolly (2011), pg 43

May-05

RIC Constable Ernest Guy Walls dies after a traffic accident.

Abbott (2019), pg 413

May-06

Ambush planned by West Mayo IRA under Michael Kilroy at Big Wall, Islaneady (between Westport and Castlebar) goes wrong for them when scouts are spotted by the RIC patrol and it turns back for Castlebar. 

Worse was to come for the IRA.  A group of IRA men were cutting a trench in the road (to prevent re-enforcements getting to the patrol from Castlebar) when the RIC come upon them.  This results in two IRA men being killed – Thomas O’Malley and Thomas Lally - and others two captured.  O’Malley and Lally were unarmed.

Hopkinson (2002), pg 134; Price (2012), pg 144 & 282

May-06

An RIC patrol is ambushed at Newton, near Annacarthy, Co. Tipperary resulting in the death of one RIC man (Sgt James Kingston) and one IRA man.

Abbott (2000), pg 231; Abbott (2019), pg 293

May-07

A 10-man RIC patrol is ambushed near Ballynacargy, Co. Westmeath and results in the death of one RIC man (Sgt Murray) and the wounding of one other.

Abbott (2000), pg 231; Abbott (2019), pg 294

May-07

RIC Detective Inspector Ferris was shot four times as he left St Paul’s Presbytery in Belfast but survives.  (He had worked with Swanzy in Cork and was the investigating officer in the Duffin murders.)  Jimmy McDermott, O/C 1st Battalion, was probably involved in this shooting.

Parkinson (2004), pgs 126-127; McDermott (2001), pg 80

May-07

An RIC cycle patrol was ambushed at Inch, Co. Wexford (between Coolgreany and Gorey) resulting in the death of one RIC man (Constable Frederick Depree) and the wounding of one other (Sgt Dolan).

Constable Depree was from London with six months service with the RIC.

Abbott (2000), pg 232; Abbott (2019), pg 294

May-07

An RIC man (Constable Thomas Hopkins), who is on leave, is shot dead near his father's home at Lefane, Ballindine, Co. Mayo

Abbott (2000), pg 232; Price (2012), pg 140

May-08

One of the two Belfast flying columns, which was operating in the Cootehill area of Cavan (the other operated in Belfast), is surrounded by British troops in the Lappinduff Mountains resulting in the death of one IRA man (S. McCarthy or Sean McCartney from Norfolk St., Falls Road, Belfast) and the capture of most of the rest of the column (10 men).  Their position had been given away by an informer. 

They had only arrived in Cavan two days earlier.  They were led by Joe McGee who escaped along with maybe three others.  The captured men were sentenced to death by a Court Martial but were saved by the Truce.  The captured men were Thomas Fox, Joseph McGlinchey, James McKenna, Peter Callghan, John McDermott, Patrick Smith, Patrick Clarke, Patrick McGill, James Finn and Patrick Dougan. (Lawlor says that 11 men were sentenced to death and that Tom Fox got away.) See June 3rd

Hopkinson (2002), pg 147; O’Farrell (1997), pg 112; McDermott (2001), pgs 80-82; Lawlor (2011), pgs 158-161; Townshend (2014), pg 282

May-08

Two RIC men are attacked as they are returning from church in Castleisland, Co. Kerry. One is killed (H/Constable William Storey) and one is wounded (Sgt Butler) but is saved by his wife throwing herself on him in order to protect him from further bullets.

However, in the 2009 edition of his book, Abbott says that Sgt Butler died from his wounds on the 19th July.

Abbott (2000), pg 232; Abbott (2019), pg 295

May-08

An RIC man (Constable Frederick Sterland) is shot by four men in Cook St., Cork City - he later dies from his wounds.

Constable Sterland was from Birmingham in England and had four months’ service with the RIC.

Abbott (2000), pg 233; Abbott (2019), pgs 295-296

May-08

IRA attack RIC barracks in Newcastle, Co. Down

McDermott (2001), pg 82

May-08

RIC patrol ambushed at Greenore, Co. Louth with one policeman wounded.

Hall (2019), pg 81

May-08

See April 27th above.  The wife of RIC DI Gilbert Potter receives a parcel containing a last letter from her husband, his diary, his will, a gold watch and a signet ring.

Leeson (2012), pg 146

May-08

A large arms dump belonging to the East Limerick Brigade IRA is discovered at Thomastown by Crown Forces.

Townshend (2014), pg 266

May-09

Erskine Childers, editor of the Irish Bulletin, is arrested but released soon afterwards.  By this stage, the Irish Bulletin had a print run of over 650 going to English newspapers and public men as well as many Continental and Colonial newspapers and journalists.

Townshend (2014), pg 299

May-09

Special Constable John Russell has an accident while on duty and later dies in Newry Hospital, Co. Down.

Abbott (2018), pg 412

May-10

Michael Dockery and John Clancy (O/C and Adj of North Roscommon Brigade IRA) along with two other men are captured in Cootehall, Co Roscommon.  As usual, they are severely beaten after taken to the barracks in Boyle.  (Dockery later escapes from Boyle military barracks – see May 21st.)

O’Callaghan (2012), pg 137

May-10

IRA volunteer, James Quaine of Main St, Youghal, Co. Cork is shot dead at Piltown Cross (between Ardmore and Youghal) during a gun fight with marines from the Ardmore station.

McCarthy (2015), pg 83

May-10

Six members the Donegal No. 1 flying column are surrounded in Glendowan.  Two are captured but the other four escape.  However, the column’s leader, Peadar O’Donnell, is badly injured.

Ó Duibhir (2009), pg 256

May-10

Two RIC men (Constable Alexander Clarke and Constable Charles Murdock) disappear while out walking in the townland of Binnion, near Clonmany, Co. Donegal.  Constable Clarke's body is found on the seashore the next day.  Constable Murdock's body is never found. 

