May 1921

May-01-21/1	The Government of Ireland Act, which had received royal assent on December 23rd 1920, comes into effect.  Electioneering starts for the Northern Ireland parliament. (Parkinson says May 1st but Abbott, Macardle and Moore say May 3rd.) Parkinson (2020) gives considerable detail on the election campaign.	Parkinson (2004), pg 118-123; Abbott (2000), pg 274; Macardle (1999), pg 452; Parkinson (2020), pgs 98-109; Moore (2021), pg 40
May-01-21/2	Sean Duffy, O/C 4^th (Tipperary Town) Battalion, 3^rd Tipperary Brigade, IRA is shot dead by Crown Forces at Monard, Limerick Junction or Gortdrum, Tipperary.  (Duffy is from Monaghan.)  Paddy Moloney (brother of James and Con) and Adj of the 4^th Battalion is killed with him. They were staying in a safe house when it is surrounded by a joint BA/RIC party. Both men made a run for it but are gunned down while trying to do so. According to O’Halpin and Ó Corráin, the Crown Forces were acting “on reliable information that two prominent rebels were in a certain house”. See Jun-29-21/3.	O’Farrell (1997), pg 30 & 107; O’Malley (1990), pg 308; O’Halpin (2019a), pg 20; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 400-401
May-01-21/3	A BA patrol fires on a group of men at Sunfort, Liscarroll, Co. Cork for ‘failing to stop’. They kill 14 or 17 year old Joseph Coughlan. O’Halpin and Ó Corráin say that he was an IRA man (and that he was 17 years old). The CFR says that he was a member of Fianna Ēireann (and 14 years old).	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 399; Cork Fatality Register
cMay-01-21/4	At around this time, Ernie O’Malley (See Mar-21-21/6) sets up his 2^nd 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-01-21/5	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 or Fihoragh on the Cavan-Longford border. They were shot by men from the ASU of the North Longford Brigade, IRA. Constable Cutherberston was from Sterling in Scotland and Constable Shaw was from Yorkshire in England. They had 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; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 400
May-01-21/6	IRA Volunteer Henry Clancy is shot dead when trying to evade arrest near Singland Railway bridge outside Limerick City. Two other IRA men (including Capt Thomas Keane) are captured. It would seem that Clancy was actually trying to escape. See Jun-04-21/8.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 400; O’Farrell (1997), pg 103
May-01-21/7	The ASU of the East Limerick Brigade, IRA (under Donnchadh O’Hannigan), and some men from the Mid-Limerick ASU, encounters a large contingent of Crown Forces at Shraharla (4 miles northeast of Kildorrery) on the Cork-Limerick border. A long fire-fight ensues. As they try to retreat, two IRA men, Patrick Starr and James Horan, are killed. Both men are from the Mid-Limerick ASU. Two other IRA men are captured. One, Patrick Casey, is executed the next day in the Military Detention Barracks in Cork. The other, Tim Hennessy, is wounded and dies on May 17^th. The Crown Forces capture a substantial number of IRA weapons. Kautt says that it was the mid-Limerick brigade under Liam Forde. He says that “a small group of Volunteers” were caught out in the open. Maybe he meant Sean Forde (aka Thomas Malone)?	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 402-403 & 431; O’Donoghue (1986), pg 157 O’Farrell (1997), pgs 109 & 113 & 119; Malone (1996), pg 142; Kautt (2014), pg 157; Sheehan (2017), pg 107 & 125
May-01-21/8	An ex-BA soldier, Michael O’Keeffe, is taken from his home on Main St, Carrigtohill, Co. Cork by men from D Company, 4^th Cork Battalion, IRA and executed as an alleged spy. A British officer noted that “The deceased was a very loyal man”. According to the CFR, local IRA Volunteers considered that a ‘murder gang’ of Cameron Highlanders was set up after the killing of O’Keeffe and “proceeded to kill five local Volunteers or civilians, including William Bransfield, Michael Aherne, John Ryan, Richard Barry, and Richard Flynn”. It would seem that the Cameron Highlanders killed four IRA men and two civilians between May 1^st and May 14^th (missing from the above list is Edward McNamara) - See May-09-21/5, May-14-21/4 and May-14-21/6.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 399-400; Sheehan (2017), pg 76; Cork Fatality Register
May-01-21/9	IRA man, Denis Tuohy (who had resigned from the RIC in 1918) is arrested at his home near Kenmare, Co. Kerry. He is brought to Kenmare RIC Barracks where he is later shot dead when allegedly trying to escape. Marks on his body show that he was badly tortured including that all his nails had been extracted.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 401-402
May-01-21/10	A BA dispatch rider, Herbert Wenn, accidently kills himself when fooling around with a gun in the Curragh Camp, Co. Kildare.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 402-403
May-02-21/1	IRA man, Patrick Farrell, is mortally wounded by a booby trap bomb while trenching a road outside Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford.	O’Farrell (1997), pg 107; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 403-404
May-02-21/2	There is an IRA ambush at Uskerty Wood, Co. Kilkenny led by George O’Dwyer	O’Farrell (1997), pg 32 & 79
May-02-21/3	A mixed BA and RIC bicycle patrol from Galbally, Co Limerick attacks part of the ASUs of the West and East Limerick Brigade, IRA at Lackelly, near Knocklong. According to Hopkinson, despite vastly outnumbering the BA and RIC patrol, the IRA suffer 5 fatalities. He also says that British sources thought 14 were killed.  Malone says there were four IRA fatalities and names two as Tom Howard (from Glanbrohane, Co. Limerick) and Willie O’Riordain (from Cullane, Ballylanders). O’Halpin & Ó Corráin and Kautt name the other two as James Frawley or Frahill and Patrick Ryan (from Annagh, Munroe). It is reported that O’Riordain was wounded but he managed to crawl to a nearby field. However, he was discovered and bayoneted to death.	Hopkinson (2002), pg 121; O'Farrell P (1997), pg 108; Malone (1996), pgs 142-145; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 403; Kautt (2014), pg 157
May-02-21/4	Farmer and shopkeeper, Francis Donnolly, and his brother Patrick are removed from their home at Springtown, Augher, Co. Tyrone by men from the Clogher Company, 3^rd Battalion, Monaghan Brigade, IRA. Francis is shot in their farmyard. He dies on May 9^th in the Infirmary in Monaghan. He was killed for having “Belfast goods in his shop”.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 415
May-03-21/1	The Tourmakeady Ambush 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 O’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 killed ‘trying to escape’.  Two other IRA men – Patrick King and Philip Hallinan – were captured. 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; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 404-405; Kautt (2014), pg 158; Sheehan (2009), pgs 98-100
May-03-21/2	Two RIC men die as a result of a bomb being thrown at them in a shop in Barrack St., Clonakilty, Co. Cork.  They are Constable Martin Fallon and Constable James Cullen. Constable Cullen was from Wiltshire in England. He had three month’s experience in the RIC. Constable Fallon was from Co. Roscommon.	Abbott (2000), pg 230; Abbott (2019), pg 292; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 414
May-03-21/3	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-03-21/4	Sean (Jack) O’Sullivan (who served with Kill Company, Kildare Brigade, IRA) dies in Ballykinlar Internment 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; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 405-406
May-03-21/5	As the funeral of Henry Clancy (see May-01-21/6), Crown Forces shoot at three men, who they claim, failed to halt when ordered to do so. Two of the men are badly wounded, one of whom (IRA man Patrick Michael Downey from Garryowen, Limerick) dies from his wounds. It is later claimed that the RIC fired indiscriminately at the mourners as the funeral procession neared the cemetery.	O’Farrell (1997), pg 106; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 407
May-03-21/6	Two IRA men Christopher Fitzsimons and Tom Flood, from the Dublin Brigade ASU, lob grenades at two tenders carrying Auxiliaries on North Frederick St in Dublin. There are no fatalities but a number of Auxiliaries are wounded.	Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pg 248
May-04-21/1	The Rathmore Ambush At Bog Road, a half-mile from Rathmore, Co Kerry, the IRA ambush a nine-man party of RIC men, who were lured to the spot by the body of a suspected informer. This ambush results in the deaths of eight of the nine RIC men. More Detail	O’Donoghue (1986), pg 168; Abbott (2000), pg 230-231 & Hopkinson (2002), pg 126; Abbott (2019), pgs 292-293; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 406-408; MacEvilly (2011), pgs 44-45
May-04-21/2	In reply to Llyod George’s letter of April 19th (see Apr-19-21/1), the British churchmen say that “crime perpetrated by those responsible for the maintenance of order and right stands in a category by itself, and the facts stated in your letter as to the disciplinary measures which it has been found necessary to take [against members of the Crown Forces] are of themselves evidence that it has not been infrequent”.	Boyce (1972), pg 98
May-04-21/3	First major ‘drive’ by the BA starts out in the Mullingar and covers the Tullamore and Longford areas. It lasts until May 12^th. According to the official history of the 5^th Division of the BA, it results in the capture of a fair number of “wanted” men. The BA’s The Record of the Rebellion says that the drive started on May 5^th and claims that 35 wanted men were detained.	Sheehan (2009), pgs 89-90; Kautt (2014), pgs 158-159
May-04-21/4	An attempt is made by the IRA to rescue Frank Carty who had been arrested in Glasgow, Scotland. The attempt fails but results in the killing of an inspector in the City of Glasgow police, Robert Johnson.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 407
May-05-21/1	Craig and de Valera meet secretly in Dublin in the home of Thomas Greene in 8 Howth Road. This meeting was arranged by Andy Cope. Both sides claim that they 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. Nevertheless, it gives rise to a lot of comment in the British press.	Augusteijn (2002), pg 234; Macardle (1999), pg 450; Hopkinson (2002), pg 161; Parkinson (2004), pg 122; Fanning (2013), pg 253; Boyce (1972), pg 116; Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pg 252; Parkinson (2020), pg 98
May-05-21/2	IRA Volunteer John Stokes who was acting as a scout for the ASU of the Charville Battalion, Cork No. 2 Brigade, IRA is shot and killed by a BA patrol searching for the ASU.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 407-408
May-05-21/3	There is an attack by the IRA on Mountfield RIC barracks in Co. Tyrone.	McCluskey (2014), pg 101
cMay-05-21/4	Patrick Bermingham is shot dead as an alleged informer by men from the 2^nd Battalion, Offaly Brigade IRA. His body is found at Cappancur, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. He was an ex-member of the BA.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 408
May-05-21/5	Ten IRA men from Section 4 of the Dublin Brigade ASU attack a British Army truck at the Half-Way House in Walkinstown in Dublin. A number of BA soldiers and one IRA man (Michael Sweeney) are wounded. The Half-Way House is burnt down by Crown Forces early the following morning.	O’Connor and Connolly (2011), pg 43; Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pgs 250-252
May-05-21/6	RIC Constable Ernest Guy Walls dies after a traffic accident.	Abbott (2019), pg 413
May-05-21/7	Two men take James Lynch from his home in Whitegate, Co. Cork and shoot him dead as an alleged informer. The men who carried out this killing were from C (Ballincollig) Company, 4th Battalion, Cork No. 1 Brigade, IRA. The IRA had given a warning to Lynch about seven weeks before he was killed.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 408; Cork Fatality Register
May-05-21/8	John Hickey fell into a trench dug in the road at Newtown, Kildare, Co. Kildare. He died from a fractured skull.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 408
May-06-21/1	An ambush is planned by West Mayo IRA under Michael Kilroy on an RIC patrol at Big Wall, Islaneady (between Westport and Castlebar). However, it has to be abandoned when IRA scouts are spotted by the RIC patrol and it turns back to 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 (Jim McNulty and Frank O’Boyle) captured.  O’Malley and Lally were unarmed.	Hopkinson (2002), pg 134; Price (2012), pg 144 & 282; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 408-409
