The killing of Sergeant Joseph E. Coleman and the Ballinrostig Reprisals
The War of Independence in Ireland, which took place from 1919 to 1921, involved a series of attacks and reprisals between Irish nationalists, primarily represented by the Irish Republican Army (IRA), and the British authorities, including the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) and the newly formed Auxiliary forces. During this period, the IRA targeted police barracks as part of their strategy to weaken British control in Ireland. By raiding and destroying these barracks, the IRA aimed to acquire weapons and intimidate the RIC police officers, hoping that they would resign from their positions and leave the service. This tactic was intended to undermine British authority and establish Irish independence.
In response, the British authorities, bolstered by the Auxiliary forces, conducted reprisal attacks on Irish communities. These attacks often involved burning and looting towns, destroying homes and livelihoods, and engaging in indiscriminate violence, including killings. The objective behind these reprisals was to suppress the Irish nationalist movement, deter support for the IRA, and maintain British control over Ireland. Both sides in the conflict committed atrocities, and casualties were inflicted on both the British forces and the IRA. The violence and brutality witnessed during this period had a profound impact on the Irish population and further fuelled the cycle of reprisals, intensifying the conflict.
It's important to note that the situation during the War of Independence was complex, with various factors influencing the actions of both sides. Political, social, and historical circumstances all played a role in shaping the conflict and its outcomes. Who was Joseph E. Coleman?
Joseph Edward Coleman RIC (61273) aged 38, a groom and policeman in the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC), was stationed in Midleton, Co. Cork. He was married and had four children. The children at the time of their father’s death were Edward Francis aged 6, Joseph Patrick aged 4, Mary aged 2 and Veronica aged 9 months all born in Midleton Co. Cork. On May 14, 1921, at approximately 15:00 Hrs, Joseph E. Coleman was shot dead through a window in Buckley's pub by members of the 4th Battalion, Cork No. 2 Brigade. Unfortunately, his companions did not witness the incident, and it remained unclear who was responsible for his death. Mick Leahy, a senior officer in Cork No. 1 Brigade, stated to Ernie O'Malley that Coleman was someone he would not have shot, describing him as "harmless."
In a separate incident involving three constables and a sergeant, they left their barracks to fetch a priest. While one constable entered the parochial house, the others remained outside. They were attacked by three individuals identified as Jack Ahern, Tom Buckley, and Tom Riordan, who were members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Constables Thomas Cornyn and Harold Thompson were fatally wounded during the attack. However, Sergeant Gleeson managed to return fire and reach the barracks safely. The wounded constables received assistance from the priest. A mixed patrol of military and police later recovered the bodies of the two deceased constables. On Constable Cornyn's clothing, a card was found with the inscription: "Shot trying to escape. Revenge for Clonmult, and we will have more." A similar card was discovered on Constable Thompson's body. Regarding compensation, Joseph E. Coleman's widow, Anne, received £1,500, and each of his four children received £800. This financial support was likely provided to assist the family following the loss of their husband and father.
Constable (64930) Thomas Cornyn aged 34, a farmer's son from Dowra, Co. Cavan, joined the RIC on 26 August 1909, and was transferred to Midleton on 6 July 1920. His mother received £700 compensation. Constable (76556) Harold Thompson aged 28, born Victoria Australia and served with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force during WW1, joined the RIC on 10 December 1920, stationed in Midleton, Co. Cork. His mother and sister Mary Anne received £500 and £400 compensation respectively.
For this action by the I.R.A came the reaction from the crown forces. Three properties were to be destroyed. Michael Kelleher Copingerstown, Ballinacurra and William and Thomas Cashman of Ballinrostig. Each received the following,
Notice 'B' Destruction of Property by Crown Forces
Whereas on the 17th day of May, 1921, cowardly and murderous attacks were carried out by armed rebels against the Forces of the Crown in the MIDLETON district, and whereas there are good grounds for believing that you are a supporter of such rebels, Now, therefore, I, COLONEL COMMANDANT, H.W. HIGGINSON, C.B., D.S.O. Commanding 17th Infantry Brigade and Military Governor, have ordered the destruction of your home. Given under my hand at Cork this 17th day of May, 1921.
H.W. HIGGINSON
Colonel-Commandant
Military Governor
To:-
THOMAS CASHMAN,
BALLINROSTIG.
