In what the Westmeath Independent newspaper described as a ‘reign of terror’ several violent incidents occurred across the country during the third week of September.

One of the prevailing stories throughout the month was the increased terror which the military were imposing on the civilian population. No one was safe from this terror which occurred during both isolated instances and reprisals following IRA attacks. As the nights began to get darker in September, the military began to surprise civilians in their homes. A young man named John Moran, aged 19 of Carrowmoneen, near Tuam was one such victim and was taken from his bed in the middle of the night by the military and a brutal attack ensued. Brought in a military lorry, they tired to extract information about local Sinn Feiners. Stripped naked, Moran was beaten with rifles, boxed in the face and kicked around the lorry. He was then placed against a wall and several shots fired at him. Asked if he would consider joining the army for £7 a week to shoot Sinn Feiner, Moran refused. On the same evening two brothers named Dunleary were taken from their homes and beaten by the military. Martin Dunleary was twice thrown into a river, while his brother was told he would be shot and several bullets were fired close to him. The military pinned a picture of Bishop Mannix which they had taken from their home and riddled it with bullets.  

Source: Westmeath Independent, 25.09.1920, page 2

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