May-06-21/2	According to Abbott, an RIC patrol is ambushed at Newton, Annacarthy, Cappawhite, Co. Tipperary resulting in the death of one RIC man (Sgt James Kingston) and one IRA man. According to O’Callaghan, Sean Wall (who was O/C East Limerick Brigade, IRA and Chair of Limerick County Council) “blundered into an enemy patrol and was taken prisoner before being killed”. According to O’Malley, Wall was on his way to the first council meeting of the 2^nd Southern Division IRA. Wall is succeeded by Donncadh O’Hannigan as O/C East Limerick Brigade. There is a memorial to Wall in the village of Bruff, Co. Limerick. He had helped raise over £30,000 in East Limerick for the Dáil Loan.	Abbott (2000), pg 231; Abbott (2019), pg 293; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 409; O’Malley (1990), pg 308, O’Farrell (1997), pg 119; O’Callaghan (2018), pg 133; O’Sullivan Greene (2020), pg 178
May-06-21/3	A number of men see a RIC patrol coming their direction at Caherina, Tralee, Co. Kerry. They run away through the house of Nora Conway. A short time afterwards, she looks out her front door and is shot dead by the RIC.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 409-410
May-06-21/4	An ex-British Army soldier (Munster Fusiliers), James or William Purcell, disappears in Cork City. His body is found the following day in Tory Top Lane in Ballyphehane (where the IRA had left the bodies of two of their previous victims – See Feb-19-20/1 and Feb-12-21/2). The IRA claim that they had found out that Purcell was an informer via intercepted mail. O’Halpin and Ó Corráin state “The litany of assassinations over the preceding six months indicates that the IRA in Cork City did not agonize for long about whether to kill someone whom they suspected [of informing]”.	Borgonovo (2007), pg 68; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 410; Cork Fatality Register
May-06-21/5	Daniel Killoughery or Killoury is mortally wounded by a joint BA/RIC patrol for ‘failing to stop when challenged’ at Moymore, Liscannor, Co. Clare.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 410; O’Farrell (1997), pg 110
May-07-21/1	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-07-21/2	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 killing of the Duffin brothers – See Apr-23-21/1 - despite probably being one of the men who carried out the killings.)  Jimmy McDermott, O/C 1^st Battalion, Belfast Brigade, IRA was probably involved in this shooting.	Parkinson (2004), pgs 126-127; McDermott (2001), pg 80
May-07-21/3	An ex-BA soldier, Thomas Collins (who played in the Comrades of the Great War band) was returning with some friends (two men – Jack McCarthy and Paddy Lynass and two women – sisters Fanny and Essie Sheehan) from a dance held in the military barracks in Youghal in Co. Cork. On North Main St., they are attacked by three men. According to O’Halpin and Ó Corráin, Collins is mortally wounded and two of his friends (Paddy Lynass and Essie Sheehan) are wounded. (They also say that Fanny Sheehan said that she had been warned two weeks previously against attending such dances.) However, according to Sheehan, both Collins and Essie Sheehan were killed. He says that Sheehan was shot four times in the back and that she seemed to be the main target.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 410; Sheehan (2017), pg 33
May-07-21/4	A five-man RIC cycle patrol is ambushed at Inch, Co. Wexford (between Coolgreany and Gorey) by about 18 IRA men under Myles Breen. This ambush results 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; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 410
May-07-21/5	Large unionist demonstration and parade in Belfast in support of the Unionist candidates in North Belfast standing in the upcoming elections. Part of a large and well organised campaign to get out the unionist vote.	Parkinson (2020), pgs 98-99
May-07-21/6	Thirteen-year-old, William Curry, from Upper Erne St., Dublin finds an oblong shaped object in a public lavatory. It explodes, killing Curry and injuring three of his young companions.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 410
May-07-21/7	An RIC man (Constable Thomas Hopkins), who is home on leave, is shot dead near his father's home at Lefane, Ballindine, Co. Mayo	Abbott (2000), pg 232; Price (2012), pg 140; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 410-411
May-08-21/1	Belfast Column Captured at Lappinduff One of the two Belfast flying columns, which was operating in the Cootehill area of Cavan (the other operated in Belfast), is surrounded by a large BA and RIC force in the Lappinduff Mountains resulting in the death of one IRA man (Sean McCartney from Norfolk St., Falls Road, Belfast) and the capture of most of the rest of the column (10 men captured), two of whom were wounded.  More Detail	Hopkinson (2002), pg 147; O’Farrell (1997), pg 112; McDermott (2001), pgs 80-82; Lawlor (2011), pgs 158-161; Townshend (2014), pg 282; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 411-412
May-08-21/2	Two RIC men are attacked as they are returning from church in Castleisland, Co. Kerry. One is killed (H/Constable William Storey) and, in the 2000 edition of his book, Abbott says the other is wounded (Sgt James Butler). He says that Butler’s wife threw herself on him in order to protect him from further bullets. It would seem from that this account that Sgt Butler survived. However, in the 2019 edition of his book, Abbott says that Sgt Butler died from his wounds on July 19th. O’Halpin and Ó Corráin agree that H/Con Storey was killed but do not mention the death of Sgt Butler.	Abbott (2000), pg 232; Abbott (2019), pg 295; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 413
May-08-21/3	An RIC man (Constable Frederick Sterland) is shot by four men outside the Rob Roy Pub in Cook St., Cork City. He later dies from his wounds. The IRA said that he was a “prominent British intelligence officer”. However, Sheehan says that his killing was an abduction gone wrong but the CFR does not agree. Constable Sterland was from Birmingham in England and had four months’ service with the RIC.	Abbott (2000), pg 233; Abbott (2019), pgs 295-296; Borgonovo (2007) pg 119; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 413; Sheehan (2017), pg 75; Cork Fatality Register
May-08-21/4	The IRA attack the RIC barracks in Newcastle, Co. Down	McDermott (2001), pg 82
May-08-21/5	John Hodnett is shot dead by a RIC patrol for ‘failing to stop’ at Courtmacsherry, Co. Cork.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 413
May-08-21/6	An RIC patrol is ambushed at Greenore, Co. Louth with one RIC man wounded. See May-13-21/2.	Hall (2019), pg 81
May-08-21/7	The wife of RIC DI Gilbert Potter (see Apr-27-21/1) 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-08-21/8	John McAuley and Martin Scanlon from Kilrooskey, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon are shot dead by the IRA as alleged informers.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 411
May-08-21/9	A large arms dump belonging to the East Limerick Brigade of the IRA is discovered at Thomastown by Crown Forces.	Townshend (2014), pg 266
May-09-21/1	The Cork Examiner carries a statement from the BA that it had destroyed the houses of Patrick Hegarty and William Connell in Castlemartyr in Co. Cork because they were “supporters of the armed rebels”.	Sheehan (2017), pg 104
May-09-21/2	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; Sheehan (2007), pg 58
May-09-21/3	Special Constable John Russell has an accident while on duty and later dies in Newry Hospital, Co. Down. He was on roof guard duty at Newry Military Barracks when he fell from the roof and fractured his skull.	Abbott (2018), pg 412; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 415
May-09-21/4	Patrick Wynne is shot dead in his home at Kileenboy, Kilteevan, Co. Roscommon by Sgt J. Morley of the BA’s Leicestershire Regiment. Morley said that he had tried to run away when ordered to put his hands up. O’Halpin and Ó Corráin say that “It afterwards emerged that Wynne was mentally unbalanced”.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 413-414
May-09-21/5	IRA Volunteer, William Bransfield, is taken from his home on Main St., Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork by four disguised men and shot dead. Two other IRA men are also dragged from their home but manage to escape. According to the CFR “These actions appear to have been the work of a British military ‘death squad’ composed of Cameron Highlanders”. His wife, Frances, died from pulmonary tuberculosis 12 days later. The couple had a one month old child called Mary. Bransfield was a brother-in-law of Michael O’Keeffe – see May-01-21/8. See also May-14-21/4.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 414; Cork Fatality Register
May-10-21/1	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.  It is claimed by the BA that Dockery had a map belonging to Captain Peek who had been killed at the Scramogue ambush (see Mar-23-21/1). As usual, they are severely beaten after being taken to the BA barracks in Boyle. (Dockery later escapes from Boyle military barracks – see May-21-21/3.)	O’Callaghan (2012), pg 137; Sheehan (2009), pg 97
May-10-21/2	IRA volunteer, James Quaine of Main St, Youghal, Co. Cork, is shot dead by the BA at Piltown Cross (between Ardmore and Youghal) in Co. Waterford. According to McCarthy, this killing occurred during a running gun fight with a patrol of marines from the Ardmore coast guard station. However, according to O’Halpin and Ó Corráin there was no gun fight. They say that, according to the Marines, they challenged two men behind a hedge and fired one round when they refused to come forward. This round mortally wounded Quaine. O’Halpin and Ó Corráin go on to say that the man with Quaine (E. P. Lynch) said that he and Quaine were standing innocently in a ditch beside a hedge and that there was no challenge before a shot was fired.	McCarthy (2015), pg 83; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 415-416
May-10-21/3	Six members the Donegal No. 1 flying column are surrounded in Glendowan. Two are captured but the other four escape. The column’s leader, Peadar O’Donnell, is badly injured.	Ó Duibhir (2009), pg 256
May-10-21/4	Two RIC men (Constable Alexander Clarke and Constable Charles Murdock or Murdoch) 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 Murdoch 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 Black and Tans from burning down Clonmany. Constable Clarke was from Hertfordshire in England and had eight months’ service with the RIC. (Abbott does not say where Constable Murdock was from but O’Halpin and Ó Corráin say that he was from Dublin and had eight months’ service with the RIC.)	Abbott (2000), pg 233; Lawlor (2011), pgs 156-158; Ó Duibhir (2009), pg 255; Abbott (2019), pg 296; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 414
May-10-21/5	In two separate incidents, two West Cork IRA men are killed by Crown Forces. Frank Hurley is killed after being captured (allegedly ‘trying to escape’) by members of the BA’s Essex Regiment at Carhoo, Ardfield, Clonakilty, Co. Cork or at Laragh Bandon (Castle Bernard Park). Geoffrey Canty of Newcestown or Scrahan, Enniskeane is captured by members of the BA’s 2^nd Battalion, Hampshire Regiment at Murragh on the Bandon to Dunmanway road. He was also shot while ‘attempting to escape’.	Deasy (1973), pgs 272-273; O’Farrell (1997), pg 47; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 414-415; Sheehan (2017), pgs 137-138; Cork Fatality Register
May-10-21/6	IRA lieutenant, Michael O’Shea from the West Limerick Brigade, is shot and badly wounded by a BA patrol between Ballingarry and Bruree, Co. Limerick. He and a wounded comrade are taken to Charville in Co. Cork where O’Shea dies of his wounds.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 416
May-10-21/7	Fourteenth Session of the First Dáil Éireann Twenty-one TDs were in attendance. Eleven departmental reports were tabled and debated. A key issue was the upcoming elections - See May-22-21/1 and May-24-21/8. It was agreed that, after these elections, the current Dáil would dissolve and all candidates elected in the upcoming elections (in Northern and Southern Ireland) would become members of a second Dáil after taking the proposed Oath of Allegiance. De Valera referred to the recent visit of Lord Derby (see Apr-21-21/5) and of his meeting with Craig (see May-05-21/1). With regards to Derby, the Dáil proceedings state “Derby was over and he saw him. He (the President) regarded him as a mere political scout, and he spoke to him as he would to a Press man.” With regards to the meeting with Craig, de Valera says “Then there was the Craig interview; he had heard a number of times that Sir James Craig was anxious to meet some of them, and he had indicated that he was quite willing to meet Craig. The interview was of no significance.” De Valera also mentioned the Republican Courts saying “The enemy Government were afraid of the renewal of the Republican Court activities. He urged that they should use every effort to get the Courts working again. The day they got the Courts working again all over the country they had the British beaten.” The Minister for Defence make a plea to the other departments only to call on his department when it was absolutely necessary. Proceeding of 14th Session can be found here: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1921-05-10/ See Aug-16-21/1 for 1st Session of the Second Dáil Éireann.