It is believed that the IRA dumped both bodies into the sea.  It would seem that Murdock managed to get out of the water and get to local house but the local IRA found out about his survival and came back and killed him. A local priest and doctor persuaded the Tans from burning down Clonmany.

Constable Clarke is from Hertfordshire in England and had eight months’ service with the RIC.  (Abbott does not say where Constable Murdock was from.)

Abbott (2000), pg 233; Lawlor (2011), pgs 156-158; Ó Duibhir (2009), pg 255; Abbott (2019), pg 296

May-10

Two West Cork IRA men (Frank Hurley of Laragh, Bandon and Geoffrey Canty of Newcestown) are killed. Hurley is killed after being captured by the Essex Regiment. (O’Farrell says 9th May.)

Deasy (1973), pgs 272-273; O’Farrell (1997), pg 47

May-11

IRA Volunteer John Scally of Portnahinch, Co. Roscommon dies from his wounds.  He had received his wounds while re-opening a trench on the road, which has been refilled by Crown Forces, he triggered a booby-trapped mine.  Three other volunteers were injured in this incident

O’Callaghan (2012), pgs 97-99

May-11

Llyod George was considering seeking a truce for the period of the election but Chief of Staff Henry Wilson told him that “We are having more success than usual in killing rebels and now is the time to reinforce and not to parley”

Macardle (1999), pg 450

May-11

A Special Harbour Constable (Alfred Craig) was shot dead at the entrance to York Dock West on Ship St. in Belfast.  The attack was carried out by D company, Belfast Brigade, IRA who were trying to disarm him. 

Abbott (2000), pg 236; Parkinson (2004), pg 127; McDermott (2001), pg 83

May-11

Disguised men arrive at the home of James Folan in O’Donohue (O’Donoghoe) Terrace near Eyre Sq in Galway City.  He had been recently released from Galway Jail.  As James Folan is not at home, the disguised men take his two brothers into a room and shoot them.  One of the brothers, Christopher Nolan, dies of his wounds. The other brother, Joseph, is also shot but recovers from his wounds.

A short distance away, disguised men call to 35 St Bridget’s Terrace where Hugh Tully is lodging and shoot him dead.  Tully may have had no involvement in politics.  Despite attempts by the RIC to pin these killings on the IRA, it was widely believed that the killings were carried out by Crown Forces.

McNamara (2018), pg 151; Henry (2012), pgs xx; Lesson (2012), pg 62

May-11

IRA Adjutant Patrick Marley  dies after the accidental discharge of a firearm at Rockfield, Co. Mayo.

Price (2012), pg 282

May-12

British cabinet considers truce with Liberal ministers (except Llyod George and Edward Shortt, the Home Secretary) for and Conservative ministers (especially Balfour) against.  Llyod George says that he was not prepared to give Ireland the degree of independence enjoyed by Canada and Australia and that the Dominion idea would be used to exact too many concessions from Britain.

Curran J M (1980), pg 53; Townshend (1975), pg 181

May-12

Four IRA men (Con Dee, Paddy Dalton, Jerry Lyons and Paddy Walsh) who were returning home from a retreat at a church in Athea, Co. Limerick are arrested by the Black and Tans at Gortaglanna in Co Kerry - they are brought to a crossroads leading to Knockanure where they are ordered into a field and shot.  Three are killed but one (Con Dee) manages to escape.

Harnett (2002), pgs 93-95

May-12

A combination of the ASUs of the South Tipperary Brigade and the 7th Battalion of the Kilkenny Brigade (led by Seán Hogan and Ned Aylward respectively) – some 60 men - take over the Kilkenny village of Kilmanagh from 6.00am until late in the evening.  They had hoped to draw Crown Forces into the area but they did not appear.  However, it was a publicity coup.

Walsh (2018), pg 88

May-12

A memo from Lieut-Colonel H.O. Hutchin, General Staff, 6th Division of the British Army (Munster) to troops in the area says that “It is highly desirable on political grounds to endeavour to improve relations with the inhabitants.” It goes on to say that it was “impossible to supply sufficient troops”.  (This memo is published by the Irish Bulletin of the 17th June.)

Gallagher (1953), pg 112

May-13

124 Sinn Féin and 4 Unionists (TCD) are nominated for as many seats in Southern Parliament and, as no opposing candidates are nominated, they are all effectively elected.

O'Farrell P (1997), pg xviii

May-13

John Magee (or McGee) from Boher (or Crosslaney) near Carlingford on the Cooley Penninsula, Co. Louth is taken from his home and shot dead.  The RIC County Inspector’s report blamed the IRA for this killing but Hall says that he was killed by Crown forces.

O’Farrell (1997), pg 113; Hall (2019), pgs 81-82

May-13

The house in which the ASU of the 7th Battalion, Kilkenny Brigade is staying, at Knocknagress, Tullaroan, is surrounded by Crown Forces.  Most of the ASU escapes but two IRA volunteers, Seán Quinn and Patrick Walsh, are shot.  Quinn dies shortly after being taken back to Kilkenny Military Barracks while Walsh dies five days later during an operation to amputate his leg.  It is believed that he could have survived if he had got medical attention earlier.

Walsh (2018), pgs 88-89

May-13

An RIC man (Constable Albert Skeats) is shot at Cabinteely, Co. Dublin.  He died 15 days later from his wounds.

Abbott (2000), pg 237

May-14

IRA attempt rescue of Sean MacEoin from Mountjoy Jail but it does not succeedMore Detail 

Hopkinson (2002), pg 101-102; Hayes et al in The Kerryman (1955), pgs 215-220; Dalton (1929), pgs 144-161; Townshend (2014), pg 291

May-14

The 1st and 2nd Southern Divisions of the IRA carry out attacks on Crown forces for the executions of the four IRA prisoners in Cork on the 28th April.  O’Donoghue claims that in this week there were 55 British casualties, including 23 deaths.  Abbott says that during May, 56 police officers were killed which was the largest of any month between 1919 and the Truce. 

