ROINN COSANTA. BUREAU OF MILITARY HISTORY, 1913-21 ...

12.charge. I laid the charges against the wall of the 'lean to'and lit the fuses. I then dashed back to the cover of a 'fenceat the rear where several shotgun-men were in position. BeforeI reached cover there was a mild explosion the detonatorsin the primers had exploded, but the guncotton had not.Immediately following the small explosion the garrison of thebarracks sent up Verey lights and opened fire. They wereevidently on the alert. I then threw a number of Mills bombson to the roof while, at the same time, fire was opened upby the I.R.A. covering parties. Intermittent firing continuedfor about two hours, but eventually, as daylight approached,we were forced to withdraw.Amongst those who took part in this attack were:- TomHales (Brigade 0/C.), Liam Deasy (Brigade Adjutant), TedO'Sullivan (0/C. Bantry Battalion), Frank Huxley (0/C. LaraghCompany) and Michael McCarthy (V.0/C. Dunmanway Battalion).There were, in addition, a considerable number of others tothe number of about 50 whose names I cannot recollect.Training at this stage became intensified and members ofall units began to realise that we were at war. All unitswere reporting regularly on enemy movements, and on the layoutand activities at enemy posts in their area. Being now onwholetime service I was moving regularly around my area and,towards the end of March, had planned to arrange an attackon Durrus R.I.C. Barracks. Plans and preparations wereproceeding throughout the month of March 1920, and on the nightof March 31st the operation was undertaken. The men selectedto take part to the number of 60 were drawn from Durrus,Caheragh and Bantry companies. The attacking party wasdivided into four sections:(a) covering party in position in the yard of Ross'sstables directly across the street from the front