Terence Dooley
In late June, the IRA had attempted to kidnap a British officer stationed in Athlone. The plan was to hold him hostage to barter for the release of Longford IRA leader Seán MacEoin, who was in Athlone prison awaiting execution.
However, during the operation, the British officer was shot and died.
A revenge rampage by the Black and Tans in Knockcroghery, Co Roscommon saw 20 houses burned. Instead of responding by burning an equal number of houses, the local IRA commander decided that Moydrum Castle would be burned as a counter-reprisal.
According to Dooley the commander did not reveal that he and his two brothers had been actively involved in agrarian agitation in the lead-up to the burning.