O’Donoghue (1986), pg 158 and pg 167; Abbott (2000), pg 237

May-14

An RIC man (Constable John Kenna) is shot dead near his barracks in Innishannon, Co. Cork.  The attack is carried out by Jim O'Mahony, local battalion adjutant, and three other IRA men.

Abbott (2000), pg 237

May-14

An RIC man (Sgt Joseph Coleman) is shot dead in a public house in Middleton, Co. Cork.  When a group of police arrive at the scene, two RIC men (Constable Thomas Cornyn and Constable Harold Thompson – latter was from Australia) are sent for the priest for Sgt Coleman but they are also attacked and shot dead.

Abbott (2000), pg 238; Abbott (2019), pg 302

May-14

RIC Constable Robert Redmond is shot at Frankfort Cottages in Killarney St., Dublin - he dies on his way to hospital.

Abbott (2000), pg 238

May-14

A seven-man RIC patrol is attacked on Watercourse Rd., Cork resulting in the deaths of three of them (Constable Peter Carolan, Constable Patrick Hayes and Constable John Ryle).   O’Farrell says that Fr James O’Flynn goes to minister to the dying men and is shot at by Black and Tans,

Abbott (2000), pg 238-9; O’Farrell (1997), pg 80

May-14

Three RIC men are attacked in the village of Drumcollogher, Co. Limerick by men from the 3rd Battalion, West Limerick Brigade, IRA.  One RIC man is killed (Constable Thomas Bridges) and others wounded.  The attack was led by Bat. O/C Constable Foley and V/C Ben Sullivan.  There were RIC reprisals the following night.

Abbott (2000), pg 239; Harnett (2002), pgs 100-101

May-14

H/Constable Francis Benson is shot dead near his home in Pembroke St., Tralee, Co Kerry

Abbott (2000), pg 239-240

May-14

IRA party led by Sean Gaynor ambush a car and kill D/I Harry Biggs and Miss Barrington at Collboreen between Kilorcully and Newport in North Tipperary.  Two other ladies in the car and a British Army officer escape unhurt. (Hopkinson says 15th May)

Hopkinson (2002), pg 118; Abbott (2000), pgs 240-241; Regan (2007), pg 151; Abbott (2019), pgs 305-306

May14

A large force of IRA (120 men) attempt to ambush a lorry load of Auxiliaries in the square in Dunmanway, Co. Cork under Tadgh O'Sullivan (3rd Brigade V/C) and Paddy O'Brien (Dunmanway Battalion O/C).  However, the arrival of two RIC men as the attack is being prepared mean that the Auxiliaries do not get into the square.

Deasy (1973), pgs 273-276

May-14

A party of IRA men in a Model T Ford car, led by Tom Barry, fire with a Lewis machine gun on a number of  soldiers from the Essex regiment who are in a field beside the Grammar School in Bandon, Co Cork.

Deasy (1973), pg 276

May-14

An RIC patrol is ambushed near Spiddal, Co. Galway.  There are no casualties.  The RIC subsequently burn five houses in the area. 

Lesson (2012), pg 62

May-14

Two men – a medical student (called John Green) and an insurance official – are attacked, beaten and shot in Galway City.  Green is left for dead but both survive. 

Subsequently, two RIC men – Constables James Murphy and Richard Orford – are arrested, tried, convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison for this crime.  Others were involved but never identified. Murphy and Orford had the remainder of the sentence remitted on the 14th March 1922.

Leeson (2012), pg 6 & 202-203 & 272

May-15

RIC Constable Hugh McLean was shot two miles outside Skibbereen, Co. Cork and died later of his wounds. IRA unit was from the Skibereen Battalion of the 3rd Cork Brigade led by Cornelius Connolly.

Constable McLean was from Moray in Scotland and had nearly six months’ service with the RIC.  He was due to resign from the RIC at the end of May.

Abbott (2000), pg 241; O'Farrell P (1997), pg 20; Abbott (2019), pg 306

May-15

M. Aherne from Ballyrichard, Co. Cork and T. Barry from Midleton, Co. Cork die

 

O’Farrell (1997), pg 102

May-15

A number of police officers are attacked as they leave the church in Bansha, Co. Tipperary resulting in the death of one (Constable John Nutley) and the wounding of two others.

Abbott (2000), pg 241

May-15

An RIC man (District Inspector Cecil Blake), his wife (Eliza Blake) and two British Army officers (Capt F.W.M. Cornwallis and Lt William McCreery of the 17th Lancers) are killed in an ambush by South West Galway IRA at the gates of Ballyturin (or Ballyturn) House, near Gort, Co. Galway.  (Ballyturin House was the home of John C. Bagot, a local landlord and JP.)  Mrs Graham Parry Gregory (widow of Robert Gregory of Coole Park and Lady Gregory’s daughter-in-law) who is with the party is not injured and is escorted back to the house. After the RIC arrive at the scene of the ambush, Constable John Kearney is shot in controversial circumstances and he dies six days later.  Reprisals follow. 

A number of questions arose in the wake of this ambush (in particular around who shot Constable Kearney).  These issues are discussed in detail in More Detail 

Abbott (2000), pg 241-242; Hopkinson (2002), pg 138; O'Farrell P (1997), pg 21; McNamara (2018), pgs 132-134; Henry (2012), pgs 225-227; Abbott (2019), pgs 307-308; Ó Fathaigh (2000), pg 75; Lesson (2012), pgs 62-63

May-15

O’Farrell says Rev Fr James O’Callaghan from Clogheen, Co. Cork is shot by Crown Forces during a raid on his lodgings in Cork City.  He subsequently dies of his wounds.  (Gallagher says it was in March 1921 during a raid on the house of Alderman Liam de Roiste in Cork City.)

 

O’Farrell (1997), pg 76; Gallagher (1953), pg 293

May-15

An ambush by the IRA at Esker, near Dromore, Co. Tyrone leads to the deaths of Special Constable Magill and IRA Volunteer Edward McCusker.  (Abbott does not mention the death of the Special Constable.)

