Burgery ambush

The Burgery ambush was a 1921 ambush that occurred near Dungarvan, Ireland, as part of the Irish War of Independence. [cite web |url=http://www.waterfordcountymuseum.org/exhibit/web/Display/article/22/6/?lang=en |title=The Irish War of Independence 1919 - 21 |accessdate=2008-05-25 |author=Edmond Keohan |date=2001-07-26 |publisher=Waterford County Museum]

Ambush

On the night of 18-19 March 1921 a British military convoy, including Royal Irish Constabulary Sergeant Michael Hickey, Dungarvan and Black and Tans, was ambushed at the Burgery just to the northeast of Dungarvan. In overall command of the rebel force (Deise Brigade, Irish Republican Army, IRA) was Dublin G.H.Q. Officer George Plunkett, brother of 1916 Joseph Mary Plunkett. Also present were Brigade Commandant Pax Whelan and Vice Commanding Officer George Lennon, Leader of the Flying Column.

One Black and Tan, Constable Sydney R. Redman [ [http://www.policememorial.org.uk/Forces/IRELAND/RIC_Roll.htm RIC Memorial] ] was killed and captured British soldiers were released. Constable Hickey [ [http://www.policememorial.org.uk/Forces/IRELAND/RIC_Roll.htm RIC Memorial] ] , however was shot by an IRA firing squad with a sign reading "police spy" affixed to his tunic.

Rebel forces returned under Plunkett to search for any armaments left behind by the British forces. An ambush resulted in the death of Volunteer Sean Fitzgerald. Attempting, on two occasions, to rescue his childhood friend, Volunteer Pat Keating was shot and died later that day.

Aftermath

Hickey's body was eventually interred at the local parish church in Dungarvan, St. Mary's. Gravediggers initially refuse to dig the grave. It was only at the instigation of the parish priest that the unmarked grave was dug.

Both IRA Volunteers are interred at the Republican Burial Plot in nearby Kilrossanty, County Waterford.

References