Clonbanin ambush

Clonbanin ambush
Part of theIrish War of Independence
Date 5 March 1921 Location Clonbanin,County Cork 52.128°N 9.009°W/52.128; -9.009 Result IRA victory
Belligerents
Irish Republican Army	United Kingdom
Commanders and leaders
Seán Moylan Paddy O'Brien Tom McEllistrim	Hanway Robert Cumming†
Strength
almost 100 volunteers 1 machine gun	almost 40 soldiers 1 armoured car
Casualties and losses
none	13 dead (incl. Lt Harold De Maligny), 15 wounded(Lynch/O'Donoghue) 4 dead(Hopkinson)
class=notpageimage| Location within island of Ireland

TheClonbanin ambushwas anambushcarried out by theIrish Republican Army(IRA) on 5 March 1921, during theIrish War of Independence.It took place in thetownlandof Clonbanin (a.k.a. Cloonbannin),County Cork.

The IRA force was under the command ofSean Moylanand comprised almost 100 volunteers from counties Cork andKerry,armed with rifles,hand grenadesand amachine gun.Their target was aBritish Armyconvoy of three lorries, an armoured car and a touring car carryingColonel CommandantHanway Robert Cumming.The convoy was travelling fromKillarneytoButtevantand comprised almost 40 soldiers of theEast Lancashire Regiment.

When the convoy entered the ambush position, IRA volunteers opened fire from elevated positions on both sides of the road. The three lorries and touring car were disabled, and the armoured car became stuck in the roadside ditch (although those inside fired from its machine guns). As Cumming jumped from his car, he was shot in the head and died instantly. Although accounts of British casualties differ, at least two Officers and two soldiers were killed and one policeman was wounded.

The battle lasted slightly over an hour. As the IRA forces withdrew from one side of the road, a British officer and six soldiers attempted to flank the IRA on the other side. After a brief exchange of fire they retreated.

The IRA is not believed to have sustained any casualties.

External links

• The Boys of the Millstreet Battalion Area
• article on ambush