Source: Public Record Office 1906

About 11 o’clock on the night of the 9th October,1906, as Constables O’Halloran and Horan were on protection patrol at Colonel Lopdell’s house, Athenry distriet, they saw a party of men coming up the lawn towards them. One of the constables estimated the number of the party at four and others at twelve. The constables went out to challenge them, when one of the party fired a shot at a short distance dangerously wounding Constable O’Halloran in the right shoulder and breast. He fell, and Constable Horan at once went to his assistance. – Meanwhile the party ran away, and the constables were unable to identify any of them.

Three men were arrested and remanded but had subsequently to be discharged by the Resident Magistrate for want of evidence. The police have no doubt that two of the prisoners took part in the outrage, but they could get no assistance in the matter from the people, who declined to give them any information.

Colonel Lopdell is Receiver over the Lambert (Minors) Estate, on which the tenants were with-holding their rents in order to force a sale. Processes for rent were issued against the tenants and Colonel Lopdell, in consequence, became so unpopular, that it was deemed necessary to afford him protection by patrols.