Why should we forget these good Irishmen?

HAVING read Nick Folley’s letter headlined ‘Revisionist line on role of RIC challenged’ (Irish Examiner, January 4) I wish to make a few observations, with help from papers at the time.

Two constables, McDonnell from Co Mayo and O’Connell from Coachford in Co Cork, were escorting a cart load of explosives to a quarry in Soloheadbeg. They were set upon by a dozen masked and armed men.

According to the evidence of Patrick Flynn, the council employee with the cart, the armed men suddenly jumped over the roadside fence and shouted “hands up!” At the same moment he heard shots and the two constables fell dead.