The murder of Captain Joseph T. Thompson (aged 32) of the 1st Battalion, Manchester Regiment in Ballincollig, county Cork on 20 November how ruthless the IRA had become as they were determined to put an end to the military’s reign of terror over the civilian population.
Thompson left Ballincollig on the afternoon of 20 November ‘in a motor bicycle to visit some friends’ but was soon afterwards ambushed by the IRA. Taking him for interrogation Thompson pleaded to be spared offering the IRA purported intelligence on the war would conclude. The IRA did not spare him however and he was sentenced to death. His body was found two days later in a turnip field near Bishopstown where it was discovered that he had been blindfolded and shot twice in the head at point-blank range. A native of Belfast, Thompson had qualified as a teacher but with the outbreak of the Great War had enlisted to serve. He was twice wounded in the conflict and was noted for his bravery throughout. He had only been in Cork for about four months before his abduction. According to several witness statements given to the Bureau of Military History, Thompson had imposed a reign of terror in Ballincollig and in the search of the homes of suspected republicans he had mistreated family members. This was more than enough to seal his fate.
Source: Belfast Newsletter 1738-1938, Wednesday, November 24, 1920; Page: 7
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