May-10-21/8	A pharmacist, Robert Duggan, is shot dead in his shop at 49 Summerhill Parade, Dublin. Even though his killers claimed to be from the IRA, this is likely to have been a robbery.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 415
May-11-21/1	IRA Volunteer John Scally of Portnahinch, Co. Roscommon receives mortal wounds. He and four other Volunteers were wounded while re-opening a trench at Beechwood on the road between Longford and Lanesborough which has been refilled by Crown Forces. They trigger a booby-trapped grenade and Scally, along with other injured volunteers are brought to a field hospital on Inchenagh Island on Lough Ree. Although attended by two doctors, Scally dies on May 21^st.	O’Callaghan (2012), pgs 97-99; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 439-440; Burke (2021), pg 118
May-11-21/2	At a British cabinet meeting, Llyod George was considering seeking a truce for the period of the election but CIGS 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”. Also, Greenwood writes to Llyod George arguing against a truce and saying that “after the elections … there will be a new set of facts, and all the more favourable for peace or cessation”. However, they decide to have a special cabinet meeting on Ireland the following day - see May-12-21/1. Frances Stevenson confidentially tells Mark Sturgis that Llyod George still hoped to impose the Government of Ireland Act on southern Ireland “without any additions whatsoever”.	Macardle (1999), pg 450; Matthews (2004), pg 31; Boyce (1972), pgs 132-133
May-11-21/3	A Special Harbour Constable, Alfred Craig, is 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; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 417
May-11-21/4	Disguised men arrive at the home of James Folan in O’Donohue (or O’Donoghoe or O’Donoghue) 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 Folan, dies of his wounds. The other brother, Joseph, is also shot but recovers from his wounds. James was not at home due to information given to the IRA by a friendly RIC man, Sgt John O’Connell. A short distance away, the same gang goes to 35 St Bridget’s Terrace where Hugh Tully is lodging and shoot him dead. Tully may or may not have been an IRA man. Another man, James Traynor who was a member of the IRA, was given refuge by an RIC Constable called Jack Kelly. 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. Possibly by a gang led by RIC Sgt Keane from Dominick St Barracks.	McNamara (2018), pg 151; Henry (2012), pgs 211-213; Lesson (2012), pg 62; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 416
May-11-21/5	Cornelius Murphy, a first lieutenant in the Timoleague Company, Cork No. 3 Brigade, IRA is shot dead by an Essex Regiment patrol at Cloonderreen, Kilbritain, Co. Cork. It is alleged that he was shot by Major A. E. Percival.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 417; Deasy (1973), pg 271; Cork Fatality Register
May-11-21/6	IRA Volunteer William Quinn is accidently injured during the destruction of a bridge at Bawnmore near Cashel, Co. Tipperary. He later dies from his injuries.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 417
May-11-21/7	IRA Adjutant Patrick ‘Jim’ Marley dies after the accidental discharge of a firearm at Rockfield or Ardogommon Wood, Westport, Co. Mayo. (Price says May 11th but O’Halpin & Ó Corráin say May 13th.)	Price (2012), pg 282; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 419
May-12-21/1	A special British cabinet conference considers offering a truce in the run-up to the elections. For a truce are Fisher, Montagu, Anderson, Churchill, Addison and Munro. Against a truce are Balfour, Smith (Birkenhead), Chamberlain, Horne, Worthington-Evans, Greenwood, Shortt, Curzon and Llyod George. Fisher writes in his diary “We lose the day”. Llyod George says that he was not prepared to give Ireland the degree of independence enjoyed by Canada and Australia and offering Dominion status to the Irish, at this stage, would be used by the Irish to extract too many concessions from Britain. The minute states that “it would be a mistake for the Government to take the initiative in any suspension of military activities in Ireland, and that the present policy in that country should be pursued”.	Curran J M (1980), pg 53; Townshend (1975), pg 181; Boyce (1972), pgs 132-133; Morgan (1979), pg 130
May-12-21/2	Four IRA men (Con Dee, Paddy Dalton, Jerry Lyons and Paddy Walsh), who were returning home from a Redemptorist retreat at a church in Athea, Co. Limerick, are arrested by the RIC at Gortaglanna near Listowel in Co Kerry. They are badly treated before they brought to a crossroads leading to Knockanure where they are ordered into a field and shot.  Three are shot dead but one (Con Dee) manages to escape. Among the RIC men who Dee implicates in the killings are Head Constable Smyth and Constable Raymond from Listowel RIC Barracks.	Harnett (2002), pgs 93-95; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 417-418
May-12-21/3	A combination of the ASUs of the South Tipperary Brigade and the 7^th 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-12-21/4	A memo from Lieut-Colonel H.O. Hutchin, General Staff, 6^th 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.” I It goes on to say that it was “impossible to supply sufficient troops”.  (This memo is published by the Irish Bulletin on June 17^th.)	Gallagher (1953), pg 112
May-12-21/5	A grenade and gun attack by the IRA on a tender carrying Auxiliaries in the Grafton St area of Dublin caused injuries to fourteen civilians and one DMP man.	Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pg 254
May-12-21/5	A BA patrol exiting from Portobello Barracks in Dublin is attacked by men from Section 4 of the Dublin Brigade ASU under Jimmy McGuiness at Sally’s Bridge. No casualties on either side.	Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pg 255
May-13-21/1	124 Sinn Féin and 4 Unionists (TCD) candidates 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; Kautt (2014), pg 151; Sheehan (2009), pg 71
May-13-21/2	IRA man John Joseph Magee (or McGee) from Boher (or Crosslaney or Millgrange) near Carlingford or Greenore 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. This killing was probably in retaliation for the ambush on May 8th – see May-08-21/6. See Jun-18-21/10.	O’Farrell (1997), pg 113; Hall (2019), pgs 81-82; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 418
May-13-21/3	The house in which the ASU of the 7^th Battalion, Kilkenny Brigade and No. 2 ASU of Tipperary No. 2 Brigade, IRA are 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; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 419 & 433
May-13-21/4	Michael Ryan is shot dead by Crown Forces when crossing a field near his home at Ballybrack, Annacarty, Co. Limerick. He was shot for allegedly failing to stop.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 418
May-13-21/5	An RIC man (Constable Albert Skeats) is shot at the rear of Cabinteely RIC Barracks, Co. Dublin.  He died 15 days later from his wounds. He was shot by men from F Company, 6^th Battalion, Dublin Brigade IRA. Cabinteely RIC Barracks had been attacked twice during April. It was attacked again on May 10^th, May 12^th (when an IRA Volunteer was seriously injured) and May 13^th. Constable Skeats was from London and had six weeks service in the RIC.	Abbott (2000), pg 237; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 448; Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pg 294
May-14-21/1	The IRA attempt to 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; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 419; Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pgs 255-261; Sheehan (2007), pgs 48-49
May-14-21/2	The 1^st and 2^nd Southern Divisions of the IRA start to carry out attacks on Crown Forces in retaliation for the executions of the four IRA prisoners in Cork on April 28th – see Apr-28-21/2.  O’Donoghue claims that in this week there were 55 British casualties, including 23 deaths.  In all, there would have seem to have been 25 members of the Crown Forces killed by the IRA in the area of the 1^st and 2^nd Divisions of the IRA in this week – see May-14-21/1 (1 RIC man); May-14-21/4 (3 RIC men); May-14-21/7 (3 RIC men); May-14-21/8 (1 BA soldier); May-14-21/9 (1 RIC man); May-14-21/10 (3 BA soldiers); May-14-21/11 (1 RIC man); May-14-21/12 (1 RIC man); May-14-21/14 (1 BA soldier); May-14-21/19 (2 BA soldiers); May-15-21/1 (1 RIC man); May-15-21/3 (1 RIC man); May15-21/5 (1 BA soldier); May-15-21/8 (2 RIC men); May-17-21/4 (1 RIC man); cMay-17-21/11 (1 BA soldier) and May-18-21/8 (1 BA soldier). What is notable is that all but three of these killings took place on May 14^th and 15^th May. While all of these killings may not have been directly linked to orders from the two Divisional GHQs to carry out retaliation killings for the four IRA men executed by the British in Cork, it nevertheless clearly demonstrates the IRA brigades in the two divisions could operate on a divisional basis. Abbott says that during May 1921, 56 RIC men were killed which was the largest number of any month between 1919 and the Truce.	O’Donoghue (1986), pg 158 and pg 167; Abbott (2000), pg 237
May-14-21/3	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, Adj, 1^st (Bandon) Battalion, Cork No. 3 Brigade and three other IRA men. According to the IRA, he was shot “at 350 yards distance”.	Abbott (2000), pg 237; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 423
May-14-21/4	An RIC man (Sgt Joseph Coleman) is shot dead in Buckley’s public house in Middleton, Co. Cork.  When a group of RIC men 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. A card is found on their bodies saying “Revenge for Clonmult and we will have more”. In retaliation, soldiers from the BA’s Queens’s Own Cameron Highlanders kill four men: Edward McNamara, Michael Aherne, Richard Flynn and John Ryan – they are all from Carrigtwohill/Midleton area. All four were killed while unarmed. Flynn was not a member of the IRA but the other three were. See also May-14-21/6.	Abbott (2000), pg 238; Abbott (2019), pg 302; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 419-420 & 424; O’Farrell (1997), pg 102
May-14-21/5	RIC Constable Robert Redmond is shot by the IRA at Frankfort Cottages in Killarney St., Dublin - he dies on his way to hospital.	Abbott (2000), pg 238; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 423-424; Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pg 261
May-14-21/6	A civilian, Richard Barry, is shot dead ‘when attempting to flee his house’ by members of the BA’s Cameron Highlanders at Knockgriffin, Midleton, Co. Cork.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 424; O’Farrell (1997), pg 102
May-14-21/7	A seven or eight-man RIC patrol is attacked on Watercourse Rd., (or at the corner of O’Connell St. and Great William O’Brien St.) in Blackpool, Cork City. This attack results in the deaths of three RIC men (Constable Peter Carolan or Coughlan, Constable Patrick Hayes and Constable John Ryle) and the wounding of one other.   O’Farrell says that Fr James O’Flynn goes to minister to the dying men and is shot at by Black and Tans. In reprisal, around 2.00am on the morning of May 15^th, a group of four armed men enter the home of Miss Crowley at 9 Langford Row in the city and kill Patrick Sheehan. An hour later, a group enter the house of Sinn Féin TD, Liam de Róiste at Janemount, Sunday’s Well. When they find that he is not at home, they shoot dead an RC priest who was staying in the house, Fr James O’Callaghan. A number of houses are also burnt by Crown Forces.	Abbott (2000), pg 238-9; O’Farrell (1997), pgs 76 & 80; Borgonovo (2007) pg 111; Gallagher (1953), pg 293; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 420 & 424 & 425 & 427 & 441
May-14-21/8	Lance Corporal Roland Madell of the BA’s Essex Regiment is killed during an attack by members of the Barryroe Company, Cork No. 3 Brigade of the IRA on Courtmacsherry Military Barracks in Co. Cork.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 420
May-14-21/9	Three RIC men are attacked in the village of Drumcollogher, Co. Limerick by men from the 3^rd (Drumcollogher) Battalion, West Limerick Brigade, IRA.  One RIC man is killed (Constable Thomas Bridges) and others wounded.  The attack was led by Bat. O/C Con Foley and V/C Ben Sullivan.  There were RIC reprisals the following night.	Abbott (2000), pg 239; Harnett (2002), pgs 100-101; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 421-422
May-14-21/10	Three unarmed members of the BA’s King’s Own Scottish Borders (Private Donald Chambers, Private John Hunter and Private Robert McMillan) are executed by the IRA after they are captured at Rossmacowen, Castletownbere, Co. Cork. The IRA were under the command of Micheál Óg O’Sullivan who had been ordered to take reprisals for the execution of IRA prisoners in Cork prison – See May-14-21/2.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 421; Kautt (2014), pg 154; Sheehan (2017), pg 157
