Clonmult ambush

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Clonmult ambush

On 20 February 1921, during the Irish War of Independence, IRA volunteers from the 1st Cork Brigade occupied a disused farmhouse near Clonmult, outside Midleton in County Cork. They were surrounded by a British force made up of the Hampshire Regiment, the Royal Irish Constabulary and Auxiliaries.

Two IRA volunteers opened fire as the troops approached and were killed, warning those inside and starting a siege. An attempted breakout failed. The IRA’s acting commander, Jack O’Connell, escaped, but three other volunteers were killed. Reinforcements arrived for the Crown forces, the house was set on fire, and the defenders tried to surrender.

Accounts differ on what happened next. Some British reports say rebels came out with their hands up while others inside kept firing. Survivors of the IRA say they surrendered in good faith and were shot. A later survivor recalled being lined up with hands raised and then fired upon.

Twelve IRA volunteers were killed, four were wounded and four were captured. Two of the captured IRA men were executed later. In the following week the IRA executed six men they suspected were informers.

The ambush was a heavy blow to the 1st Cork Brigade, which had been active in raids around Midleton, Youghal and Cobh. The brigade’s commander, Diarmuid O’Hurley, was not at Clonmult but was killed later in 1921.