1923 – Under fire

Ballinasloe was startled on Easter Monday night by a terrific outburst of rifle and revolver firing. The bugle being sounded at 8.30 o’clock, troops who were walking in the streets immediately rushed to their barracks, and in a short time it was learned that the Railway Protection Corps, now occupying the station premises and guarding the bridge spanning the Suck, were being attacked.

Pedestrians in the town and outlying district hurriedly got their homes, and in a short time the streets were deserted. Lively firing continued, and troops took up various positions in the town. The attacking party being located, it was evident that they had got to their point of vantage by crossing the river, as the firing came from a small wood on the river’s bank to the back of the railway line.

Captain Bracken, who is in charge of the town barracks, promptly led his men to the assistance of their comrades, under Lieut. Geraghty, and the interchange of firing was of great volume and rapidity.

The attackers moved from position to position during the conflict, but the fierce return fire soon made those positions untenable, and in a short time the attackers retired, the only casualty being that of Private Powell, of the National army, who was wounded in the right leg.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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