May
1922
|
May-01-22/1 |
Tom Hales, O/C 3rd Cork Brigade,
issues a statement in the press in which he promised “to give to all citizens
in this area, irrespective of creed or class, every protection within my power”. |
Macardle
(1999), pg 705 |
|
May-01-22/2 |
Around this time there is a series of raids
carried out on branches of the National Bank and the Bank of Ireland -
£18,000 taken in Ennis; £20,910 in Tipperary; £18,285 in Clonmel and £10,000
in Ballina. These were ordered by the anti-Treaty Executive. Many
other raids carried out on post offices, etc. by anti-Treaty forces.
(£167,000 taken between January 1st and July 22nd 1922.) They often leave
receipts for the money taken. Macardle
says “The Republican army without funds felt justified in taking money from
banks and post offices to arm and provision the republicans, the executive
took full responsibility for the raids on 1 May 1922. On that day more that £50,000 taken”. Sean Moylan commented “Sure it’s only a venial
sin to rob a bank”. |
Hopkinson (1988), pg
90; Macardle (1999), pg
696; Farry (2012), pg 93;
Garvin (1996), pg
101; Power
(2020), pg 25; Ferriter (2021), pg 35 |
|
May-01-22/3 |
Senior pro- and anti-Treaty IRA officers sign
a document which proposes acceptance that the majority of Irish people
support Treaty and an election be held to form a government that would have
the confidence of all citizens. Also calls for army unity. |
O'Farrell P (1997), pg
xx; Breen (1989), pgs 172-173; Hopkinson (1988), pg 94; Macardle (1999), pg 708; Curran J M (1980),
pg 186 |
|
cMay-01-22/4 |
Joe Sweeney and Tom Glennon (O/C and V/C of
the pro-Treaty 1st Northern Division) meet with Sean Lehane and Charlie Dally (O/C and V/C anti-Treaty 1st
Northern Division) in Drumboe Castle in Co.
Donegal. Sweeney insists that Lehane
evacuate the county with his men but Lehane refuses
and says that he will continue to launch attacks on the Specials in Counties
Fermanagh, Tyrone and Londonderry. The
meeting ends with no resolution. See May-04-22/3. |
Ó Duibhir (2011), pg 98 |
|
May-02-22/1 |
As part of the ‘Northern Offensive’, the 2nd
Northern Division of the IRA attack the RIC barracks in Bellaghy
and Draperstown in the south of Co. Londonderry. During the attack on the RIC barracks at Bellaghy, Co. Londonderry, one RIC man (Con John Harvey)
is killed and another (Sgt Kerr) is wounded. Both attacks fail to
capture the barracks. Afterwards, three IRA men are captured by B
Special Constables. An IRA man was wounded in these attacks and may have died
of his wounds. |
Abbott (2000), pgs
286-287; McDermott (2001), pg 220; Grant (2018), pg 134; Lawlor (2011), pgs 268-269; Ozseker (2019), pg 166; Parksinson (2020), pg 92 |
|
May-02-22/2 |
Following the Bandon Valley Massacre, Liam
Forde, O/C Mid-Limerick Brigade IRA, issues a statement saying that drastic
action would be taken against anyone threatening Protestants. |
O’Callaghan (2018), pg
124 |
|
May-02 to
06-22/1 |
Hostilities break out between pro- and
anti-Treaty forces in Kilkenny in what became known as the Battle of Kilkenny. After pro-Treaty forces gain the upper hand
and take all anti-Treaty positions in the City, an
agreement is reached between pro- and anti-Treaty leaders in Dublin (see
May-04-22/1) leads to a compromise in the City whereby all captured
anti-Treaty men are released and the anti-Treaty forces are given back one ex-RIC
barracks in the City. |
Hopkinson (1988), pg
75; Macardle (1999), pg 698; Walsh (2018), pgs 163-174 |
|
May-03-22/1 |
The
Fifth Session of the Second Dáil – Day Four – May 3rd 28th 1922 Sean Hegarty, although not a TD, is allowed to
address the Dáil on the May 1st statement of the army officers
(see May-01-22/3). He warns of civil war breaking out from incidents
happening around the country. After hearing the statement from Hegarty,
the Dáil unanimously passes the following resolution “That having heard the statement put before the House
by the Army Officers, a Committee of the House be set up to report to the
House”. The Dáil
subsequently sets up a Committee of Ten. The pro-Treaty
members are Sean Hales; Sean MacEoin; Joe
McGuinness; Seamus O'Dwyer and Padraic Ó Máille. The anti-Treaty members were Harry Boland;
Kathleen Clarke (chair); Liam Mellows; Sean Moylan and PJ Ruttledge. See May-10-22/1. The proceedings of Day Four of the Fifth
Session of the Second Dáil are available here: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1922-05-03/
The fifth day of the Fifth Session of the
Second Dáil takes place on May 5th 1922 – see May-05-21/1. |
O’Donoghue (1986), pg
238; Hopkinson (1988), pgs 95-96; Macardle (1999), pgs 708-709 |
|
May-03-22/2 |
A Special Constable (S/Con William McKnight)
dies after his patrol is attacked at Corbanaghan
six miles from Cookstown, Co. Tyrone. In retaliation, the USC
shoot dead John McCracken in the doorway of his pub in Dungate.
|
Abbott (2000), pg
287; McCluskey (2014), pg 122; Lawlor
(2011), pg 269 |
|
May-03-22/3 |
A force of pro-Treaty men, led by Paddy O’Daly and Frank Thornton, arrive in Drogheda and demand
that the anti-Treaty men in Millmount vacate the
barracks. However, when they refuse,
the pro-Treaty men take over the West Gate barracks. |
Hall (2019), pg 94 |
|
May-03-22/4 |
A patrol of Special Constables, which is going
to the aid of a Special Constable whose home was attacked by the East Tyrone
IRA, is itself ambushed at Annaghmore, Co. Tyrone
resulting is the death of S/Con Robert Cardwell. In retaliation, the USC kill Thomas (or Peter)
Hagan and Charles Lavelle. These two
men are described by the Coalisland commander of the B Specials as “two
innocent Roman Catholics”. |
Abbott (2000), pgs
287-288; McCluskey (2014), pg 122; Lawlor
(2011), pg 261 |
|
May-03-22/5 |
An RIC sergeant (Frederick Frizelle)
and two Special Constables (Edward Hegarty and Thomas Hunter) are returning
from patrol in Ballyronan, near Magherafelt, Co.
