- Dromkeen Ambush
-
Dromkeen Ambush Part of the Irish War of Independence Date 3 February 1921 Location Dromkeen, County Limerick Result IRA victory Belligerents 
Irish Republican Army
Royal Irish ConstabularyCommanders and leaders Donnocha O'HanniganStrength 40 to 50 volunteers 13 police constables Casualties and losses 1 wounded 11 dead Timeline
Declaration of Independence – Soloheadbeg – Listowel mutiny – Rineen – Toureen – Ballinalee – Bloody Sunday (Dublin) – Kilmichael – Burning of Cork – Clonfin – Dromkeen – Upton – Clonmult – Coolavokig – Sheemore – Clonbanin – Selton Hill – Burgery – Crossbarry – Headford – Scramogue – Kilmeena – Carrowkennedy – Coolacrease – Bloody Sunday (Belfast) – McMahon killings – Arnon St killings – Dunmanway killingsThe Dromkeen Ambush took place on 3 February 1921, during the Irish War of Independence at Dromkeen in County Limerick. The Irish Republican Army ambushed a Royal Irish Constabulary patrol, killing 11 policemen.
The ambush was carried out by the flying columns of the East and Mid Limerick Brigades IRA, some 45 riflemen, under the command of Donnocha O'Hannigan commander of East Limerick Brigade Flying Column. Some time earlier the police had discovered the arms dump of the Mid-Limerick Brigade. Only one IRA man—Liam Hayes—was wounded.
Only two of the police got away. Nine were killed in action and another two were executed after being taken prisoner. Three of the dead RIC men were Irish and the remainder were British Black and Tans. In reprisal, British forces burned ten homes and farms in the area.[1]
It has been claimed that three of the RIC dead were executed after they had surrendered.[2]
Particular suspicion for this alleged killing of prisoners has fallen on Maurice Meade, a former British soldier, who was captured by the Germans in the First World War, had joined Roger Casement's Irish Brigade.[3]
In February 2009, up to 2,000 people turned up for the unveiling of a memorial to the ambush.[4]
References
- ^ Cleary, Phil (October 3, 2006). "Blowing up a storm". Herald Sun. http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,20513327-5006029,00.html.
- ^ Hopkinson, Michael. The Irish War of Independence. p. 121.
- ^ Clearly, Phil. "Donncadh OhAnnagain: At War with the Black and Tans". philcleary.com.au. http://www.philcleary.com.au/History_ohannigan_military%20history.htm.
- ^ "Blood of all sides remembered at Dromkeen ceremony". Limerick Leader. 9 February 2009. http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/Blood-of-all-sides-remembered.4970495.jp.
Categories:- Irish War of Independence
- History of County Limerick
- Royal Irish Constabulary
- Irish history stubs
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
