At 10:30pm RIC sergeant Denis Garvey and Constables Daniel Harrington and Patrick Doyle left their barracks on the Lower Glanmire Road to board a tram for Popes Quay. The tram was coming from Tivoli and onboard were gunmen from E Company of the IRA First Cork Brigade.
The tram came to its stop on the Lower Glanmire Road and as the Sergeant and constables boarded it a hail of bullets greeted them. Passengers ran from the tram as the gunmen finished their job before fleeing the scene.
Tram on the Lower Glanmire Road.
Sergeant Garvey was shot dead with four bullets while Constable Harrington was killed with eight. Constable Doyle somehow managed to run away with three gunshot wounds and survived to tell the tale but, not the identity of the gunmen who had worked with great efficiency.
Modern day Lower Glanmire Road
This wasn't just a random killing, it was a well planned attack and the primary aim was Sergeant Garvey. The Active Service Unit of the First Cork Brigade had Sergeant Garvey in their sights since the murder of Lord Mayor Tomas MacCurtain in March 1920. It was strongly suspected Srgt Garvey had a role in it. His movements were closely watched in the weeks leadng up his shooting and it was agreed to "get Garvey" as he left for the 10:30 tram on a nightly basis from the barracks on the Lower Glanmire Road.
Under the leadership of Pa Murray nine volunteers of E Company carried out the shooting. In the immediate aftermath it was feared Terence MacSwiney, who succeeded MacCurtain as Lord Mayor, would be a target of a revenge attack by the RIC.
This wasn't just a random killing, it was a well planned attack and the primary aim was Sergeant Garvey. The Active Service Unit of the First Cork Brigade had Sergeant Garvey in their sights since the murder of Lord Mayor Tomas MacCurtain in March 1920. It was strongly suspected Srgt Garvey had a role in it. His movements were closely watched in the weeks leadng up his shooting and it was agreed to "get Garvey" as he left for the 10:30 tram on a nightly basis from the barracks on the Lower Glanmire Road.
Military Witness Statement of Cpt Sean Healy Cork No.1 Brigade
Under the leadership of Pa Murray nine volunteers of E Company carried out the shooting. In the immediate aftermath it was feared Terence MacSwiney, who succeeded MacCurtain as Lord Mayor, would be a target of a revenge attack by the RIC.
MacCurtain's gun in Cork Public Museum.
17 volunteers were posted at MacSwiney's house armed to the teeth with rifles and bombs brought in on pony and cart by the Bowles family from Clogheen but, the anticipated revenge attack did not happen.
Witness Statement of Daniel Healy o/c Active Service Unit C Company 1st Batt IRA
Constable Harrington was a 44 year old with 20 years service in the RIC and was from Bantry where he was buried.
Sergeant Denis Garvey
Sergeant Garvey was a 47 year old Kerry native with 25 years service in the RIC. His funeral procession went through the streets of Cork accompanied by bands and marching soldiers from the Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Regiments. He was buried in Aghadoe, Killarney, leaving a widow and eight children.
From the Bureau of Military History - Those Involved in the Lower Road Action
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