Scramogue

The Scramogue Ambush was an incident in Ireland's War of Independence. The flying columns of the North and South Roscommon Brigades under Patrick Madden (O/C South Roscommon Brigade) ambushed a nine-man British patrol (Ninth Lancers and RIC) in a Crossley tender at Scramogue, on March 23 1921, (on the Strokestown-Longford road) which resulted in the death of five members of the British forces.

The five killed included one army officer (Capt Wilfred or Alfred Peek), an RASC driver and one RIC man (Con Edward Leslie). Peek, who commanded the 9th Lancers at Strokestown, Co.Roscommon had threatened to burn every house within five miles if one of his men were killed. In addition, after the ambush, two men in civilian clothes approached Madden and told them that they were prisoners on the tender. Under questioning, it turned out that they were RIC men under arrest - both (Con Buchanan and Con Evans) were killed.

There were 39 men in the ambush party armed with 17 rifles, 2 or 3 revolvers and 20 shotguns. Among the IRA who took part were 'Cushy' Hughes, Frank Simons and Luke Duffy, Sean Leavy (O/C 3rd Battalion North Roscommon Brigade), Martin Fallon (O/C Flying Column North Roscommon Brigade).

Two men from the North Roscommon brigade (Pat Mullolly and Brian Nagle) who had taken part in the ambush were arrested after the ambush and the brother of one (Michael Mullolly) was shot dead in his home by RIC men.