RIC Fatalities in Ambush at Paddy's Bridge

(Irish War of Independence - First Cork Brigade)

Site of the Paddy's Bridge ambush, near Ballinhassig.

At the height of the Anglo-Irish War, there were 30 Black and Tans stationed at Halfway, Ballinhassig. On February 3rd., 1921 five of their number were ambushed while on their way from Ballinphellig having collected provisions there. The local IRA column, under the command of Mick Walsh, waited for them  at  Paddy's Bridge, Tulligbeg, mid-way between Five-Mile Bridge and Ballinhassig and launched the attack from a high rock on one side of the road and a riverbank on the opposite side.  

There is some uncertainty as to the number of fatalities suffered by the crown forces. Edward Carter, 19, a former hotel porter from Lancashire and William Taylor, 28, a former soldier from Yorkshire died almost immediately. A third man named Fuller is though to have died from his wounds at Cork Military Hospital some time later. A fourth man was seriously wounded. The fifth member of the party,  named Cronin, escaped inside a ditch by the river and returned to the barracks at Halfway to report the ambush. 

When those at the barracks were informed, they rushed to the ambush site forcing the local G.P., Doctor Keating to accompany them. One eyewitness observed Dr. Keating being pushed down the 'Mill Hill' with two rifles pointed at his head. The outraged Black and Tans were heard to shout, "come on doctor, do your stuff, our comrade isn’t dead yet"  

At  Paddy's Bridge, volunteers Maurice Healy and Dick Forbes had retrieved the arms and ammunition of the Black and Tans and the column withdrew to Adamstown. The sound of bloodhounds could be clearly heard in the distance. Reaching the river at Adamstown the men waded through the water to break the scent of the dogs. They then headed towards Ballygarvan and eventually to a safe house beyond Ceim Caraige Bridge near Ballinrea. 

That night the Black and Tans went on the rampage and attacked many houses in the Tulligbeg, Tulligmore and Ballinaboy areas.