On This Day / October 27, 1920
Go BackReproduced with permission from The Irish News.
19201027
Reference Date
19201027
Publication Date
Listen Along in Éamons Voice
Summary: On This Day – 27th October 1920, republican activist Michael Ryan was murdered at his Tipperary home, while US outrage over MacSwiney’s death grew. Edited by historian Dr Éamon Phoenix.
More ‘Reprisal’ Victims | On This Day – 27th October 1920
FURTHER particulars are now available regarding the murder of Michael Ryan of Curraghduff [and William Gleeson of Moher [Co Tipperary] on Monday. A visit to the scene of these occurrences revealed a state of terror and indignation prevailing all over the district and at the approach of motors people fled for shelter.
At Ryan’s house, a number of neighbours had gathered, appalled at what happened. Michael Ryan, the only son of a widow, lay dead in his room, riddled with bullets. A man of magnificent physique, over six feet and in the prime of life, he was the mainstay of his mother.
He acted as Registrar of the local [Republican] Arbitration Court, was always anxious for peace and was in great demand in the settlement of local disputes.
Miss Margaret Ryan, interviewed, said that about 12.30 a.m., when the family were in bed, a knock came on the front door.
Two men entered and said they were Secret Service agents. ‘They insisted on seeing my brother. I was thrust out of the room and immediately four shots went off.’
Minister Shot by Troops
THE Rev Jones Whitla, Methodist minister, Enniskillen and formerly of Newtownards, was returning from Ballinamallard harvest festival services on Monday night and had approached the West Bridge, Enniskillen when he was called upon to halt by the military.
The motor he was driving did not answer immediately to the brake with the result that the military fired. Rev Whitla was so badly wounded in the arm that it is understood the limb has had to be amputated.
Man Killed in Barrack Raid
THERE was considerable excitement in Tempo, County Fermanagh when the police barrack was invaded and all the arms and ammunition captured. The attack took place when only a sergeant and constable were on the premises.
Sergeant Lucas, however, managed to escape when he was shot in the back and seriously wounded. Phil Breen, Tempo, was shot dead in the street during the raid and John Bogue was shot in the arm.
US Anger Over MacSwiney Death
A REUTER’S New York telegram says: The death of Alderman MacSwiney has caused a great wave of excitement among Irish elements in New York.
Mayor Hylan of New York, himself an Irishman, today ordered that the American flag over the City Hall should be flown at half-mast.
(Editor’s note: The daily news coverage of The Irish News confirms that Ireland was now in a state of war with IRA attacks and British reprisals escalating daily. Inexplicably, de Valera would remain in the US until Christmas, leaving Michael Collins in effective control at home.)
On This Day – 27th October 1920
Further Reading on Irish History:
List of other On This Day columns
Other resources: National Library of Ireland Irish News CAIN Archive
19201027
Reference Date
19201027
Publication Date
Listen Along in Éamons Voice
Listen Along in Éamons Voice
Summary: On This Day – 27th October 1920, republican activist Michael Ryan was murdered at his Tipperary home, while US outrage over MacSwiney’s death grew. Edited by historian Dr Éamon Phoenix.
More ‘Reprisal’ Victims | On This Day – 27th October 1920
FURTHER particulars are now available regarding the murder of Michael Ryan of Curraghduff [and William Gleeson of Moher [Co Tipperary] on Monday. A visit to the scene of these occurrences revealed a state of terror and indignation prevailing all over the district and at the approach of motors people fled for shelter.
At Ryan’s house, a number of neighbours had gathered, appalled at what happened. Michael Ryan, the only son of a widow, lay dead in his room, riddled with bullets. A man of magnificent physique, over six feet and in the prime of life, he was the mainstay of his mother.
He acted as Registrar of the local [Republican] Arbitration Court, was always anxious for peace and was in great demand in the settlement of local disputes.
Miss Margaret Ryan, interviewed, said that about 12.30 a.m., when the family were in bed, a knock came on the front door.
Two men entered and said they were Secret Service agents. ‘They insisted on seeing my brother. I was thrust out of the room and immediately four shots went off.’
Minister Shot by Troops
THE Rev Jones Whitla, Methodist minister, Enniskillen and formerly of Newtownards, was returning from Ballinamallard harvest festival services on Monday night and had approached the West Bridge, Enniskillen when he was called upon to halt by the military.
