Policeman shot dead on Dublin’s Grafton Street

Dublin, 21 February 1920 - A member of the Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP), Constable John Walsh, was killed in Dublin early yesterday morning.

The incident occurred on the bottom of Grafton Street, outside Messrs Hamilton and Long's chemist, just before 2am, when Constable Walsh and Sergeant James Dunleavy were shot at by men who were coming from the direction of Westmoreland Street.

Both DMP men were taken to Mercer’s Hospital in a corporation ambulance. Walsh was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.

In the inquest into Walsh's death, the coroner concluded that he died from shock and haemorrhage caused by a bullet fired from a revolver by persons unknown. The bullet had penetrated the left side of his chest, between the fourth and fifth ribs, killing him almost instantly. The findings further stated that this constituted ‘wilful murder’.

Constable Walsh was 37 years-old and unmarried.

Sergeant Dunleavy was struck by a bullet on the left side of his abdomen. He gave evidence during the inquest and is expected to make a full recovery.

A male civilian, 24, who is believed to have been involved in the affray, was also shot at the corner of College Street, outside Westmoreland Chambers. He is now in custody in hospital protected by a police guard, supported by armed soldiers.

In the wake of the incident, police have made several arrests, including two men stated to be brothers of the wounded civilian.

[Editor's note: This is an article from Century Ireland, a fortnightly online newspaper, written from the perspective of a journalist 100 years ago, based on news reports of the time.]