AN ACCOUNT of the tragic events at Clones is given by a lady who, along with a few other passengers, travelled in the third-class carriage in which were five of the Specials who had so terrible an experience before them.

When the train for Enniskillen arrived, an Australian Special helped the passenger in question with her baggage into a third-class carriage close to the engine.

He and a comrade then took seats in the compartment.

They had been seated only a moment or two when shots were suddenly heard, about six being fired into the carriage in quick succession.

During the discharge of the shots, one of the Specials jumped out on to the platform. The other (the Australian) threw himself down on the floor of the carriage, and asked his fellow passenger to throw a spare coat he had over him.

This she did, and then lay flat on the floor beside him, remaining in that position for several minutes.

Continuing her narrative, the lady interviewed said: ‘The lights all went out, and left us in darkness. I could hear shots being discharged all over the train, mingled with the yells and screams of the men in the other carriages.

“I heard one man appeal for mercy, and another call for his mother. None of the occupants of our carriage was wounded up to this stage as far as I know. Members of the IRA rushed up and down the sides of the carriage shouting: ‘There are still two missing, where are they?’

“Several shots were again fired into our compartment, and then orders were given for everybody to leave the train.

“I got up, and picking up my bag, parcels and coat made to leave the carriage when my Australian friend said: ‘Do let me go with you.’

“I could do nothing for him, and as far as I know he followed me out of the carriage.

“As the occupants left the compartments, the order ‘Hands up’ rang out. The civilians were put on one side of the platform, while any police who were not wounded were made prisoners, and as far as I could see there were only three unwounded men in the party.

“I saw three men together with one wounded man, being whipped away in two motor cars.”