Ireland Three acquitted in 1925 murder of Garda Dowling in Fanore, Clare
Garda Thomas Dowling, a 29-year-old man from Ballyragget, County Kilkenny, was ambushed and shot by a group of armed men outside Craggagh cemetery in Fanore, County Clare, on the night of 28 December 1925 while returning to his station after a bicycle patrol. A full-scale murder hunt was launched the following morning, and about a week later three local people were charged with his murder and remanded to Galway prison. The prosecutions ultimately ended with all three accused being acquitted. Centenary commemorations for the first Garda killed on duty in Clare are scheduled for 28 December 2025 at Craggagh Graveyard.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Garda Thomas Dowling, 29, was ambushed and shot by a group of armed men.
- Where
- He was killed outside the graveyard wall of Craggagh cemetery in Fanore, County Clare.
- When
- The ambush took place on the night of 28 December 1925 (one source gives 25 December) while the gardaí were returning to Fanore Garda Station after a bicycle patrol.
- Cause
- The attack is believed to have been motivated by local dislike of the gardaí over their suppression of poteen distillation.
- Weapon
- Three gunshots were fired during the ambush.
- Investigation
- A full-scale murder hunt was launched the next morning, 29 December 1925.
- Charges
- About a week after the murder, three local people were charged with the murder of Thomas Dowling.
- In court
- The three charged were remanded in custody to Galway prison, and the prosecutions ultimately ended with all three being acquitted.
- Other details
- Centenary commemorations for Garda Dowling are scheduled for 28 December 2025 at Craggagh Graveyard, Fanore.
23 statements extracted from the articles
- whatHe was 29 years old at the time of his death. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whatHe was the son of John and Bridget Dowling of Ballyragget. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whatHe joined An Garda Síochána in March 1924 and trained at the Phoenix Park depot. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whatHe was transferred to Fanore Garda Barracks in 1925. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whatDuring the Civil War he was severely wounded in an ambush in Clonmel. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whatA sergeant and four gardaí were stationed in Fanore barracks at the time of his death. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whatThree gunshots rang out on the night of 28 December 1925. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whatOff-duty colleague Garda John Cahill was also present and rifle shots flew past him as the ambushers tried to kill him. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whereGarda Thomas Dowling was from 98 High Street, Ballyragget, County Kilkenny. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whereHe was killed outside the graveyard wall of Craggagh cemetery at 10pm. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whereGarda Dowling was ambushed from the corner of a field adjoining the graveyard wall. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whereBurial took place in Ballyouskill cemetery in County Laois. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whereGarda Dowling was ambushed by a group of armed men near Fanore. (clareecho.ie)
- whenThe ambush happened on the night of 28 December 1925 while the gardaí were returning to Fanore Garda Station after a bicycle patrol. (clareecho.ie)
- causeThe attack is believed to have been motivated by local dislike of the gardaí over their suppression of poteen distillation. (clareecho.ie)
- weaponGarda Dowling was shot during the ambush. (clareecho.ie)
- investigationA full-scale murder hunt was launched the next morning, 29 December. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- investigationA rigorous and somewhat controversial investigation of the murder took place. (clareecho.ie)
- chargeAbout a week after the murder, three local people were charged with the murder of Thomas Dowling. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- courtThe three charged were remanded in custody to Galway prison. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- courtThe prosecutions that followed ultimately ended with those accused being acquitted. (clareecho.ie)
- otherAn evening of remembrance for Garda Dowling, Garda Michael Buggy and Garda Paddy McGree will take place on 28 December with mass at the church of the Assumption, Ballyouskill at 3pm. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherA commemoration for Garda Dowling is scheduled at Craggagh Graveyard at 14:00 on Sunday 28 December 2025. (clareecho.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 26 Dec2025Centenary commemorations in Fanore for first Garda killed on-duty in Clare - Clare Echo
Historical feature published as a centenary commemoration notice. It covers the 1925 killing of Garda Thomas Dowling, the commemoration event, the investigation and the acquittals. No current case is matched.
victim, Thomas Dowling, irish (judged from name)Thomas Dowling - 23 Dec2022Today marks the 97th anniversary of murdered Kilkenny Garda
Provides additional biographical detail about Garda Dowling (age 29, from Ballyragget, Kilkenny; former army Lieutenant; joined An Garda Síochána in March 1924), describes the ambush in more detail (three gunshots, off-duty colleague Garda John Cahill also present), notes that three local people were charged about a week later and remanded to Galway prison, and announces remembrance events on 28 December 2022 in Ballyouskill.
victim, Thomas Dowling, 29, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas Dowling