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The unknown solider of the Headford Ambush

EXCLUSIVE

By Sean Moriarty

A grand-nephew of the unknown soldier who died during the War of Independence at Headford one hundred years ago today has vowed to get to visit the site as soon as restrictions permit.

Giles Baily left Kerry for Dublin in 1961 to study Dentistry and eventually set up his own practice in Castleknock.

He grew up listening to stories of the ambush, his grandfather was P.J.Baily  was a brother of Lieutenant Jimmy Baily who along with Commandant Dan Allman were killed during the during the Headford Junction Ambush March, 21 1921.

An IRA brigade intercepted a train carrying British troops. The subsequent gunfight left 14 men dead, nine British soldiers, two IRA volunteers and three civilians.

The centenary celebration of the single biggest Irish Republican Army operation in Kerry during the War of Independence was due to take place this Sunday but has been postponed due to crowd-gathering rules connected with COVID-19 restrictions.

Allman was one of the leaders of the ambush. he and his colleague Baily were the two IRA man killed in the attack. However Baily’s identity was never released as locals feared revenge attacks from the British forces.

Contemporary newspaper reports, at the time said: “Over 20 priests were present at the funeral from Killarney Cathedral to Aglish of Daniel Allman and the unknown volunteer who died in the Headford Ambush.

“Growing up we were told about the Ambush with pride in our grand uncle,” Giles told the Killarney Advertiser. “The family history has it that Jimmy was not identified by the British, and was buried with Dan Allman to avoid the family been targeted by the British Crown Forces, and afterwards his body was exhumed and buried in a separate grave.”

Both Giles and his cousin Justin Bailey were looking forward to attending the now postponed event.