Barrack Street - August 29 1922

Denis McCarthy was a 22 year old Free State soldier who resided in a tenement dwelling at 86 Barrack Street. He was from the area, his parents and siblings lived in nearby Rochford's Lane, just off Barrack Street.  

McCarthy's home, blue building on left next to Brodericks Chemist, Barrack St.

On the evening of August 29th 1922 McCarthy was visiting family. He left after 9pm to head back to barracks and as he was strolling down the street he passed by three young men who were standing at the top of Vicar Street.

The junction of Vicar Street & Barrack Street.

The young men followed McCarthy down the street. Just as he reached the door of Kennefick's Pub at 48 Barrack Street, (better known today as Nancy Spains), the three men pulled guns from their coats and shot McCarthy.

As the three gunmen ran up the side street by the pub, locals ran to McCarthys aid and carried him inside Kenneficks. Inside the pub they laid McCarthy on the floor where he succumbed to death. A pool of blood which had streamed from his body left a stain mark on the floor for years after. 

McCarthy had served in the British Army Royal Irish Regiment and upon discharge he found employment at the R & H Hall before then joining the Free State First Cork Reserves just weeks before his death in August 1922.  He had married in November 1920 and when he died he left behind a young widow and two daughters aged three and one. 

Bandon Road - September 3 1922

It was at 10pm on a cool September night when James Murray of the Free State army was behind the wheel of a lorry carrying troops that was trundling up Barrack Street on the route to West Cork.

 As he approached Bandon Road he encountered a Free State checkpoint. He was ordered to halt by Private Thomas Coughlan but Murray drove past it and the young private took aim and fired. The lorry swerved before coming to a stop and when the soldiers approached and opened the door, Murray was slumped over the wheel dead.

Today, the site of the fatal shooting.

Horgans Buildings - home to Private Murray.

Murray had joined the Free State Army in May 1922, having been previously employed as a mechanic in Wrights Garage, Copely Street.  Following his tragic death 23  year old from Horgans Buildings was laid to rest in St Joseph's Cemetery with full military honours.

Murray may not have heard orders to halt over the loud spluttering engine. He may have thought he had no need to stop at a checkpoint as he was on duty and in uniform driving a Free State lorry. The private at the checkpoint may have just simply panicked, this was after all just a few weeks since the assassination of Michael Collins and tensions in Cork and throughout the land were high.

Albert Quay - February 18 1923

A fight outside a pub on Albert Quay resulted in the shooting dead of a sailor  by Free State soldiers on a Saturday night.

Michael Gorman was a sailor on board HMS Carrigan Head which was docked at Albert Quay. He went drinking in a nearby pub and as darkness fell he got involved in a heated argument with a man and two women which spilled out onto the quayside.

Albert Quay in the early 20th century.

As fists started flying, one of the ladies ran around the corner to the gas works which was guarded by Free Staters. She led them in the direction of the fight and when Gorman saw them approaching he ran towards his ship. 
Shots rang out and Gorman never reached his ship. With bullets lodged in his back but life still left in his body, Gorman was taken to the Mercy Hospital.
It was shortly before midnight when Gorman was admitted to the Mercy where he lingered all night until he took his last breath before dawn the following morning.