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

38.reply.Towards the end of April, a meeting was held at Kippaghnear Milistreet at the direction of G.H.Q. with a view todiscussing the formation of the three Cork, three Kerry, WestLimerick and West Waterford brigades into a combined unit tobe called the 1st Southern Division. This meeting was attendedby the brigade 0/C. (Liam Deasy) and column 0/C. (Tom Barry)representing Cork III Brigade. The division was establishedas from 27th April 1921. Liam Lynch (0/C. Cork II Brigade) wasappointed D'ivisional 0/C. and Florrie O'Donoghue (adjutantCork I Brigade) Divisional Adjutant. At this meeting it wasdecided that some action should be taken against the enemyforces as a reprisal for the execution of I.R.A. men takenprisoner under arms. Accordingly,instructions were issued toall units to concentrate on a shoot up of all enemy personnelfound abroad and to attack as maw postsaspossible on May14th, 1921. I was deputed to organise This action in onewestern battalions of the brigade. In this connection Iarranged for attacks at Castletoiinbere, Furious Pier,Skibbereen, Bantry and 1unmanway. At Furious Pier, five enemypersonnel were killed, while at Gastletownbere enemy casualtieswere 3 killed, 2 wounded. At Skibbereen and Bantry, enemyposts were sniped, while at Dunmanway I took charge of theoperation myself, being ssisted by Sean Murphy (0/C.,Dunnianway Battalion) and Paddy O'Brien (battalionadjutant).About 50 men were assem1ed in the vicinity of the town about2 p.m. on 14th Nay 1921. Sixteen were armed with rifles andthe remainder with shotguns. This column was divided intofour sections riflemen and shotgun-men being interspersed.It was proposed to enter the square of the town at 3 p.m.when it was expected that a lorry of Auxiliaries would be atthe 'Market House there, as was usual each day. Three sections