May-14-21/11	H/Constable Francis Benson is shot dead near his home in Pembroke St., Tralee, Co Kerry by men from the ASU of the Kerry No. 1 Brigade, IRA.	Abbott (2000), pg 239-240; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 419
May-14-21/12	IRA party led by Sean Gaynor (O/C Tipperary No. 1 Brigade) ambush a car and kill RIC D/I Harry Biggs and Winifred Barrington at Collboreen between Kilorcully and Newport in North Tipperary.  Also in the car are a Miss Coverdale, a British Army officer Captain William Trengrouse and a local loyalist (and former BA soldier) Major William Gabbitt. They latter three are not killed but Coverdale is wounded. Trengrouse escaped towards Newport. The ambush party consisted of Gaynor, Paddy Ryan of Lacken, Tom McGrath, Dinny Hayes and four Newport volunteers (with other volunteers covering an alternative route). Trengrouse’s actions are disputed. Abbot claims that he shot at the IRA men before going for assistance. However, according to Kautt, the IRA men say that he did not fire on them. Kautt continues “The latter would seem to be correct, since he resigned from the army two weeks later for cowardice, having left the two ladies”.	Hopkinson (2002), pg 118; Abbott (2000), pgs 240-241; Regan (2007), pg 151; Abbott (2019), pgs 305-306; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 422-423; Kautt (2014), pgs 153-154
May-14-21/13	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 (3^rd 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-14-21/14	A party of IRA men in a Model T Ford car, led by Tom Barry (O/C, ASU, Cork No. 3 Brigade, IRA) fire with a Lewis machine gun on a number of soldiers from the BA’s Essex Regiment who are in a field beside the Grammar School in Devonshire Sq. (now Allen Sq.) in Bandon, Co Cork. Private William Shepherd or Sheppard of the Essex Regiment is killed in this attack. Also, a civilian, Cornelius Looney of Boyle St. in Bandon, is seriously wounded in this incident and dies later in the day.	Deasy (1973), pg 276; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 421-422; Sheehan (2017), pg 157;
May-14-21/15	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-14-21/16	Ex-BA soldier, David Walsh, is arrested by the IRA. He is tried, found guilty and executed as a spy at Doon, Glenville, Co. Cork on May 16th. The IRA claim that Walsh gave Crown Forces information which led to the Clonmult massacre (see Feb-20-21/2). Walsh was probably innocent – see More Detail to Feb-20-21/2.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 428-429; Hughes (2016), pg 124; Hart (2002), pg 91; Sheehan (2017), pg 76
May-14-21/17	Laurence Brien is shot dead on the doorstep of his home on School Lane, off Main St., Bray Co. Wicklow by a BA curfew patrol.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 423
May-14-21/18	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 March 14th 1922.	Leeson (2012), pg 6 & 202-203 & 272
May-14-21/19	Two members of the BA’s Royal Marine Artillery, Gunner Bernard Francis and Gunner William Parker, are shot dead by two members of the Midleton Company, Cork No. 1 Brigade, IRA at Ramhill, Ballinacurra, Co. Cork. This is part of the on-going retaliation for the execution of IRA prisoners in Cork – See May-14-21/2.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 423; Sheehan (2017), pg 157
May-14-21/20	The Kerry People report that Watson’s creamery in Killorglin was burnt down and that the creameries at Lixnaw and Kilflynn were shut down by Crown Forces.	O’Shea (2021), pg 62
May-14-21/21	Curfew restrictions in Dublin (see Apr-04-21/2) are eased by the British to 10.30pm to 4am. See Jul-08-21/3. Also, the BA in Dublin issue a proclamation warning civilians to halt when called on to do so by Crown Forces.	Sheehan (2007), pgs 50-52 & 67
May-14-21/22	George Riddell writes in his diary that Llyod George had informed him that “information had been received that Sinn Fein was being got under. There had been a proposal for a truce but he was against it.”	Pakenham (1967), pg 65
May-15-21/1	RIC Constable Hugh McLean is shot two miles outside Skibbereen, Co. Cork and dies later of his wounds. IRA unit was from the Skibbereen Battalion of the 3^rd 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; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 426-427
May-15-21/2	John Congdon was standing at the corner of Dorset St and St Ignatius Road in Dublin along with two companions. Bombs are thrown by the IRA at a passing BA lorry – all three men are wounded and Congdon dies from his wounds on May 27^th.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 447
May-15-21/3	A number of RIC men 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 (Sgt Jeremiah Sullivan and Constable John McLoughlin). Nutley had been shot in the head. Among those who took part in this attack were Brain Shanahan, Dan Breen, Jim Moloney, Con Moloney, ‘Artie’ Barlow and Ernie O’Malley. Nutley may have been killed in retribution for the killing of the O’Dwyer brothers on October 19^th 1920 – See Oct-19-20/1. See also Jul-01-21/5.	Abbott (2000), pg 241; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 424-425
May-15-21/4	Peter Graham is executed by the IRA as an alleged spy at the Golf Links, Killiney, Co. Dublin. The IRA say that they found out from local ex-BA soldiers that Graham (and Andrew Knight – see Jul-07-21/5) were paid informers.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 425; Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pg 263
May-15-21/5	Sgt Stephen Goldsmith of the BA’s Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) is cycling between two billets in Kenmare, Co. Kerry when he is shot by the IRA. He dies five days later. He was unarmed.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 437
May-15-21/6	The Ballyturin Ambush 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 17^th Lancers) are killed in an ambush by the South West Galway Brigade of the 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.) Lily Margaret Gregory (widow of Major Robert Gregory of Coole Park and Lady Gregory’s daughter-in-law), who was 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 by the RIC 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; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 425-426 & 439; Kautt (2014), pg 154; Sheehan (2009), pg 100
May-15-21/7	An ambush by the IRA at Esker, near Dromore, Co. Tyrone leads to the death of IRA Volunteer Edward McCusker. It was an attempt to kill USC Head Constable Matt Henderson who was believed by the IRA to be responsible for the killings of Slevin, Devine and O’Doherty – see Apr-05 to 07-21/1. (McCluskey says that this ambush also led to the death of Special Constable Magill but Abbott does not mention the death of Special Constable Magill and, while they do record the death of McCusker, neither do O’Halpin and Ó Corráin.)	McCluskey (2014), pg 98; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 422-423
May-15-21/8	RIC Constables Joseph Daly and Thomas Gallivan went out cycling from their barracks in Silvermines (or were going back to their barracks in Nenagh) Co. Tipperary. They were unarmed and in civilian clothes. They were later reported missing. They had been arrested by men from the North Tipperary brigade of the IRA led by Billy Spain and Tom Walsh. The latter contacted brigade HQ to ask what they should be done with the prisoners. The Brigade O/C, Sean Gaynor, sent back orders that they should be shot and buried. (The bodies were retrieved by the IRA in 1925 for formal burial.)	Abbott (2019), pgs 398-399; Ó Ruairc (2021), pg 36; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 427
May-15-21/9	Around this time, the homes of fifteen Auxiliaries are targeted in London resulting in a number of injuries. On the night of May 15^th, three or four men call to the home of Horace McNeill in Bloemfontein Road, Shepherd’s Bush, London. There is a scuffle and O’Neill is shot. He dies three days later. O’Halpin and Ó Corráin note that “McNeill was the only known fatality of the IRA’s scheme to attack the homes of Black and Tans and Auxiliaries in Britain”.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 433; Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pg 261
May-15-21/10	An ex-BA soldier, Michael Hackett, is arrested by the IRA. He is executed at Coolnasaughta, Myshall, Co. Carlow on June 1st. Hackett was accused of giving information to the Crown forces, in particular, on giving information on the Carlow Brigade ASU at Ballymurphy (see Apr-18-21/3).	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 457
May-16-21/1	Following the Ballyturin Ambush (see May-15-21/6), Colonel J. G. Chaplin, O/C of the Galway Brigade of the BA (as the Competent Military Authority) bans all fairs, markets and public meeting within six miles of Gort, Co. Galway and imposes an 8pm to 4am curfew on Gort.	Sheehan (2009), pgs 214-215
May-16-21/2	A group of either two or five workers from the Cork Examiner are walking home at night when a grenade is thrown at them from the corner of Nicholas St resulting in the death of IRA Volunteer, Stephen Dorman. This is very similar to an attack carried out by the RIC on five IRA men on November 23rd 1920 – see Nov-23-20/5. Borgonovo says May 16th but O’Halpin and Ó Corráin say May 23^rd. O’Farrell says May 25th.	Borgonovo (2007), pgs 111-112; O’Farrell (1997), pg 104; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 440-441
May-16-21/3	Daniel O'Brien, from Liscarroll and member of Charleville Battalion, Cork No. 2 Brigade is executed in the Military Detention Barracks in Cork.  He had been captured on May 11th at Aughrim, near Liscarroll, tried on May 14th and executed on May16th. (He was a brother of Paddy O’Brien, O/C Charville Battalion ASU, Cork No. 2 Brigade, IRA.)	O’Donoghue (1986), pg 157; O’Farrell (1997), pg 75; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 427; Sheehan (2017), pg 107
May-16-21/4	Sean Moylan, O/C, Cork No. 2 Brigade, IRA is captured near Kiskeam.  The Crown Forces also capture two other IRA men, a Hotchkiss gun, others arms and a number of IRA documents. Moylan 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”. Sheehan says that information from local agents led to the capture of Moylan.	O’Donoghue (1986), pg 169; Lynch in The Kerryman (1955), pg 232; Townshend (2014), pg 290; Sheehan (2017), pg 87; Sheehan (2017), pgs 138-139; Sheehan (2017), pgs 138-139
May-16-21/5	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-16-21/6	An eight-man IRA unit from the B Company, 5^th Battalion, Carlow Brigade, IRA 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 – Jim Lacey and James O’Connor or William Connor. (According to Price, his name was James O’Connor and according to O’Halpin & Ó Corráin his name was William Connor.)	Durney (2013), pgs 195-197; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 427-428
May-16-21/7	It is 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-16-21/8	A Catholic teenager, Mary Ann Carroll (13) is shot by a loyalist sniper in North Queen St., Belfast and later dies from her wounds. Parkinson says May 16th but McDermott and O’Halpin & Ó Corráin say May 22nd.	Parkinson (2004), pgs 127-128; McDermott (2001), pg 84; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 440
May-16-21/9	Sgt John Herrod of the BA’s South Wales Borderers is captured by the IRA near Bishopscourt outside Navan, Co. Meath. He is later killed.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 428
May-16-21/10	A large number of RIC and British Army men 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 1^st Northern Division officers are captured including O/C Frank Carney, Adjutant Bernard Doherty and QM Frank Martin. Joe Sweeney, O/C 1^st 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-16-21/11	A rally being held in the Ulster Hall in Belfast by the three independent Labour Party candidates in the forthcoming election (James Baird, John Hanna and Harry Midgley) is stormed by a much larger group of loyalists. The Labour candidates attempted to hold no more rallies. Parkinson says “Thus spontaneous grass-roots loyalist action resulted in the virtual removal of a key threat facing Unionist Party bosses”. Parkinson does not say how he knows that this action was spontaneous.	Parkinson (2004), pg 100
May-16-21/12	RIC Constable Leonard Harte or Hart is accidentally shot dead in Carrick-on-Shannon Barracks on Co. Leitrim.	Abbott (2019), pg 407; McGarty (2020), pg 100; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 428
May-16-21/13	Auxiliary Cadet, Colville Crabbe, commits suicide. He was a member of F Company based in Dublin Castle.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 429
May-17-21/1	A nine-man RIC cycle patrol is ambushed at Newpark or Fortwilliam, near Rathcline, Co. Longford (between Lanesborough and Ballymahon) resulting in the death of one RIC man (Constable Edward Kenyon) and wounding of three others.	Abbott (2000), pg 242-243; Coleman (2003), pg 132; Durney (2013), pgs 197-198; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 430