Londonderry when they are attacked and all three killed. Two Catholics are killed in reprisal on May 6th
by the USC at White Mountain near Dungiven. They were John Carolan and his nephew,
Michael (or Dennis) Kilmartin. See also
May-11-22/2. |
Gallagher (2003), pgs 39 &
71; Abbott (2000), pg
288; Phoenix (1994), pg 219; McDermott (2001), pg 220; Lawlor
(2011), pg 271 |
|
May-03-22/6 |
A postman, George Part, is killed and his son
wounded near Keady in Co. Armagh. Part
was “blamed for giving tips to the S/Constabulary re road mines”. |
Hughes (2016), pg 50 |
|
May-04-22/1 |
A joint Army committee is set up consisting of
(Anti) Liam Lynch, Liam Mellows, Sean Moylan, Rory O'Connor and Seamus
Robinson and (Pro) Michael Collins, Richard Mulcahy, Diarmaid
O'Hegarty, Eoin O'Duffy,
Gearoid O'Sullivan and Sean MacEoin. A truce is declared until May 8th and
is then extended. Anti-Treaty side gets impatient and Lynch warns on May
15th that "Negotiations must cease if a definite
understanding for agreement is not reached." |
O’Donoghue (1986), pg
239; Hopkinson (1988), pg 95; Macardle
(1999), pg 708 |
|
May-04-22/2 |
Provisional Government agree to obstruct the
NI Government in every way. Collins issues a confidential memo to all
ministries of the Provisional Government instructing them to prepare schemes
of non-cooperation with the Northern Government. He said what was needed was
a plan “making it impossible for them to carry on”. |
Phoenix (1994), pg 218; Ó Duibhir (2011), pg 108; Kissane (2005), pg 82 |
|
May-04-22/3 |
In the early morning, two major attacks are
attempted by anti-Treaty volunteers based in Donegal on Crown Forces across
the border. In their aftermath, there are serious
incidents in Buncrana and Newtowncunningham
which lead to the deaths of two civilians and four pro-Treaty soldiers. See May-27-22/4 and May-29-22/5. |
Grant (2018), 135; Ozseker
(2019), pg 175; Ó Duibhir
(2011), pgs 100-11 |
|
May-05-22/1 |
Meeting convened by Eoin O’Duffy,
pro-Treaty Chief of Army, to discuss northern offensive. Considerable
swapping of arms between pro- and anti-Treaty troops. |
McDermott (2001), pg
216 |
|
May-05-22/2 |
Writing to Chartres, Collins says that the
Treaty provided the Irish with one of the finest chances they ever had to
mould the national destiny, and if they failed they
would have shown themselves and their nation unworthy of the task. |
Kissane
(2005), pg 29 |
|
May-05-22/3 |
The
Fifth Session of the Second Dáil – Day Five – May 5th 1922 As the committee appointed by the Dáil (see
May-03-22/1) were not in a position to report, it was decided to adjourn the
Dáil until May 10th. The proceedings of Day Five of the Fifth
Session of the Second Dáil are available here: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1922-05-05/
The sixth day of the Fifth Session of the
Second Dáil takes place on May 10th 1922 – see May-10-22/1. |
|
|
May-06-22/1 |
The Northern Bank is robbed of £600 in Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim and is again held up three days
later. |
McGarty (2020), pg 111 |
|
May-06-22/2 |
The body of an ex-British soldier, Israel Sagarsky (aka John Erin), is found on a road near Gortin, Co. Tyrone with a label on him with the words
“Convicted Spy”. |
McCluskey (2014), pg
123 |
|
May-06-22/3 |
The Anglo
Celt reports that Jim Gralton and his followers
had taken over land at Mong, Co. Leitrim belonging to Milton Vaugh,
sub-sheriff of Leitrim and intend to use it for the “grazing of cows of poor
people resident in the district”. |
McGarty (2020), pg 113 |
|
May-06-22/4 |
According to Macardle,
total casualties up to this point in clashes between pro- and anti-Treaty
forces are 8 killed and 49 wounded. |
Macardle
(1999), pg 698 |
|
May-07-22/1 |
When the USC try to force local nationalists
to fill in a trench dug by the IRA on a road at Beaghmore,
eight miles outside Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, one local farmer Bernard Campbell
refuses. He is stabbed with a bayonet
in the hip and badly injured. |
Lawlor (2011), pg 265 |
|
May-08-22/1 |
Three Unionist houses are attacked by the IRA
at Clonaneese Glebe, Castlecaulfield,
Co. Tyrone resulting in the death of S/Con Samuel Milligan who lived in one
of the three houses. Another
householder was also killed. |
Abbott (2000), pg
288; Lawlor
(2011), pg 264-265 |
|
May-10-22/1 |
The
Fifth Session of the Second Dáil – Day Six – May 10th 1922 The Committee of Ten (see May-03-22/1) reports
to the Dáil that it has failed to come up with basis for unity. Dáil
asked both sides to present their reports the following day. See
May-11-22/3. The proceedings of Day Six of the Fifth
Session of the Second Dáil are available here: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1922-05-10 The seventh day of the Fifth Session of the
Second Dáil takes place on May 11th 1922 – see May-11-22/3. |
Curran J M (1980), pg
187 |
|
May-11-22/1 |
A brief case, which has been left on a tram in Belfast,
had just been deposited in the cashier’s office of the Ardoyne depot when it
exploded killing a tram conductor, John Mansfield (42). Mansfield was a Protestant. |
Parkinson (2004), pg 265; McDermott (2001), pg 223 |
|
May-11-22/2 |
A group of men wearing police caps enter the
McKeown household in Ballymulderg, Ballyronan, Co. Londonderry. The three sons present –
James, Francis and Thomas McKeown – are shot.
James dies instantly – the other two survive but are seriously
wounded. The Specials were looking for
another brother called Henry. (Parkinson says the three brothers were killed
but this would appear not to be the case.)
This attack on the McKeown brothers was
probably a further retaliation for the killing of the RIC man and two Special
Constables in Ballyroan on May 3rd – see
May-03-22/5. |
Parkinson (2004), pg 350; McDermott (2001), pg 223; Grant
(2018), pg 136; Lawlor (2011), pgs 272-273 |
|
May-11-22/3 |
The
Fifth Session of the Second Dáil – Day Seven – May 11th 1922 The reports from both sides of the Committee
of Team were read to the Dáil. Seumas O’Dwyer read the report from the pro-Treaty side and
concluded with the recommendation that a new Dáil election be held “Recognising the fact that the Treaty having been
approved by a majority of Dáil Éireann, would, in
the circumstances, be accepted by a majority of the people if put as an issue
at a contested election, and desiring to evade such a contest and its
attendant conflicts we recommend that an agreed election without contests be
held and a Coalition Government be formed”. Harry Boland reads the
report from the anti-Treaty side. It
is obvious that they are still far apart.
O’Dwyer requests that “the Dáil adjourns
without discussing the reports from the Committee set up under Dr. Hayes' motion until Wednesday next [May 17th],
and I desire at the same time to say to the Dáil that we have agreed to meet
in the meantime in the hope of finding a solution”. After some discussion, this is accepted. The proceedings of Day Seven of the Fifth
Session of the Second Dáil are available here: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1922-05-11 The eighth day of the Fifth Session of the Second
Dáil takes place on May 17th 1922 – see May-17-22/1. |
|
|
May-12-22/1 |
Michael Cullen (44), a Catholic, was shot dead
in the Marrowbone district of Belfast by a four-strong gang who had asked him
his religion. |
Parkinson (2004), pg 258; McDermott (2001), pg 223 |
|
May-12-22/2 |
The IRA carry out a robbery in south Belfast
with over £2,500 of railway workers’ wages snatched. |
Parkinson (2004), pg 349 |
|
May-12-22/3 |
Churchill confers with his Irish advisers (Fitzalan, Greenwood, Macready and Cope) in London. Topics include whether (a) to issue more arms
to the Provisional Government with proof they were going to move against the
Four Courts garrison and (b) to evacuate the remaining British troops in the
twenty-six counties, especially Dublin, where they could get sucked into
fighting between pro- and anti-forces.
