It was 3:15am when heavy knocking on the door of No.13 North Mall woke it's occupants. 45 year old James Coleman answered the door to five men in police attire.
"Are you Coleman?" They asked.
When Mr Coleman replied that he was, they pointed their guns and fired, shooting him dead on his door step.
James Coleman was the proprietor of the Franciscan Well Mineral Water Company which was next door to his dwelling on North Mall. He also owned a pub on Cook Street and was a member of the Cork Chamber of Commerce and treasurer of The Cork Industrial Development Association. Mr Coleman was also a supporter of the Republican movement on Leeside.
Mr Coleman's residence and business, The Franciscan Well. He was shot dead at the door of his home, (the white door next to the Franciscan Well.)
A military court of inquiry stated that armed civilians had shot Mr Coleman but his family strongly disagreed and his wife confirmed it was members of the police and military.
The night of November 17/18 had been a night of terror in Cork City.
It began with the shooting of an RIC constable by the IRA on White Street. His enraged colleagues then went on a shooting and fire bombing spree in the marsh area of the city.
After killing two on Broad Lane and injuring many others by throwing grenades in a tenement building, the attackers then headed across the river to Mr Coleman's residence on the North Mall.
North Mall in the early 20th Century. Mr Coleman's business and residence can be seen down the street.
James Coleman's funeral took place two days after his murder. The military issued an order that only 100 mourners were allowed to attend the funeral.
They knew Mr Coleman was a well respected figure in the city and his funeral would be a large gathering.
Two armoured cars and military lorries escorted the remains of Mr Coleman to his final resting place at St Finbarrs Cemetery where his gravestone reads "murdered by the army of occupation."
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