May-17-21/2	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-17-21/3	Two RIC constables (Constable Edward Doran and Constable John Dunne) are killed at Kilcormac Road, Kinnity, Co Offally after their patrol is attacked.  The O/C of the Offaly No. 2 Brigade of the IRA noted that “this was the first time on which these men were in action … Previous to this encounter they were very doubtful about their capacity to tackle the enemy successfully”. (Hopkinson says May 19^th but Abbott and O’Halpin & Ó Corráin say May 17^th.)	Hopkinson (2002), pg 146; Abbott (2000), pg 243; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 430
May-17-21/4	RIC Constable Charles Mead is reported missing at Ballyseedy, Tralee, 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 September 26th 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; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 430-431
May-17-21/5	In his report on the situation in Ireland for the week ending May 14^th, Macready says that Sinn Féin had a complete “walkover” in the nominations for the parliament of Southern Ireland (see May-13-21/1). Even though he says that “it was a pity that arrangements were not made to nominate candidates in order to force a contest”, he acknowledges that “it is probable that Sinn Fein would have obtained a substantial majority had the Elections been contested”. Macready goes on to say that “A “parade state” of the I.R.A. recently captured, but undated, shows only 4,076 [men] of which 3,386 are in Munster.” He then asserts that “Once those men are dealt with and their arms are captured there will be some chance of peace in Ireland”. [Full text of report given in Kautt.]	Kautt (2014), pgs 238-240
May-17-21/6	An attack by the IRA on a lorry carrying Auxiliaries on North Frederick St in Dublin results in the wounding of seven civilians.	Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pg 261
May-17-21/7	Charles Cox was working in a shop on the North Strand in Dublin when he shot dead by a BA soldier who fired during an attack on a BA car.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 431
May-17-21/8	A BA soldier in the Royal Marine Light Infantry, Corporal Ernst Williams, stationed at Rosses Point, Co. Sligo is shot dead by members of the local F (Rosses Point) Company of the Sligo Brigade, IRA.	Farry (2012), pg 71; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 430
May-17-21/9	A Catholic teenager, Philomena Burns, is shot while standing at her front door on Upton St., Belfast and dies in hospital nearly three weeks later. Later on this day, bombs are thrown at a RIC lorry on the Springfield Rd. (Parkinson and O’Halpin & Ó Corráin say May 17th but McDermott says May15^th.)	Parkinson (2004), pg 128; McDermott (2001), pg 84; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 465
May-17-21/10	Following the raid on the house in which the ASU of the 7^th Battalion, Kilkenny Brigade was staying in on May 13^th, which resulted in the deaths of two IRA men (See May-13-21/3), two ex-BA soldiers (Michael Dermony or Darmody and Michael O’Keeffe) are 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 the brigade O/C. On June 1^st, 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; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 429-430
cMay-17-21/11	Lieutenant Seymour Vincent of the BA’s Royal Field Artillery is captured, while in civilian clothes near Watergrasshill, Co Cork by members of the Araglin Company, Cork No. 2 Brigade, IRA. He is shot dead when trying to escape. The IRA claim that he was in tramp’s clothing and had a notebook with the names of local loyalists.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 431; Sheehan (2017), pg 74
May-17-21/12	IRA man Jim Hunt is captured after raiding a train at Ballaghdereen, Co. Roscommon.	Sheehan (2009), pgs 100-101
May-17-21/13	Private Mark Percival of the BA’s King’s Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster) is killed when the Crossley tender in which he was travelling is attacked by the IRA at Inchicore, Dublin.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 431
May-18-21/1	An RIC patrol is ambushed on the Main Street in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal resulting in the wounding of Sgt Charles Maguire and the death of Constable Albert Carter.  At the same time, the RIC Barracks on the Lower Main St was attacked. These attacks are led by Hugh McGrath and Anthony Dawson. Reprisals followed but are muted. 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, O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 433
May-18-21/2	A pharmacist 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 label pinned to it saying ‘Convicted Spy – Traitors Beware’. However, this is not believed locally and the parish priest denounces the Crown Forces as murderers. This may have been a reprisal for the killing of Thomas Hannon (see Apr-26-21/3). It is claimed that the label pinned to McKeever is the same one which was pinned to Hannon. (McNamara says May 18th; Lesson and O’Halpin & Ó Corráin say May 20^th and O'Farrell says May 2^nd.)	McNamara (2018), pg 151; Lesson (2012), pg 63; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 436; O'Farrell P (1997), pg 62; Hughes (2016), pg 124
May-18-21/3	An RIC sergeant (Sgt Francis Butler) is shot outside the RIC barracks in Newport, Co Mayo by an IRA sniping party from the West Mayo Brigade led by Jim Moran. He dies the following day. 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 prisoners.	Abbott (2000), pg 244;  Hopkinson (2002), pg 134; Price (2012), pg 144; Abbott (2019), pg 310; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 434
May-18-21/4	Shots are fired at a Crown Forces lorry on Clare St in Dublin. A civilian who was walking by, Arthur Cooper, is hit in the chest and dies at the corner of Clare St and Clare Lane.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 432
May-18-21/5	Patrick Dunney, a BA ex-serviceman (or he may have still been in the BA) is taken from his home and driven to Ballymount Lane in Co. Dublin. He is shot ‘trying to escape’. This killing was carried out by three men from the No. 4 Section ASU, Dublin Brigade IRA (Simon McInerney, Paddy Rigney and Pádraig Ó Conchubhair (Paddy O’Connor)).	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 431
May-18-21/6	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 to be held in support of Unionist candidates in the upcoming election. He dies on July 21^st.  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-BA soldier John Smyth (29) was shot and he died shortly afterwards.	Parkinson (2004), pg 128; McDermott (2001), pg 84; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 432 & 523; Parkinson (2004), pg103
May-18-21/7	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-18-21/8	Lance-Corporal Arthur Hill of the BA’s Hampshire Regiment is shot dead by members of A Company, 1^st Battalion, Cork No. 1 Brigade, IRA at Lower Glanmire Road in Cork City. Hill was in civilian clothes and Sheehan suggests that he may have been on intelligence work.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 432-433; Sheehan (2017), pg 75
May-19-21/1	Arthur Bardon is shot dead by the IRA as a spy and his body is left on the road between Dundrum and Rathfarnham in Dublin. This killing was carried out by men from 6^th Battalion, Dublin Brigade.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 434; Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pg 261
May-19-21/2	The flying column of the West Mayo Brigade, led by Brigade O/C Michael Kilroy ambushes a three vehicle RIC patrol at Kilmeena (between Newport and Westport).  One RIC man - Constable Harry Beckett - is killed and another H/Constable Potter is wounded. The RIC 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 or Dublin) and John or Pat Staunton (from Kilmeena). Paddy Jordan (O/C of the Castlebar Battalion) was captured and dies on June 15^th.   Five IRA men were wounded and captured and another three IRA men were wounded but escaped. (O’Halpin and Ó Corráin say one wounded, along with Jordan, and two wounded but escape.) The official history of the 5^th Division of the BA in Ireland noted that “both the DI [who led the RIC patrol] and head constable had been through the [BA’s] 5^th Division guerrilla warfare course class at the Curragh and most effectively applied the tactics taught there” – see Oct-1920/1. 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; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 434-435 & 479; Sheehan (2009), pg 101
May-19-21/3	B Specials, under Sergeant Robert James Hutchinson, raid the Hayden farmhouse at Gortfad Glebe, Rock, [or Gortford, Gliter] Cookstown, Co. Tyrone. Francis Joseph Hayden is shot dead by Hutchinson and his brother, James, is bayonetted and left for dead. James identified three local loyalists as being present including two who were members of the USC. It would seem that the local loyalist who was not a member was framed for the Hayden murder but he threatened to tell “the whole truth” if not released from Derry jail. This led to a cover-up by senior RIC personnel included the Tyrone Commandant of the USC (John McClintock), the local DI of the RIC (George Hall) and the RIC County Inspector. According to Parkinson, this resulted “in the dropping of the murder charge against the Haydens’ neighbour, and as well as further reducing any chance of future charges being brought against individual Specials”. However, according to O’Halpin and Ó Corráin “Six USC constables from the Cookstown district … were acquitted of killing Hayden by a special court in Derry on 27 September 1921”. Further, according to McCluskey, “After the transfer of security powers to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) [in the Northern Ireland government] in November 1921, Dawson Bates [Minister for Home Affairs in the NI Government] virtually gave the USC immunity from prosecution. The Hayden case is dropped”.	McCluskey (2014), pg 100; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 433-434; Parkinson (2020), pgs 232-234; O’Farrell (1997), pg 109
May-19-21/4	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), who was a Catholic and on her way to buy sweets, is shot from a passing RIC tender. She dies from her wounds on June 5th.	Parkinson (2004), pg 128; McDermott (2001), pg 84; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 464-465
May-19-21/5	Mary Fahey’s body is found covered with moss and a piece of sacking in Lehinch, Clara. Co. Offaly. Her head had been smashed in with a stone. The RIC arrest Thomas Fitzsimons, who Fahy had said was the father of the child that she was carrying, and charge him with murder. On December 7th, Fitzsimons is acquitted O’Halpin and Ó Corráin note “It may be argued that this crime had nothing to do with politics. Whether the killer stuck in hopes that in the prevailing disorder the crime would not be properly investigated is a moot point.”	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 435
May-20-21/1	Bridget Favley is standing on the doorway of her home in New Market St, Cahirciveen, Co. Kerry when a RIC patrol nearby comes under attack by men from the 1^st (Cahirciveen) Battalion, Kerry No. 3 Brigade, IRA. Falvey is hit in the cheek and dies on June 1^st. The RIC did not fire during this incident.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 456
May-20-21/2	Two unarmed RIC men (Constable Leonard Booth and Constable William Stewart) were cycling from Longford to their barracks in Ballinalee when they are attacked at Killeter (near Killoe) and dead. These killings are carried out by four men from the Killoe Company, Longford Brigade, IRA led by Frank Gormley. Constable Booth was from Lancashire in England and had just over six months’ service with the RIC. Constable Stewart is from Co. Tyrone and had 20 months of service with the RIC.	Abbott (2000), pg 245; Coleman (2003), pg 132; Abbott (2019), pgs 311-312; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 436-437
May-20-21/3	Edward Hawkins and John Sherlock are abducted and shot by the IRA as informers in Cork City.  Both were ex-BA soldiers and worked for the British Army in Victoria Barracks. Daniel Hawkins, Edward's father, is also abducted and shot but escapes by feigning death. (Borgonovo says that Sherlock also survived but Hart and O’Halpin & Ó Corráin say that he died from his wounds.) For a possible motive for these killings – see Nov-17-20/3. Another ex-British Army soldier, Francis McMahon, is also abducted by the ASU of the Cork City Brigade, IRA and shot dead. It is alleged that he had informed on the IRA to the British Army. His identity was discovered by Josephine Brown (see Dec-02-20/3) and she passed this information to the IRA.	Hart (1998), pgs 15-16; Borgonovo (2007), pgs 68 & 148; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 436-437; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 437; Sheehan (2017), pg 157
