IN THE early hours of Friday morning last, a sharp and exciting encounter took place on the island of Derrykerrib, Upper Lough Erne, between Ulster Special Constabulary and a party of rebels on the run, resulting in the capture of the latter.

The island of Derrykerrib is close to the Wattlebridge district, and on it was an empty farm house.

This house had been used as a place of refuge, and in it were beds and blankets, having been taken during a raid some time ago from the house of a prominent gentleman in the neighbourhood.

Information as to the men being in hiding was received and the police decided to strike quickly.

The work was allotted to the men of the Newtownbutler Platoon, and under the command of their officers they set out at 2am for Derrykerrib.

They numbered between 30 and 40 men, some were in ‘a cot’, while two motor boats were requisitioned.

On nearing the island when it was light, the rebels – seeing that they were about to be entrapped – opened fire.

The Specials replied with rapid fire. the motor boats skirting the island to see that none could escape.

Intense firing

The firing was intense for some time, and owing to the presence of innocent people on the island it made matters difficult for Specials, and but for these women and children the men on the run would have been wiped out.

Seeing the game was up, the rebels surrendered and it was found that the capture was a most important one.

One man – Fitzpatrick, of Kilgarrow, who was wanted in connection with the Rosslea murders – was found to have a deep wound in his hips, and he had to have medical attention.

The others of the party were Three Tummons, Sheridan, Frank Conlan and a man named Heuston, wanted for the shooting of a police sergeant, and also for Rosslea murders.

All the men belong to the locality and have been the leaders of the local Sinn Fein company of the IRA.

They were all conveyed to Newtownbutler Courthouse, and Fitzpatrick received 15 stitches, so large was the opening created by a bullet.

The next day the men were conveyed to Enniskillen under guard.