ROINN
BUREAU
OF
COSANTA.
MILITARY
STATEMENT
DOCUMENT
HISTORY,
BY
NO.
1913-21.
WITNESS.
W.S.
946
Witness
Patrick
Clifford,
The Demesne
Mitchelstown,
Co. Cork.
Identity.
Mitchelstown
Section
Conirnander
Company Irish
Volunteers,
1917—1922.
Subject.
Mitchelstown
Company,
Irish
Volunteers,
1917—1922.
Conditions, if any, Stipulated by Witness.
Ml
File No.
S.2253
Form B.S.M.2
Statement
The
Section
Commander
by Patrick
Demesne,
Clifford,
Mitchelstown,
Mitcheistown
Company
Irish
Volunteers
case
death
sentence
and
to
Appellant
House
of
Lords
15th
February,
I
attached
time,
the
about
an Army
the
at
Seán
2nd
Lt.
-
Tommie
the
bad! passed
about
60.
All
the
The
that
officers
of
were:
members,
Keane
De La Rue.
was
parades
were
member
about
The usual
40
A weekly
held.
was
and
coflecte&
and! the
of
Many
in
part
and
members
General
scare
Conscription
one; stage.
scare
of
at
Sullivan
Company
per
Company,
no further
took
2d.
Irish
placed
in
Fund.
During
150
-
the
was,
Company
the
by
Lt.
of
subscription
elected
1st
the
of
Battalion.
- Michael
and weekly
training
The
1917.
Galtee
farmers.
Company
Captain
of
strength
joined
the
who were
Company,
The
Mitchelstown
June,
to
were
My parents
the
on the
Mitchelstown,
Ballyarthur,
1900.
joined
Volunteers;
in
born
of
Court.
by Military
imposed
I was
in
of
Election
the
the
those
who
movement
in
Company
1918
of
took
December,
to
at
joined
when
the
the
1918.
about
time
that
Conscription
unit
part
numbers
large
increased
strength
strength
the
in
fell
in
the
to
work
Approximately
2.
ten
to
members.
to
help
that
of
the
order
keep
and
years
the
work
in
of
About
by
detached
from
this
Lynch
the
Galtee
2nd
Lt.
- Paddy
engaging
arms
to
in
I
and
on the
to
I
state
were
ammunition
Company
was
a unit
became
of
of
election
follows:
the
and
arms
of
Kingston
now reside
as
a tenant.
surrendered
mast
raids
these
of
in
more
became
gamekeeper
that
the
(shot—guns,
a number
in
of
strength
members
the
of
part
where
fair
only
was
Brigade
Luddy.
100
took
Mitchelstown,
way
Walshe
collection
one
Election.
possible
a fresh
as
of
March
O’Keeffe
nearly
the
including
it
11
re—organisation
etc.).
ammunition,
Cork
and
resulted
Waterford
General
every
change-over
— Mossie
to
in
in
Battalion
Lt.
the
the
Mitchelstown
1st
active,
I. think
when
- Dan
increased
Demesne,
1919,
Captain
Company
arms,
Club.
and
place.
Following
for
Féin
On the
took
of
time
the
sent
by—election
assisted
Situ
Liam
were
the
the
general
the
Brigade.
officers;
at
November,
organised
Volunteers
during
again
The. Volunteers;
in
local
cases
in
voluntarily
this
area.
About
Belfast
Dan
this
of
Company
Belfast.
and
destroyed
the
I
railway
obtained
them
to
0/C,
and
goods
accordance
engaged
I was
pose
station
the
in
also
occasion
Demesne
Kingston
goods; from
we were.
On one
boycott.
O’Keeffe,
Steward
time
to
as
from
with
instructed
had
the
railway
by
for
seeds
they
the
enforcing
a. workman
collect
where
in
and
arrived
instructions.
the
other
from
authorities
3.
Some of
time
the
R.I.C.
evidence
giving
from
in
Cork
about
had
been
arrested
for
the
Wesleyan
7th
September,
1919.
It
was
decided
and
for
station
one
Company
however,
on the
In
at
irregular
known
of
as
and
in
12
in
company
Tim
William
J’.
can’t
about
a report
Galbally
took
on the
position
our
we
as were
via
positions.
most
two
for
p.m.
Kilbehenny
and
that
road.
the
bunch
this
travelled
numbered
a distance
this
others
whose
was
two
patrol
We then
Paddy
Walsh,
names
miles
armed
we had
until
party,
Skinner,
Dave
but
remained
of
Walsh,
We took
each.
as
ambush
Leo
I
others,
locally
they
over
about
road.
the
was; received
the
Mossie
Mitchelstown
usually
to
up positions
of
charge
Jerry,
and
Limerick
ammunition
6.30
decided
Walsh,
Tom Coleman
Ryan,
of
was
my brother
Liam
Luddy,
3, rounds
when
with
remember,
shotgun,
It
a patrol
known
extended
Walsh
guns.
visit
Although
often
Walsh.
not,
shot
for
patrol
order.
were
yards
Mitchelstown
The
extended
with
to
in
were
they
men were
was
officer
railway
by Mossie
Galbaily
unit
Head”.
they
800
Luddy,
The
“Shaky
about
and
at
The
patrol.
about
only
statione&
them,
Mossie
R.I.C.
armed
on
Fermoy
I was
was; customary
intervals.
was
cycle
it
when
arranged
We were
1920,
and: Tans
Galbally
was
Volunteers
shoot
Cork.
