1969 The RUC dispersed a loyalist crowd massing at Unity Flats. Clashes began as they pushed them back to the Shankill, barricades went up, shops were looted and police cars set on fire. Fighting went on over night until B-Specials were sent in and the situation calmed down. 1916 Sir Roger Casement (51), humanitarian and … Read more
1820 John Tyndall, physicist, mountaineer and promoter of science in the Victorian era, born in Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow. 1969 Alfred O’Rahilly (84), Professor of Mathematical Physics and president of UCC (1943–54), founder of Cork University Press and ordained priest (1955), died. 1981 Kieran Doherty (25), IRA Volunteer and TD for Cavan–Monaghan, died on the 73rd … Read more
1960 Micheál Martin, TD for Cork South-Central since 1989, leader of Fianna Fáil since 2011, [and Taoiseach?] born in Turner’s Cross, Cork. 1980 Seventeen people were killed when the Dublin–Cork train left the rails and jackknifed at Buttevant Station, Co. Cork. 1819 Herman Melville, novelist, short-story writer and poet, author notably of Moby Dick (1851), born in … Read more
2007 ‘Operation Banner’, the British Army’s 38-year role in support of the RUC in Northern Ireland, ended. During that period 763 of its personnel had lost their lives 2007 ‘Operation Banner’, the British army’s 38-year role in support of the police in Northern Ireland in which 763 members of British forces died, ended at midnight. … Read more
1919 Detective Sergeant Pat ‘the Dog’ Smyth of G Division was assassinated in Drumcondra, Dublin, the first DMP G Division detective to die in the War of Independence. (See pp 40–3.) 1990 Ian Gow, Conservative MP for Eastbourne, was assassinated by the Provisional IRA, who placed a bomb under his car at his home in … Read more