Page "Black and Tans" Paragraph 7

The Black and Tans were not subject to strict discipline in their early months in Ireland and as a result, their deaths at the hands of the IRA in 1920 were often repaid with arbitrary reprisals against the civilian population.

In the summer of 1920, the Black and Tans burned and sacked many small towns and villages in Ireland, beginning with Tuam in County Galway in July 1920 and also including Trim, Balbriggan, Knockcroghery, Thurles and Templemore amongst many others.

In November 1920, the Tans " besieged " Tralee in revenge for the IRA abduction and killing of two local RIC men.

They closed all the businesses in the town and let no food in for a week.

In addition they shot dead three local people.

On 14 November, the Tans abducted and murdered a Roman Catholic priest, Fr.

Michael Griffin, in Galway.

His body was found in a bog in Barna a week later.

Finally, the Black and Tans sacked Cork city, on the night of 11 December 1920, destroying a large portion of the city centre.