Policeman Shot Dead

POLICEMAN SHOT DEAD

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(Ballina Herald, February 3, 1921)

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  A big ambush, in which the attackers used machine guns, occurred at Tureengarriffe, on the Castleisland road two miles west of Ballydesmond, on 20^th January, 1921, when Major-General Philip Armstrong Holmes, Divisional Commissioner of the RIC was seriously wounded, and later died of his wounds.  A constable that was with him also died in ambush and he was Thomas Myles (aged 21), son of Mr. John Myles, Moygownagh, Crossmolina, who died in the first salvo of shots fired. Deceased had only joined the R.I.C. ten months ago, and the news of his death was received with shock. The remains reached Ballina on Monday night and were taken to the Cathedral by the local police. A large number went to the station to meet the remains. The body remained in the Cathedral overnight, and on Tuesday morning, Requiem Mass, of which Rev. Father Feeney, C.C., was the celebrant, was offered for the repose of deceased’s soul. The funeral took place to Kilmurray burial ground, Crossmolina, and was of imposing dimensions, a large body of local police following the remains. A number of beautiful wreaths were placed on the grave, including two from deceased’s comrades in Cork City force amongst who he was a general favourite.

  The chief mourners are: John Myles (father); Mrs. Winnifred Myles (mother); John, Martin, Michael, Richard and Anthony (brothers), and Mary (sister). R.I.P.

  (In the Census of 1911 Thomas and his family were registered as living at house 2 in Formoyle (Kilfian, Mayo. Also included in the Census was another brother, Patrick (5).

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  Const. Heffernon, a native of Ballycastle, was killed in a raid on a hotel in which he was staying in Belfast. The funeral took place to Ballycastle on Monday, was extremely large and was followed by people of every single shade of political thought. R.I.P.