McCluskey (2014), pg 98

May-15

RIC Constables Joseph Daly and Thomas Gallivan went out cycling from their barracks in Silvermines, Co. Tipperary.  They were unarmed and in civilian clothes.  They were later reported missing.

Abbott (2019), pgs 398-399

Mid-May

Con Murphy of the Timoleague Company of 3rd Cork Brigade IRA is killed by Essex Regiment of the British Army at Cloondereen.

 

Deasy (1973), pg 271

May-16

Daniel O'Brien, from Liscarroll and member of Charleville Battalion, Cork No. 2 Brigade is executed in Cork.  He had been captured on the 11th May at Aughvrin, near Liscarrol.

 

O’Donoghue (1986), pg 157; O’Farrell (1997), pg 75

May-16

Sean Moylan, Commandant Cork No. 2 Brigade, is captured near Kiskeam.  He is succeeded by George Power as Brigade Commandant with Paddy O'Brien (from Liscarrol) as Vice Commandant.  (Lynch says that Paddy O'Brien took over.)

Moylan was carrying a cheque for £115 which was “gleefully cashed by the HQ of the [British Army] Kerry Infantry Brigade”.

O’Donoghue (1986), pg 169; Lynch in The Kerryman (1955), pg 232; Townshend (2014), pg 290

May-16

A detachment of 120 Auxiliaries arrive in Millstreet, Co Cork and take over the old Workhouse.  That night their supplies at Millstreet Railway Station are burnt by the IRA.  The Auxiliaries subsequently moved to Mount Leader House outside Millstreet.

 

Lynch in The Kerryman (1955), pg 231

May-16

Sean Wall, O/C of East Limerick Brigade, IRA is killed at Annacarty, Co. Tipperary on his way to first council meeting of the 2nd Southern Division.

Memorial to him in the village of Bruff, Co. Limerick. (O’Callaghan says 6th May.)

O’Malley (1990), pg 308, O’Farrell (1997), pg 119; O’Callaghan (2018), pg 133

May-16

An eight-man IRA unit from the Carlow Brigade, led by Joe Maher, ambush a five-man RIC bicycle patrol at Mountbrook near Ballylinan, Co. Laois.  However, the IRA were armed mostly with shotguns with damp ammunition.  The RIC quickly took cover and fired back killing two IRA volunteers – James O’Connor and Jim Lacey.

Durney (2013), pgs 195-197

May-16

Announced that henceforth the RIC in Belfast would not wear numerals on their tunics – this made them indistinguishable from the Specials.

 

McDermott (2001), pg 83

May-16

A Catholic teenager, Mary Ann Carroll (13) is shot by a sniper in North Queen St., Belfast and later dies from her wounds.

 

Parkinson (2004), pgs 127-128; McDermott (2001), pg 84

May-16

A large number of RIC and British Army are conveyed by a Royal Navy destroyer to Burtonport in west Donegal and land early in the morning.  They surprise the local IRA and a number of 1st Northern Division officers are captured including O/C Frank Carney, Adjutant Bernard Doherty and QM Frank Martin.  

Joe Sweeney, O/C 1st Donegal Brigade, evaded capture. It later transpired that the IRA sentries had left their posts early that night.

Lawlor (2011), pgs 162-183; Ó Duibhir (2009), pg 262; Ozseker (2019), pg 133

May-16

RIC Constable Leonard Harte accidentally shot dead in Carrick-on-Shannon Barracks on Co. Leitrim.

Abbott (2019), pg 407

May-17

An RIC cycle patrol is ambushed at Fortwilliam, near Rathcline, Co. Longford (between Lanesborough and Ballymahon) resulting in the death of one policeman (Constable Edward Kenyon) and wounding of three others.

 

Abbott (2000), pg 242-243; Coleman (2003), pg 132; Durney (2013), pgs 197-198

May-17

P.J. McDonnell, leader of the West Galway Flying Column, takes a day off to get married in Kilmeena Church in southwest Mayo.  He returned to his column that evening.

McNamara (2018), pg 129

May-17

Two RIC constables (Constable Edward Doran and Constable John Dunne) are killed at Kilcormac Road, Kinnity, Co Offally when their patrol is attacked.  (Hopkinson says 19th May.)

Hopkinson (2002), pg 146; Abbott (2000), pg 243

May-17

RIC Constable Charles Mead is reported missing at Ballyseedy, Co. Kerry.  Reports state that he was killed by two men and a quantity of blood is found at the scene. His body was not found until 26th September 1926.

Constable Mead was from Middlesex in England and had four months’ service with the RIC. 

Abbott (2000), pg 313; Abbott (2019), pgs 308-309

May-17

J. Hayden from Gortford, Gliter, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone dies.

O’Farrell (1997), pg 109

May-17

A marine stationed at Rosses Point, Co. Sligo is shot dead by three members of the local IRA.

Farry (2012), pg 71

May-17

A Catholic teenager, Philomena Burns, is shot standing at her front door on Upton St., Belfast and later dies in hospital.  (McDermott says she died on the 15th.)  Later, bombs are thrown at a police lorry on the Springfield Rd.

 

Parkinson (2004), pg 128; McDermott (2001), pg 84

May-17

Following from the raid on the house in which the ASU of the 7th Battalion, Kilkenny Brigade was staying in on the 13th May, which resulted in the deaths of two IRA men (See above), two ex-British army soldiers (Michael Dermony and Michael O’Keeffe) were taken from their homes by the IRA and brought to a gravel quarry in Oldtown, Tullaroan, Co. Kilkenny where they were killed.  The executions had not been sanctioned by IRA GHQ. 

