1921-346

Civilian John O'Reilly

Civilian John O'Reilly (aged about 17) of Boherbee Street, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick 

Date of incident: ca. 4 July 1921

Sources: Whereabouts of John O'Reilly, Missing Persons, Dept. of Justice, 2021/113/21 (INA); Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc, The Disappeared: Forced Disappearances in Ireland, 1798-1998 (forthcoming Merrion Press, 2024). 

Note: John O'Reilly of Newcastle West in County Limerick was shot as a suspected spy by the IRA and disappeared in the Douglas area about one week before the Truce of 11 July 1921. When his mother had heard nothing from him in the following years, she made enquiries with the Garda Síochána. It came to be believed subsequently that he had been working with the staff of British military intelligence stationed in Victoria Barracks in Cork city, according to information gathered by the Acting Chief Superintendent at Cork early in 1926. 

We would like to thank Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc for this information. 

The Irish Revolution Project

Scoil na Staire /Tíreolaíocht

University College Cork, Cork,

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