Rineen Ambush
All the RIC men in the tender were killed. The RIC men killed were one RIC Sergeant (Michael Hynes) along with five other constables (Reginald Hardman, Michael Harte, John Hodnett, Michael Kelly and John Maguire). The ambush was carried out by men from the 4th Battalion, Mid-Clare brigade led by Ignatius O'Neill (Battalion O/C and ex-soldier with the Irish Guards, British Army). [Hopkinson says that they were led Sean Liddy but this is unlikely as he was O/C of West-Clare brigade.] There were about sixty in the ambushing party - only nine had rifles. Among the men who took part were Seamus Hennessy, Peter Vaughan, Dan (Dave?) Kennelly, Steve Gallagher, Michael O'Dwyer, Michael Curtin, Pat Lehane, Sean Burke, Pake Lehane, Dan Lehane, Patso Kerin, Anthony Malone, John Joe Neylon, Owen Nestor, Tom Burke, Alphonsus O'Neill and Ned Hynes. Thomas Moroney was in charge of the scouts, one of whom was John Clune (who cycled into Milltown-Malbay to check when the tender would return). After the attack on the tender, the IRA had not fully withdrawn when the British military, consisting of about 150 soldiers, arrived on the scene (they were on their way to site of the capture of RM Lendrum). A running pursuit followed with no deaths on either side but O'Neill and Curtin were wounded.
Earlier, Resident Magistrate Lendrum had been shot at a level crossing near Doonbeg, also in Co. Clare. Hopkinson says "It is unclear whether he died at once, but his body was secretly buried in the sands nearby". Abbott says that Lendrum was buried up to his head in a local beach and drown - after an initial failed attempt - by the incoming tide. This is perhaps why Hopkinson quotes Father Patrick Gaynor, a local Sinn Fein priest as commenting that "the incident was not to our credit" - see Sept 26th
There is disagreement as to the date - Hopkinson, O'Malley, Abbott say the 22nd while Townshend and O'Farrell say the 20th. To confuse matters Lynch gives both the 20th and the 22nd.