Royal Irish Constabulary, (R.I.C.)
Constable Timothy Delaney, (29 years old) and Constable John Gaughan
(34 years old) were killed in ambush carried out by members of the Irish
Republican Army (IRA) on 8th Sept. 1920 near Tullow, County Carlow. Two
other R.I.C. officers were wounded in the attack. Delaney was from
Queens County (Laoise), he joined the R.I.C. in July of the same year.
He worked as a signalman on the railway before joining the R.I.C.
Constable John Gaughan was from County Mayo. He had 12 years service
in the R.I.C. and was a Gaelic Teacher (Irish Language teacher ) prior
to joining the force. Whilst a member of the R.I.C. he continued to
teach Irish in the Carlow area in his spare time .
Constable James Duffy was 29 years old when he was shot dead on 3rd
April 1921. He was drinking with Henry James and was on the way home
from " The Mall" Public House , Killeshin (about 2 miles from Carlow
town), when he was attacked by three IRA. men. Henry James was wounded
in the attack.
James Duffy, who was originally a farmer in his native County
Monaghan, had joined the R.I.C. in December 1920. He had been warned to
stay away from a local Killeshin girl, Miss B. Doogue, but he continued
his friendship with her and as a result he was killed.
Report of incident 7th Dec. 1922
compiled by James Byrne, Officer in Free State Army.
On 5th January 1923 Edward Snoddy was shot dead in the house of
Edward Maffet whilst carrying out a raid for arms in Palatine, Carlow.
(Edward was an uncle to Michael Purcell.)
Ref: CW/OPS/8 Box 8 Dublin/Eastern
- 3rd Eastern Division 7/12/22
- Staplestown (near Carlow) Lt. Jas Byrne
- 2 officers & 40 men
- 2 Revolvers 49 Rifles 42 Bicycles
A cycle column left Carlow Barracks to raid for Irregulars reported
active blocking roads in Staplestown area. Two Irregulars named - Edward
Snoddy, Blackbog Carlow, and John Shaw, Bennekerry Carlow, - arrested in
Wm. Ireland's of Staplestown. Some despatches were found on Snoddy and a
drill manual was found on Shaw. Snoddy later escaped from custody. On
searching a barn near the house a Colt Revolver .45, and 6 rounds of
ammunition were found, also a set of leather straps and an ammunition
pouch.
The column cleared all roads blocked in area.
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RIC 1816-1922 ]