Kanturk remembers IRA volunteers slain at Derrygallon in 1920
A WREATH laying ceremony in Kanturk during the past week remembered the 100th anniversary of the killing by British forces of War of Independence volunteers Jack O’Connell and Paddy Clancy at Derrygallon.
History recalls that on 14th August, 1920, a British army plane made a forced landing near Clonbanin with 20 British soldiers deployed from Kanturk garrison to guard the plane.
Just before dawn on the following morning a party of about 20 volunteers under Jack O’Connell, the Battalion OC, moved into the area, with the intention of attacking the armed guard. When they got to the fence adjoining the field, they were surprised by a sentry, who was shot dead as he attempted to fire on them.
The British had now been alerted and opened fire on the volunteers. As the element of surprise had elapsed, the Volunteer party retreated without sustaining any casualties.
Subsequently, the Crown Forces actively attempted to track down those responsible for the attack.
At Derrygallon, three miles south-west of Kanturk, Paddy Clancy and Jack O’Connell had been sleeping at O’Connell’s house when it was surrounded by police and soldiers.
The two tried to fight their way out but some distance from the house they were both shot dead. The men had been seen in the area by an informer who immediately passed on the information to the British forces in Kanturk.
Paddy Clancy held the post of creamery manager at Allensbridge Co- Op near Newmarket, only just appointed leader of the soon to be formed brigade flying column.
100 years on, volunteers O’Connell and Clancy were remembered at both Derrygallon and in Kanturk Square, a wreath was laid by Noel Keating in the company of Michael Kelly, Tommy O’Neill and Jerry Hickey, Chairman, Kanturk Community Council.