The War of Independence 1919-1921

The war of Independence was fought on a localised basis. Flying columns backed up by local knowledge and support were the key to the strategy employed by the freedom fighters. This network of local informants led to attack and counter attack and indiscriminate murder. Those involved locally in the revolution were obvious suspects in the event of the murder of a member of the crown forces. Retaliation for the death of officers became the normal practice in this period of extreme violence and unrest.

The murder of a Drogheda man Alderman Thomas Halpin and his fellow victim Wexford born John Moran resident in Drogheda were events of appalling violence. The two unfortunate men were taken from their beds in the early hours of Wednesday February 12th 1921, and conveyed to the scene of the tragedy, the March Road. There dead bodies were discovered at about 7.30 A.M. by a man named Michael O'Brien from Mornington. He reported the matter to the police and the dreaded news soon spread and cast a gloom over the entire town. Large numbers of townspeople proceeded to the scene , among the first arrivals being the Mayor Alderman James Murphy. Today a monument stands to their memories on the March road and two streets are named in their honour Halpin's Terrace and Moran's Terrace