Attack on Musgrave Barracks
Attack aimed at capturing two armoured cars for use in the joint Pro- and Anti-Treaty IRA offensive in Northern Ireland due to start the next day - see 19th May. Parkinson says that attack was led by Roger McCorley and Seamus Woods and that the IRA had to retreat without the arsenal of weapons that it was hoping to capture. Report from Woods to O’Duffy given in McDermott. (Hopkinson says this attack took place on the 17th but according to Woods’ report, attacking party – 20 men – gathered on evening of 17th but they waited until 3.00am on 18th to execute attack.) Constable Collins was shot by Capt Joe Murray.
Parkinson also says that RIC officer William Berry was shot on this day in the Millfield area of Belfast following a botched robbery and a Protestant carter, William McKnight, was shot during the early morning in Academy St. in Belfast.