18 January 1921
An eleven man Auxiliary patrol from Galway was ambushed at Kilroe. Despite ten of the patrol sustaining injuries, they managed to fight off their attackers. DI T. Simmonds was awarded the Constabulary Medal for Gallantry to go with the DSO, MC and DCM he had earned during the war. One IRA man was wounded during the ambush but survived.
A young farmer named Thomas Collins was subsequently taken from his home and shot while trying to escape. He doesn’t appear to have been in the ambush party.
Members of the Dublin Brigade attacked a lorry carrying Crown Forces in Harold’s Cross. There were no apparent casualties.
The 3rd (West) Cork Brigade Flying Column (Barry’s Mob), demobilised since 21st December, re-assembled at Rossmore.
De Valera sent Collins long letter asking him to go to the US to carry out a number of tasks, the most important of which was to leave the country so Dev could win the war. The proposal was backed by Cathal Brugha and Austin Stack, but came to nothing.