Editing Belmullet (section)

=== Irish War of Independence ===
One of the two R.I.C. Policemen killed in the January 1919 [[Soloheadbeg ambush]] – Constable McDonnell – was born in Belmullet.  The event triggered the War of Independence.  Constable McDonnell was 50 at the time of his death.  He left a widow and five children.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Men Drive Away in Cart Laden with Gelignite|date=January 22, 1919|work=Freemans Journal}}</ref>

On 26 October 1919 a young boy was shot and wounded by a sentry guarding the local wireless station.  The boy was driving cows near his home early in the morning, when he was shot in the shoulder. The incident caused great indignation among the local population.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Youth shot by sentry near Belmullet|date=October 27, 1919|work=Evening Herald}}</ref>

In June 1920, an R.I.C. policeman was killed and three were injured during a riot on the main street of the town.  The policemen intervened to arrest a man for causing a disturbance during a fair.  The crowd attending the fair resented the intervention and turned on the police officers. The police retreated and took refuge in a house,  One of the officers – Constable Doogue – was later discovered on the street with a wound to the head.  When the doctor arrived, he was found to be dead.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Policeman killed in Belmullet Disturbance|date=June 17, 1920|work=Belfast Newsletter}}</ref>

In late August 1920, the local Coastguard station was attacked.  The raiders were interrupted by a police patrol, and shots were exchanged.  The raiders escaped but not before the station was destroyed.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Raiders surprised|date=September 4, 1920|work=Skibbereen Eagle}}</ref>

During the latter stages of the conflict, a Republican Court was established in the town. In January 1921 Two Ballina Solicitors – [[P. J. Ruttledge]]  and Henry Bourke – were arrested and charged by the British military authorities for participating in the court. Mr. Ruttledge declined to recognize the British court and was subsequently jailed in Castlebar.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Ballina Solicitors charged|date=January 15, 1921|work=Connaught Telegraph}}</ref>

A breach of the Anglo Irish Truce occurred in the Town in October 1921.  Two Republican Policemen were quelling a row that broke out in the evening after the town's regular fair.  The Republican policemen were attacked by six R.I.C. officers.  The fighting escalated as more RIC and IRA men joined the affray.  Later, shots were exchanged by the two sides.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Republicans stated to have been beaten in Belmullet|date=October 22, 1921|work=Freemans Journal}}</ref>