The motor he was driving did not answer immediately to the brake with the result that the military fired. Rev Whitla was so badly wounded in the arm that it is understood the limb has had to be amputated.
Man Killed in Barrack Raid
THERE was considerable excitement in Tempo, County Fermanagh when the police barrack was invaded and all the arms and ammunition captured. The attack took place when only a sergeant and constable were on the premises.
Sergeant Lucas, however, managed to escape when he was shot in the back and seriously wounded. Phil Breen, Tempo, was shot dead in the street during the raid and John Bogue was shot in the arm.
US Anger Over MacSwiney Death
A REUTER’S New York telegram says: The death of Alderman MacSwiney has caused a great wave of excitement among Irish elements in New York.
Mayor Hylan of New York, himself an Irishman, today ordered that the American flag over the City Hall should be flown at half-mast.
(Editor’s note: The daily news coverage of The Irish News confirms that Ireland was now in a state of war with IRA attacks and British reprisals escalating daily. Inexplicably, de Valera would remain in the US until Christmas, leaving Michael Collins in effective control at home.)
On This Day – 27th October 1920
Further Reading on Irish History:
List of other On This Day columns
Other resources: National Library of Ireland Irish News CAIN Archive
19201027
Reference Date
October 27, 2020
Publication Date
Listen Along in Éamons Voice *
Summary: On This Day – 27th October 1920, republican activist Michael Ryan was murdered at his Tipperary home, while US outrage over MacSwiney’s death grew. Edited by historian Dr Éamon Phoenix.
More ‘Reprisal’ Victims | On This Day – 27th October 1920
FURTHER particulars are now available regarding the murder of Michael Ryan of Curraghduff [and William Gleeson of Moher [Co Tipperary] on Monday. A visit to the scene of these occurrences revealed a state of terror and indignation prevailing all over the district and at the approach of motors people fled for shelter.
At Ryan’s house, a number of neighbours had gathered, appalled at what happened. Michael Ryan, the only son of a widow, lay dead in his room, riddled with bullets. A man of magnificent physique, over six feet and in the prime of life, he was the mainstay of his mother.
He acted as Registrar of the local [Republican] Arbitration Court, was always anxious for peace and was in great demand in the settlement of local disputes.
Miss Margaret Ryan, interviewed, said that about 12.30 a.m., when the family were in bed, a knock came on the front door.
Two men entered and said they were Secret Service agents. ‘They insisted on seeing my brother. I was thrust out of the room and immediately four shots went off.’
Minister Shot by Troops
THE Rev Jones Whitla, Methodist minister, Enniskillen and formerly of Newtownards, was returning from Ballinamallard harvest festival services on Monday night and had approached the West Bridge, Enniskillen when he was called upon to halt by the military.
The motor he was driving did not answer immediately to the brake with the result that the military fired. Rev Whitla was so badly wounded in the arm that it is understood the limb has had to be amputated.
Man Killed in Barrack Raid
THERE was considerable excitement in Tempo, County Fermanagh when the police barrack was invaded and all the arms and ammunition captured. The attack took place when only a sergeant and constable were on the premises.
Sergeant Lucas, however, managed to escape when he was shot in the back and seriously wounded. Phil Breen, Tempo, was shot dead in the street during the raid and John Bogue was shot in the arm.
US Anger Over MacSwiney Death
A REUTER’S New York telegram says: The death of Alderman MacSwiney has caused a great wave of excitement among Irish elements in New York.
Mayor Hylan of New York, himself an Irishman, today ordered that the American flag over the City Hall should be flown at half-mast.
(Editor’s note: The daily news coverage of The Irish News confirms that Ireland was now in a state of war with IRA attacks and British reprisals escalating daily. Inexplicably, de Valera would remain in the US until Christmas, leaving Michael Collins in effective control at home.)
On This Day – 27th October 1920
Further Reading on Irish History:
List of other On This Day columns
Other resources: National Library of Ireland Irish News CAIN Archive
On This Day is a daily column in the Irish News looking back either 50 or 100 years. The column was compiled by Dr Éamon Phoenix from the mid 1980s until autumn, 2022. The Foundation is very grateful to the Irish News for giving permission to reproduce Eamon’s columns. Funding gratefully received from Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and the Magill Trust.
* The Foundation has worked hard to recreate Eamon’s distinctive voice through AI. Since this is an emerging technology, occasional imperfections may be audible.