Nationalist and Leinster Times.
9th
April 1921.
Carlow
R.I.C. Constable Killed.
Civilian
Seriously Wounded.
On
Sunday night at about 8.30 p.m. (Summer Time), Constable James
Duffy, Royal Irish Constabulary, Carlow, was shot dead between the
Mall and Killeshin, Queen's County, about two miles from Carlow.
Henry
James, Graiguecullen, who was with the constable was rather
seriously wounded. The only source of information, of course, is
Henry James himself.
It
appears that the two men were out walking on Sunday evening, and
finally went into Mr Fitzpatrick's licensed premises to have a
drink. Then they left, evidently intending to be back in Carlow
before the Curfew hour.
At about
a quarter of a mile on the Carlow side of Fitzpatricks they were
held up by three armed men who had been sitting in the hedge. Two of
them fired at Constable Duffy, and the third attacked Henry James.
Several
shots were fired. Both men were hit, Henry James receiving two
bullets, one in the shoulder, and the other in the hip.
Both men
ran across the roadside fence in opposite directions.
Henry
James ran in the direction of a farmer's house nearby, where he got
a cap - having lost his own in the pursuit - and then made his way
to another house in the district. The family had retired to bed.
Henry threw gravel at the window and was immediately admitted by the
owner, who promptly went to Carlow town for Dr. Doyle.
The
doctor was quickly on the scene, as were also a party of military
soldiers.
The
wounded man, Henry James, was of course unaware of his companion's
fate or whereabouts, but stated that while he was escaping across
the fields he heard about ten more shots in quick succession.
The
military proceeded to search for the missing constable and returned
to the house about 1.30 a.m., having failed to find him.
Henry
James was removed to the military barracks in Carlow, and
subsequently conveyed to the military hospital at the Curragh Camp.
The
Truce came into effect 3 months later in July 1921.
Constable Duffy's Fate.
More
search parties scoured the countryside and the next morning the body
of Constable Duffy was found in a field about half a mile from the
scene of the occurrence. It was virtually riddled with bullets.
Constable Duffy was 30 years of age, he served four years in the
British Army during the recent Great War with Royal Garrison
Artillery and held the rank of Sergeant. He was awarded the military
medal for bravery on the battlefield in France.
He was
the son of Mr Frank Duffy, a well-known horse dealer residing at
Tonniscoffey, midway between Monaghan and Ballybay.
Official Report.
The
following report was issued by Dublin Castle on Monday:-
"Constable James Duffy, Carlow, whilst out walking on Sunday night
near Killeshin was fired on. Henry James, a civilian, who was with
him, was wounded in the hip by the bullet intended for the
constable"
"Yesterday morning the dead body of Constable Duffy was found in a
ploughed field about half a mile from the place he had been fired
on.
He was,
apparently trying to make his escape from the first fire when he was
followed and killed. There was a large number of bullet wounds on
his body and head.
The Funeral.
On
Thursday morning the military funeral of the late Constable Duffy
took place.
At both
Masses in the Cathedral that morning the Clergy intimated that they
were asked by the military authorities to announce that all business
places in the town should close from 10 a.m. to 12oc, noon.
Prayers
were asked for the repose of the soul of Constable Duffy at each
Mass.
Since
coming to Carlow, he had been a frequent attendant at his religious
duties and received Holy Communion in the Cathedral on Sunday
morning, the day he was shot.
All
shops, factories, etc., closed down at 10 a.m.
Shortly
after 11oc the funeral procession commenced from the Military
Barracks, the route being Barrack Street, Tullow Street, Dublin
Street, Dublin Road to the Railway Station, where the remains were
entrained for Kingsbridge and thence to the family burial ground in
Country Monaghan.
There
was a large concourse of people from the town and district in
attendance.
A large
force of Royal Irish Constabulary marched before and after the motor
hearse, on which was the coffin, draped in the Union Jack.
The rear
was made up of the Carlow members of the "Comrades of the Great War"
under the command of Col. Browne - Clayton, D.S.O.
The
chief mourners were the deceased's father, Francis Duffy and Miss
Duffy, sister.
Rev. A.
Lynam, Adm. and Rev. J. Killian, C.C. walked after the hearse.
The last
prayers for the dead were said at the Military Barracks and at the
Railway Station by Rev Lynam and Rev Killian.
Several
wreaths were placed on the coffin - R.I.P.
Military
Inquest in Carlow.
At the
Carlow Military Barracks on Wednesday a Military Court of Inquiry
was held concerning the death of Constable James Duffy, whose dead
body was found in a ploughed field near Killeshin on Monday morning.
Constable James Duffy had joined the Royal Irish Constabulary on
December 28th 1920, and had been in the British army - Royal
Garrison Artillery – in which he held the rank of Sergeant, and
fought during the Great War and received the military medal.
He was
aged 30 in January last, and was unmarried.
The
first witness sworn was the dead constable's father, Francis Duffy,
a small farmer and horse dealer from Tonniscoffey, County Monaghan,
who identified the body as that of his son James Duffy.
He had
not seen his son since January, when he joined the R.I.C.
A police
witness stated that James Duffy came to Carlow on January 19th last
and was stationed in Carlow up to his death.
On
Sunday evening April 3rd, he granted James Duffy leave of absence
from 6.30 till 9 p.m.. He did not see him again until he saw his
dead body at 7.30 a.m. on Monday, April 4th, being brought to Carlow
Barracks on a tender.
They had
been searching all night for the missing man.
Another
witness said that on Sunday evening, April 3rd, he was acting as
Barrack Orderly. At 6.30 p.m. Constable Duffy reported to him that
he was leaving the barrack. He was dressed in civilian clothes. He
was then in good health.
In
answer to a question, the witness stated that he did not know if
Constable Duffy was armed or not.
[Note
added in 2010; In 1972 I interviewed one of the men who was involved
in the killing of James Duffy, he confirmed to me that Constable
Duffy was unarmed.]
A
military officer told the inquest that on the morning of the 4th of
April he found a body lying in a ploughed field, about 800 yards
from the main road, about a mile from Killeshin Chapel, the body
viewed by the court was the one he found.
The Bullets.
Another
constable told how he found the bullet cases (produced) on the road.
There were thirteen found. They were found near the milestone
between Killeshin and Mr Fitzpatrick's public house.
One lot
of four was found first and another lot about 100 yards further on.
They
were Belgian revolver cartridges, marked with letters and the number
450, and made in Liege.
Medical
evidence was that there were three bullet wounds on the face ;
another wound on the back of the head - in the centre; two bullet
wounds in the right buttock ; two bullet wounds in the left buttock
; one bullet wound in the left side, opposite the heart. One wound
on the chin showed that the bullet was fired at very close quarters
as the edges of the wound were singed.
The
cause of death was shock due to bullet wounds.
The
Court then adjourned to the Curragh for the purpose of taking the
evidence of the chief witness, Henry James. The verdict will be
announced in due course.
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Announcements April 1921.
Birth.
Rochfort - April 2nd, 1921, at Clogrenane,
Carlow, to Mr. and Mrs. Rochfort --a son.
Death.
- Curran - April 1st 1921, at her residence Granby Row,
Carlow, Margaret (Maggie) Curran, aged 14 years.
- Funeral took place to St. Mary's Cemetery on 3rd inst.
- Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on her ---R.I.P.
- Acknowledgment.
- Mr William Curran and family desire to return their most
sincere thanks to the Members of the R.I.C. and friends of the
Comrades Club, [of the Great War?] who kindly sent wreaths in
their recent sad bereavement.
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