The following is taken from a statement made by Martin Grace, Quartermaster of the 3rd Battalion, of the 1st North Tipperary Brigade on the activities of the Ballywilliam Company.

".....About the middle of February, 1921, an R.I.C. man named Carroll, a native of Ballywilliam, Nenagh, came to the latter town on a convoy which was remaining overnight. At the time this man was stationed in County Cork and he decided to go out to see his own people who lived about five miles from Nenagh. He borrowed a bike and cycled home under cover of darkness. His father and brothers were alive at the time and none of them had any connection with the Republican movement. 

As Constable Carroll landed home, x—————— was sitting in the kitchen and he heard Carroll explain how it happened that he made such an unexpected visit and added that he would be returning to Nenagh next morning. X---------- was an active member of the Ballywilliam Company and on leaving Carroll's he reported to either the Battalion Commandant, Paddy McDonnell, or the Company Captain, Jim Burke, what he had learned of in Carroll's house. 

Next morning, as Constable Carroll was returning to Nenagh he was held up at Ballyhiskey Lane at around 6 o'clock by a party of five members of the Ballywilliam Company. Paddy McDonnell was in charge of the hold-up. Carroll, who had been rushed and overpowered, was brought prisoner to Coum Mountain. Word was sent to Captain Michael McCormack, a G.H.Q. officer, who was in North Tipperary at the time, informing him of the capture of the policeman and asking for instructions as to how he should be dealt with. McCormack ordered his execution and the orders were carried out by a firing party of five men under Paddy McDonnell. 

The execution took place in Ballycommon. 

Constable Carroll had figured in the aftermath to the rescue of Sean Hogan at Knocklong station in May 1919. He had found some incriminating evidence during the search of the train from which Hogan had been taken by his rescuers. Three or four I.R.A. men were in custody awaiting trial on charges of murdering some of the police who had been escorting Hogan. It was known to us at the time that Constable Carroll would be giving evidence at this trial and this I believe, was the reason why he was executed......"

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What we do know about Jack is he was born on 18/12/1886 in Ballywilliam, Nenagh, one of six children born to farmer Denis Carroll and his wife Eileen Hayes. He joined the R.I.C. in April 1916 and in 1921 held a rank of Constable with shoulder number 62113. He is noted as being 5'10'' tall. He was stationed at Empress Place R.I.C. Barracks in Cork. Empress Place (named for the Empres of Austria) was a notorious Barracks and Interrrogation Centres being one of the main bases for the 'K' Company of Auxilieries in Cork. There were approximately 50 'Auxies" based here commonly referred to as 'the Murder Gang'. Not somewhere you'd like to find yourself on the wrong side of.

(Its worth pointing out here that there was also a Constable John William Carroll (72137) also present at Empress Place. He died 14/09/1920).

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Empress Place Barracks - Home to 'K' Company Auxilleries

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The Cork local IRA posted posters around the Barracks which stated...

".....whereas the spies and traitors known as the R.I.C. are holding this country for the enemy and whereas said spies and bloodhounds are conspiring with the enemy to bomb and bayonet and otherwise outrage a peaceful law abiding and liberty loving people. Whereas we do hereby proclaim and suppress said spies and traitors and do hereby solemnly warn prospective recruits that they join the R.I.C. at their own peril...."

Clonmel Chronicle - 23/02/1921

Clonmel Chronicle - 23/02/1921