May-20-21/4	RIC Constable Thomas Tasker is accidentally shot dead by an RIC colleague in Ballinamore Barracks in Co. Leitrim. (First reported as having been shot by the IRA. His real name was Frederick Tasker – he had joined the RIC using his brother’s name.) Abbott says 20^th, McGarty says 16^th and O’Halpin and Ó Corráin say shot on the 16^th and died on the 20^th.	Abbott (2019), pg 413; McGarty (2020), pg 100; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 435-436
May-20-21/5	A tender carrying Auxiliaries is attacked outside Bolton Street College in Dublin by IRA men from C Company, 1^st Battalion, Dublin Brigade. One Auxiliary, John McDonald, is injured.	Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pg 261
May-20-21/6	IRA man Liam (William) Burke is shot dead by Crown Forces when the house in which he is staying at Gortroche, Ballyhooley, Co. Cork is raided. Burke was lame and therefore could not escape. O’Halpin and Ó Corráin say May 20th but O’Farrell says May 28th.	O’Farrell (1997), pg 103; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 437
May-21-21/1	RIC Sgt Joseph Anderson is shot and killed at Hampton, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin. He was shot by John Peter Maguire of the Naul Battalion, Fingal Brigade of the IRA.	Abbott (2000), pg 245; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 438; Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pg 263
May-21-21/2	An RIC cycle patrol is attacked between Greencastle and Mountfield, Co. Tyrone resulting in the death of RIC Sgt Peter McDonagh or McDonough.	Abbott (2000), pg 245; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 439; Parksinson (2020), pg 91
May-21-21/3	Jim Molloy, who had been arrested for the killing of Constable O’Brien in Ballymote on March 16^th (see Mar-16-21/1) escapes from Boyle Military Barracks with the help of a soldier. 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. The official history of the 5^th Division of the BA in Ireland describes Dockery as a “particularly low-class leader”. See Jul-02-22/1.	Farry (2012), pg 70; Lawlor (2011), pg 138; O’Callaghan (2012), pg 149-158
May-21-21/4	John ‘Hoppy’ Byrne, who was a shoe maker, is abducted by men from C Company, 1^st Battallion, Dublin Brigade, IRA under Frank Daly and brought to 17 Strand St in Dublin where he is questioned about giving information to the RIC. William Doyle, ASU Intelligence Officer and another brigade officer concluded that he was an informer. He was taken to the nearby Jervis St by Frank Daly, Sean Price and other IRA men and shot. However, he survived and was brought to nearby Jervis St Hospital. Because of the concern that he would inform on his interrogators, Oscar Traynor and Paddy Flannagan ordered him killed. Four or five men, including Flanagan, enter Jervis St hospital. They take Byrne from his bed on a stretcher and out into a yard where they shoot him two times in the head. Hospital authorities throughout the city are furious over this killing and demanded the removal of all wounded IRA men from their hospitals. Collins had to re-assure them that nothing similar would happen again. Flanagan subsequently left the Dublin Brigade ASU – see May-1921/3. Not far away, Leslie Frazer, who was an ex-soldier in the BA’s Irish Guards and who worked as a clerk in the BA’s Royal Barracks, was leaving Walsh’s pub on the corner of Stoneybatter and North Brunswick St, when he is approached and shot six times. He is taken to the nearby Richmond Hospital. When they find out that he was still alive, Dublin Castle send a large number of BA soldiers to guard the hospital. However, Frazer dies later that night and the armed guard is removed.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 438-439; Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pgs 262 -263;
May-21-21/5	Large scale attack by the IRA, led by Joe Sweeney, on the RIC barracks in Glenties in Co. Donegal but no casualties on either side.	Ó Duibhir (2009), pg 269
May-21-21/6	Patrick O’Rourke is shot dead by the BA at Lissycasey, Co. Clare for allegedly failing to stop when ordered to do so.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 439
May-21-21/7	Jack Ryan, Capt of the Ballinspittle Company, Cork No. 3 Brigade, IRA in Co. Cork is betrayed by one of his own men as he sets up an attack. However, he manages to escape and may have injured Major Percival of the Essex Regiment.	Deasy (1973), pgs 278-280
May-21-21/8	Patrick Keating is shot by a Crown Forces curfew patrol on Shandon St in Cork City. He dies two days later. The patrol claims that Keating tried to run away after being challenged.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 442
May-21-21/9	A car carrying BA officers in civilian clothing has a bomb thrown at it in Washington St in Cork City. Two civilians are injured in this attack.	Sheehan (2017), pg 129
May-22-21/1	Date set for the elections to the 128 seat Parliament of Southern Ireland (set up under the UK’s 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, to reinforce its non-recognition of partition, the Dáil government declare that all those returned in the elections to the Northern Parliament were de facto members of the Dáil.  All 128 seats in the south are filled by Sinn Féin - apart from the 4 Dublin University seats - no other candidates put themselves forward.  There are five women in the new Dáil: Mrs Pearse (Dublin County); Mrs O’Callaghan (Limerick East and City); Muriel Mac Sweeney (Cork City); Countess Markievicz (Dublin South) and Dr Ada English (National University) For the elections in Northern Ireland, see May-24-21/8.	Hopkinson (2002), pg 192-193; Phoenix (1994), pg 133; Macardle (1999), pg452; Price (2012), pg 155
May-22-21/2	Pope Benedict issues a letter saying that “We do not see how the bitter strife can profit either of the parties, when property and homes are being ruthlessly and disgracefully laid waste, when villages and farmsteads are being set aflame … when on both sides a war resulting in the deaths of unarmed peoples, even of women and children is carried on” and exhorts the "English as well as Irish to calmly consider … some means of agreement".  The British government are dismayed by this statement as they were working for a condemnation of the IRA by the Pope. They 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”.	Coogan (1990), pg 204; Townshend (2014), pg 273; Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pg 263
May-22-21/3	IRA Volunteer, Patrick O’Brien, is killed near Rathkeale, Co. Limerick. It is not completely clear how he was killed. He could have been killed as setting off a booby trap bomb when re-opening a trench in the road which had been filled in again by Crown Forces. Alternatively, he may have died from injuries received when trying to destroy a culvert.	O’Callaghan (2018), pg 89; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 440
May-22-21/4	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-22-21/5	In the British House of Commons, Greenwood was still promising to hunt down the murder gang in Ireland and to “pluck the last revolver out of the last assassin’s hand”.	Pakenham (1967), pg 66
May-23-21/1	RIC Constable Michael Dennehy is reported missing in Frenchpark, Co. Roscommon. He was captured by men from 3^rd Battalion, North Roscommon Brigade, IRA. After he was held for a few days, three IRA men (Martin Fallon, Peter Connolly and John Scally) take Dennehy in a boat onto the River Shannon, tie a rock to him and dump him into the river. According to Fallon “His body never floated and he was never heard of again”. The North Roscommon Brigade were “severely rapped on the knuckles by [IRA] GHQ over this”.	Abbott (2019), pgs 398-399; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 441-442
May-23-21/2	Thomas Morgan, a civilian, is drinking with Auxiliaries in Drogheda, Co. Louth when the gun he is handling goes off wounding him the neck. He dies shortly afterwards.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 441
May-23-21/3	IRA Volunteer Cornelius Gleeson from Upperchurch, Co. Tipperary is shot dead by Auxiliaries as he tries to ‘evade arrest’. Two other IRA men are arrested by the Auxiliaries. One is wounded and the other one escapes.	O’Farrell (1997), pg 108; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 440
May-23-21/4	An ex-BA soldier, William McCarthy of Barrack St., Mallow, Co. Cork, who was home from Wales during a miners’ strike is reported missing after going to “shoot rabbits at Mourne Abbey”. After the Truce, IRA GHQ confirm that he was shot as a spy on May 29^th.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 450
May-23-21/5	The RIC, under District Inspector T. H. H. Fuge, open fire on a number of IRA men drilling just north of Limerick City. The IRA men fire back. A civilian, Patrick Creamer, is caught in the crossfire and dies from his wounds on June 4^th.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 461
May-23-21/6	According to O’Donoghue, the RIC are ambushed on this day near Rockmills, Co. Cork and two RIC men are killed.  However, Abbott does not mention any RIC men killed in Cork on this day and neither do O’Halpin & Ó Corráin.	O’Donoghue (1986), pg 138
May-23-21/7	An 18-man RIC patrol under DI Munroe 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-19-21/2).  They encounter the 30-man Column. In this engagement, one RIC man (Constable Joseph Maguire) is killed and Munroe is wounded. One IRA man, Jim Browne from Kilmeena, 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 RIC and BA pursued the Column into the Nephin Mountains in an extended line. There followed a few days of search but the column split up to avoid their pursuers. Eventually the Column meet up again at Aughagower.	Abbott (2000), pg 246; Price (2012), pgs 154; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 4441
May-23-21/8	John Lawlor, who was an ex-BA soldier, is killed by the IRA as an alleged spy by men from the 3^rd Battalion, Offaly No. 2 Brigade, IRA. According to IRA sources, he was previously ordered to leave the country but failed to do so. The V/C of the 3^rd Battalion, Offaly Brigade writes to the Brigade O/C to inform on May 29th him that he had killed a man called John Lawlor as a spy after he had failed to ‘clear out’ of the district as ordered by a Volunteer court martial.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 442; Townshend (2014), pg 264
May-23-21/9	British GOC in Ireland (Macready) writes two memos on this date to the CIGS (Wilson) – Memorandum “A” and Memorandum “B”. In the first, he lays out what he would proposes to do with the substantial additional men and resources which may “under certain conditions” be made available to him. He says that he would try to “stamp out the extremists” by the end of September but he would not “guarantee that this object will be attained”. He also says that the British government should takes steps towards “countering the rebel propaganda which is at present pursuing its course unchecked in the Press” In Memoandum “B”, he lays out his opinion on the morale of the British troops at present stationed in Ireland. He says that the rank and file are in excellent health, keen on their work and (despite great provocation) thoroughly under discipline. However, he says that constant patrolling (and little sleep) is taking its toll. Also, he says that public criticism in England was undermining the morale of his troops. He goes on to say that officers are under considerable strain and that there may be cases his troops “may take the law into their own hands and break out”. With respect to the troops serving in Ireland, the present state of 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 the commanders and their staff".  These memos were conveyed to Laming Worthington-Evans (Secretary of State for War) by Wilson.  In a memo to the British cabinet, presented on May 24^th, 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.  To Wilson’s delight, the British cabinet agree to the intensification of coercion in Ireland “in the event of a refusal on the part of Southern Ireland to put into operation the Government of Ireland Act”. See May-24-21/7. Both of Macready’s memos are given in Kautt (2014).	Curran J M (1980), pg 54;  Townshend (1975), pg 183; Jeffrey (2006), pg 272; Boyce (1972), pg 135; Kautt (2014), pgs 164-167 & 243-246; Pakenham (1967), pg 61
May-24-21/1	A demonstration of the Thompson sub-machine gun is given by two ex-American Army soldiers in a tunnel underneath the Casino in the Marino area of Dublin.  Those present included Collins, Mulcahy, Gearóid O’Sullivan, JJ ‘Ginger’ O’Connell and Tom Barry. Some 30 of these guns were shipped into Cork in late April (and another 50 into Dublin before the Truce). But a large consignment is discovered by US Customs - see Jun-16-21/1.	Townshend (1975), pg 180; Townshend (2014), pg 234; Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pg 266
