February 2009

(Above) Garda Síochána report dated 20 February 1940 regarding a shooting incident in Fort Templebreedy, county Cork, earlier that morning. The report details the alleged unauthorised entry of three men into the fort and the bullet wounding of 18-year old sentry Barthomolew Byrne.

Upon a second interview with Byrne, it transpires that he mistook three pillars for the alleged intruders and was hit by the ricochetting portion of a bullet discharged from his own gun when he fired on them.

(NAI, Department of Justice, JUS 8/771)