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

32.(Q.M. Bantry Battalion), Jack Corkerry (Ballinadee) and TimO'Donoghue (Kilmeen). I cannot recollect the name of thefourthman.The column men, led by local scouts, moved into Drimoleagueabout midnight, while I was detailed to take a sectionof the column to the vicinity of Inchingeragh Bridge where wewere to take up positions to hold the Bantry-Drimoleague roadagainst the possible arrival of enemy reinforcements. Thissection numbered about 20. All were armed with rifles.The attack on the barracks was not a success as the mine, althoit exploded, did not breach the wall to enable the I.R.A. partyto rush the barracks. Immediately following the explosion,fire was opened on the building by all sections. This asreplied to by the garrison who sent up Verey lights to callfor assistance. Having besieged the place for an hourall attacking sections were withdrawn, and I withdrew with myprotection unit to Castledonovan area where we made contactwith the main attacking body. Shortly after the withdrawalof the attackers, a strong force of Auxiliaries arrived inDrimoleague from Dunmanway. They rounded up a number of'civilians and compelled them to knock down the wall separatingthe barrack yard from the public road. This party then movedout in the direction of Castledonovan, where the column werebilleted, but did not come close enough to be engaged.The column now moved on to Kealkil area and, after a fewdays, it travelled back to Bandon Battalion area. I wasengaged during the remainder of the month of February atbrigade H.Q. and touring the brigade area arranging, for thecutting. of enemy lines of communication, the demolition ofbridges, blocking of roads, as well as my normal duties ofinspecting and training personnel.