On the 1st June, Richard Mulcahy, IRA Chief of Staff, wrote to George O’Dwyer, O/C Kilkenny Brigade saying that it was a “very serious matter that a junior Officer [Ned Aylward] should take upon himself the responsibility of executing two alleged spies”

Walsh (2018), pgs 89-90

May-18

An RIC patrol is ambushed in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal resulting in the wounding of a sergeant (Sgt Charles Maguire) and the death of Constable Albert Carter.  At the same time, the RIC Barracks on the Lower Main St was attacked. Attack was led by Hugh McGrath and Anthony Dawson.  Reprisals followed.  More Detail

 

Abbott (2000), pg 242-243; Lawlor (2011), pgs 163-164; Ó Duibhir (2009), pgs 264-265; Abbott (2019), pgs 209-310;  Ozseker (2019), pgs 133-134

May-18

T. Kelleher from Clonmbroney, Co. Longford dies. 

A shop assistant in Dunmore, Co. Galway, Thomas McKeever, is taken from his lodgings and shot dead.  To make the killing look like the work of the IRA, the body has a message pinned to it saying ‘Convicted Spy – Traitors Beware’.  However, this is not believed locally and the parish priest denounces the Crown Forces as murderers.  (Lesson says May 20th.)

O’Farrell (1997), pg 110; McNamara (2018), pg 151; Lesson (2012), pg 63

May-18

An RIC sergeant (Sgt Francis Butler) is shot outside the police barracks in Newport, Co Mayo by an IRA sniping party from the West Mayo Brigade led by Jim Moran.  He dies the following day and, in retaliation, Crown Forces burn down the homes and businesses of Michael Kilroy and his brother, John.  It was reported that Sergeant Butler had a bad reputation for the ill-treatment of civilians. 

Abbott (2000), pg 244;  Hopkinson (2002), pg 134; Price (2012), pg 144; Abbott (2019), pg 310

May-18

An Orangeman, George Walker (19), is shot by a sniper as he walked through west Belfast in a feeder parade to a major rally in the Oval.  Most of the rally’s participants, after the rally, went to the city centre via the Albertbridge route but a section went via the Newtonards Rd. and the Short Strand.  This led to disturbances during with a Catholic ex-soldier John Smyth (29) was shot and he died shortly afterwards.

 

Parkinson (2004), pg 128; McDermott (2001), pg 84

May-18

Six members of the West Waterford ASU are captured near Kilrossanty, Co. Waterford and are sentenced to five years’ penal servitude.  The ASU O/C, George Lennon, is lucky to escape.

McCarthy (2015), pg 83

May-19

The flying column of the West Mayo Brigade, led by Brigade O/C Michael Kilroy ambushes a two-vehicle RIC patrol at Kilmeena (between Newport and Westport).  British counter-attack and, in the ensuing battle and pursuit, they manage to outflank the flying column.  Four IRA men are killed - Seamus McEvilly and Thomas O’Donnell (both from Castlebar), John Collins (from Westport) and John Staunton (from Kilmeena).  Paddy Jordan (Vice-Commandant of the Castlebar Battalion) was captured and dies a few days later.  Five IRA men were wounded and captured and another three IRA men were wounded but escaped.  Also, one RIC man - Constable Harry Beckett - is killed and another H/Constable Potter is wounded.

In the aftermath of this ambush, one of the captured IRA men, John Pierce (from Dublin), gives detailed information to the RIC on the West Mayo Flying Column. 

Constable Beckett was from Lancashire in England and had one month’s service with the RIC. 

 

Hopkinson (2002), pg 134; Abbott (2000), pg 244; Price (2012), pgs 145-149

May-19

B Specials, under Sergeant Hutchinson, raid the Hayden farmhouse in the Rock, Co. Tyrone. James Hayden is shot dead by Hutchinson and his brother is bayonetted and left for dead.  Three local loyalists are framed for the murder but, after the transfer of security powers to the Northern Ireland government (see November 17th and 22nd), the Hayden case is dropped. 

McCluskey (2014), pg 100

May-19

A man named Collins from Belfast dies.

 

O’Farrell (1997), pg 104

May-19

Following an anti-partitionist rally in the Short Strand area of Belfast, disturbances break out during which four people are shot.  One of them, Eleanor Lena Kelly (13), subsequently dies from her wounds.

 

Parkinson (2004), pg 128; McDermott (2001), pg 84

May-20

Two unarmed RIC men (Constable Leonard Booth and Constable William Stewart) were cycling from Longford to their barracks in Ballinalee when they were attacked at Killeter (near Killoe) and are shot dead.

Constable Booth was from Lancashire in England and had just under six months’ service with the RIC.  Constable Stewart is from Co. Tyrone and had two years of service with the RIC.

Abbott (2000), pg 245; Coleman (2003), pg 132; Abbott (2019), pgs 311-312

May-20

Edward Hawkins and John Sherlock are shot by the IRA as informers in Cork City.  (Daniel Hawkins, Edward's father, is also shot but escapes by feigning death.)

Hart (1998), pgs 15-16

May-20

RIC Constable Thomas Tasker is accidentally shot dead by an RIC colleague.  (First reported as having been shot by the IRA.  His real name was Frederick Tasker – he had joining the RIC using his brother’s name.)

Abbott (2019), pg 413

May-21

RIC Sgt Joseph Anderson is shot and killed at Hampton, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin

Abbott (2000), pg 245

May-21

An RIC cycle patrol is attacked between Greencastle and Mountfield, Co. Tyrone resulting in the death of RIC Sgt Peter McDonagh

Abbott (2000), pg 245

May-21

Jim Molloy, who had been arrested for the killing of Constable O’Brien in Ballymote on March 16th, escapes from Boyle Military Barracks with the help of a soldier.  (March 21st according to Lawlor.)

A week later, Michael Dockery (O/C North Roscommon Brigade) also manages to escape from Boyle Military Barracks with the help of the same soldier, Corporal Meadlarkin.  See July 2nd 1922. 

