The Headford Fight

The Headford Fight

Tuam Herald, Saturday, April 14, 1923.

The latest accounts of the attack on Headford military post states it opened about 1.15 in the morning of Monday, and did not last longer than half an hour. The Irregulars numbered about thirty men, most of whom crossed over the Corrib in boats. Positions were taken up by them in the houses of Thady McHugh, publican, opposite the barracks, which was formerly the national Bank, and also in the minister's residence. Two of the attackers crossed the street in their stockinged feet and laid the mines on the wire entanglement opposite the front door of the barracks.

The force of the explosion blew out the door, but did not do much damage beyond shattering a few windows. The machine gun in charge of Sergt. Major Carty was brought into action, and turned on McHugh's house, in which McCormack, an engineer, was wounded. His arm and one leg were almost torn away with bullets.

When the firing ceased, a shout was heard calling on the troops to come out and fight. Capt. Nugent, who was in charge, and Lieut. Burns went out, followed by Sergt. M. J. Carty with the machine guns. They were not fully dressed. While crossing the street to McHugh's the sergeant major was wounded, and died in Galway Hospital on Monday.

Attackers Retreat

The Irregulars retreated, and the body of John Higgins, one of their party, was found in a yard riddled with bullets. The main party of Irregulars got away across the Corrib. There were numerous patches of blood on the ground. More of the attackers went through the demesne, and there Capt. Nugent came upon sixteen of them, whom he had practically surrounded, and was bringing the machine—gun into action when it jammed, and failed to work. The Irregulars got away, leaving five rifles, twenty bombs, a battery and seven large cable wires.

Val Lyons, who assisted Sergt. M. J. Carty at the machine—gun, also got wounded, and has since died. Five other Volunteers were wounded in the fighting in the demense.

The Irregulars succeeded in carrying away their dead and wounded.

It is stated the retreat began almost when the first shot was fired from the barracks. There are only two or three bullet marks on the building.

A Second Mine

The Irregulars left a number of ?? and boots behind them. They were all evidently in their stockinged feet. It is stated that they intended placing a second mine, but when their engineers were called upon they failed to turn up, and the second mine was found near the barracks by the troops.

Capt. Nugent, who was in charge of forty men at the post, stoutly defended his position, and no doubt by his bravery broke what was seemingly a determined and well laid attack, to capture the position. He is a Clare man, and the hero of many ambushes in the fight against the British.

Lieut. Burnes, Clarenbridge, went out in his bare feet after the retreating Irregulars. Only a few of the latter fought on the retreat.

Dr. Golding and Rev. Father Daly, gave immediate assistance to the wounded.

Girls Arrested

Three prisoners were taken on Saturday in the neighbourhood by Tuam troops.

Miss Feeney and Miss Ward, Tuam, have been taken into custody, important documents it is stated have been found in Miss Feeney's lodging house.

The Archbishop went to Dublin to attend the meeting of the Bishops at Maynooth on Monday, and returned home to be present at Dr. O'Dea's funeral.

The Bishop of Tuam, who has been very seriously unwell for some time past is now, we are pleased to hear, completely convalescent.