See May-15-22/2. (Llyod George was in Criccieth
in Wales recuperating from neuralgia from March 10th to 27th
and at the Genoa Conference from April 8th until late May –
leaving Irish policy very much in Churchill’s hands. Fanning comments the Churchill had “used
the Ulster issue to court radical support among the Liberals at the height of
the Curragh crisis of 1914; now he used it to bolster his popularity among
the Tories”.) |
Fanning (2013), pg
322 & 325 |
|
May-12-22/4 |
After returning to Belfast from a conference
with Collins and the Chancellor of the Exchequer in London, Craig reports to
his NI cabinet that “the British Government were quite clear in their assurances
that they would see Ulster through against any attack from the South, and
bringing five more Battalions into Ulster, making the total number 22”. He also said that “Ulster’s position is
much better appreciated in Great Britain than previously the case”. See May-22-22/8. |
Fanning (2013), pgs
324-325 |
|
May-12-22/5 |
At a training camp being conducted by the
Waterford Brigade of the IRA at Lackendarra Lodge
in the Comeragh Mountains, Volunteer Sean Morrissey
is accidently shot dead by a fellow IRA man. |
McCarthy (2015), pg 98 |
|
May-13-22/1 |
Following the attack on April 9th (see
Apr-09-22/2), William Blennerhasset’s farm at
Beaufort, Co. Kerry is again attacked.
A three-day siege ensued, during which both Blennerhasset
and his son are wounded. Eventually, the Blennerhassets
surrender but bring their case to the High Court in Dublin. See Jun-16-22/6. |
Doyle (2008), pg 102 |
|
May-13-22/2 |
The Roscommon
Herald reports on a court case taken against Patrick and Bernard Gilhooley who were charged with seizing the land of a
neighbour. Their defence at a
republican court held in Drumsna, Co. Leitrim was
that their father, who sold the land to a neighbour called Fox, was “fond of
a drop and he was not as cute as Mr. Fox was”. They undertook to vacate the land. |
McGarty (2020), pg 113 |
|
May-13-22/3 |
Robert Beattie, a Protestant postman, is shot
dead as he delivers post in Butler St in Belfast. |
Parkinson (2004), pg 264 |
|
May-13-22/4 |
A British army soldier, Gunner James Rolfe, is
shot dead on Bachelors Walk in Dublin – possibly by anti-Treaty volunteers. |
Dorney (2017), pg 286; Sheehan (2017), pg 164 |
|
May-14-22/5 |
Kathleen Douglas (13) of Marine St in Belfast
is shot by a sniper and dies later. Also, Ellen Dargan (19) is shot as
she returned with messages to her home in Emily Place. A Protestant woman, Lizzie McAloney (47), shot dead in
Belfast – probably in crossfire between Crown forces and the IRA. |
Parkinson (2004), pg 260 &
266 |
|
May-15-22/1 |
A meeting of the Provisional Government’s
Northern Advisory Committee takes place in the Metropole Hotel in York St. in
Belfast. They decided to urge Provisional Government to wage a campaign
of destruction within the six counties which the aim of making the rule of
the NI Government more expensive and difficult. Sinn Féin people present – such as Cahir Healy
and George Murnaghan - were obviously unaware that the IRA (including
leading members present such as Seamus Woods and Frank Crummey) were planning
a major offensive in the next few days with authorisation from Collins. |
Phoenix (1994), pg 220; McDermott (2001), pgs 224-225 |
|
May-15-22/2 |
Churchill got information on a possible
electoral pact between Collins and de Valera (see May-20-22/1) and fires off
a letter to Collins denouncing the pact as “an outrage upon democratic
principles”. See British cabinet meeting on May 16th
– May-16-22/2. |
Fanning (2013), pg
326 |
|
May-15-22/3 |
Belfast executive of Sinn Féin ‘in the name of
the persecuted minority’ calls on pro- and anti-Treaty people in the South to
establish stable government. Also, a bomb left on a tram in Belfast
is extinguished by being doused with water. |
Parkinson (2004), pg 265 |
|
May-15-22/4 |
The
Kildare Mutiny Civic Guards, stationed in the old Artillery
Camp in Kildare, mutiny after the promotion is announced of ex-RIC men. See May-26-22/2. |
Durney (2011), pgs 49-52 |
|
May-16-22/1 |
Churchill reviews Irish situation for the
British cabinet. He says that Ireland was in a process of rapid
social disintegration and complained that the Irish people had not been given
a chance to vote on the Treaty. He said that, if British troops were
withdrawn from Dublin, then he believed a Republic would be declared. He said that they might have to retain what
he called the “English capital” and maybe converting it into a “Pale” once
more. He also said that he was
suspending the supply of munitions to Dublin “until he was satisfied that
they would be used effectively against the Republican party”. They agreed that the Irish leaders should be
invited to London and told that there would be no further large issues of
arms until they showed that they were going to deal with O’Connor and his men
in the Four Courts. (According to Price, Collins had sent a
message to Churchill saying that Provisional Government had decided to take
the fight to the anti-Treaty forces but that he proposed dealing “first with
outlying areas like Drogheda and Castlebar and leave the Republicans in
Dublin undisturbed”. However,
Churchill had proposed that Dublin should be dealt with first and only then
would additional weapons be supplied.) |
Curran J M (1980), pg
190; Price (2012), pg 209; McMahon (2008), pgs 76-77 |
|
May-16-22/2 |
In disturbances in Belfast following the
funeral of Robert Beattie – see May-13-22/3 – a Catholic unloading fruit in
North St is shot dead. His name was William Madden (21). Another
Catholic, John Cribben (21) was shot by a loyalist sniper in Great Patrick St
and died in hospital the following day. In the evening, Nellie McMullan
was shot in Great Georges St. |
Parkinson (2004), pg
258 & 260; McDermott (2001), pg 225 |
|
May-16-22/3 |
Set up earlier in the year by the Provisional
Government, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had 50 detectives, a
clerk and three drivers – it main purpose was to
combat armed robbery. It was based in
Oriel House in Dublin and led by Frank Saurin. Also based in Oriel House was
the pro-Treaty Military Intelligence service led by Liam Tobin who held the
position of National Army Director of Intelligence. Members of the Military Intelligence
section were nearly all ex-members of the Squad or IRA Intelligence. Included Liam Tobin, Frank Thornton, Tom
Cullen, Joe Dolan, Charlie Dalton, James Murray, Joe Guilfoyle, C. Byrne, H
Conroy, D. McDonnell and J. Shanahan.
Also worked out of Wellington Barracks on the South Circular Road. Oriel House was later to develop a very
unsavoury reputation. |
Dorney (2017), pgs
36 & 37 |
|
May-17-22/1 |
The
Fifth Session of the Second Dáil – Day Eight – May 17th 1922 The Dáil debates their two separate reports of
the Dáil Committee of Ten (see May-11-22/3). The idea of an agreed election,
where each side would nominate candidates got some support from both
sides. Also, they agreed that other interests could take part in the
election and that a coalition government would be formed after it (and a
second election if the coalition government proved unworkable).
