Tramore Sensation Article.

Article from The Express, Saturday January 15th 1921

TRAMORE SENSATION.

POLICE BARRACK ATTACKED.

THREE CIVILIANS KILLED IN ATTEMPT TO AMBUSH MILITARY RELIEF FORCE.

FUNERALS OF TWO OF THE VICTIMS.

     The well-known seaside town of Tramore Co. Waterford was the scene of sensational happenings on Friday night last. The inhabitants were at first startled by the sound of firing at about 11 o'clock, and as the noise continued it became apparent that the police barracks were being attacked. The sound off rifle, revolver and shotgun fire created consternation as it was directed on the barracks from the front and rear. At once the replying volleys were heard from within the beleaguered citadel. Then Verey lights were sent up from the barracks for assistance and relief parties left the military barracks, Waterford, in motor lorries.  These were ambushed at Pickardstown, near the Metal Bridge within one mile of Tramore and as a result of the encounter three civilians were killed. In the course of the ambush attack one soldier was wounded and on the attack on the barracks Constable Bryant sustained a sever wound in the groin.

  The county of Waterford was placed under martial law by a proclamation issued earlier in the week. Both Tramore, which is a popular seaside resort, and the surrounding districts have hitherto been peaceable.

THE ATTACK DESCRIBED:

A desperate battle occurred near Tramore on Friday night following an attack on the police barracks in Queen Street. Shortly after 11 o'clock residents were alarmed by a sudden outbreak of revolver and rifle fire, followed by bomb explosions. An attack on the police barrack was in progress. The building was beleaguered front and rear by a strong body of raiders, the defenders replying with rifle fire and bombs and the battle lasted over an hour. The police succeeded in holding the barrack and meanwhile Verey lights were sent out for reinforcements. A relief party of military and police, the latter under command of Capt O’Beirne, county inspector, was despatched from Waterford in motor lorries to the scene of the conflict. On reaching the Metal Bridge at Pickardstown, a short distance from Tramore, they were ambushed. Here a sanguinary battle occurred in which three civilians were killed. The attackers were repulsed, and the relief force proceeded to the police barracks in Tramore.

  It was ascertained that, with the exception of Constable Bryant, who was wounded at the barracks door in the initial stages, no other casualties are reported to have taken place during the attack on the barracks, which were defended by 12 men under Sergeants Keogh and Griffin. Constable Bryant received a bullet wound through the groin and was afterwards taken by motor ambulance to Waterford, from whence he was conveyed to Fermoy. During the attack many of the defenders had narrow escapes. A bullet grazed the forehead of Constable Murray. The defenders used bombs and rifle fire, which eventually succeeded in driving off the attackers. The barracks were surrounded by attackers who poured fusillade after fusillade of rifle, shotgun and revolver fire into the building. It is believed by the defenders that the bombs finally dispersed the raiders. The building was perforated by bullet marks and only for the elaborate sandbag protection, many police casualties would have been sustained.

  After the engagement at Pickardstown three dead bodies of civilians were seen on the road by the military, one of whom was subsequently identified as Michael McGrath, carpenter, Poleberry, Waterford. At least ten of the attackers are also stated to have been wounded. Two of the bodies were taken into a lorry and on returning for the third it was found that it had been carried away by the attackers.

  From enquiries it appears that the attack on the barracks was a ruse to decoy the relief forces into the ambush. The attackers left the telegraphic and telephone communication, which could have been cut, intact. At the scene of the ambush near the railway line, four roads converge and there is a steep decline and sharp bend of the road where the incident occurred.

  The raiders, being attacked in the rear, they were partially surrounded and between two fires. A quantity of arms were left behind by the ambushing party.

  It is thought that the two lorries of the crown forces left by different roads, one going by the main road and the other a more circuitous route, via Cork road and the Glen road. This latter meets the Tramore road rear the scene of the ambush, with the result that the ambushing party were attacked in the rear.

  After the attack on the barracks and subsequent to the arrival of the reinforcements the inhabitants of Tramore were submitted to a terrifying experience up to 7 a.m., with rifle fire taking place in the streets. The Sinn Féin hall was observed in the early morning to be on fire, but the outbreak was confined to the building, the interior of which was completely destroyed.

  Houses in the vicinity of the police barracks suffered minor damage through rifle and bomb fire during the conflict. Some occupants of the Ossory Hotel adjoining, had narrow escapes with bullets penetrating the bedrooms, which, fortunately, were unoccupied during the attack.

  At the scene of the ambush a barricade had been erected, consisting of a farm cart taken from an adjoining house, and stones and boulders. In addition to those killed, nine or ten of the attackers were known to be wounded. When the Sinn Féin hall was set on fire, in order to save the adjoining house of Mrs. Power in Queen Street, a man named Doyle, got out the fire hose and assisted by the police, succeeded in suppressing the outbreak.

