One early victim of the action was Charlie Hurley, the IRA Commanding Officer of the Cork Number Three Brigade. Hurley, who was recovering from a serious wound sustained at the Upton ambush, was trapped in a house and killed at about 6:30am. Tom Barry, only becoming aware of the danger at the last minute, resolved that his men, 104 strong, would have to fight their way out of the encirclement.
One early casualty of the operation was Charlie Hurley, the IRA Commander of the Cork Number Three Brigade. Hurley, who was recovering from a severe injury sustained at the Upton ambush, was trapped in a house and killed around 6:30am. Tom Barry, only becoming aware of the threat at the last minute, decided that his men, consisting of 104 strong, would have to fight their way out of the encirclement.