1921 May 6. The Dublin to Sligo train was held up at Seefin level crossing between Kilfree Junction and Ballymote at 7.30 pm to raid the mails. A man with a red flag stopped the train.
About 30 to 40 IRA men under Michael J. Marren and Thady McGowan were involved. They had 10/15 rifles plus some other firearms. Half the IRA men were on one side where there was a 125 yard long high bank.
An IRA scout who had got on the train at Kilfree signaled the ambush party if that there were soldiers or police on the train. Marren and McGowan stood on the line and stopped the train. McGowan was armed with a revolver and Marren had a Peter the Painter. Frank Higgins(from Culfadda) and Pa Coleman (from Ballymote) came out behind the train and both groups began to go through the carriages.
There were a number of Auxiliaries on the train, who opened fire on their ambushers. The IRA claim that after a brisk exchange 11 Auxiliaries and 2 police surrendered and arms, ammunition and mail was taken. The County Inspector's report says 5 Auxiliaries returning to Tubbercurry and one Ballymote constable were deprived of their arms. Passengers were said to have had narrow escapes and a calf grazing in a nearby field was killed.
There were no deaths. The Freemans Journal of May 9th reported "It is stated that the Auxiliaries thanked the Republicans on parting for the courteous treatment they received and that the latter expressed a wish to meet them in an open fight soon".
On June 10th , 14th, 23rd, and July 6th there were raids in the area of Kilfree Junction by Crown Forces.