May-24-21/2	RIC Constable William Robinson shoots and kills Anne Dixon in Clones, Co. Monaghan. This could have been the result of an accident but could have been the result of jealousy by Robinson. The Military Court of Inquiry found that Robinson was only guilty of culpable negligence. However, he was tried for murder before a field general court martial in City Hall in Dublin on August 15^th. O’Halpin & Ó Corráin say that he was acquitted. Lesson says Robinson is acquitted of murder but found guilty of manslaughter.	Leeson (2012), pgs 178-179; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 442-442
May-24-21/3	IRA Volunteer Denis Broderick is killed at Ballycarty, Ballymacelligot, Co. Kerry by BA soldiers. He served with the Castlelisland Battalion, Kerry No. 2 Brigade, IRA. He was a member of a group of IRA men lying a mine at Ballycarty Bridge when they came under fire from BA soldiers who have taken up a position nearby behind a stone wall.	O’Farrell (1997), pg 103; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 442
May-24-21/4	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-24-21/5	Patrick Hickey was one of three men cutting turf at Laravoolta, Enniskeane, Co. Cork when they are fired on by BA soldiers. Hickey is wounded and died shortly afterwards.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 443
May-24-21/6	About 50 IRA men in Cork City attempt to break their comrades out of Cork Goal. This jailbreak attempt is unsuccessful.	Borgonovo (2007), pgs 72-74
May-24-21/7	Following the memo from Worthington-Evans (see May-23-21/9), the British cabinet makes preparations for the imposition of “Crown Colony Government in the whole of the area of the Parliament of Southern Ireland” and for martial law after July 12^th “in the event of a refusal on the part of Southern Ireland to put into operation the Government of Ireland Act”. The British cabinet’s committee on the Irish situation is reconstituted – see May-26-21/13.	Boyce (1972), pgs 133-134
May-24-21/8	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%.  This outcome is seen as a major victory for the Unionists. 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 first preference vote of 32.3% – 20.5% for Sinn Féin and 11.8% for the nationalists.  So, the combined SF and nationalist vote resulted in only 23% of the seats despite getting 32% of the votes cast. 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.  Also, there was widespread reports of intimidation of nationalist voters (See Parkinson (2020), pg 109) and property holders had a second vote which undoubtedly favoured unionists (See Parkinson (2020), pg 101).	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; Fanning (2013), pg 255; Parkinson (2020), pgs 110-112
May-25-21/1	The Burning of The Custom House The IRA attempt to burn down The Custom House in Dublin. The Custom House is a large neo-classical building, designed by James Gandon, on the north quay of the River Liffey. As this point, it housed several departments of the British administration including Inland Revenue and the Local Government Board. This operation was designed by the IRA to “reduce the most important branch of British Civil Government in Ireland to virtual impotence”. However, it goes badly wrong for the IRA. Five IRA men are killed along with four civilians. Also many IRA men are captured by the British. More Detail	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; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 443-445 & 451; Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pgs 248-250 & 264 & 266-288; Sheehan (2007), pgs 53-54
May-25-21/2	On the orders of IRA GHQ, the 6^th Battalion of the Dublin Brigade (covering south county Dublin) carry out a series of attacks on British targets including Cabinteely, Dundrum, Enniskerry and Stepaside RIC Barracks. A BA patrol was attacked in Stillorgan and also the naval base in Dun Laoghaire. In addition, a BA military truck was attacked on Alma Road in Monkstown.	Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pg 294
May-25-21/3	A Catholic ex-BA soldier, Thomas Reilly (39), is shot dead by a Protestant gunman near his home in Butler St., Belfast.	Parkinson (2004), pg 128; McDermott (2001), pg 84; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 445-446
May-25-21/4	An ex-BA soldier, James Morrissey, is shot dead by the IRA at Coolnahorna, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. A sign nearby said “Traitor and spy. All others beware IRA”.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 443
May-25-21/5	A Cavan RIC report states the body of a 60-year-old shoemaker called Patrick Briedy or Briody was found riddled with bullets with an IRA notice saying he was a spy.  This killing may have been connected with the Lappinduff ambush – see May-08-21/1. (He was abducted from his home on May 23^rd.)	McDermott (2001), pg 82; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 440
May-25-21/6	The RIC surprise a group of IRA men in a house at Bunree in Co. Mayo (on the road between Enniscrone and Ballina) and fatally wound IRA Volunteer James or Thomas Howley. This is according to Price and O’Halpin & Ó Corráin. According to Farry, he was wounded in an attack on the Ballina RIC. He dies in British custody in Athlone on May 29^th.	Price (2012), pg 164; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 449; Farry (2012), pg 71
May-25-21/7	According to the official A Report of the Intelligence Branch of the Chief of Police, Dublin Castle from May 1920 to July 1921 (written by Ormonde Winter), on this day, Childers writes to Collins on the question of women spies asking “Shall we say (1) that the execution of women spies is forbidden. Kitty Carroll [See Apr-17-21/1] was not killed by the I.R.A. Or (2) Kitty Carroll was killed, in contravention of orders, by the I.R.A., and that (3) Mrs Lindsay [See cMar-21-21/4] is now in prison for giving information to the enemy leading to the death of three I.R.A.”
May-25-21/8	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, Ballymote, Dunhill, Co. Waterford. (McCarthy says that this shooting happened on May 25th while O’Halpin and Ó Corráin say May 28th.)	McCarthy (2015), pg 79; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 449
May-26-21/1	Five IRA men captured when trenching a road at Gorvagh or Fenagh, Co. Leitrim.	McGarty (2020), pg 101; Sheehan (2009), pg 101
May-26-21/2	Two unarmed RIC men in civilian dress were returning from leave to their barracks in Kildysart, Co. Clare when they were attacked at Cooga - one was killed (Constable Edgar Budd) and the other (Constable Robert Irvine) escaped. O’Halpin and Ó Corráin say the IRA men were from E Company, 2^nd Battalion, Mid Clare Brigade but Ó Ruairc says that they were from the West Clare Brigade. Constable Budd was from Hampshire in England and had nine months’ service with the RIC.	Abbott (2000), pg 246; Abbott (2019), pgs 313-314; Ó Ruairc (2009), pg 245; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 446
May-26-21/3	The body of Christopher O’Sullivan, a Catholic ex-BA soldier is found near Dennehey’s Cross on the outskirts of Cork City. He was shot as an alleged spy by the IRA. He had worked as a mechanic in Victoria Barracks for the British Army but lost his job six weeks earlier. He was described at his inquest as a loyalist..	Borgonovo (2007), pgs 68 & 77 &169; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 446-447
May-26-21/4	IRA man, Cornelius Ryan, is killed when felling a tree for a road block at Clonteen near Cappamore, Co. Limerick.	O’Callaghan (2018), pg 89; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 448-449
May-26-21/5	The British Cabinet reconstitutes the Irish Situation Committee with Chamberlain as its chairman.  It meets on this day to discuss the extension of martial law.  The following members were present: Chamberlain, Worthington-Evans, Greenwood, Balfour, 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).  Macready states that “The present state of affairs in Ireland, so far as regards the troops serving there, must be brought to a conclusion by October”. Otherwise, the troops serving in Ireland would have to be relieved and replaced by new troops. The committee recommended that martial law should be declared through-out the 26 counties by July 12^th if the southern parliament failed to function and that the army should be reinforced by 16 battalions or more with enhanced assistance from the British Navy. The BA’s The Record of the Rebellion notes that 17 BA battalions arrived in Ireland in June and early July. (Gallagher notes that it met as the Customs House still burnt.) See May-28-21/9 and Jun-02-21/2.	Townshend (1975), pgs 183-184; Macardle (1999), pg 459; Gallagher (1953), pgs 275-278; Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pg 290; Kautt (2014), pgs 167-169; Sheehan (2007), pgs 58-59
May-26-21/6	IRA man John (‘Jack’) Sheehan, who served as a Lieutenant, in the ASU of the 6^th Battalion, Kerry No. 1 Brigade is shot dead as he tries to flee from a lorry carrying Crown Forces. He was shot by a Black and Tan called Farnlow at Coilagurteen Bog, Listowel, Co. Kerry.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 446
May-26-21/7	Section 4 of the ASU of the Dublin Brigade, IRA, under Paddy Flanagan carries out a sniping attack on Auxiliaries from Skipper’s Row in Dublin (between the quays and Thomas St.). Section 4 also attack a touring car carrying Auxiliaries in the Camden St, Wexford St, Aungier St area. (Attacks were becoming so frequent in this area that it became known as the Dardanelles.)	Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pg 289
May-26-21/8	As occurred the previous day, the naval base in Dun Laoghaire was again attacked by men from 6^th Battalion, Dublin Brigade, IRA. According to Molyneux and Kelly, in the wake of this attack, two BA patrols which were converging on this area from different directions. They open fire on each other resulting in the death of one BA soldier and the wounding of five others. (However, O’Halpin and Ó Corráin do not mention any BA soldier killed on this day in Dun Laoghaire.) Kill O’The Grange RIC Barracks was also attacked. Also, according to Molyneux and Kelly, retired BA Colonel Reginald Dyer (known as ‘The Butcher of Amritsar’ – see Apr-13-19/1) was being escorted from Dun Laoghaire to Dublin city centre by a BA escort (consisting of an armoured car, two tenders and a lorry) when it is ambushed on Merrion Rd. There are no casualties to either the BA or the IRA in this ambush. However, according to Molyneux and Kelly, a civilian is shot dead in his home during this incident. The source that they give is Andrew McDonnell’s BMH statement. In his BMH statement, McDonnell does mention this incident but does not give a date. According to O’Halpin and Ó Corráin, two civilians were shot dead on the Merrion Rd during an IRA ambush on February 12^th with one being shot in his home – see Feb-12-21/4. It is likely that the civilian is shot dead in his home according to Molyneux and Kelly is the same person killed on February 12^th.	Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pg 294; BMH Stmt 1768, pgs 59-60
May-26-21/9	Collins’s department of finance office 22 Mary St. in Dublin is raided by Crown Forces. (There had been raid earlier on another of his offices at 5 Mary St.) Collins had another lucky escape thanks to his chief courier and right-hand man, Joe O’Reilly. There is also a raid on Austen Stack’s Molesworth St offices. Collins expresses concern that “There’s a traitor in the camp”.	Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pgs 291-292; Sheehan (2007), pg 54
May-27-21/1	Start of a second large scale search or ‘drive’ in the Midlands by British Army 5^th Division armoured column and cavalry, assisted by RIC (mainly as ‘spotters’).  It was to last until June 16^th (or 20^th) and extended over five counties.  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 A few IRA men were captured. According to the official history of the 5^th Division of the BA in Ireland “As in the first operations [see May-04-21/3] … the results were disproportionate to the exertions of men and horses, owing to the difficulty of identification”. Details of the operation are given in Appendix XVIII of Sheehan.	Townshend (1975), pgs 187-188; Sheehan (2009), pgs 91-92; Coleman (2003), pg 131; Kautt (2014), pg 159; Sheehan (2009), pgs 91-92 & 227-243
May-27-21/2	The Cork Constitution reports the burning of the homes of four unionists in Cork City. Borgonovo says that these burnings were a counter-reprisal by the IRA for the burning of four local homes by the British Army after the ambush on an RIC patrol in Blackpool on May 14^th – see May-14-21/7 (which had resulted in the death of three RIC men).	Borgonovo (2007), pg 93
May-27-21/3	An internal IRA GHQ memo expresses concern on the lack of discipline on the part of ‘juniors’ in Belfast.	Parkinson (2004), pg 126