However, they could not agree on a split in the nominations and acceptance of
the Treaty also proved a stumbling block. De Valera asks Griffith if he wanted the
co-operation of the anti-Treaty side on the understanding that they were not
committed to the Treaty and that the people should not be asked to commit
itself to the Treaty. Griffith replied that he wanted the co-operation
in not obstructing the people in the expressing of their views. Brugha retorted that the pro-Treatyites
wanted to obstruct a million Irish adults from expressing their views by
holding an election on the unrevised register. (He added that that he
was “sick of politics” and both sides should unite in a crusade to protect
their people in the North-East.) Collins makes a speech which is quite
conciliatory and seeking a coalition of the two sides. De Valera
responds positively and they are requested to examine the possibility of
finding an agreement. Collins and De Valera are closeted together to attempt
some form of compromise. See
May-20-22/1. The proceedings of Day Eight of the Fifth
Session of the Second Dáil are available here: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1922-05-17 The ninth day of the Fifth Session of the
Second Dáil takes place on May 18th 1922 – see May-18-22/3. |
Macardle
(1999), pgs 709-710; Hopkinson (1988), pgs 96-97; Curran J M (1980), pg
187; Townshend (2014), pg 398; O’Donoghue (1986), pg 240 |
|
May-17-22/2 |
A Protestant, Robert Dudgeon, is shot in Cupar St. in
Belfast – probably in crossfire between Crown forces and the IRA. |
Parkinson (2004), pg 266 |
|
May-17-22/3 |
Writing in his diary, Strickland says “And so
this is the end of two and half years toil, a year
ago we had a perfect organisation and had them beat, a short time more would
have completed it thoroughly … All our labours and energy have been thrown in
the gutter … It almost makes one wish one had never been concerned with the
show.” |
Sheehan (2017), pg 56 |
|
May-18-22/1 |
Northern deputation, led by Frank Aiken, meets
with Collins, Griffith, de Valera and Rory O’Connor and calls for unity as a
final rift would ensure “permanent partition of the nation”. |
Phoenix (1994), pg 221; Ó Duibhir (2011), pg 112 |
|
May-18-22/2 |
Two Catholics, Samuel McPeake (50) and James
Donaghy (46), are shot dead by loyalist gunmen in a sectarian attack on a
Crumlin Rd tram in Belfast. They had been seen crossing themselves as
they passed a Catholic church. Another
Catholic, Thomas McCaffrey, is shot on Falls-bound tram. |
Parkinson (2004), pg 257; McDermott (2001), pg 229;
Parkinson (2020), pg 158 |
|
May-18-22/3 |
The
Fifth Session of the Second Dáil – Day Nine – May 18th 1922 As Collins and de Valera are in discussions,
the reports of a number of Ministers are dealt with. The proceedings of Day Nine of the Fifth
Session of the Second Dáil are available here: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1922-05-18 The tenth day of the Fifth Session of the
Second Dáil takes place on May 19th 1922 – see May-19-22/6. |
Macardle
(1999), pg 710; Curran J M (1980), pg 188 |
|
May-18-22/4 |
During an attack by the IRA on Musgrave St.
RIC barracks in Belfast one RIC man is killed (Constable John Collins) and a
Special Constable McKeown is wounded. |
Abbott (2000), pgs
288-289; Hopkinson (1988), pg 84; Phoenix
(1994), pg 219; Parkinson (2004), pg 220 & 345 & 262 & 265 & 270; McDermott (2001), pgs 225-229; Parkinson
(2020), pg 188 |
|
May-18-22/5 |
Special Constable George Johnston dies after
he is thrown from the Crossley tender in which he is travelling on the Keady
to Newtownbutler road in Co. Armagh. |
Abbott (2019), pg
407 |
|
May-19-22/1 |
Joint
pro- and anti-Treaty IRA offensive on Northern Ireland On this date the joint pro- and anti-Treaty
IRA offensive on Northern Ireland was due to start. There was considerable activity in the area
of the IRA’s 3rd Northern Division but there is little action taken by the
other IRA Divisions. According to Hopkinson, it was a dismal
failure but, according to Phoenix, these co-ordinated attacks came as a
severe shock to NI Government to which they responded with great force.
|
Hopkinson (1988), pgs
83-86; Macardle (1999), pg
731; Phoenix
(1994), pgs 219 & 229; McDermott (2001), pg 231; Ó Duibhir (2011), pgs 113-114; Regan (2013), pg 61; McMahon (2008), pg 77 |
|
May-19-22/2 |
By this stage, British troops had withdrawn from
Cork and Curragh, leaving about 5,000 troops under Macready in Dublin. |
Curran J M (1980), pg
190 |
|
May-19-22/3 |
RIC Constable William Heaslip
(Heslip) shot dead in Smithfield, Belfast after
giving chase to a gang of robbers. Agnes Coudet (Condit)
(22) and John Hickey (50) were killed by loyalist snipers in York St.
In the evening, Thomas McShane (35) was shot in the neck and Peter Prunty (35) was shot during disturbances. John Murphy
(40), another Catholic, was shot in the chest in Northumberland
St. Also, a Protestant woman, Mary Donaldson (50) died in the North
Queen St area of Belfast after being caught in crossfire between security
forces and the IRA. In the mid-afternoon, a nine-strong IRA gang entered
Garrett’s copperage in Little Patrick St and
ordered Protestant workers to one side. They wounded four of them,
three fatally. The three killed were William Patterson (35); Thomas
Maxwell (25) and Thomas Boyd (20). Two Catholics, Francis McDermott and Arthur McMurrough, are shot by loyalists in Belfast as they work
at the Pumping Station. (McDermott says that Francis (Frank) McDermott was
targeted by a loyalist gang in frustration at their failure to locate his two
republican sons. He and McMurrough had
survived an earlier attempt on their lives.) Eleven premises subject to arson attacks by the IRA. |
Parkinson (2004), pg 260 &
266 & 268 & 350; McDermott (2001), pg vii
& 229-230; Abbott (2000), pg
317 |
|
May-19-22/4 |
Four (or six?) Catholics killed in Desertmartin,
Co. Londonderry. The IRA had burnt to the ground the large Sterrett’s flax mill in Desertmartin.
In retaliation, the Specials burn the homes and businesses of Catholics in
the village. Four Catholics are taken
from their home – Michael McGeehan and his three sons Henry, James and John –
by the USC, lined up against a wall and repeatedly shot. Lawlor says that two other men – brothers Francis and John
Higgins – were also killed along with the four McGeehans. Ó Duibhir and Parkinson says
that Henry McGeehan and his brother James were killed along with John Higgins
and his nephew Francis. |
McDermott (2001), pgs 220 &
231; Grant (2018), pg 136; Lawlor (2011), pgs 274-282; Ó Duibhir (2011), pg 113; Parksinson (2020), pg 92 |
|
May-19-22/5 |
Attack by IRA on Martinstown
RIC barracks (about six miles outside Ballymena, Co. Antrim). Barracks
is stoutly defended but a patrol from Ballymena on its way to help is
ambushed and Special Constable James O’Neill is killed. (Abbott says
that S/Constable O’Neill was killed accidentally.) |
McDermott (2001), pg 231; Lawlor
(2011), pgs 273-274; Abbott (2019), pg 410 |
|
May-19-22/6 |
The
Fifth Session of the Second Dáil – Day Ten – May 19th 1922 Griffith moves that an election takes place
but no vote is taken as the Collins-de Valera talks are continuing. The proceedings of Day Ten of the Fifth
Session of the Second Dáil are available here: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1922-05-19 The eleventh of the Fifth Session of the
Second Dáil takes place on May 20th 1922 – see May-20-22/1. |
|
|
May-20-22/1 |
The
Fifth Session of the Second Dáil – Day Eleven – May 20th 1922 Collins and de Valera announce in the Dáil
that they have agreed an election Pact with the election to take place on
June 16th. The proceedings of Day Eleven of the Fifth
Session of the Second Dáil are available here: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1922-05-20 The first day of the Sixth Session of the
Second Dáil takes place on June 8th 1922 – see Jun-08-22/3. |
O'Farrell P (1997), pg
xx; Hopkinson (1988), pgs 97-98; Macardle (1999), pgs 709-713;
Curran J M (1980), pg 189; Phoenix
(1994), pgs 221-222; Garvin (1996), pg 42; Regan
(2013), pg 69 |
|
May-20-22/2 |
Two Catholic teenagers, Patrick McAuley and
Thomas McGuigan, were shot dead in Duncrue St in
Belfast. Earlier in the morning, a Catholic John
Connolly (35) was singled out by a loyalist gunman and fatally wounded.
