Tramore Ambush Sequel

TRAMORE AMBUSH SEQUEL

Article from The Irish Independent of Tuesday, January 11th, 1921.

 FIND OF MOTOR CARS.

 INCIDENTS AT VICTIM'S FUNERAL.

     The authorities believe they can trace the owners of three private motor cars found about a mile from the scene of the Tramore ambush, and believed to have been left behind by the attackers.

     The town was quiet yesterday, and the people who left on Saturday have returned. Some exciting incidents occurred at the funeral of Michael McGrath, who was killed in the ambush, the military, who were equipped with machine guns, after a certain stage, limiting the attendance to 40.

     Tramore was perfectly quiet yesterday, wires a special representative of the "Irish Independent" from Waterford. The nervous tension has broken and people are going about their business without fear. Upwards of 20 families, who left the town on Saturday have returned. The damage to the houses is slight, consisting merely of broken glass in the windows of a few. The roof of the Sinn Féin hall is intact but it is estimated that the interior damage amounts to about £1,000. Mr. J. Conroy, secretary of the Waterford Branch D.S. and S.A., emphatically denies an allegation made in some Dublin papers that ex-service men were responsible for the burning of the hall.

WOUNDED ATTACKERS:

     On one hand it is definitely, stated that only 8 of the attacking party were slightly wounded, but the authorities are of the opinion that at least 20 or 30 were wounded. Part of the barricade still remains on the roadside of the Metal Bridge. Yesterday military patrols in the district discovered 3 private motor cars in a boreen off the Glen road and about a mile from the scene of the ambush. These had apparently been left behind by the attackers in their retreat. They bore no sign plates nor registration numbers, but the authorities believe that the owners can be traced.

     Up to a late hour last night the remains of the civilian in the military barracks were still unidentified. It is stated that they will be interred today by order of the military authorities, but this statement cannot be authenticated. No information can be obtained as to the identification of the third victim whose body was carried away by the ambushers. The two soldiers and the policemen who were wounded are progressing favourably.

 FUNERAL INCIDENTS MACHINE GUN AT GRAVESIDE:

     On Sunday night during the removal of the remains of Michael McGrath to St. John's Church, an exciting incident took place outside the military barracks, when two men named Drohan and Walsh were placed under arrest by the military. A picket of soldiers had been stationed outside the gate and immediately the cortege had passed hundreds of Volunteers fell in four deep at the command of Drohan. He was at once placed under arrest by the military. Walsh then assumed command, and having issued some orders was also arrested. Drohan was released yesterday; but Walsh, who is a draper's assistant in Waterford, is still in custody. The cortege then proceeded without further incident and en route the tricolour was placed over the coffin.

     Impressive scenes were witnessed yesterday at the funeral. High mass was celebrated at 12 o'clock, when St. Johns Church was densely thronged, hundreds being unable to gain admittance.

     About half an hour before the funeral left the church a large force of military arrived on motor lorries and took up a position at the corner of Manor St., some 100 yards from the church. By this time Parnell St. was densely packed with people who did not display the slightest concern at the arrival of the military. As the funeral left the church the military cleared the centre of Parnell St., at the junction of Manor St. and John St. The coffin, still draped with the tricolour, was borne in an open hearse.

ATTENDANCE LIMITED:

     As the cortege passed into John St. the military, some of whom, carried Lewis guns, stopped the hearse and counted 40 persons, who were mostly composed of Corporation members, headed by Dr. White, Mayor, and the two brothers and three sisters of the deceased. Only this number were allowed to follow the hearse.

     Upwards of 500 were then put out of the procession. This was done in an orderly manner with no regrettable incident taking place. Seven carriages were also allowed in the procession, with upwards of 20 carriages and vans being told to turn back.

Huge crowds followed the cortege on both sides of the street. It was thought that the tri-colour would be removed, but no notice was taken of it by the military. There was also a large force of R.I.C. present at the corner of Manor St. All shops in the vicinity were closed and all blinds drawn in all houses whilst the funeral passed. The tri-colour floated at half-mast on the Town Hall.

     The funeral had only proceeded to St. Ursula's Terrace, about a quarter of a mile from Waterford, when military drove in front and again stopped the procession. The officer in command informed one of the priests who was walking in front that only 40 would be allowed to proceed, and that five minutes would be given the crowd to disperse, otherwise fire would be opened on them and the remains would be taken into the motor lorry and the interment carried out by the military. He requested the order to be conveyed to the crowd by some responsible person.

THREATENING SSTUATION:

     The request was conveyed to Dr. White, who addressed the crowd. He pointed out the great danger if the order was not complied with and asked the people to disperse and return to town. His advice was immediately acted upon and all returned to town with the exception of the 40 allowed. Meanwhile Lewis guns and rifles were trained on the crowd and at one point the situation seemed threatening, but the people behaved with discretion.. About half a mile further on, at Kill St. Lawrence, the procession was again stopped to allow the mourners to get into carriages.

     A few came to the rear to meet cars ordered by them to follow on. These cars did not arrive and the mourners when endeavouring to pass forward to the mourning coaches were kept back by the military and not allowed to again join the procession. No further incident occurred en route to Carbally where the remains were interred.  As the people filed out from the graveyard they were searched by military. A machine gun was placed near the graveside and forces stood around with rifles at the ready.