Gilbert Norman Potter (10 July 1887 – 27 April 1921) was a District Inspector of the Royal Irish Constabulary. He was born in Dromahair, County Leitrim and was stationed at Cahir, County Tipperary, during the Irish War of Independence. In April 1921 he was captured and executed by the Irish Republican Army in reprisal for the British execution of Thomas Traynor, an Irish republican. Career Potter received his commission as District Inspector on 27 April 1901 having completed his cadetship at the Depot, Phoenix Park, Dublin. His first assignment was to Castlepollard, County Westmeath. During the 1909 ITGWU strike in Cork, he was temporarily posted there from Dublin and was also involved in policing the 14 August marches in Portadown. Having had charge of No. 4 Company at the Depot, he was assigned to Cahir in 1912. Capture by the IRA Hyland's Cross Ambush On 23 April 1921 District Inspector Potter was captured by the 3rd (South) Tipperary Brigade, IRA, following the Hyland's Cross Ambush. This occurred near Curraghcloney, close to the village of Ballylooby. The ambush party was initially made up of a combination of the 1st and 2nd Flying Columns 3rd Tipperary Brigade. This was the largest force assembled to date by the Tipperary IRA in anticipation of a major battle. However, the convoy of military lorries that was expected never materialised. Dan Breen and Con Moloney returned to battalion headquarters, while Seán Hogan's Column withdrew northwards in the direction of the Galtee Mountains. As Dinny Lacey's (No.1) Column prepared to leave towards the south, a small party of British soldiers accompanying two horse-drawn carts unexpectedly approached from Clogheen and were immediately fired upon. Amid some confusion Lacey's scattered men withdrew southwards towards the Knockmealdown Mountains. One British soldier, Frank Edward Conday, was fatally wounded and two others from the relieving party were wounded. Reports that army lorries were burned during the exchange may have been abandoned by the relieving soldiers sent from Clogheen. By chance, Potter, who was returning by car from police duties at Ballyporeen, drove into a section of the withdrawing No.1 Column. Although in mufti, he was recognised by one of the IRA Volunteers and taken prisoner. As part of a new strategy, he was held as a hostage for the safe release of Thomas Traynor, an IRA volunteer (and father of ten young children), then under sentence of death at Mountjoy Jail. The