Also, Cecilia Kearns, a Catholic, was shot by a loyalist gunman in her shop
on York St. Yet another Catholic, Joseph Murtagh was shot. In a particularly tragic case, a toddler
Brigid Skillen (3) has been given a penny to buy a bun but she was shot by a
sniper as she made her way to the corner shop on York St. from her home. |
Parkinson (2004), pg 259 – 261;
McDermott (2001), pg 230; Parkinson
(2020), pg 160 |
|
May-20-22/3 |
As part of the Northern Offensive (see
May-19-22/1), four mansions are demolished by the IRA and others severely
damaged. Among those demolished were Shane Castle
(which stood on the shores of Lough Neagh near Antrim Town) and owned by Lord
O’Neill. Others damaged or destroyed included Hawthorne Hall in Co. Armagh; Kilclief House and Old Court near Strangford, Co. Down
and in Co. Antrim Crebilly Castle (near Ballymena),
Glenmona House (near Cushendum),
and Garron Tower. |
Parkinson (2020), pgs 197-198 |
|
cMay-21-22/1 |
In reaction to the Collins-de Valera Pact,
Churchill suspends the evacuation of British troops from the 26-counties and
suspends further supplies to the Provisional Government. |
Macardle
(1999), pg 715 |
|
May-21-22/2 |
In Belfast, Hugh McDonald (20), is dragged off
an early morning tram at Bridge End and savagely beaten before being shot
dead. Another Catholic, Patrick Hughes is also killed. After the killing of Hugh McDonald, an IRA sniper kills
Protestant Robert Newell (26) in Memel St., Belfast. Later, another
Protestant, Robert Powell (35) was shot in Edward St after being asked his
religion. Also, the Tivoli Cinema in Christian Place was the subject
of an arson attack. |
Parkinson (2004), pg 258 &
260 & 266 & 274; McDermott (2001), pg 230; Parkinson (2020), pg 158 |
|
cMay-21-22/3 |
In an effort to secure army unity after the
Collins-de Valera pact, each side appoints four officers to meet in
conference. On the pro-Treaty side were Mulcahy, O’Duffy,
O’Sullivan and McMahon and on the anti-Treaty side were Lynch, O’Connor,
O’Malley and Moylan. They come up with various proposals to split the Minister of Defence
and Chief-of-Staff between the two sides – along with concomitant splits in
GHQ staff and Army Council. However, when Lynch brought these proposals
back to the Four Courts, they meet strong opposition. For detail of
these negotiations, see O’Donoghue (1986) pgs
240-244 and Hopkinson (1988), pgs 100-104. See May-26-22/3. |
Macardle
(1999), pgs 732-733; Hopkinson (1988), pg 101 |
|
May-22-22/1 |
John McLarnon, a
Catholic, is shot dead as he works in the Midland Railway Station in Belfast
and another Catholic, Charles McMurty, suffers a
similar fate at his place of work. A Protestant shipyard worker,
George Lawson (30), was shot by a sniper operating from the Short Strand area
of Belfast as he made his way to work. Also, a Protestant bar manager, Thomas
Boyd (25) was shot on Albertbridge Road by possibly
the same sniper. Later, a Catholic man, Jack O’Hare (30), was severely
beaten by a loyalist gang loitering near the Albert Bridge and they then
threw him over the bridge into the River
Lagan. A nearby police patrol did not intervene. A Catholic,
James Brady, was shot dead by the IRA who mistook him for a Protestant. |
Parkinson (2004), pg 259;
McDermott (2001), pg 234; Parkinson
(2020), pg 156 |
|
May-22-22/2 |
At a meeting with a delegation from the synod
of the Church of Ireland, Collins tells them that “Ireland required the services
of all of her sons of every class and creed” and he condemned attacks on
member of the Protestant community. |
Dolan and Murphy (2018), pg
201 |
|
May-22-22/3 |
An ex-RIC man (H/Constable Joseph Ballantine
or Ballintine) is shot dead as he enters his home
in Raphoe, Co. Donegal. Ó Duibhir says that this killing was carried out by
refugees from Northern Ireland at the instigation of the wife of a local
publican. |
Abbott (2000), pg
294; Ozseker (2019), pg
186; Ó
Duibhir (2011), pg 115 |
|
May-22-22/4 |
William Twaddell, who is the MP in the
Northern Ireland parliament for Woodvale, is assassinated in
Belfast. After this killing some 350 IRA and Sinn Féin members are
interned and all republican organisations are declared illegal in Northern
Ireland. |
Hopkinson (1988), pg
85; Gallagher
(2003), pg 39; Phoenix (1994), pg
223; Parkinson (2004), pgs
274-276 & 293 & 296; McDermott (2001), pg
234; Ó Duibhir (2011), pgs
115; Ferriter (2021), pg
28; Parkinson
(2020), pgs 203-205 & 237-239; McMahon (2008), pg 151 |
|
May-22-22/5 |
Four Catholic homes on the Magherafelt side of
Desertmartin in Co. Londonderry are attacked. One was burnt to the ground while the
others were shot up with some of the occupants receiving injuries. (See
May-19-22/4.) Subsequently, Catholics received letters ordering them to leave
the area. |
Lawlor (2011), pgs 280-282 |
|
May-22-22/6 |
A meeting of pro-Treaty army officers express dissatisfaction with the developments on
the Army unity talks and the following day J J
O'Connell tenders his resignation, but it is not accepted. |
Hopkinson (1988), pg
103 |
|
May-22-22/7 |
After the Waterford Farmers’ Association
announced that it would not partake in the annual negotiations to set wages,
the ITGWU announces a county-wide strike starting on this day. In the east of
the county, the farmers soon give in to the strikers’ demand after picketing
and boycotting by shop and factory workers.
However, large farmers in the Blackwater Valley announced a reduction
in wages of farm labourers from 38 shillings to 30 shillings a week and the
strike drags on. See Jun-07-22/4. |
McCarthy (2015), pg
103 |
|
May-23-22/1 |
An ex-RIC man (Sgt Walshe) is shot dead on a
visit to his wife and child in Newport, Co Mayo. |
Abbott (2000), pg
294; Price (2012), pg 204 |
|
May-23-22/2 |
Mary Grant (60) who had earlier been shot by a
sniper in the York St area of Belfast dies in hospital. |
Parkinson (2004), pg
261 |
|
May-23-22/3 |
Craig tells the NI parliament that “We, as a
united Cabinet, now state that we will not have any Boundary Commission under
any circumstances whatever … What we have, we hold”. |
Fanning (2013), pg
327; Matthews (2004),
3pg |
|
May-23-22/4 |
Craig informs Churchill that nearly 282
arrests made and this was to grow to nearly 500. By end of June, most of those interned were
kept on the prison ship Argenta. The Argenta had been purchased by the NI government on May 17th
and fitted out as a prison ship in Harland & Wolff. It could hold about
500 prisoners. It was brought into
operation on June 19th when 300 internees were moved on
board. Conditions on board were
atrocious. Twenty-one prisoners were flogged between
April 26th and July 17th. |
McCluskey (2014), pg
124; Parkinson (2020), pgs 240-241 |
|
May-23-22/5 |
An ex-RIC man (Constable Timothy O'Leary) is
taken from his pony and trap between Kinsale and Kilbrittain,
Co. Cork and his body is later found by the roadway. |
Abbott (2000), pg
294 |
|
May-23-22/6 |
Sinn Féin Ard Fheis ratifies the Collins-de
Valera pact. (Macardle says May 23rd but
Curran says May 25th.) |
Macardle
(1999), pg 714; Curran J M (1980), pg 190 |
|
May-23-22/7 |
Colonel Brind, head of intelligence for the BA
in Ireland, reports to the British cabinet that “organisers from outside the
six counties” were “responsible for most of the aggression displayed by the
local I.R.A.”. |
McMahon (2008) pg
143 |
|
May-23-22/8 |
The British signatories to the Treaty meet in
London with Balflour, Macready and Fitzalan in attendance. Churchill gives a gloomy
assessment of the situation in Ireland saying that they may not be a sudden
breakdown or clear issue but that “the Free State would slide into an
accommodation with the Republicans … Looking back on the political history
one could see how we have been sold”. They discuss the Collins-De Valera election
pact. Lloyd George said that they “may have to face reconquest” but they
could not break with the Irish unless there was such a clear violation of the
Treaty that could not be argued with and the election pact was not such a
violation. Churchill agreed. The go on to discuss various
possible actions in the event of the breakdown of the Treaty. Chamberlain says that, while he continued to trust
Griffith, he no longer believed that Collins was “keeping faith with us” and
that he was “losing confidence in Mr. Collins”. (According to McMahon, there was a similar
meeting the previous day which agreed to provide funding
for the Special Constabulary for the next six months. They also agreed to augment Solly-Flood’s
staff with BA officers and provide substantial arms and equipment to NI. They also decided to send BA officers to
the newly created Criminal Investigation Department in Belfast. The latter was created in early May and
controlled by Solly-Flood.) See also Jun-06-22/6. |
Curran J M (1980), pgs
191-192; Matthews (2004), pg 79; McMahon (2008), pgs 77-78 & 146 & 149 |
|
May-24-22/1 |
With the introduction of the Constabulary Bill
(Northern Ireland), the setting up of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) was
proposed in law. Charles Wickham was
appointed its first Inspector General.
