Mr. Coffins was ldlled in the desolate district between Macroom
and Bandon. He was engaged in a tour of inspection with his staff and was driving in a motor-car. The Irregulars had pre- pared an ambush for him near the village of Crookstown. It is said that they numbered about two hundred, whereas Mr. Collins had only about twenty persons with him. At 6.30 on Tuesday evening he reached the ambush. Directly the first shots had been fired he gave orders for his men to rush to cover, and apparently they conducted their movements so skilfully that the Irregulars were wavering after a stiff fight which
lasted nearly an hour. It was towards the end of the fight that Mr. Collins received a fatal wound. After being wounded he continued firing and encouraging his men. It is said that his last words were "Forgive them."