Farry (2012), pg 70; Lawlor (2011), pg 138; O’Callaghan (2012), pg 149-158

May-21

Large scale attack by IRA, led by Joe McSweeney, on the RIC barracks in Glenties in Co. Donegal but no casualties on either side.

Ó Duibhir (2009), pg 269

May-21

Jack Ryan, Capt of the Ballinspittle Company, IRA in Co. Cork is betrayed by one of his own men as he sets up an attack but manages to escape and may have injured Major Percival of the Essex Regiment.

Deasy (1973), pgs 278-280

May-22

Date set for the elections to the 128 seat Parliament of Southern Ireland (set up under Government of Ireland Act) and the 33 MPs for Westminster.  The Dáil government decreed that these elections were to be regarded as elections to the Second Dáil (but would not recognise elections to the Senate as it contained senators nominated by the representative of the Crown).  Also, reinforced its non-recognition of partition by declaring that all those returned in the elections to the Northern Parliament were de facto members of the Dáil. 

All 124 seats are filled by Sinn Féin - apart from the 4 University seats - no other candidates put themselves forward.  Five women in the new Dáil: Mrs Pearse (Dublin County); Mrs O’Callaghan (Limerick East and City); Miss Muriel Mac Sweeney (Cork City); Countess Markievicz (Dublin South) and Dr Ada English (National University)

For Northern elections, see May 24th. 

 

Hopkinson (2002), pg 192-193; Phoenix (1994), pg 133;  Macardle (1999), pg452; Price (2012), pg 155

May-22

Pope Benedict issues a letter saying that “We do not see how the bitter strife can profit either of the parties” and exhorts the "English as well as Irish to calmly consider … some means of agreement". 

The British were dismayed by this statement as they were working for a condemnation of the IRA by the Pope and viewed the Pope’s letter as a publicity disaster.  The British Foreign Office said that in the Pope’s letter “HMG [His Majesty's Government] are placed in exactly the same category as the authors of arson and cold blooded murder” and puts the British Government “and the murder gang on a footing of equality”.

[This chronology attempts to keep comment to a minimum but this British Foreign Office statement deserves a comment.  Given the amount of “arson and cold blooded murder” which had been carried out by the Crown Forces in Ireland in the previous year, His Majesty’s Government more than deserved to be put on the same footing as the “murder gang”. This statement from the Foreign Office is either an example of arch dry English humour or total self-delusion.  Perhaps even both?  For a more definitive example of arch dry ‘Tory Toff’ humour, see September 28th 1920.]

Coogan (1990), pg 204; Townshend (2014), pg 273

May-22

IRA Volunteer, Patrick O’Brien, was killed by a booby trap bomb when re-opening a trench in the road near Rathkeale, Co. Limerick – it had been filled in again by Crown Forces.

O’Callaghan (2018), pg 89

May-22

At a special meeting of the East Waterford Brigade IRA, brigade officers passed a vote of no confidence in their O/C Paddy Paul and elect Michael Power as O/C instead.  However, when they inform GHQ they get no support and Paddy Paul is confirmed as O/C. 

McCarthy (2015), pg 79

May-23

RIC Constable Michael Dennehy is reported missing in Frenchpark, Co. Roscommon.

Abbott (2019), pgs 398-399

May-23

C. Gleeson from Upperchurch, Co. Tipperary dies

 

O’Farrell (1997), pg 108

May-23

Police are ambushed near Rockmills, Co. Cork and two are killed.  (Abbott does not mention this ambush.)

 

O’Donoghue (1986), pg 138

May-23

An 18-man RIC patrol is seeking the Flying Column of the West Mayo Brigade in the hills around Lower Shiragh or Skerdagh (following the ambush as Kilmeena – see May 19th).  In their encounter with the 30-man Column, one RIC man (Constable Joseph Maguire) is killed and one is wounded (DI Munroe).  One IRA man, Jim Browne from Kilmeeena, is killed and a number injured.

The Column’s O/C, Michael Kilroy, picked six men to act as a rear-guard to allow the rest of the column to escape.  The RIC called on reinforcements and the police and military pursued the Column into the Nephin Mountains in an extended line.  There followed a few days of search and but the column split up and avoid their pursuers.  Eventually the Column met up again at Aughagower.

Abbott (2000), pg 246; Price (2012), pgs 154

May-24

British GOC in Ireland (Macready) in a memo to CIGS (Wilson) says, with respect to the troops serving in Ireland, that affairs "must be brought to a conclusion by October or steps must be taken to relieve practically the whole of the troops together with the great majority of their commanders".  This was conveyed to Laming Worthington-Evans (Secretary of State for War) by Wilson.  In a memo to the British cabinet the same day, Worthington-Evans warns that there is "a risk that a position of virtual stalemate may continue throughout the summer and that winter will be a time of decisive advantage to the rebels".  This went well beyond what Macready had said.  Townshend says that the British Army's motive in talking in such terms was to impel the British Cabinet either to make terms with the rebels or to stop compromising over coercion. 

 

Curran J M (1980), pg 54;  Townshend (1975), pg 183

May-24

Michael Collins shows Tom Barry a Thompson sub-machine gun in Dublin.  Some 30 were shipped into Cork in late April (and another 50 into Dublin before the Truce). But see June 16th

Townshend (1975), pg 180; Townshend (2014), pg 234

May-24

RIC Constable William Robinson shoots and kills Anne Dixon in Clones, Co. Monaghan.  This was probably the result of an accident but could have been the result of jealousy by Robinson.  On the 15th August, Robinson is found guilty of manslaughter and given a sentence of one year.

Leeson (2012), pgs 178-179

May-24

D. Broderick from Ballymacelligot, Co. Kerry dies.

O’Farrell (1997), pg 103

May-24

RIC DI White from Ballina is ambushed as he drives home with his wife by North Mayo Brigade IRA -  he is wounded but escapes. White leaves Ballina soon afterwards.