The
train.
in
Clifford),
(Jerry
job
raid
this
at
Ballindangan
from
Lieutenant.
August,
the
by
1920,
This;
Walsh.
who was
Black
mid
by my brother
Jimmie
of
to
June,
the
to
proceeded
on a. train
return
accompanied
and
in
evening
to
expected
I
purpose
of
some
who
this
were
Mitchelstown
I
from
a
with
3. rifles
with
up ambush
11.30
had
p.m.,
to
returned
withdrew
from
4.
In
Mossie
take
and
Jerry
Clifford
in
the
raid
on Mallow
Battalion
The
Tom Barry
to
join
by
the; Battalion
the
This
at
end
of
the
fence
of
suitable
the
bushes
would
the
all
then
could
which
removed
obliterate
from
or
marks
The
the
closed
open
of
edge
a stone
by
with
after
replaced
in
replaced
as
arranged
blocked
made
my
painted,
with
be
and
the
by anyone
dump
working
vicinity.
When
December,
the
East
took
part
in
a shotgun
and
up
Shortly
after
6/7
of
4.30
p.m.
the
position
the
about
military,
passed
enemy
that
troops
evening
on
to
the
return
the
Column
and
through
Fermoy.
the
the
day
of
armed
the
car,
ambush
with
passed
Advance
both
on
no other
until
position
ambush.
position
was
There
same party
journey.
Donnchadh
was
a Lancia
the
in
buckshot.
on the
car
in
ambush
I
with
area
under
engagement.
through
when
into
Glenacurrane
9 a.m.
a touring
Tipperary
the
loaded
this
from
way
came
Limerick
cartridges
positions
containing
out
carry
the
I
movement
to
with
Hannigan,
We took
Column
Battalion
1920,
conjunction
their
gap was
etc..
been
had
anything
The
so
arms
of
fence.
being
anxious
do
to
prepared,
line
time.
was
a dump of
the
In
opening
size.
whitethorn
into
— the
I
dump was
box was
practically1
a gap
at
to
this
0/C.
The
built
Mallow
on a portion
built
wooden
box was
about
care
to
Ballyarthur.
and was
etc.
greased,
E had
—
to
be permitted
not
dump was
A suitable
follows:
sent
Company
Barracks.
Column
the
would
as
0/C
farm
parents”
but
Column
ammunition.
in
was
the
of
Was; formed
Column
(Glanworth)
members
- were
Walsh
part
and
two
1920,
September,
notice
about
into
of
5.
their
side
to
was
coming
of
signalled
the. ambush
enter
the
of
on the
and’ when
position,
line
scouts
by
fire
the
the
road. was
Mitchelstown
were
enemy
blocked
about
a
by felling
tree.
The
riflemen
on the
cars
which
Two of
the
The
do
in
of
this
about
road
to
— ail
Column
main,
armed. with
Ryan
were
and
When
it
was
the
attacking
in
this:
The
shot
upon
to
a box
of
fire
not
reach
any
the
a fence
behind
side:
opposite
of
Party.
I
was,
officer
charge
in
of
(about
guns.
think,
also
the
Battalion
20)
and. four
The
names
Clifford
Paddy
did.
engagement
consisted
Column
and
position
of
armed. with
the
was
scrap
did
not
know
ditch
until
the.
following
early
March,
I
of
the
Wm. J.
(Witness),
collected
1921,
it
orders
I
was
Tans
from
put
hid
the
time
the
the.
them
them
decided
in
shotguns.
re-inforcements
I
etc.)
when
the
dump at
military
night
and
all
the
moment
Kilworth
Black
received
I
approach
what
from
and
R.I.C.
over
to
dangerous
area
Mitchelstown.
in
on the.
Limerick
the
of
I
not
wounded.
called
think)
and
party
reach
a patrol
was
rifles.
would
About
did
enemy
position.
Walsh.
too
I
(because
cars..
Tom Coleman,
Dave
I
road
body
Our
Volunteers
locals
to
I
strength
East
(15
the;
were
when
fire
opened
ambush
the
a. number
and
rifles
the
the
of
centre
surrendered
was.
from
enemy
(20),
local
as
I
a revolver.
had
fire
then
gunners.
killed:
party
set
the
the
the
which
50 yards
The
As
the
ambush
in
position
15
were
We then
bombs..
