It is impossible to say what really happened with motives here. Sheehan was certainly seen talking to a policeman in Jan 1921, when he was shot and wounded. But as well this family were complaining that their near neighbour Abina Walsh had threaten the day before to get him shot (as she wanted to repossess the house in which the Sheehan's lived) The repossession appears to have taken about a year until Sheehan's widow eventually moved out and left for London
1867 His probable birth in Mallow
1899 Sep 12. Promoted 3rd class asylum attendent
1901 Census He is a 3rd class asylum attendant at Shanakiel , Saint Mary's, Cork Aged 32 years
1902 Jun 1. Promoted 2nd Class Asylum Attendent
1904 Sep 16. Married at Macroom
1911 census at 5 Knocknacullen West , St. Mary's, Cork
1921 Jan 8, Two IRA gunmen fired at him and an RIC constable (Constable Carrol ) on Blarney Street., wounding both. (see The Irish Revolution) The police report in January 1921 concluded that the motive for this shooting was to murder the constable and his friend Sheehan, who was suspected of supplying information. See RIC County Inspector’s Monthly Report, Cork City and East Riding, Jan. 1921 (CO 904/114, TNA).Sheehan was still having his wound treated when he wasa murdered (see the post mortum examination in Army Inquiry)
1921 Mar 19. Shot Cork
IRA Witness Statement In March, Liam óg O'Callaghan went to the city A.S.U., and from then until the Truce the Company Officers were :captain Charles O'Connell, 1st Lieut .P.O'Sullivan, 2nd Lieut. Stephen Harrington. This month, also, on further information from Brigade another spy was shot. This happened in 'C' Company area though the job was carried out by 'D' Company
A compensation of £2,890 was paid out to his widow by March 1923 (CO 762/59/14, TNA). She emigrated to London and set up a boarding house there.