Nationalist and
Leinster Times, March, 1921.
Carlow
Royal Irish Constabulary Sergeant Fired At.
Miraculous Escape.
Sergeant O'Boyle 1921
As we go to press we regret to learn that
on Wednesday evening about 7oc while Sergt. O' Boyle, Carlow
R.I.C., was returning on his bicycle from his residence in
Graiguecullen to the Barracks he was fired at when
approaching Coal Market from Castle Hill, Carlow.
One shot struck him in the left jaw under
the eye, and another struck him in the back near the
shoulder. Sergeant O' Boyle returned the fire and fired
several shots. He was conveyed into Mrs Kirk's licensed
premises in Castle Hill and Dr Colgan and Rev. John Killian
were quickly in attendance.
He was conveyed to the Military Barracks
and subsequently brought to a Dublin Military Hospital for
treatment, and there is every hope of a speedy recovery from
his injuries.
After the occurrence a number of rifle
shots were heard in various parts of the town, and the
people, unaware of what occurred, were terrified. Firing in
the air still continued and the streets were quickly
cleared.
Devotions were being carried on in the
Cathedral at the time and at the conclusion the congregation
quickly dispersed to their homes still wondering what had
happened.
Several houses in Carlow and
Graiguecullen were searched and a number of pedestrians
interrogated.
Note added 2010.
Sergeant O' Boyle joined the R.I.C. in
1902; he was promoted to rank of Sergeant in 1920.
He was married to one of the Miss
Bassets' of the Dublin Road.
Following the shooting O' Boyle was
brought into Kirk's public house (later known as "Ronnie
Delaneys") where he was attended by Dr Ryan and Dr O’Meara;
he was moved to Dr. Steevens' Hospital, Dublin where he was
treated by Dr. Chance.
O'Boyle made a complete recovery; in 1921
he was awarded £1,500 compensation for his injuries.
Three Republican Volunteers were involved
in the ambush, including a marksman brought in from Athy.
Shortly after the shooting "Scorcher"
O'Neill, dressed as a woman, raced into Johnny Neill's pub
(now The Barge) in Coal Market and ordered a glass of
whiskey, gulped it down and told the barmaid to charge it to
the Republican Army.
Later that evening British soldiers
surrounded Governey's Boot Factory, Castle Hill, and
threatened to burn it down, Graiguecullen priest, Rev. Fr.
Michael Bolger, who had served as a Captain in the British
Army during the Great War, stopped them from taking this
action and ordered them back to Barracks.
Following the ambush the three Volunteers
involved spent four days hiding out in Mangan's Mills in
Coal Market (renamed Kennedy Street in 1963) less than 50
yards from where the ambush took place!).
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