Folklore in the Athenry area relates that during a hunt, a rider asked if Barrett's house was that of Lambert's brother, Thomas.
News reached Peter Barrett, one of the family's older children, who was at the time working as a postman in London.
At this the man faced Lambert, pointed a revolver and shot five bullets from no more than twelve yards.
Lambert rose, staggered towards his house and raised the alarm, with the local Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC), sealing off the Athenry area.
Shortly before 10pm, Peter Barrett appeared at Athenry railway station, where he bought a ticket for London.
Few policemen were in Athenry, as many had been relocated to Northern Ireland to deal with the usual 12 July disturbances, but sub-constable Hayden was alerted in time to board the train where he noticed Barrett.
By this stage, the media had given events detailed coverage and made the case front-page news, becoming a high-profile example of the Irish question, concerning both tenant's rights and Home Rule.