Commemoration of Civil War executions at Roscrea Castle

THE 101st anniversary of the execution of four men in Roscrea Castle during the War of Independence was marked at a commemorative ceremony in the heritage town on Sunday last.

Roscrea man Wally Kirwan Chaired the event and wreaths were laid by Michael Donovan and Paul Delaney on behalf of the Treacy Cré Sinn Féin Cumann.

The 1916 Proclamation was read by Dan Harty and the North Tipperary republican role of honour was read by Deputy Martin Browne and and Brendáin O'Conchúir. A colour party was provided by the Tipperary Republican Commemoration Committee for the march through the town centre.

Roscrea man Michael Donovan made a presentation to guest speaker Louise O'Reilly TD after she addressed the crowd who assembled on Castle Street for the commemoration ceremony. Photo: PJ Wright

On January 15, 1923 four men were executed by firing squad for the illegal possession of arms and ammunition after they were arrested at Ross Cottage near Borrisoleigh, on December 23, 1923.

The four men were: Frederick Burke from Curnaboola, Ileigh, Borrisoleigh aged 28; Patrick Russell, from Summerhill, Borrisoleigh, aged 26; Martin O’Shea from Garrangrena, Borrisoleigh, aged 22 and Patrick McNamara from Killaloe, Co. Clare, aged 22. All four were executed in Roscrea Castle Barracks. The executed men's remains were not returned to their families until the summer of 1924.

Pictured above are the members of Roscrea's Sean Treacy Cumann who organised the commemoration ceremony. Photo: PJ Wright

When the remains were eventually returned it was cause for tense military displays at a time when weapons and gatherings were forbidden.

Guest speaker at the event, Deputy Louise O'Reilly, Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Fingal and Sinn Fein Spokesperson on Workers' Rights, Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, addressed the crowd and was received a special presentation from the Treacy Cré Cumann.

Sinn Féin Tipperary TD, Deputy Martin Browne, pictured above at the cerenmony on Castle Street in Roscrea. Photo: PJ Wright

“We apogise to nobody for remembering our dead Republican heros”, Deputy O'Reilly said at the beginning of her address and drew attention to the plight of the people of Palestine and called on the Irish government to join with South Africa's action at the International Courts of Justice to increase the aid to UNWRA, to pass the occupied territories bill and to send a message to the wiorld and tell the Ambassador from Israel “to pack her bags and leave”.

“As Republicans we understand their cause and we stand with them in solidarity today in Roscrea”, Deputy O'Reilly said.
She said Sinn Féin will continue to fight for an “independent, united and equal Ireland which remains our primary objective”.

Wreath layers Michael Donovan and Paul Delaney. Photo: PJ Wright

“Irish unity is not merely an aspiration, it is achievable - a new and united Ireland can be realised and it is the responsibility of all of us who support Irish unity to realise the opportunity we have in front of us.

She criticised independent TD's from Tipperary for repeatedly supporting the government and accused Fianna Fail and Fine Gael of forming a government “solely to exlude us”.

Pictured above is the colour party during their march through Roscrea town centre to Roscrea Castle. Photos: PJ Wright

“We must not be complacent, we must seize the opportunities that we have and together we must reimagine the kind of society we want to build”, she said.

“Together, comrades, we are unstoppable”, she said.