ON SUNDAY, as a party of between 30 and 40 Specials were proceeding to Magherameen Castle, they suddenly came upon a considerable body of armed men marching along the railway line from the direction of Pettigo.

It is surmised that the intention of these men was to occupy a strong strategic position commanding the road leading to the castle as well as the route by water, and thus cut off communications and supplies from those already in occupation of the castle, but were discovered before they had reached their objective.

Immediately they saw the Specials, they opened heavy fire upon them, and a regular battle ensured, both sides taking advantage of all the cover that offered.

The exchanges were very brisk for some time, after which the rebel forces beat a hasty retreat.

The Specials claim that at least five or probably six of the enemy were killed, while the number of wounded is unknown.

In this particular engagement, the Crown forces suffered no casualties.

Heavy fire

Later in the evening, when a large force of Specials were leaving the village of Belleek in three Crossleys and one Lancia car, heavy fire was opened upon them by the Sinn Féin troops who occupy the fort situated on a high and strongly-fortified position on the road overlooking the village.

The cars were swept by many bullets, one of which, unfortunately, hit the driver of the Lancia car on the back between the shoulders, killing him instantly.

He fell over the wheel, and the car then ran into the ditch at the side of the road and overturned, but the other occupants managed to escape.

The two Crossley tenders following behind were held up by this oppositions, and the Free Staters, recognising the position of affairs concentrated all their fire upon the vehicles, with the results that the police had to abandon all three cars and make their escape on foot which they succeeded in doing, the dead driver the only casualty suffered.