Hotcthkiss
in
We collected
so.
the
were
military
remainder
shot
and
in
to
town
Company
in
the
a
dump.
ambush
of
0/C
(Dan
6.
to
ammunition
suitable
rifles
four
and
for
ammunition
the
dumped
Hill
would
be about
an&
not
turn
The
following
Win.. J.
Tim
from
to
All
in
of
positions,
on midnight
but
arms
Mick
at
Leo
about
patrol
to
the
dump.
Skinner,
Dan Coleman,
Walsh,
and
Dunne
This
the
returned
Dave
April,
the
tools
0/C
road
were:
the
lining
of
church
also
Dan
O’Keeffe
arms
were
about
we ran
roadside
This;
party
had
car
just
before
the
to
into
outside
apparently
we
reached
the
Volunteers
them
bring
We cycled
just
of
along.
(Volunteer)
an ambush
fences
Suitable
supply
and
O’Sullivan
miles
by me to
9 p.m.
etc.)
8 p.m.
11
at
night
that
Bridge
notified
instructed
me
instructing
regarding
by Michael
a despatch
received
pickaxes
were
a Section
was
Ballygiblin
that
issued
I
Luddy)
Volunteers
About
Ballyp.oreen
I
(P.J.
destruction
(crowbars,
of
when
1921,
Company
available
Ballygiblin.
armoured
up ambush
all
at
position
ambush.
Wm. Roche,
Vice
Mitchelstown
road.
the
Luddy,
Mitchelstown
were.
possession
left
had
O’Neill,
Accompanied
I
then
Ballygiblin
instructions
necessary
for
shotgun
the
occasion:
23rd
for
arrange
to
to
of
shotgun.
me on this
the; Battalion
report
close
in
brought
charge.
in
night.
each
any
rounds
dozen
with
Jack
On the
Commander
close,
I
six
for
selected
and
dump.
one
about
We took
I
were
in
been
arms
about
with
ammunition
until
up.
Ryan,
who was
had
the
in
buckshot,
7 p.m.
Luddy,
had
and
with
remained
did
Paddy
rifle
each
which
I
shotguns
arms; and
Cahir
8 p.m.
five
all
Mitchelstown
which
loaded
cartridges,
I
into
bring
the
of
their
the
the.
town
spot
a bend
direction
on the
who
military
round
left
in
in
the
lorries
and
because
they
7.
had
seen
some people
afterwards
that
on their
to
way
coming
and
myself
were
and
he
had
get
off
the
ha&
party
the
meeting
a
were
thoroughly
then
were
1921.
We were
to
courtmartial
O”Sullivan
Barracks
informing
him
Skinner
of
the
anal informed
received
a telegram
believe
received
death
could
official
was
the
from
with
been
our
was
consternation.
how prisoners
that
Mr.
at
solicitor
the
he had
news was,
under
the
solicitor
called
The
to
in
he
the
prisoners
their
sentenced
and
officer—in—charge
with
the
done
When
day.
and
(military)
to
This
that
at
May,
Mitchelstown.
had
a telegram
the
understand
communicate
a
Cork
I:
authorities
sentence
of
except
through
Skinner
after
channels.
I
I
to
Cork
arms
defended
a warder
with
sentence.
to
of
a
about
on 3rd.
Solicitor,
that
send
to
travelled
unable
Skinner,
for
Barracks,
possession
We ware
informed
barracks
were
in
we
under
courtmartial
by
armoured
where
held
Detention
tried
arranged
Detention
we could
separate
taken
then
we were
the
being
J.J.
When we ware
death
to
death.
by Mr.
4 rounds
Barracks
R.I.G.
where
moved
sentenced
and
Before
in.
placed
We were
We were
of
O’Sullivan
seized.
Fermoy
on a charge
1921,
lorries
5 rounds.
handcuffed,
to
the
with
revolver
heard
some. Volunteers
heard
Both
.38
with
searched.
escort
on May 1st
a
had
Mitchelstown
to
who had
fields.
we were
cycles
taken
the)
I
were
fields
place
automatic
.32
and
when
I
armed.
cars
week,
to
the
fields.
the
through
in
the
taken
We were
military
moving
have
sentenced
no
recollection
to
death
of
but
I
meeting
think
he
Mr.
saw O’Sullivan.
8.
Mr.
habeas
on appeal.
Lords
and
recollect
lasted
out
again
continued
lives
would
case
to
a conditional
was
This
until
given
we would
I was
behalf.
The
we were
our
for
applied
on our
corpus.
refused
of
Skinner
then
was
the
granted
but
to
taken
Truce.
of
but
was
the
House
As far
as
while
the
that
understand
be safe
order
if
hostilities
about
mid
can
I
Truce
broke
be executed.
released
from
prison
February
1922.
Signed:
Patrick
(Patrick
Clifford)
Clifford
Data:
1st
1st
Witness:
Phil
(Phil
O’Donnell
O’Donnell)
May
1954
May 1954