Maurice Moore (Irish republican) facts for kids

Maurice Moore (born June 15, 1894 – died April 28, 1921) was an Irish republican. This means he was someone who wanted Ireland to be an independent country, free from British rule. He fought in the Irish War of Independence, which was a conflict between Irish republicans and the British government. In April 1921, Maurice Moore was put to death at Victoria Barracks (now Cork Prison), which was a military prison. This happened after he was captured following a battle known as the Clonmult Ambush.

Early Life

Maurice Moore was born on June 15, 1894. His birthplace was Castle Oliver, in Cobh, County Cork. His father, Michael Moore, worked as a labourer, and his mother was Mary Foley.

Maurice went to school at the local Presentation Brothers National School. After finishing school, he started working as an assistant plumber. He worked at the Haulbowline dockyard, which was a place where British navy ships were repaired at that time.

Joining the Fight for Independence

Maurice Moore's family had strong connections to the idea of an independent Ireland. In 1916, he joined the Irish Volunteers in Cobh. This group was formed to help Ireland gain its freedom.

Three of Maurice's brothers were also members of this group. Later, all of them served with the Irish Republican Army (IRA). They were part of the 4th Battalion, Cork No.1 Brigade, which was a local unit of the IRA.

Key Actions

As a member of the Cobh Company of the IRA, Maurice Moore took part in important actions. One of these was the capture of the Carrigtwohill Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) barracks. The RIC was the police force in Ireland at the time, controlled by the British. This was the first police station captured by Irish republicans during the War of Independence.

Maurice was also involved in taking over the Cloyne RIC barracks. He participated in many other actions carried out by the local IRA against British forces.

The Clonmult Ambush

In February 1921, Maurice Moore was part of a group of over 20 IRA fighters. This group was called a "flying column" because they moved quickly. They were staying in an old farmhouse at Clonmult, near Midleton. Their leader was Commandant Diarmuid Hurley.

British soldiers from the Hampshire Regiment, along with the RIC, Black and Tans, and Auxiliaries, found and surrounded them. A gunfight broke out. During this fight, 12 of the Irish republicans were killed. Eight others were captured, including Maurice Moore.

Trial and Execution

The captured IRA members, including Maurice Moore, were put on trial by a military court. All of them were sentenced to death. Later, the sentences for seven of them were changed, meaning they would not be put to death.

However, Maurice Moore and his close friend Paddy O'Sullivan were still sentenced to death. They were put to death by hanging at Victoria Barracks in Cork on April 28, 1921.

On the same day, the IRA's Cork No 1 Brigade put to death British Army Major Compton Smith. He was from the Royal Welch Fusiliers and had been held by the IRA as a hostage. They had hoped that holding him would stop the executions of Moore and O'Sullivan.

Sources

• http://homepage.eircom.net/~corkcounty/Timeline.htm
• Cork Jail Memorial Souvenir (pamphlet), 1948, Cló na Laoí (The Lee Press), Cork