From our archives: The siege of Ballymahon RIC barracks

This is an excerpt from the Westmeath Independent of August 21, 1920

From 10.30pm on Thursday night until 6am on yesterday (Friday) morning the roads leading to Ballymahon, Moate, and Mount Temple were blocked by trees felled across at points about three miles from Athlone. At Ballykeeran the telegraph wires were cut. During the night a number of motorists, including medical men and travellers to the West, were held up on the three roads until the trees were removed at 6am by the military on Friday morning.

Photo: The former barracks as it is now

One of the cars clashed into the fallen tree on the Moate road. The lamps, wind screen and the front of the car were badly damaged, but fortunately the occupants of the car escaped uninjured. Intelligence reached Athlone later that an attack on Ballymahon R.I.C. barracks was made during the night, but details are lacking

A telephone message received here on Friday afternoon states the attack on the barracks commenced at 12.30am on Thursday night, and was maintained with great activity for two hours and a half. The barracks was defended by a Sergeant and ten policemen, while the attacking force has been numbered at thirty. In the course of the attack the police vigorously defended the barracks, but sustained fire was maintained by the attackers, and bombs and hand grenades were brought into active employment. The barracks being partially blown up, the defenders surrendered after a protracted contest. It is stated two policemen were injured, but riot dangerously. Some of the attackers, it is surmised, were also injured, but of this there is no confirmation.