Photo: Illustrated fro London News, 10 January 1920 Article insert Ulster Herald www.irishnewsarchives.com

In January 1920 the War of Independence intensified with the IRA carrying out a number of offensives in almost every county. To mark the anniversary of this aspect of the campaign, this month we offer stories about the conflict as reported by the newspapers of the day.

During early January 1920 the area around Carrigtwohill in county Cork was thrown into disarray and flooded with military personal after an IRA attack on the RIC in the village. On 3 January the IRA carried out a daring and intense attack on the RIC barracks in Carrigtwohill which lasted more than four hours. Just after 10pm some 300 men surrounded the barracks shattering the gable of the building with explosives. Earlier in the evening, a large body of men had arrived in the village on unlighted bicycles an indication that something was imminent. It was part of a night of intense IRA activity in the county when three barracks in the area were attacked. The sensational attack was kept up for almost four hours as there was little fear of military reinforcements arriving. Telegraph and telephone wires in the village had been cut to prevent communication. Only when they began to run low on ammunition did the IRA decide to approach the barracks. At this stage the RIC surrendered without a further fight. Capturing the six RIC men who were defending the barracks, they were handcuffed them with their own handcuffs and told not to move until daylight or the punishment was that they would be shot. When the attack was over every window of the barracks had been smashed. The IRA then took rifles, bicycles and other items from the barracks. They also took money from some of the RIC including £55 from Constable Shea; Constable Sullivan had £60 taken from him; while others had jewelry and gold watches taken. The wife of one of the constables was taken hostage to another building and money was taken from her. In the days that followed an intense search of the surrounding countryside was carried out by the military.

Download Source: Ulster Herald, 10 Jan 1920