First Official Reprisals Follow Midleton Attack

(Irish War of Independence - First Cork Brigade)

The monument on Midleton's main street which commemerates those of the Fourth (East Cork) Battalion who died during the War of Independence.

Following an ambush of Black and Tans in Midleton in December 1920, the first ‘official’ reprisals of the Anglo-Irish War - the destruction with explosives of the houses of civilians - were carried out by the British authorities.

When patrolling the streets of all Irish towns after nightfall, it was the practice of military and police to walk the footpaths in extended formation, making it almost impossible for attackers in fixed positions to cover them all. In this situation the only way they could be attacked was in open confrontation. On December 29th. a mixed patrol of RIC and Black and Tans, ten in all, was on patrol Midleton. Five black-coated figures, fully armed, moved cautiously along both sides of the street, ten or twelve paces apart. In between the lines of these men there suddenly appeared a group of IRA men who immediately opened fire. RIC Constable Mullins fell mortally wounded. Five Black and Tans were seriously wounded, two of whom, Constables Dray and Thorpe, died shortly afterwards. The remainder of the party managed to escape back to their barracks. One volunteer, Jim McCarthy, was also wounded. Shortly afterwards British re­inforcements from Cork ran into an ambush at the Mile Bush, two miles from Midleton. An RIC sergeant and constable were wounded during this exchange of fire.

On January 1, between 3 and 6 p.m., the British exacted their reprisals. Up to that time it had been their custom to run amuck after they were attacked, wreaking arbitrary vengeance. However, on this occasion the houses of seven families were selected and the residents were given an hour to clear out valuables but not furniture. The contents were then broken up with axes and a bomb was exploded in each premises. Later that night, the Midleton Garage and Engineering Works [now Neville's Garage] which was owned by Patrick Hallinan, was burnt to the ground. It was officially stated by the British military authorities that the reprisals were carried out because the inhabitants of the area had "neglected to give information to the military and police" regarding the attackers of the Black and Tans in Midleton, on December 29.

Those who had their homes destroyed by order of Brigadier-General H.W. Higginson CB, DSO, 17th Infantry Brigade and Military Governor of Midleton were; John O'Shea, Paul McCarthy, Edmond Carey (Urban District Councilor) all of Midleton; Rodger Aherne and the Dorgan family of Ballyrichard; Bartholomew Cotter and the Don­ovan Brothers (John, Myles and Jim) of Ballyadam and Michael Dorgan and Mr. Aherne of Knockgriffin.

The Midleton reprisals received widespread publicity with the London Daily Mail, condemning outright the action of the military governor.