CIRCUMSTANCES AROUND SHOOTING OF RIC MAN STILL UNCLEAR 100 YEARS ON
RIC CONSTABLE WAS SHOT DEAD IN A BUNCLODY PUB BACK IN 1920
REGARDED as perhaps one of the most formative and vital periods in Irish History, we are currently in the midst of marking the centenary of the events of the War of Independence (1919 - 1921).
Local archaeologist Barry Lacey from Ferns has been looking at some of the key events in Co Wexford, looking at ambushes, raids, the burning of police barracks and other activities.
On this occasion, he looks at the shooting of RIC constable William Jones in Bunclody, then known as Newtownbarry, on June 22, 1920.
Background
Shortly before 8p.m. Constable Jones made his way towards the RIC barracks in Bunclody from the ‘Laundry House’, where his wife and child lived. The latter was located a short distance from the barracks on the opposite side of the river Slaney. Bunclody RIC barracks, where Jones was stationed, was a two storey building located on the eastern side of the market square and the last building passed before crossing the bridge over the Slaney.
Shortly after 8p.m. Constable Jones and another officer left the barracks and made their way to the licensed premises of Maurice Kelly’s, located a short distance away on the street corner. A third officer, whom remained in the barracks, was feeling unwell and the others had gone to get their sick comrade a ‘stimulant’. Unusually, considering the times, Jones and the other officer both left the barracks unarmed, perhaps because they felt safe in the town of Bunclody.
While walking between the barracks and Kelly’s pub the officers spotted three men passing O’Neill’s corner, on the opposite end of the street from Kelly’s, heading in the direction of Enniscorthy. Being somewhat suspicious of the men Jones made a remark to the other officer, but they both continued unfazed towards Kelly’s. When they got inside they ordered a whiskey, to take home to their sick friend back at the barracks, and two drinks for themselves. The two officers and a barmaid were the only people in the pub at the time. They made their way to an inner room with a fire for comfort.
While they were sitting comfortably at the fire, the three men the officers had spotted earlier entered the pub. Being unfamiliar and suspicious of the three, Jones decided to enquire as to who they were. He approached the men and spoke to them, when suddenly one raised his arm and fired a shot at his chest. The three men then quickly fled the pub. A Sergeant Torsney, upon hearing the shots from the barracks, arrived hastily on the scene, armed. But it was too late, as the strangers had made their escape. He found Jones lying in a pool of his own blood and the parish priest, Rev. A, Forrestal, was called and administered the last rites.
A doctor arrived 15 minutes later, but by this time it was too late. The medical evidence showed Jones had been shot near the heart, rupturing a large blood vessel and would have died 60 seconds after being shot, which occurred at about 8:20p.m.
Constable Jones
William Jones was a native of Castleconnell county Limerick and 35 years of age. He left behind a wife and three children, the youngest of which was 10 months. Newspaper reports refer to how he was known and got on well with the local community. He joined the RIC on May 1 1907 and had been stationed in Enniscorthy before being transferred to Bunclody in 1918. Following the funeral he was interred in his native Castleconnell.
Circumstances surrounding the shooting Thomas Dwyer, in his witness statement to the bureau of military history, recalls how on the night of the incident the north Wexford brigade flying column was in Bunclody. They had no definitive plans, but were looking for a patrol of RIC within the town. After finding none they heard that Jones was drinking in Kelly’s pub. Two IRA men, Ned Murphy and Maurice Spillane, both armed, then went inside the premises. Jones, upon seeing the men enter the building, approached them when they opened fire and shot him dead.
This suggests the shooting was somewhat opportunistic in nature. They were looking for potential targets and Jones was in the wrong place at the wrong time. James O’Toole in his witness statement states that the IRA had information that Jones had been providing intelligence to the RIC in Ballindaggin. This shows he was known to the IRA , and provides a possible motive for the killing.
The witness statement of Thomas Francis Meagher conflicts with that of Dwyer’s. He recalls how in preparation for an attack on Bunclody RIC barracks a party of men (including himself, Phil Lennon, Ned Murphy, Paddy Dwyer and Maurice Spillane) scouted the area, after which:
‘Having completed our reconnaissance, Ned Murphy went to Kelly’s public house, to see the local Intelligence Officer, who worked there, and to get information regarding the strength of the garrison, or any other information which might be of use to us. Constable Jones, R.I.C., was on the premises when Murphy entered. Jones approached Murphy, saying, “We are looking for you this long time”. Murphy fired at him and shot him dead. Phil and I heard the shooting and we ran towards the pub to see what was wrong. We met Ned coming out of the pub. He told us briefly what had happened. We made our way back to Cromogue and, with the rest of the Column, went to Tom Coady’s, Carrigeen.’
The question posed from this discussion is whether the nature of Jones’ murder was opportunistic or instead spontaneous? The Enniscorthy Guardian in the opening few lines on the incident stated ‘ The circumstances surrounding it are few and meagre. Judging by them the attack on the policeman’s life was not planned, but the act of a moments consideration.’
Conflicting accounts exist surrounding the exact details of that night and there is insufficient reliable evidence to ascertain the true nature of the incident. Some elements though hint that the shooting was spontaneous; the fact the shooter (or shooters) did not wear masks; that Jones was not shot until he approached them (or him); If they intended to kill Jones why not do so as he exited or approached the premises? The exact nature of the shooting of constable Jones in Bunclody 1920 may still remain unknown 100 years on from the event.
The site today
The RIC barracks in Bunclody is today a private residence but remains much the same as it did before. Maurice Kelly’s former premises is now a clothes shop and the building retains much of its original exterior appearance. No marker or memorial exists to commemorate the event.
SGT TORSNEY, HEARING THE SHOTS FROM THE BARRACKS, ARRIVED HASTILY ON THE SCENE, ARMED. BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. HE FOUND JONES LYING IN A POOL OF HIS OWN BLOOD