The struggle between the I.R.A and the British Forces between 1919 and 1921 became know as the war of independence. The IRA's plan was to shoot policemen and ambush British soldiers. They showed no mercy to people they thought were spies or informers and burnt down many of the big houses of the remaining landlords. The British forces especially the Black and Tans went about terrorising the countryside. They raided houses in search of arms and tortured and shot people as they searched for IRA men.

An IRA column decided to ambush at Culleens. The plan consisted of robbing Tuffy's shop called the Culleens Inn so that the police (R.I.C.) would be called out and they could ambush them.

The ambushers moved into Culleens at dusk on June 30th 1921. The following morning they cooked breakfast near the ambush position. At 8 a.m. two of the ambushers disguised as tinkers robbed £60-£70 from the shop as planned. They were not armed. Mr. Tommy Joe Tuffy had gone to get scallops for thatching and his sister was in charge. He returned at 8.45 a.m. and heard what happened and left to report the matter to the R.I.C. at Dromore West.

At 10 a.m. the ambushers took up their positions and the two "robbers" gave the money back to the shop.

Between 11.30 a.m. and 12 noon the R.I.C. patrol arrived from Dromore West. There were seven policemen cycling in regular formation i.e. two in the front, three in the middle and two more at the rear. The ambushers (about thirty in total) were in two groups. The first two constables King and Higgins were allowed past the first group of ambushers. Then the firing started. Two constables were wounded. One constable Curry was shot in both arms. The other three stopped a car that was passing and got the driver to take them to Easky Barracks. King and Higgins were taken prisoner and the wounded constables were bandaged. The IRA left with their captives and headed for the Gleneasky Mountains.

Reinforcements poured into the area from Dromore West, Easky, Ballina, Tubercurry and Castlebar. The ambushers were chased into the bogs. The IRA had to decide what to do with the two constables. After a brief meeting they decided to shoot them, as constable King knew who they were They gave them time to say their prayers and then shot them. Both of them were Irish members of the R.I.C.; they were not Black and Tans.

One of the constables was killed instantly and the other was still alive when found by his comrades. He lived long enough to receive last rites from a priest. The ambushers escaped into the mountains near Bonniconlon. They were never captured.