With the siege broken, Edward with the relieving forces' assistance, together with Richard Burke, Earl of Clanricarde captured Shrule Castle, a place of strategical importance.
[2] Attacked by Mac Uilliam Ochtair (Lord of Thomond), and the de Burghs and McDonnells of Mayo while camping at Shrule Castle, Fitton was unhorsed and severely wounded in the face.
Edward gradually lost ground during 1571–72 with the de Burghs rising up in arms vigorously supported by a large body of Scottish gallowglasses.
[2] A quarrel with Sir William Fitzwilliam, who had succeeded Sidney as Lord Deputy of Ireland, in relation to Richard Burke, Earl of Clanricarde's imprisonment, occurred.
On 18 June he was commissioned, along with Richard Burke, the Earl of Clanricarde, William O'Mullally, the Archbishop of Tuam, and others, to hold court hearings in Connaught.
[3] Upon his return from Connaught, Fitton accompanied William Fitzwilliam to Kilkenny, where he was requested to proceed into Munster and endeavour to prevent the disturbances likely to arise there owing to the escape from Dublin Castle of Gerald FitzGerald, Earl of Desmond, which he refused.