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Funeral of Thomas O'Loghlen

In September, 1918, an event occurred in North Clare which helped in a big way to lower the prestige of the R.I.C. in the district. It was on the occasion of the burial of the Old Fenian and I.R.B. centre, Thomas O'Loghlen, in Carron graveyard. There was a big military funeral, and the I.R.B. members were determined that there would be a firing party over the grave. This would have meant arrest and imprisonment for the members of the firing party since the use of firearms by Volunteers was then a serious offence, and three or four R.I.C. men were present to see and report on what happened. Before the firing party appeared at the graveside, a small party of Volunteers ordered the police to face the graveyard wall and not to look about on peril of their lives. The police complied with the order, and, with their backs to the grave, they were unable to see who composed the firing party or how the members of it were equipped. As soon as this part of the funeral ceremonies was over, the police were allowed to resume the role of onlookers, and crestfallen men they looked as they left the graveyard to go back to their station. The Volunteers who held up the policemen were all unarmed and were strangers to them. No arrests were made over the incident, and the jokes and songs which were composed about it made the R.I.C. feel very small indeed.

After the death of Thomas O'Loghlen, he was replaced as centre for North Clare by Martin Devitt who was the most active member of the engagement with the R.I.C. at Crowe's Bridge, near Inagh.

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