The adjoining houses suffered damage, windows being broken by bullets which penetrated the premises. In the case of Mr. Power, Main Street, the licensed premises were partially wrecked. Bishop’s house was also damaged. Several other premises in the vicinity show marks of the conflict, and in several cases narrow escapes from death were made by the inhabitants into whose houses bullets penetrated. Machine guns were used by the police during the attack on the barracks.

  There was also a skirmish on the Priest’s Road, which it is stated, lasted about half an hour.

An official communique by General Headquarters in Dublin, on Saturday, says: "Tramore police barrack, Co. Waterford, martial law area, was attacked last night. A party of military proceeding to the relief of the police was ambushed about two miles from Tramore. After heavy fighting the ambushers dispersed, leaving three dead. It is believed that, in addition, they suffered other casualties, and a quantity of arms, ammunition and equipment was captured from them. One soldier was wounded. The police repulsed the attack on their barrack during which one constable was wounded.

FAMILIES LEAVE TOWN:

  On Saturday evening many families left the town and came into Waterford fearing reprisals.

 INQUEST ON THE BODIES:

  On Saturday afternoon a military inquiry was held at the Cavalry Barracks, Waterford on the bodies of two civilians killed in the ambush at Pickardstown the previous night in the ambush on the Crown forces. A military witness swore that at 12.31: a.m. on the morning of the 8th inst. he was in charge of a mixed party of police and military, which was ambushed near Tramore. He left the rear with a party of men and attacked the ambushing party. After the engagement, which lasted about five minutes, during which, time there was heavy rifle fire on both sides, he saw three dead civilians on the road. They brought two of the bodies to the Waterford barracks. During the time that they were picking up the two bodies, they found that the third had been taken away by the ambushing party. Witness did not know either of the two deceased, and could not identify them.

  A witness swore: I am a medical officer in charge of the military barracks at Waterford. At about 8.30 on the morning of January 8th I examined the body of the first victim and found that he was suffering from a gunshot wound on the right side the head, causing fracture of the skull and laceration of the brain. He was dead, and the cause of death, in my opinion, was due to laceration of the brain, haemorrhage, and shock. The wound could have been caused by a gunshot. Death was instantaneous.

  I also examined the body of the second victim and found a punctured wound between 6th and 7th ribs on the left hand side, one inch external to the nipple. It one and a half inches long. Also another wound in the back between the 5th and 6th ribs, extending to the spine on the left side. This was 2 inches long and one inch wide. In my opinion this was due to a gunshot wound passing through the heart and lungs and that was the cause of death.

  A military witness, sworn, stated: At about 11 o’clock on the night of January 7th I was one of the party of military that that proceeded from barracks to Tramore. At about 11:15, when six miles from Waterford, we were fired on by a party of unknown men. We replied to this fire and the action lasted about 20 minutes. Then we searched the ground from which the firing had been opened and found two dead bodies of civilians. These bodies were brought to Waterford and when in our barracks I searched their clothing. On the body of the man who was wounded in the head I found certain papers, which I now produce. They are two union cards of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and joiners, (Waterford branch) and bear the name of McGrath. That was all I found on him. I found no papers or other means of identification on the body of the man who was wounded in the body.

     A civilian witness stated the deceased, whom I have seen, is my brother, Michael McGrath, he resided at 34 Poleberry, Waterford.

  In the case of Michael McGrath the following verdict was returned: The court has found that the deceased, Michael McGrath, residing at 34 Poleberry, Waterford, was a male and on the night of the 7th and 8th of January he was in the vicinity of Tramore with other civilians by whom shot were fired at a military lorry causing the military occupying such lorry in the exercise of their duty to fire whereby the deceased suffered a gunshot wound in the head. That the deceased died on the night of the 7th and 8th of January between the hours of 12 midnight and 1 o’clock immediately after being wounded. That was the cause of the gunshot wound in the head and the lacerations of the brain. That no blame whatever attaches to the military or any member thereof.

  In the second case a verdict was returned that the deceased was a male and unknown and there is no evidence to show who he is or where he resides. He died of a gunshot wound through the head.

  A similar rider as to non-responsibility of the military in the matter was returned.

SUNDAYS INCIDENTS:

  Tramore was perfectly quiet on Sunday. The nervous tension broken and the people were going about their business without fear. A big number of Waterford people travelled out on the 3 o’clock train on Sunday evening to view the scenes of the occurrence. Part of the barricades remained on the roadside near the Metal Bridge. Military patrols in the district discovered three private motorcars, on Sunday, in a boreen off the Glen road about a mile from the scene of the ambush. These had apparently been left behind by the attackers on their retreat. They bore no sign plates nor registration numbers.

  On Sunday 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 James Drohan and Ed Walsh were placed under arrest by the military. A picket of soldiers had been stationed outside on sentry and immediately the cortege had passed hundreds of Volunteers fell in four deep. Drohan was released on Monday, but Walsh, who is a draper’s assistant in Waterford, is still in custody. The cortege then proceeded without further incident through the city. A large number of the general public accompanied the cortege, Drohan and Walsh were arrested for, it was stated, issuing orders.