May-27-21/4	Paddy Boland, who was captain of the Crossard Company, East Mayo Brigade, IRA , from Cloongownagh, near Toureen, Co. Mayo is arrested by British Army soldiers and is subsequently shot dead. The BA say that he was shot attempting to escape. O’Halpin and Ó Corráin note that “his body was reportedly severely mutilated. He as believed to be tortured by Lieutenant Anderson of the Argyll and Southern Highlanders, stationed in Claremorris.”	Price (2012), pg 182; O’Farrell (1997), pg 102 & 110; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 447
May-27-21/5	RIC Constable James Doherty is accidently shot dead by a fellow RIC man in Donegal.	Abbott (2019), pg 404; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 47
May-28-21/1	O'Donoghue claims that in the four weeks ending May 28^th, the "ascertained" British casualties included 76 killed and 106 wounded.  Townshend says that from beginning of May to Truce (July 11th), the Crown Forces suffered 162 fatalities (114 RIC and 48 BA) 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-28-21/2	Two brothers, Thomas and Henry Fitzgerald, are shot dead by the IRA as alleged spies near their home at Ballysheehan, Mallow, Co. Cork.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 447; Cork Fatality Register
May-28-21/3	The Flying Column of the 3^rd Cork Brigade lie in ambush at Gloundaw (between Dunmanway and Drimoleague) but no British forces appeared.	Deasy (1973), pgs 283-288
May-28-21/4	Daniel McCarthy, a ‘drifter’, is shot dead by the 3rd Battalion of the Cork No. 1 Brigade of the IRA as an alleged spy near Ovens, Co. Cork. He had been placed with IRA prisoners in Ballincollig Barracks and they grew suspicious of him. Among his killers were Leo Murphy. The CFR say that “sources described him as … ‘weak-minded’ or ‘half-witted’ “.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 447-448; Cork Fatality Register
May-28-21/5	Joseph Miller is on his way visit his wife in hospital when he gets caught in an attack by the IRA on two tenders carrying Auxiliaries from C Company at the corner of St Stephens Green and Cuffe St in Dublin. Miller is wounded and dies in St Vincent’s Hospital on June 3^rd. IRA Volunteer Leo Fox is captured in St. Stephen’s Green.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 459; Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pg 291
May-28-21/6	Diarmaid Hurley, O/C of the ASU, 4^th Battalion, Cork No. 1 Brigade IRA is killed by the RIC at Carrigona or Gortacrue, Midleton, Co. Cork. The RIC say that he was shot when trying to escape. He is replaced by Paddy Whelan.	O’Farrell (1997), pg 47; Cashman in The Kerryman (1955), pg 60; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 448; Cork Fatality Register
May-28-21/7	A 75-year old pensioner, Mary Foley, is gathering firewood along with two grandchildren near her home in Carriglea, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford when she is fired on by a BA patrol. She dies shortly afterwards. The inscription on a memorial erected to her reads “Saighdúirí Sasana do lámaidh í agus í ag bailiúghadh brosna”.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 448; McCarthy (2015), pg 71
May-28-21/8	IRA man, William Creedon from Sleaveen West, Macroom, Co. Cork is arrested by the Auxiliaries on this date. He is taken to Macroom Castle and badly beaten. He is transferred to Spike Island and some time afterwards to the Central Military Hospital in Cork City where he dies on July 2^nd. There is some doubt if he was formally a member of the IRA.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 504
May-28-21/9	Writing to the British military attaché in Paris, CIGS Wilson writes “The ‘Frocks’ are, I verily believe, going to allow me to send over all the troops that I have got in England to Ireland”. [The ‘Frocks’ were how some high ranking BA officers referred to the British politicians.] Between 14^th June and 7^th July, 17 battalions of British troops were sent to Ireland bringing the number of British troops in Ireland to 60,000.	Jeffrey (2006), pg 272
May-29-21/1	According to O’Donoghue, there is an attack on the Castletownroche RIC barracks in Co. Cork on this day and it “results in one Black and Tan being killed and one wounded”.  (However, neither Abbott or O’Halpin & Ó Corráin mention any RIC death in Castletownroche on this day.)	O’Donoghue (1986), pg 138
May-29-21/2	John Sullivan Lynch is taken from his home at Castle Cottage, Carrigrohane, Co. Cork. He is executed on June 5^th as an alleged spy by men from the H Company, 1^st Battalion, Cork No. 1 Brigade, IRA. O’Halpin and Ó Corráin say that he was abducted from his home on May 29^th but Borgonovo says June 25^th. The Cork Fatality Register (CFR) agrees with O’Halpin and Ó Corráin. Both Borgonovo and the CFR say that he was an ex-BA soldier.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 465; Borgonovo (2007), pg 68; Cork Fatality Register
May-29-21/3	A 12-man patrol of the Special Constabulary is 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). Fifteen arrests made after this attack. Hall may not have been a member of the USC.	Abbott (2000), pg 246-247; Lawlor (2011), pgs 164-165; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 449; Parksinson (2020), pg 94
May-29-21/4	John P. O’Connell is walking with a companion on Harbour Row, Cobh, Co. Cork when he is shot dead. It is likely that he was shot a member of the BA’s Cameron Highlanders regiment who mistook him for the captain of the local IRA company.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 449-450; Sheehan (2017), pgs 43-44
May-29-21/5	A young publican’s assistant, Patrick Smith, is entering his lodgings in Anglesea St in the centre of Dublin when is arrested by three men. As he walks towards Dame St, one of the three men shoots Smith. He dies a short time afterwards.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 450
May-30-21/1	A bomb is hidden in culvert near Youghal by the IRA. Early in the morning, when the regimental band and X company of the BA’s Hampshire Regiment is passing where the bomb is hidden, it is detonated electrically from over 60 yards away. This results in seven deaths and a large number injured. More Detail	Hart (1998), pg 106; Hopkinson (2002), pg 113; McCarthy (2015), pg 116; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 451-452; Kautt (2014), pg 155; Sheehan (2017), pgs 130-131
May-30-21/2	An IRA man, Capt Thomas Murphy of F Company, 6^th Battalion, Dublin Brigade, is shot dead in a bedroom of the Foxrock Hotel in Co. Dublin. He was probably shot by RIC men from Cabinteely.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 450; Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pg 295
May-30-21/3	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; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 449
May-30-21/4	A 10-man RIC cycle patrol, under DI Munsell or Maunsell, is ambushed at Tullyvarragh, Co. Monaghan (between Carrickmacross and Castleblayney) resulting in the death of Constable Walter Perkins. There are some local reprisals by the RIC in the aftermath of this ambush. 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; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 450
May-30-21/5	At a meeting set up by John Anderson, Patrick Moylett (see Oct-15-20/6), with the acquiescence of de Valera and Cosgrave, meets with Andy Cope in Dublin Castle. (The American consul in Dublin, Frederick Dumont, and Colonel Brind, a senior British army staff officer, were the conduits setting up this meeting.) According to Moylett’s BMH statement, Cope told Moylett that they were willing to admit defeat and “There is nothing else for us to do but to draft into this country four hundred thousand men and exterminate the whole population of the country, and we are not willing to do that". I replied: "You would do it if you thought the world would stand for it. What proposition have you to make?" He answered: "We are willing to withdraw our whole establishment, from the lowest policeman to the highest judge”. Moylett continued “Mr. Cope told me that he had superseded both the Lord Lieutenant and the Chief Secretary. They were the direct representatives of Lloyd George in this country, and he said that although he was only an ordinary civil servant he was here to make peace.” [According to McMahon, “Cope’s role earned him the hatred of many British military and intelligence officers. One member of Winter’s staff [H. de Montmorency] later remarked that ‘Cope was universally detested by everyone in the Castle, it being generally supposed that he was going to sell us to the rebels’”.] See Apr-15-22/3.	Fanning (2013), pg 256; Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pgs 290-293; McMahon (2008), pg 59; BMH Stmt 767, pgs 87-88
May-30-21/6	Two IRA prisoners, Martin Purcell and William O’Brien, are shot dead ‘trying to escape’ from the BA’s Military Barracks in Tipperary, Co. Tipperary.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 450
May-30-21/7	A mechanic with the RAF, William Atkin, is accidently shot dead by a colleague at Baldonnell Aerodrome in Co. Dublin.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 450
May-30-21/8	Defending the policy of burning creameries and other businesses in the British House of Commons, Greenwood says “these measures are not taken against specific individuals but are intended to bring home to the inhabitants of the locality generally their responsibility for outrages committed with their knowledge and connivance”.	O’Shea (2021), pg 62
May-31-21/1	IRA man Patrick White from Meelick, Co. Clare shot dead by a sentry in Spike Island prison in Co. Cork when White was trying to retrieve a ball. 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. Macready defends this killing.	Ó Ruairc (2009), pg 247; O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 452-453
May-31-21/2	An ex-BA soldier, Brian Bradley, is shot dead as an alleged spy at Carnaross, Co. Meath by men from G (Mullagh) Company, 3^rd Meath Brigade, IRA.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 453
May-31-21/3	An agriculture labourer, James or Charles Saunders, is shot dead as an alleged spy at Boherard, Carrignavar, Co. Cork. He was shot by members of 5^th Battalion, Cork No. 1 Brigade, IRA. Saunders was an ex-BA soldier. The IRA allege that, among other information given to the BA, Saunders informed them on the ambush at Mourne Abbey and gave information to the BA on who was involved in the capture of the BA’s Military Barracks in Mallow – see Sep-27-20/7. (One of those involved in the capture of the barracks was Saunders’s brother, Jack Saunders. Borgonovo says that, before he was executed, Saunders identified Dan (William?) Shields as his controller.) See cJul-11-21/1.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 453-454; Borgonovo (2007), pg 69; Cork Fatality Register
May-31-21/4	James Devoy is executed by IRA as an alleged spy at ‘Kilbawn’, Aherla, Co. Cork.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 454
May-31-21/5	BA officer Colonel Warren J. Peacock is shot by the IRA at his home in Skevanish House, Innishannon, Co. Cork and dies the following day. (It is not clear if he was a currently serving BA officer.) Peacock was alleged to the leader of the Anti-Sinn Féin Society in west Cork. Skevanish House was burnt the following month. See Feb-09-22/7.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pgs 454-456; Hughes (2016), pg 57
May-31-21/6	A large number of raids are carried out by Crown Forces at addresses across Dublin city and county.	Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pg 295
May-31-21/7	Private William Edmeads of the BA’s Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) is shot by the RIC’s Constable Stanley Marchant outside a pub in Rathmore, Co. Kerry. Edmeads dies on June 2nd. Marchant is tried for manslaughter in November but the case is adjourned.	O’Halpin and Ó Corráin (2020), pg 459
May-1921/1	The 1^st Western Division of the IRA is 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-1921/2	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-1921/3	Towards the end of May, the IRA’s Squad and Dublin Brigade ASUs merged into Dublin Guard. Paddy Flanagan, who was the O/C of the ASUs, is removed. Paddy O’Daly is made O/C of the new Dublin Guard. Hopkinson says many men resign as they refuse to serve under O’Daly including Jack Dunne and Mick White who return to their former units. 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; Molyneux and Kelly (2021), pgs 301-302
May-1920/4	At the end of 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
May-1920/5	The BA gets permission to arm airplanes with machine guns and bombs. These armed planes accompany BA on their ‘drives’ but they do not use their arms in action.	Sheehan (2009), pg 83
May-1920/6	At the end of May, the 3^rd Northern Division of IRA was formed taking in the three brigades of Antrim, Belfast and North Down. Joe McKelvey was made O/C of the 3^rd Northern.	Phoenix (1994), pg 141; Parksinson (2020), pg 83

Home 1921 Next Month Previous Month Bibliography