See Jun-01-22/3. Also, the Special Constabulary became the
Ulster Special Constabulary. |
Abbott (2000), pg
142; Abbott (2019), pg 351; McMahon (2008), pg 152 |
|
May-24-22/2 |
Three bombs go off in trams in Belfast. Only one
fatality – Grace Orr or Todd (30) who was a Protestant. Gunbattles follow. James Telford (63), a Protestant
gravedigger, was beaten and fatally shot by a mob on the Falls Rd in
Belfast. Also, a gunbattle raged in the Falls Rd area resulting in
three deaths. The Irish News reported “At times the firing,
especially in the upper portion of the Falls Road, was of unprecedented
intensity, and the residents were in a state of nerve-wrecking terror.” |
Parkinson (2004), pgs 265-266
& 283 & 350; McDermott (2001), pg 236; Parksinson (2020), pg 97 |
|
May-24-22/3 |
Ruth Beaumount, an
English woman who lived in Convoy, Co. Donegal, has her hair cut by anti-Treaty
Volunteers. |
Ozseker
(2019), pg 187 |
|
May-24-22/4 |
The Military Adviser to the NI government,
Major-General Arthur Solly-Flood, writes that the was a secret deal between
Collins and de Valera to build up their military strength under the cover of the
Free State “until the time was ripe for the two forces to unite and strike at
the Empire”. Also, on this day, Solly-Flood issues a secret
memo to senior police officers saying that it was only a question of time
before open hostilities between the North and South broke out. Solly-Flood later wrote that there was
abundant evidence that “Irish Republicans are in close touch with foreign
Communists. Bolshevists, and internationalists to promote revolution in
England and bring about the destruction of the Empire”. |
McMahon (2008), pg
144 |
|
May-25-22/1 |
During a gun battle in the Springfield Road
area of Belfast an Ulster Special Constable (S/Constable James Murphy) is
fatally wounded. |
Abbott (2000), pg
289; Parkinson
(2004), pg 262 |
|
May-25-22/2 |
Speaking in Liverpool, ex-Field Marshall Henry
Wilson describes “the surrender of the Provisional Government to de Valera”
as “one of the most pitiful, miserable and cowardly stories in history”. |
|
|
May-25-22/3 |
An Ulster Special Constable (S/Con George Connor
or O’Connor) is shot by a sniper in a McAuley St., Belfast. Also, a teenager, Esther McDougall is shot
close to her home – she was due to give evidence against a loyalist for
throwing a bomb. In addition, a Protestant teenager, John Moore,
was shot outside his front door in Hooker St, Belfast. |
Abbott (2000), pg
289; Parkinson
(2004), pg 260 & 262 & 265-266; McDermott
(2001), pg 238 |
|
May-25-22/4 |
Darrell Figgis, a member of the Executive of
Sinn Féin, addresses the Executive of the Farmers Party and other business
interests and urges them to put forward candidates in all constituencies in
which anti-Treaty candidates were likely to top the polls. |
|
|
May-25-22/5 |
Griffith goes to London (along with Duggan,
Cosgrave and O’Higgins. O’Hegarty and Kennedy
are also there as secretary and legal advisor respectively.) Collins goes the following day after going to
Kildare to try to deal with the Civic Guard mutiny – see May-26-22/2. They meet with Churchill who outlines British
objections to the pact but it was defended by Griffith, Duggan and O’Higgins.
See May-27-22/1. |
O’Donoghue (1986), pg
244; Macardle (1999), pg
714; Curran J M (1980), pgs 193-194 |
|
May-25-22/6 |
Churchill receives a delegation of Irish
loyalists in London. They claim that
the Bandon Valley Massacre is a harbinger of things to come. They claim that there is no effective
police force and that there is “nothing to prevent the peasants expropriating
every Protestant and every loyalist”.
