Week of Blood — Terrible Stories of Tragedy and Honour — D. I. Shot Dead — One Policeman Killed and Three Injured in Auburn Ambush
The Connacht Tribune, Saturday, November 6, 1920.
Introduction
The execution of Kevin Gerald Barry, the eighteen—year—old Volunteer, who walked without a tremor to the scaffold; the shooting of a district—inspector and the several policemen; the shooting of a young married woman near Gort; reprisals and other dreadful happenings constituted the sensational news of Tuesday morning. Here is Tuesday's list of sensational happenings, which throws a lurid light on the state of Ireland in the twentieth century of civilisation; Execution of Kevin Barry in Mountjoy jail for the shooting of Private Whitehead during an attack on a military lorry in North King street in September. District—inspector Kelleher shot dead in a hotel in Granard. Constables Casely and Evans shot dead at Killorglin. Reprisals follow, Mr. D. M. O'Sullivan being seriously wounded. Reprisals also at Bullybunion. Constable Madden shot dead at Abbeydorney; another policeman wounded. A constable killed at Ballyduff; others reported wounded. Constable McCarthy and a driver wounded at Tralee. Reprisals follow, County Hall and shops being burned down. Two constables wounded at Causeway. Thos. Donovan shot dead at Killenaule; three soldiers and an officer wounded. Constable Doyle wounded near Athlone. Farmhouse burned and houses fired into. Constable Hoban wounded at Dungannon; premises afterwards wrecked in the town. Reprisals at Tullamore following the shooting of Sergeant Cronin. Police ambushed at Killybegs; one wounded. Burning of creamery and other house property and a general night of terror in Littleton (Co. Tipperary) following dramatic coup in, and destruction of, police barracks. Tipperary town partly wrecked following the ambush at Thomastown. Mrs. Eileen Quinn shot in the groin by uniformed men at Kiltartan, Gort. Burning in the parish of Moore, Ballinasloe.
On Sunday night and Monday morning armed attacks were made on no fewer widely separated as Donegal and Kerry, shot dead, and eight others wounded, Kerry three constables were killed, and one each in the County Tipperary, and King's County, and Galway.
Shot Dead in his Hotel
District inspector Kelleher, who was shot in a hotel in Granard, had not been long in the police force. Before entering it he held the rank of captain in the army, and distinguished himself in the army, and distinguished himself on the Western and other fronts during the war. A Granard correspondent states that District inspector Kelleher was only 23 years of age, and had been stationed in Granard for a few months. He was a quiet and popular officer and was unarmed when his life was taken. He was in company with Messrs. L. D. Kiernan, Paul Cusack, B. Macken, and Sean Cawley when two masked men entered the hotel and fired point blank at the officer. Four bullets entered his body. The gentlemen who were in his company rendered every possible assistance, and a priest and doctor were immediate attendance. Canon Maguire, P.P. administered the last rites of the Church, and death took place about ten minutes afterwards. It is stated that shots were fired at a sergeant and constable who came up the street after the murder. The people of Granard deny that anyone from the district took part in the crime.
A Granard correspondent writing on Tuesday night, said: Granard remains in a state of suspense following the shooting of District inspector Kelleher on Sunday night. All business was suspended, and the great bulk of the inhabitants have cleared out to the country. Today was the principal pig fair of, the year but nothing was offered for sale, and the buyers had to return. No untoward incident took place last night and hopes are entertained that there will be no reprisals.
A military inquiry into the shooting of Mr. Kelleher was held in the barracks today. The president said that he had no objection to the Press, but the witnesses were free to object. Mr. Paul Cusack said that he objected, and the Press had to retire.
The body was identified by Dr. Kelleher, Macroom, father of deceased, who, with a fourth man, were in company with the District inspector at he bar of Mr. Kiernan's hotel, where he had apartments about 9.30 on Sunday night, when the side door was pushed open and two unknown men entered and at once opened fire upon the officer, who was in plain clothes and unarmed. The bullets took effect in the region of the heart. Priest and doctor were at once summoned.
In the obituary notice the name of the deceased is given as Howlett—Kelleher. He was a nephew of Mr. M. Kelleher, Town Clerk, Macroom,; grandson of the late Mr. P. C. C. Kelleher, one —time vice chairman, P. L. G., and of the late Mr. Philip Howlett, postmaster, Millstreet. Deceased had been a lieutenant in the 4th Leinsters.
At the conclusion of the inquiry, Mr. Paul Dawson Cusack, Granard, was taken into custody, and removed by military to Longford.