SCENES AT MONDAY'S FUNERAL:

  Impressive scenes were witnessed at the funeral on Monday of Michael McGrath. High Mass was celebrated at 1 o’clock, when St. John’s church was densely thronged.

  About half an hour before the funeral left the church a large force of military arrived on motor lorries and took up it position at the corner of Manor Street and John Street a hundred yards away from the church. By this time Parnell Street was densely packed with people, who did not display the slightest concern on the arrival of the military. As the funeral left the church the military cleared the centre of Parnell Street at the junction of Manor Street and John Street. The coffin, still draped in the tricolour, was borne in an open hearse. Rev. J. O'Connor, Rev. M. Power, Rev. M. C. Crotty and Rev. Father Kieran preceded the hearse.

  As the cortege passed into John Street, the military, some of whom carried Lewis guns, stopped the hearse and counted 40 persons following the hearse, who were mostly composed of Corporation members, headed by Dr. White (Mayor), Councillor Kenny, and the two brothers, cousins, and three sisters of deceased and only this number was allowed to follow the hearse.

  When the seven carriages had passed a military officer intervened and the Jarvey cars following were not allowed to proceed. Hundreds of people who were walking behind the hearse were put out of the procession. This was done in an orderly manner and no regrettable incident took place.

  Huge crowds followed the cortege on both sides of the street into Johnstown. It was thought that the tricolour would be removed, but no notice was taken of it by the military. A large number of wreaths also rested on the coffin. A force R.I.C. were present at the corner of Manor Street. All shops in the vicinity were closed and blinds drawn in all houses whilst the funeral passed. The tricolour floated at half-mast on the city Hall.

  The funeral had only proceeded to St. Ursula’s Terrace when a military lorry drove in front of the hearse and again stopped the procession. The officer in command informed one of the priests in front that only 40 would be allowed to proceed and that five minutes would be given for the crowd to disperse. Otherwise the remains would be taken into the motor lorry and the interment carried out by the military.

  Dr. White addressed the crowd, after consultation, and pointed out the great danger if the order was not complied with and he 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 forty allowed. Meanwhile a Lewis gun and rifles were trained on the crowd and at one point the situation seemed threatening but the people behaved with discretion.

  On entering Kill St. Lawrence road, near the borough boundary, the funeral halted to allow mourners to take their seats in the carriages. Cars at the rear of the lorries however were not allowed to proceed nor were the owners permitted to return to their positions in the funeral. Eventually only those whom the carriages could accommodate were allowed to go on.

AT THE GRAVEYARD:

  Father Thomas O’Brien, C.C. Tramore, officiated at the interment at Carbally. As the people filed out of the graveyard they were searched by the military. A machine gun was mounted near the graveside, and soldiers stood around with rifles at the ready.

THE UNIDENTIFIED BODY:

  The body of the second civilian taken away after the ambush by the military lay in the military barracks until Tuesday, unclaimed and unidentified. On Tuesday the acting Town Clerk, Mr. Liam Raftis, received the following communication from Colonel E. D. Young: I as Competent Military Authority, hereby order you to cause the body of an unidentified man at present lying in the Morgue in the Infantry Barracks, Waterford, to be removed forthwith, and for so doing this shall be your authority.

  In receipt of this information Mr. Raftis communicated with Relieving Officer McGrath and arrangements were made for the interment. The remains were conveyed to St. John's church on Tuesday night.

THE SECOND FUNERAL:

  On Wednesday morning after Requiem Mass was celebrated by Rev. Nicholas Dunphy, C.C., the funeral left for St. Mary’s Ballygunner. Rev. Martin Dowley, Adm. regulated and directed the people outside the church in accordance with the procedure at Monday’s funeral. The number allowed to walk behind the hearse was limited to 40. When the coffin, draped with the Republican colours, had been laid on the open bier, two lorries with military and a Lewis gun, arrived at the corner of John Street. The cortege, with the limited number of mourners and four carriages, took the opposite direction from McGrath's funeral and went along Parnell Street and the Mall. The military lorries followed.

  Upon turning into Lombard Street one of the lorries went ahead and the same orders as at McGrath's funeral were given as to the number of mourners and prohibition of public accompanying on the footpath. The orders were complied with.

The mourners immediately behind the remains included Ald. Dr White, Mayor, Councillor Kenny, Chairman of the County Council, Liam Raftis, Bureau Treasurer, Ald. Connolly and other members of the Corporation. Father Michael Crotty and Father Hallinan walked before the hearse.

  The municipal offices were closed and the Republican flag flew at half-mast.

  Only a certain number were allowed into the graveyard at Ballygunner. After the burial service was read by Father Galvin an officer removed the colours from the coffin, but found no name inscribed on the breast-plate.