A wreath laying ceremony took place at the grave of Ennistymon man Martin Devitt today, 90 years on from his death during an IRA ambush.
Today’s commemoration at Clouna Graveyard, Ennistymon, was attended by Minister of State and North Clare T.D. Tony Killeen as well as relatives of the vice commanding officer of the Mid-Clare brigade of the IRA.
Devitt, a draper apprentice from Cahersherkin, was killed on 24 February 1920 during an ambush on an RIC patrol at Crowe’s Bridge, located between Connolly and Inagh. A number of civilians appeared in the vicinity of the ambush site which resulted in the attackers holding their fire. Devitt, one of the most respected leaders of the Mid-Clare Brigade, was shot and fatally wounded when he raised his head from his crouched position.
An inquest into the 25-year old’s death concluded: “Martin Devitt of Cahersherkin, Co. Clare died on 24th February 1920, from a bullet wounded received while fighting for the freedom of his country, which freedom is prevented by mis-government and we tender our sympathy to the relatives of the deceased”. A monument in memory of Martin Devitt was erected at the ambush site at Crowe’s Bridge and remains standing to this day.
Devitt’s colleague Ignatius O’Neill, was badly wounded during the ambush. On 22 September 1920, O’Neill coordinated an ambush on an RIC patrol at Rineen, between Miltown Malbay and Lahinch. Men from several battalions, including Ennistymon, Lahinch, Inagh, Moy, Glendine, Miltown Malbay and Letterkelly, took part in the ambush which resulted in the deaths of five RIC officers and one British auxiliary. Claims that up to three British soldiers were killed in the ensuing fire fight have never been verified.
image: Minister of State Tony Killeen lays a wreath at the grave of Martin Devitt in Clouna graveyard, Ennistymon, 90 years on from the death of the vice commanding officer of the Mid-Clare brigade during an ambush at Crowe’s Bridge, located between Inagh and Connolly. Pic by Lou Ward, North Clare Local
Today’s commemoration at Clouna Graveyard, Ennistymon, was attended by Minister of State and North Clare T.D. Tony Killeen as well as relatives of the vice commanding officer of the Mid-Clare brigade of the IRA.
Devitt, a draper apprentice from Cahersherkin, was killed on 24 February 1920 during an ambush on an RIC patrol at Crowe’s Bridge, located between Connolly and Inagh. A number of civilians appeared in the vicinity of the ambush site which resulted in the attackers holding their fire. Devitt, one of the most respected leaders of the Mid-Clare Brigade, was shot and fatally wounded when he raised his head from his crouched position.
An inquest into the 25-year old’s death concluded: “Martin Devitt of Cahersherkin, Co. Clare died on 24th February 1920, from a bullet wounded received while fighting for the freedom of his country, which freedom is prevented by mis-government and we tender our sympathy to the relatives of the deceased”. A monument in memory of Martin Devitt was erected at the ambush site at Crowe’s Bridge and remains standing to this day.
Devitt’s colleague Ignatius O’Neill, was badly wounded during the ambush. On 22 September 1920, O’Neill coordinated an ambush on an RIC patrol at Rineen, between Miltown Malbay and Lahinch. Men from several battalions, including Ennistymon, Lahinch, Inagh, Moy, Glendine, Miltown Malbay and Letterkelly, took part in the ambush which resulted in the deaths of five RIC officers and one British auxiliary. Claims that up to three British soldiers were killed in the ensuing fire fight have never been verified.
image: Minister of State Tony Killeen lays a wreath at the grave of Martin Devitt in Clouna graveyard, Ennistymon, 90 years on from the death of the vice commanding officer of the Mid-Clare brigade during an ambush at Crowe’s Bridge, located between Inagh and Connolly. Pic by Lou Ward, North Clare Local
