Chief Intelligence Officer Shot Dead

Republican suspects being escorted by British soldiers to Bandon Barracks following the shooting of Sergeant Mulhearn.

Detective Sergeant William Mulhearn, who was shot dead in Bandon in July, 1920, was Chief Intelligence Officer for the RIC in the West Cork region. The accuracy of the information he received from local contacts was having a demoralizing effect on the IRA, following a number of raids and arrests of their men.

Realizing that his life was in danger, he continued to take every precaution to ensure his safety, having already suvived an attempt on his life in March, 1920. Nevertheless, he was gunned down by two men in the porch of St. Patricks in Bandon as he entered the church to attend 8am Mass. Thirty-nine year old Sergeant Mulhearn was originally from County Mayo.

St. Patricks Church in Bandon, outside of which Sergeant Mulhearn was shot dead.