They go on to claim that “The slightest spark may, at any moment,
kindle the flame and cause a massacre … A massacre is now only a matter of
time”. See May-28-22/6. |
McMahon (2008), pg 75 |
|
May-26-22/1 |
Knowing that the British Government is
disenchanted with the Collins-de Valera pact, Craig writes to Churchill
decrying the ‘odious’ idea of the Boundary Commission saying that it is ‘at
the root of all evil’. He also points out that as the NI Government was
not a party to the Treaty “we have not broken the treaty”. |
Phoenix (1994), pg 224 |
|
May-26-22/2 |
Collins goes to Kildare Barracks to meet with
the Civic Guard mutineers. He offers the mutineers an inquiry on the basis
that Staines and his staff would return to their posts in Kildare. The mutineers, led by Michael Daly, agree
but on the basis that a party of no more than five officers
return. However, when Staines tries to
enter the barracks on June 9th, he is again refused entry. The
response of the Provisional Government was to isolate the mutineers and
withdraw pay. This led to a drop in
morale among the mutineers. Some left to join the anti-Treaty forces while
others went home. See Jun-17-22/3. |
Durney
(2011), pgs 52-53 |
|
May-26-22/3 |
Army unity talks which had been on-going agree
on a number of issues including no more commandeering and that a number of
the occupied building in Dublin (excluding the Four Courts) would be
evacuated. Talks proceeded on issues of army organisation and these
complex deliberations were submitted to the (anti-Treaty) Executive on June
14th. See Jun-14-22/5. |
Hopkinson (1988), pg 101 |
|
May-26-22/4 |
Speaking to the Northern Ireland cabinet, Sir
Henry Wilson says that “There is a grave danger that the British Cabinet will
come to the view that the Pact between Mr. Collins and Mr. de Valera does not
violate the Treaty” |
Macardle
(1999), pg 714 |
|
May-26-22/5 |
Alexander Morrison, a Protestant from
Ballyclare, was visiting a market on Albertbridge
Rd in Belfast when he was attacked by a loyalist gang and fatally
wounded. William Toal (17), a
Catholic, who had been shot in the Marrowbone area died in hospital on this
day. Also, around this time, another Catholic, Lizzie Donnelly, is the
victim of sniping in the Millfield area. A Protestant building contractor, Victor Kidd, was shot by
a sniper operating from the New Lodge area of Belfast as he made his way to
his business premises. Mr Kidd was an off-duty Special Constable. Later in the day, another Protestant,
William Shields (21) was shot as he made his way home from work down the
Newtownards Rd. In addition, the ‘Falls Firebugs’ were at work again, this
time starting 13 fires between eight and eleven o’clock mostly in the Falls
and Divis Street areas including an attack on the (mostly Protestant) Model
School. There were further arson attacks on commercial properties
over the next few days. In his 2020 book, Parkinson
quotes the Belfast Telegraph as
saying that between eighty and ninety commercial properties were targets of
arson attacks during May and June 1922 – the peak period was the end of May
and beginning of June. According to Parkinson (2004) “For Belfast Republicans, the tacit of
arson offered another way of directly attacking what they saw as the
‘godfathers’ of terror, without running such high risks or inviting a
backlash on the already harassed Catholics in the city.” |
Parkinson (2004), pg 258 & 260 & 264 & 271 & 273; Abbott (2019), pg 408; Parkinson
(2020), pg 201 |
|
May-26-22/6 |
Craig writes to Churchill saying that pro- and
anti-Treaty forces were secretly preparing to declare a republic and carry
out an onslaught on NI. |
McMahon (2008), pg 144 |
|
May 26 to
27-22/1 |
The IRA carries out in a number of attacks in
South Armagh over these two days. During one attack in the
Jonesborough-Forkhill area an Ulster Special
Constable (S/Constable Herbert Martin) was shot dead. |
Abbott (2000), pg 289 |
|
May-27-22/1 |
During the meeting between the Irish and
British delegations (starting at 6.00pm), Lloyd George (back from Genoa and
taking a direct interest in Irish affairs for the first time in a
considerable period) tells the Irish side that the new Free State
constitution (which had been produced by the Irish committee which included
High Kennedy, James Douglas and Prof Alfred O'Rahilly
and presented to the British the previous day) was a republican one with a
thin veneer and a complete evasion of the Treaty. He said that the
Irish would be sent a list of British objections to their draft constitution
by May 29th – see May-29-22/1. The two delegations then discuss the pact
election in detail. Churchill pointed
out that Article 17 of the Treaty obliged all members of the Provisional
Government to sign a declaration of adherence to the Treaty and the Pact did
not require the four republican ministers to sign such a declaration. Despite
reservations the British agreed that the election could go ahead but warned
that problems could occur if the anti-Treaty cabinet members did not take the
oath. Churchill said that if Article
17 did not apply then “the process of the transfer of function does not go
forward anymore”. See Jun-01-22/1. Also, a subcommittee of the Committee for Imperial
Defence, chaired by Churchill, made contingency plans to occupy the waterline
of lakes and rivers running from Dundalk to Letterkenny to defend the North
against invasion. |
Hopkinson (1988), pg
106; Curran J M (1980), pgs 194-195; Townshend
(2014), pg 400; Fanning (2013), pg
329; Matthews (2004), pg 80; Kissane (2005), pg 71; McMahon (2008), pg 77 |
|
May-27-22/2 |
A proclamation is issued by the Provisional
Government calling an election on June 16th Nomination forms referred to elections to the
“Provisional Parliament pursuant to the Free State (Agreement) Act” and not
for the Third Dáil. Lord Fitzalan, later
in the day, declared that the Parliament of Southern Ireland was dissolved
and “I hereby call a Parliament to be known as and styled the Provisional
Parliament”. |
Macardle
(1999), pg 718 |
|
May-27-22/3 |
William Smyth (21), a Catholic, is shot dead
in the Short Strand area of Belfast. Robert Rainey (50) is shot when he
went to the aid of a man injured in disturbances in the Cullingtree
Rd area of Belfast. A young Protestant girl (Georgina Campbell who was 5) was
shot by a sniper allegedly operating from St Matthew’s Church in Belfast. |
Parkinson (2004), pgs 260-262
& 265 |
|
May-27-22/4 |
In an action which was to set off a
confrontation between the IRA and the BA on the Donegal/Tyrone border, Basil
Brooke, O/C of the USC in Co. Fermanagh, sends 64 USC men by boat across
Lough Erne and they occupy Magherameenagh Castle, a
few miles from Belleek. A patrol from
the castle comes under attack from an anti-Treaty column advancing towards Magherameenagh castle but manages to get back to base
without any casualties. However, they
are besieged in the castle. See May-28-22/2. |
Ó Duibhir (2011), pgs 120-121 |
|
May-27-22/5 |
Lance Corporal Emery of the British Army is
shot dead in College Green in Dublin. |
Dorney (2017), pg
286 |
|
May-27-22/6 |
Ex-RIC Sergeant James Greer is taken from his
home at Cootehall near Boyle, Co. Roscommon and
shot dead. His son, Thomas, who lived
nearby and was an ex-Auxiliary, is also shot dead. |
Abbott (2019), pg
378; Abbott (2000), pg 294; Burke (2021), pg 125 |
|
May-28-22/1 |
RIC Sgt William Leech is shot dead outside
Westland Row Railway Station in Dublin.
Dorney says that Sgt Leech was rumoured to be working with British
Intelligence. |
Abbott (2000), pg
290; Dorney (2017), pg 45 |
|
May-28-22/2 |
To relieve the men besieged in Magherameenagh Castle, a four or five vehicle police
patrol of A Specials is sent from Garrison, Co. Tyrone. It is attacked by pro-Treaty troops at
Belleek on the Donegal-Tyrone border. The resulting gun battle lasts several hours
and one Ulster Special Constable (S/Constable Albert Rickerby) is
killed. The Specials eventually withdrew but without
relieving their comrades in Magherameenagh Castle.