Price (2012), pgs 163-164

May-24

Date of election in the six counties for the 52 seat Northern Ireland Parliament - Unionists get 40 seats; SF 6 and Nationalists 6.  The Unionists had put forward 40 candidates and all were elected; Sinn Féin had put forward 20 candidates and the Nationalists 12.  (Independent Labour put forward 4 candidates but none came close to being elected and there was only one other independent candidate.)  Turnout of 89%. 

Seen as major victory for the Unionists (despite widespread reports of intimidation of nationalist voters).  Carson says “it will take a very bold statesman after this demonstration to suggest putting the six counties under Home Rule in Dublin”.

However, Sinn Féin and nationalists got combined vote of 32.3% – 20.5% for Sinn Féin and 11.8% for the nationalists.  In addition, in the Tyrone and Fermanagh constituency, there was a nationalist majority of 7,899 with 55% of first preference votes going to either Sinn Féin or the IPP.  

Curran J M (1980), pg 53; Phoenix (1994), pgs 129-130; Parkinson (2004), pgs 124-126; Walker (1992), pgs 45-46; McCluskey (2014), pg 102

May-25

The Burning of Customs House by about 120 IRA men led by Oscar Traynor - 6 IRA killed and 70 captured.  Hopkinson says that between 80 and 130 captured.  Townshend says that "Macready gave the number arrested as 111, Greenwood as 127; Republican historians have preferred 80-90."  Townshend says that it was a "disastrously mismanaged stroke".  One of the IRA men killed was D. Head (from Seville Pl.) – he had earlier dropped a grenade from the Loop Line Bridge into a truckload of RIC men.  Others killed included Patrick and Stephen O’Reilly.     

John Kiernan and Fred Lawlor (3rd Battalion, Dublin Brigade) took over switchboard of Tara St Fire Station. Jimmy Conroy and Tom Kehoe were among the captured and Jim Slattery badly wounded.

 

Curran J M (1980), pg 47; Hopkinson (2002), pg 103; Traynor in The Kerryman (1955), pg 220-224; Townshend (1975), pg 180; O'Farrell P (1997), pg 43; Gallagher (1953), pgs 275-278; Dalton (1929), pgs 162-165; Townshend (2014), pg 292; O’Connor and Connolly (2011), pgs 45-47

May-25

A Catholic ex-soldier, Thomas Reilly (39), is shot dead by a Protestant gunman near his home in Butler St., Belfast.  McDermott says that all the seven casualties [in Belfast] this month were west Belfast Catholics.  However, Parkinson gives five Catholics killed (including three young girls) and two Protestants.

 

Parkinson (2004), pg 128; McDermott (2001), pg 84

May-25

A Cavan RIC report states the body of a 60-year-old shoemaker called Briedy was found riddled with bullets with an IRA notice saying he was a spy.  This may or may not have been connected with the Lappinduff ambush – see May 8th.

 

McDermott (2001), pg 82

May-25

The RIC surprise a group of IRA at Bunree in Co. Mayo and fatally wound Volunteer James Howley.

Price (2012), pg 164

May-25

J. Connor from Barrowhouse, Athy, Co. Kildare dies.  Also S. Dorman from Cork; and E. Dorrins from Church Rd., East Wall, Dublin

 

O’Farrell (1997), pg 103 & 104 & 106

May-25

IRA Volunteer, Sean O’Rourke, is fatally wounded by two British soldiers in civilian clothes while he is providing cover for a trenching party at Holy Cross, Co. Waterford.

McCarthy (2015), pg 79

May-26

Two unarmed RIC men were returning from leave to their barracks in Kildysart, Co. Clare when they were attacked at Cooga by men from the West Clare Brigade - one was killed (Constable Edgar Budd) but the other (Constable Irvine) escaped.

Constable Budd was from Hampshire in England and had nine months’ service with the RIC.

Abbott (2000), pg 246; Ó Ruairc (2009), pg 245

May-26

IRA man, Con Ryan, is killed when felling a tree for a road block near Cappamore, Co. Limerick.

O’Callaghan (2018), pg 89

May-26

The British Cabinet reconstituted the Irish Situation Committee, which had not met since August 1920, with Chamberlain as it chairman.  It met the same day to discuss the extension of martial law.  The following members were present: Chamberlain, Worthington-Evans, Greenwood, Balflour, Shortt and Fisher.  In addition, the following were in attendance: Macready, Wilson, Guest (Sec. Of State for Air), Trenchard (Chief of Air Staff) and Brook (Deputy Chief of Naval Staff).  The committee decided that martial law should be declared through-out the 26 counties by the 12th July if the southern parliament failed to function and that the army should be reinforced by 16 battalions or more.  (Gallagher notes that it met as the Customs House still burnt.)

 

Townshend (1975), pgs 183-184; Macardle (1999), pg 459

May-27

Start of large scale searches in the Midlands by British Army 5th Division armoured column.  It was to last until June 16th and extend over five counties.  A few IRA men were captured.

 

Townshend (1975), pgs 187-188

May-27

An internal IRA GHQ memo expresses concern on the lack of discipline on the part of ‘juniors’ in Belfast.

 

Parkinson (2004), pg 126

May-27

Paddy Boland from Cloongownagh, near Toureen, Co. Mayo is arrested by British soldiers and is subsequently bayoneted and shot dead.

Price (2012), pg 182; O’Farrell (1997), pg 102 & 110

May-27

RIC Constable James Doherty is accidently shot dead by a fellow RIC man.

Abbott (2019), pg 404

May-28

O'Donoghue claims that in the four weeks ending 28th May, the "ascertained" British casualties included 76 killed and 106 wounded.  Townshend says that from beginning of May to Truce (11th July), the British suffered 162 fatal casualties (114 police and 48 military) which was one quarter of all their casualties during the two and half years of conflict.

 

O'Donoghue (1986), pg 167; Townshend (1975), pg 185

May-28

The Flying Column of the 3rd Cork Brigade lie in ambush at Gloundaw (between Dunmanway and Drimoleague) but no British forces appeared. 

