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 succeed. More 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 |