Stephen Kirwan

Died

19 April 1921

Age

Rank

Sergeant

Force

Royal Irish Constabulary

Cause

Homicide - Shot

Duty Status

On Duty

Roll of Honour Citation

Shot and fatally wounded when he and three other Constables were attacked in Connor’s Public House in Ballyboghill, County Dublin.

Roll of Honour Citation

Shot and fatally wounded when he and three other Constables were attacked in Connor’s Public House in Ballyboghill, County Dublin.

Circumstances

On the 19th of April 1921 Sergeant Stephen Kirwan was shot when attacked in Connor’s Public House in Ballyboghill County Dublin. Sergeant Kirwan went to Connor’s with three other R.I.C. Constables, they entered by the back door, they were observed by a group of I.R.A. men who were at the front of O'Connor’s, using the cover of helping some children move some cows the I.R.A. men made their way to the back of Connor’s. As Sergeant Kirwan left the Public House the IRA opened fire hitting Kirwan in the temple, he fell to the ground but managed to draw his revolver and return fire. Kirwan was hit again just above the heart as he lay on the ground, he managed to struggle to his feet and emptied his revolver at his attackers. The other Constables came to Kirwan's aid and the attackers fled. During the attack on Sergeant Kirwan I.R.A. Captain Peter White suffered fatal injuries when he was hit in the side, he died on the 19th of April from his wounds.

Shot and fatally wounded when he and three other Constables were attacked in Connor’s Public House in Ballyboghill, County Dublin. The four officers had entered by the back door but were observed by a group of terrorists at the front of the public house. Using the cover of helping some children move some cows the terrorists made their way to the back of Connor’s. As Sergeant Kirwan left the premises, the gunmen opened fire hitting him in the temple. He fell to the ground but managed to draw his revolver and return fire. Sergeant Kirwan was then hit again, just above the heart, as he lay on the ground, but he managed to struggle to his feet and emptied his revolver at his attackers. The other Constables came to the sergeant’s aid and the gunmen fled. During the attack the leader of the gunmen suffered fatal injuries when he was hit in the side and he died from his wounds that same day.