Executions at Dundalk Gaol commemorated

An event to remember the deaths of three men exactly 100 years ago was held at the site of their executions at Dundalk Gaol last week, with Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú giving an oration.

Thomas McKeown, Thomas Murray and John McNulty were commemorated at the event to mark their executions, by a six-man firing squad at Dundalk Gaol on January 13 1923.

Deputy Ó Murchú was joined by councillors Kevin Meenan, Edel Corrigan, Antóin Watters and Pearse McGeough, and the descendants of the executed men ahead of a wreath-laying ceremony at the Republican plot in St Patrick’s Cemetery.

In his oration, Deputy Ó Murchú said all three men had attended Mass the morning of their executions, and were given the Last Rites by three ‘brave’ priests who defied a ban by the Catholic Church on any sacraments being given to those being executed.

The local newspaper in Dundalk described the executions as ‘a terrible spectacle’. It was reported that the executions were ‘dreadful’ and ‘the people were shocked beyond description’.

It was also noted that all three were captured, charged, tried, found guilty and executed within days of their arrest.

In his final letter to his family, Mr McKeown, who was from Piedmont, Lordship, said there was ‘nothing troubling’ him after he had his confession heard.

Mr McKeown was arrested at the family farm at Piedmont on January 4 1923 and charged with having a revolver and 100 rounds of ammunition. Deputy Ó Murchú said:

“His family had a very different version and in a letter, Thomas McKeown’s brother said that he was murdered on a lie because he did not have a revolver and 100 rounds of ammunition.

“His brother said that when the Free State forces came into their house, they arrested the youngest son and they found two useless guns and six rounds of ammunition which did not fit the guns. He was arrested on a complete falsehood.”

He said this showed the “callousness and pettiness of the Free State who were executing people who did not have any level of seniority in the Republican movement.”

Thomas Murray, Deputy Ó Murchú said, was from Whitecross in Co Armagh, but lived in Navan. He, along with John McNulty from Belleeks, Co Armagh, was arrested at Hackballscross for possession of revolvers and ammunition on January 9 1923 and four days later they were executed.

Mr McNulty had originally given a false name to the Free State forces on his arrest, but gave his correct identity on the morning of his execution as he wanted his family to know what happened to him.

Mr Murray was reinterred in Navan a year and nine months after his execution, while Mr McKeown and Mr McNulty were reinterred in the Republican plot in Dowdallshill.

Deputy Ó Murchú said:

“These men fought and strived for an Irish republic which was something better than the two states we got – one sectarian and one conservative.”

After the event at Dundalk Gaol, wreaths were laid in remembrance of the three men at the Republican plot.

A further event, commemorating the centenary of the executions of James Melia, Thomas Lennon and Joseph Ferguson will be held at their execution site, Dundalk Military Barracks, at 8am on January 22.