The men in the castle withdraw by boat to Boa Island in Lough Erne when they
are reinforced with 100 more Specials. A section of anti-Treaty army men is sent to a
narrow isthmus of land called Waterfall which is in Donegal but stretches
down to Lough Erne. Sir Basil Brooke mobilises all A and B
Specials in Fermanagh and they attack Pettigo on
June 1st, which is across the border in Co. Donegal, but they are
repelled. See Jun-04-22/3. |
Abbott (2000), pg
290; Lawlor
(2011), pgs 286-287; Ó Duibhir
(2011), pgs 122-125; Parkinson
(2020), pgs 196-197 |
|
May-28-22/3 |
Honoria Kelly from Sonnagh, near
Charlestown, Co Mayo is killed after being fired on by her neighbour, Michael
McIntyre (son of anti-Treaty Mayo County Councillor, John McIntyre) after
they got into an argument over the Treaty. |
Price (2012), pg 214 |
|
May-28-22/4 |
A Protestant woman, Minnie Boyd (38) dies from a back
wound received in the Millfield area of Belfast. |
Parkinson (2004), pg 266 |
|
May-28-22/5 |
Two Co. Antrim IRA men, Charlie McAllister
from Waterfoot and Pat McVeigh from Tamlaght are
shot dead on Tamlaght Brae by Crown Forces. |
Lawlor (2011), pg 301 |
|
May-28-22/6 |
A loyalist woman from Co. Cork (A. Hodder)
writes “when will the British Government realise that they are really dealing
with savages and not ordinary normal human beings”. See Jun-26-22/5. |
McMahon (2008), pg
75 |
|
May-29-22/1 |
British present Irish delegation with detailed
objections to their draft of the constitution and their belief that it was
inconsistent with the Treaty. See
May-30 to 31-22/1. |
Curran J M (1980), pgs
206-208 |
|
May-29-22/2 |
A police patrol comes under attack in
McDonnell St. in the Falls Rd. area of Belfast and an Ulster Special
Constable (S/Constable John Megarrity) is shot
dead. A Catholic invalid, Francis James Hughes (45) is shot in his bed
in Lesson St following the killing of the Special. |
Abbott (2000), pgs
290-291; Parkinson (2004), pg 261-263; McDermott
(2001), pg 240 |
|
May-29-22/3 |
An RIC man (Constable Henry O'Brien) is shot
near Cullingtree Rd, Belfast and dies of his wounds
the next day. Also, Thomas Drumgoole was fatally
shot by a police patrol in this area. |
Abbott (2000), pg
291; Parkinson
(2004), pgs 262-263; McDermott (2001), pg 240 |
|
May-29-22/4 |
Anti-Treaty Captain James Flannagan is killed
at Gormanstown train station during an attempt to
hold up two RIC men. |
Hall (2019), pg 94 |
|
May-29-22/5 |
On the night of May 29th, there is
a prolonged gun battle between anti-Treaty forces and the Specials in the
Lifford-Strabane area on the Donegal/Tyrone border. Also, around this time, Specials patrolling in
an armoured car in the nearby village of Clady, Co. Tyrone are attacked and,
according to Ó Duibhir, one Special Constable is killed. However, Abbott does not mention this
killing. During this period, Protestant farmhouses in
the Castlefin area of Co. Donegal are raided and
some are commandeered. Ó Duibhir says “Those identified as militant loyalists
received notice to clear out and the vast majority moved to Castlederg in Co.
Tyrone.” Ó Duibhir
does not say how ‘militant loyalists’ were identified. |
Ó Duibhir (2011), pg 116 |
|
May-29-22/6 |
The Cork Examiner publishes an
interview with Rory O'Connor in which he states inter alia that
Republicans controlled three-quarters of the arms, that an attack on the
North was ready and that popular will should not be expressed through
parliamentary channels. This upsets the delicate army unity talks and
Sean O’Hegarty protests to the Cork Examiner about
O'Connor's claim to speak for the army. |
|
|
May-30 to
31-22/1 |
Hugh Kennedy and British Lord Chief Justice Hewart meet to try to resolve differences on the
constitution. They do not succeed and when Hewart
informs Lloyd George on the evening of May 31st, the latter sends
a communication to Collins and Griffith asking them if they are going to
honour the Treaty and specifically tells him that if the Irish delegation
refuse to change the proposition (in their draft of the constitution) which
excluded the Crown from the Irish Executive then this would mean a break in
negotiations. See Jun-01-22/1 |
Curran J M (1980), pgs
208-209; Townshend (2014), pg 401 |
|
May-30-22/1 |
Pro-Treaty army officer, James McLoughlin, is
accidently shot dead by a sentry as he approaches the Pearse-Connolly Hall in
Gowel, Co. Leitrim.
(The Pearse-Connolly Hall had been built by Jim Gralton
and his followers. It had been occupied by pro-Treaty soldiers in a dispute
over land agitation.) |
McGarty (2020), pg 114 |
|
May-30-22/2 |
At a meeting between Griffith and Collins and
a number of British cabinet ministers (including Lloyd George and
Chamberlain), the Irish side (especially Collins) denounce the violence
against Catholics in Northern Ireland saying it is a pogrom aimed at the
extermination of Northern Catholics and demanded an impartial inquiry into
the killings and that the British impose martial law. Later, Lloyd George (at a British cabinet
meeting) compared the Specials to Mussolini’s Fascisti
and urged support for Collins demand for an enquiry in the disturbances in
Belfast. |
Curran J M (1980), pgs
195-196; Phoenix
(1994), pg 225; Matthews (2004), pgs 79-80 |
|
May-30-22/3 |
Two Catholics, Mary McElroy (52) and her
daughter Rose (29) are shot dead in a butcher shop on the Old Lodge Road in
Belfast owned by Mary McElroy’s husband. The assailants also looted the
Catholic owned public house next door and tried to kill the owner. |
Parkinson (2004), pg 259; Parkinson (2020), pg 157 |
|
May-31-22/1 |
Two Ulster Special Constables were shot by the
small anti-Treaty IRA in Belfast in the Millfield area of Belfast and both
(S/Constable Andrew Roulston and S/Constable William Campbell) later died of
their wounds. This results in a large attack by Specials on
Catholic areas of Belfast, especially Peter’s Place and Boyd St., which resulted
in nine deaths (all Catholics except for a blind Protestant man who was
lodging in a Catholic house) and over 80 Catholic families were left homeless
in one night. |
Abbott (2000), pg
291; Macardle (1999), pgs
728-729; Phoenix
(1994), pg 225; Parkinson (2004), pg 258 & 261-264 & 283; McDermott (2001), pg 241; Abbott (2019), pg 374 |
|
May-31-22/2 |
Local Government Bill introduced into NI Parliament
which proposes abolition of the proportional representation in local
elections. The Bill re-introduces the first-past-the-post
system and requires all local officials to take an oath of loyalty to the
King of England and to the NI government. The Bill passes all its stages by July 5th.
Little regard was given to the view of the
nationalist minority that proportional representation was an important
safeguard for them. This Bill is also
significant in how it could potentially affect the work of the Boundary
Commission. See Jun-28-22/8. |
Phoenix (1994), pgs 243-244; Matthews
(2004), pgs 83-84 |
|
May-31-22/3 |
This was the date set for the official
disbandment of the RIC (except in NI) but the process continues until August
31st. |
Abbott (2000), pg
292 & 295 |
|
May-31-22/4 |
Frank Crummey, I/O 3rd Northern
Division, IRA is arrested in Belfast. A number of other IRA men
captured in Belfast at this time leading to a decline in their on-going
campaign in NI and demoralisation among the northern IRA and nationalists. |
McDermott (2001), pg 250 |
|
May-31-22/5 |
In an agitated debate on whether the election
pact between Collins and de Valera violated the Treaty, Churchill tells the
British House of Commons (with Collins and Griffith in the Strangers'
Gallery) that he had unreserved good faith in their sincerity and that the
two leaders were doing their best to carry out the Treaty. |
Hopkinson (1988), pg
107; Macardle (1999), pgs
715- 716; Curran J M (1980), pgs 196-197 |
|
May-31-22/5 |
Catherine McAnaney,
a Cumman na mBan dispatch rider from Derry city, is accidently shot
dead by an IRA sentry as his gun goes off when she approaches his post at Burnfoot on the Derry/Donegal border. |
Grant (2018),pg 139 |
|
May-1920/1 |
By end of May, 227 people killed in Six
Counties since beginning of year – 87 Protestants and 150 Catholics. 75
people (including 42 Catholics) killed in Belfast during May. The first 18
days of June were to add another 27 (6 Protestants and 21 Catholics).
Many Catholic refugees from Belfast go south of the border. |
Macardle
(1999), pg 729; Phoenix (1994), pg 219 |
|
May-1920/2 |
A raid by Crown Forces on a house in Belfast
found a full list of IRA officers in the city. It also found documents
proving the involvement of southern leaders in the IRA in NI. |
McMahon (2008), pg 151 |
|
May-1920/3 |
After meeting three times, the Police Advisory
Committee (set up under the Craig-Collins pact) dissolved without meeting its
objectives. |
Phoenix (1994), pg 222 |
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