 

Deasy (1973), pgs 283-288

May-28

Diarmaid Hurley, O/C 4th Battalion, Cork No. 1 Brigade IRA is killed in action at Carrigona, Midleton.

O’Farrell (1997), pg 47; Cashman in The Kerryman (1955), pg 60

May-28

Thomas Howley from Enniscrone, Co. Sligo (who had been wounded in an attack on the RIC barracks in Ballina) dies in military custody in Athlone.

Farry (2012), pg 71

May-28

An elderly woman, Mary Foley, is shot by a British military patrol near Dubgarvan, Co. Waterford – she was deaf and could not hear their orders.

McCarthy (2015), pg 71

May-28

L. Burke from Ballyhooley, Co. Cork dies

O’Farrell (1997), pg 103

May-29

Attack on Castletownroche, Co Cork police barracks results in one Black and Tan being killed.  (Abbott does not mention this attack.)

 

O’Donoghue (1986), pg 138

May-29

A 12-man patrol of the Special Constabulary was ambushed at Mullaghfad Cross, Co. Fermanagh (between Fivemiletown and the Monaghan border) resulting in the death of the two special constables (S/Constable Robert Coulter and S/Constable James Hall).  15 arrests made after this attack.

Abbott (2000), pg 246-247; Lawlor (2011), pgs 164-165

May-29

The V/C of the 3rd Battalion, Offally Brigade writes to the Brigade O/C to inform him that he had killed a man called John Lawlor as a spy.  Permission had not been sought in advance of the execution.

Townshend (2014), pg 264

May-30

Bomb hidden in culvert near Youghal by IRA blows up and results in 29 casualties (according to Hart) to the Hampshire regimental band. Hopkinson says seven are killed and 21 wounded.

Michael Fitzgerald was the triggerman for the bomb.  (See 25th January 1923).  Three band boys were among those killed.

 

Hart (1998), pgs 106 & Hopkinson (2002), pg 113; McCarthy (2015), pg 116

May-30

An RIC patrol comes across an IRA group trenching a road at Kilroosky (5 miles from Roscommon).  Shooting breaks out and one RIC man (Constable George Redding) is killed and a number of IRA men are captured.

Constable Redding was from Buckinghamshire in England and had nine months’ service with the RIC.

Abbott (2000), pg 247; Abbott (2019), pg 314

May-30

A 10-man RIC cycle patrol, under DI Munsell, is ambushed at Tullyvarragh, Co. Monaghan (between Carrickmacross and Castleblayney) resulting in the death of Constable Walter Perkins.  Some small scale local reprisals by the RIC.

Constable Perkins was from the Isle of Wight in England and had almost five months’ service with the RIC.  

Abbott (2000), pg 247; Dooley (2017), pg 86; Lawlor (2011), pgs 165-166

May-30

M. McAneaney from Balleady, Co. Monaghan and T. McAneaney from Corlealackagh, Co. Monaghan dies.

 

O’Farrell (1997), pg 111

May(?)

A young man called Boyce is shot dead by a British soldier near Broadford, Co. Limerick as he went about his farm work.

 

Harnett (2002), pg 166

May

A Longford IRA man, Thomas Kelleher, is killed after shooting an Auxiliary at Drumlish.

O’Farrell (1997), pg 50

May

The 1st Western Division of the IRA formed comprising the three Clare brigades and the South Galway brigade and Michael Brennan is appointed Divisional Commander.  According to Brennan, as there had been "a certain amount of friction for years between the staff of the Mid-Clare brigade and East Clare", he was ordered for the present to not assume command over the Mid-Clare brigade.  He set about rebuilding the IRA in South Galway.

 

Brennan (1980) pgs 101-102

May

Patrick White from Meelick, Co. Clare shot dead by a sentry in Spike Island prison.  The British said that he was shot trying to escape but his fellow prisoners said that he was playing hurley and the ball went near the wire.  White shouted to the sentry to hit it back to him but the sentry said ‘Come here and get it’.  He shot White when he followed his order.

Ó Ruairc (2009), pg 247

May

The RIC in Louth say that, acting on intelligence, they had discovered a large IRA arms dump at Beamore, Drogheda.  They also claimed that, acting on intelligence received, they foiled quite a number of ambushes in the previous months.

Hall (2019), pg 78

May

S. Doyle from 55 Amiens St., Dublin dies as does J. Lacey from Augharea, Athy, Co. Kildare.

O’Farrell (1997), pg 106 & 110

End-May

Squad and Dublin Brigade ASU merged into Dublin Guard.  Paddy Flanagan, who was the O/C of the ASU, is removed.  Paddy O’Daly is made O/C of the new Dublin Guard.  Hopkinson says many resign as they refuse to serve under Paddy O’Daly.  Joe Leonard and Padraig (Paddy) O’Connor  are the two V/Cs covering the northside and southside respectively.  

 

Hopkinson (2002), pg 103;  O’Connor and Connolly (2011), pg 52

End-May

An IRA party of some 50 men, led by Michael Marren, hold up a train is south Sligo.  Major E S C Grune, commander of the Bedford Regiment in Sligo, is travelling in mufti but is identified.  Marren and Grune talk and smoke as the train is searched.  Marren asked Grune to do what he could for Jim Hunt who was then a prisoner in Boyle.  Grune duly contacted Hunt and did what he could for him.

Farry (2012), pg 67

End-May and Beginning  June

Major round-up by 5th Division British army, assisted by RIC.  Starting at the Curragh, it moves up through Offaly and Westmeath before conducting a thorough search in south Longford.  It continues up through north Longford before carrying on through Cavan, Monaghan and Leitrim

Coleman (2003), pg 131

May

3rd Northern Division of IRA formed taking in Antrim (including Belfast and North Down) with Joe McKelvey as O/C.  Seamus Woods is O/C of Belfast Brigade.

 

Phoenix (1994), pg 141

 

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