A bloody episode during the War of Independence will be the subject of a talk in Ballina Library on Wednesday next September 7. On Thursday March 4 of 1920, two young RIC constables, returning from patrol, called to Fanning’s public house at Bouladuff (knows as The Ragg ), near Thurles to buy some provisions. Unknown to them, also in the same public house were three prominent officers of the Mid Tipperary Brigade of the IRA. In an attempt to disarm the policemen, a melee ensued in which Galway born Constable John Heanue was fatally wounded.
Three weeks later, on the night of Sunday March 28, six masked men called to the nearby home of Tom Dwyer. Dwyer, an officer in the local volunteer unit, was shot dead in the presence of his young widowed sister. What seemed to be events of little significance that took place at an anonymous crossroads village were to have major military and political consequences. A pattern of ‘outrage’ followed by reprisal and counter reprisal, murder and assassination was to emerge, culminating with the killing of retired Sergeant Anthony Foody near Bonniconlon on Thursday July 7 1921.
The talk, which is open to the public, will be given by John Connors, a historian from Borrisoleigh in Co Tipperary, who has extensively researched the incidents. He has studied and lectured extensively on the War of Independence in Tipperary and east Limerick. He has also collaborated with a number of authors and film makers dealing with the War of Independence and Civil War. The talk commences at 8pm. All are welcome.
