PICTURES: Anniversary of 1923 Roscrea Castle executions marked at moving commemoration

USE ARROWS OR CLICK NEXT TO SEE MORE PICTURES

Pictured above are oganisers of the commemoration with members of the Ella O'Dwyer/Treacy Cré Cumann and Cathaoirleach of Roscrea Sinn Féin, Michael Donovan, Matt Carthy, Seanadóir Maria McCormack and Clls David Dunne and Sean Maher

The 103nd 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 (Jan 26) organised by the Roscrea Treacy Cré Sinn Féin Cumann.

Despite wet conditions the event attracted a crowd who braved the weather and marched through the town centre from the Lourdes Road carpark, along Main Street and ending for speeches and a wreath laying ceremony at Roscrea Castle.

The Sinn Féin Ella O’Dwyer Treacy Cré Cumann in Roscrea organised the annual commemoration on Sunday last, which marked the 103rd anniversary of the Civil War executions of IRA Volunteers, Frederick Burke, Patrick Russell, Martin O’Shea and Patrick McNamara by Freestate firing squad in the grounds of Roscrea Castle.

Cathaoirleach of North Tipperary Sinn Féin, Dan Harty chaired proceedings and guest speaker at the event was Sinn Féin TD for Cavan / Monaghan and party spokesperson and Cathaoirleach of the Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Matt Carthy.

Also in attendance was former Tipperary Sinn Féin TD, Martin Brown; Laois based Senator, Maria McCormack and Carrick-on-Suir based County Councillor, David Dunne and Cllr. Sean Maher.

READ NEXT: Black ice and speeding on Dunkerrin to Templemore road alarms councillors

As in previous years the organisers again requested permission from the OPW to hold their commemoration event inside the grounds of Roscrea Castle for the 2026 commemoration, but were not facilitated.

The Tipperary Roll of Honour was read by Brian Kirwan and John Carthy read the Irish Proclamation beneath the commemorative plaque installed by the Treacy Cré Cumann.

Guest speaker, Deputy Matt Carthy, a senior figure in the party, was first elected as a town councillor at age 21 and was the first Sinn Féin Mayor or Carrickmacross Town Council. He was later elected as an MEP for the Midlands North West constituency in 2014 and was first elected as TD for Cavan / Monaghan in 2020 following the retirement of Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin.

In his opening remarks Deputy Carthy condemned the government and OPW for again not permitting the commemoration to happen “on the spot where these four men were executed instead of out on the street.”

He said the event remembers four young men who were part of Tipperary's “proud and long history in the struggle for Irish freedom and Independence - having led the way particularly during the Tan War.”

“I'm pleased to say a united Ireland is nearer than it has ever been - the north has changed, the orange state is gone. Those who have held power in this State since WT Cosgrove and Kevin O'Higgins ordered the execution of the four men in Roscrea - they're clingin to power, but they know that change is coming.

READ NEXT: PICTURES: Age Friendly Roscrea celebrate at Clonakenny dinner party

“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael can only band together to keep Sinn Féin out - their days are numbered and I think increasingly they know it,” Deputy Carthy said.

Deputy Carthy said it is time for Ireland to reassert sovereignty and “not be dictated to or pushed around by the EU or anyone else.”

He said SF are looking towards the future with optimism and hope to create an Ireland for all her people - “we are determined to make that Republican vision a reality.”

EXECUTIONS IN ROSCREA CASTLE

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.

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