The Battle of Clonmult: The IRA's Worst Defeat (revised edition) Tom O’Neill
There is also another official document outlining the actions that were carried out, Sergt. Coleman R.I.C was shoot dead in a public house at Midleton around 1600 hours on the 14th May 1921. At around 17:45 hour’s two constables proceeding to get a priest were shot dead by rebels using dum dum bullets. A third party left barracks for the bodies and were fired apon. A constable MacDonald was wounded in the thigh. As a reprisal the houses of the following were destroyed
Michael Kelleher Ballinacurra
William Cashman Ballinrostig
Thomas Cashman Ballinrostig
WO 35/89 1920-1922
Local folklore as shown below believe that the destruction of the two Cashman properties were for the killings of the two marines stationed in East Ferry, Co. Cork but this was not the case. Local lore also mentions a soldier by the name of Mackintosh McGregor but extensive research at present shows no name exists in British Military records.
St Mary's Catholic Church is located in Ballinrostig village. It serves the Catholic community of the surrounding area. Across the road from the church entrance gate is a pub which is now known as an Poc ar Buile. The Cashman family also owned a thatched pub in the village in years past. The Military had harassed the Cashman family on several occasions. Their pub
was blown up by some soldiers one afternoon in 1921 in an act of vengeance, as a reprisal for the shooting of two marines from East Ferry Coastguard Station. They warned the family to have the contents of the pub removed within a half an hour. The occupants of the pub at that time were William and Mary Cashman, sons Jim and Pad and daughters Mary and Christina(Dottie). The soldiers returned within fifteen minutes and threw some of the contents back into the pub. They then set explosives inside the building and set them off. The reason they blew the pub up, rather than set it on fire, was that if it were set on fire the adjacent thatched houses could also have been destroyed. No one was injured by the explosion. Local school children who were coming from school were stopped and taken to a nearby forge beforethe explosions were set. The Cashman family went to live at Cole Hanley's following the destruction of their pub. The Military then went to a thatched house on the Narrow Road, nor far from the Ash Tree, which was owned by Thomas Cashman (73). They ordered Thomas, his wife and son to leave immediately and then set fire to the thatched house. According to the terms of the 1921 Treaty, houses damaged in such a way had to be rebuilt. That house was not rebuilt but a replacement house was subsequently built in Aghada for the Cashman family. My sincere gratitude to Mr Tom Cashman for providing me with the above information.
Aghada Where the Past is present, Eddie Tucker
The Fire at Glanturkin
By Helen Foley, Castlemary
I was born in Glanturkin, a few hundred yards from the Ash Tree Cross. On the opposite hill, on the road to Ballinrostig, lived a neighbouring family. During the Troubles, when I was about four years of age and not yet at school, I was playing in the garden and looking
across saw their house was on fire. My mother and other neighbours went to give the family what help they could, but I was warned to stay at home, as it was no place for children. However, when the children next door arrived from school, they were eager to go over and invited me to join them, which I did. Over seventy-five years later, the memory remains with me of the aged man sitting in a rescued armchair in a nearby field. The tears were rolling down his cheeks, as he watched the burning thatch and deliberate destruction of the home where he and his good wife had reared their family. The Tans then moved on to Ballinrostig, but that's another story.
Aghada Echoes of the past
Contrary to the belief linking the destruction of the two Cashman properties to the killings of two marines stationed in East Ferry, Co. Cork, the events that occurred on May 14, 1921, involved the abduction, shooting, and disposal of two Royal Marine Artillery gunners in a local quarry. It has been reported that an order to "shoot at sight" had been issued to the IRA in Cork on that same day. Despite the fact that eight British soldiers lost their lives during these incidents, there is surprisingly limited documentation suggesting a coordinated effort on that specific day. Regrettably, the murders of Gunner William Parker (service number 14560) and Gunner Bernard Francis (service number 14710) are scarcely acknowledged in historical accounts.
TWO MARINES SHOT DEAD.
An official report states:-
Two gunners in the Royal Marine Artillery, stationed at East Ferry, near Midleton, Co. Cork, were shot dead at 8 o'clock on Saturday night near Ballinacurra.
A Queenstown message says:-
Two members of the Royal Marine Force were shot dead on Saturday evening a few miles from the East Ferry Coastguard Station. It appears that they formed part of the Royal Marine guard doing duty there, and last evening while on short leave, and distend about two miles from their station, they were attacked and shot dead by rifle fire, it is stated that at the time they carried no arms. The remains of the two men were subsequently conveyed by naval launch to the Naval Hospital at Haulbowline. The East Ferry Coastguard Station is about four miles from Queenstown, and is situated off the east shore of East Ferry River, which separates Queenstown from the mainland.
Cork Weekly News - Saturday 21 May 1921
The Two gunners in the Royal Marine Artillery, stationed at East Ferry, near Midleton, Co. Cork, shot dead were:
Soldiers stationed at East Ferry Coastguard station near Midleton during the Irish war of Independence