PHOTOS: Commemorating three young men executed in Dundalk Military Barracks 100 years ago

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All photos: Arthur Kinahan

Louth and East Meath Fianna Fáil in conjunction with Dundalk and District Old IRA gathered at the Republican plot in Dowdallshill Graveyard in Dundalk, for a poignant and important event to remember three young local men who were executed in Dundalk Military Barracks 100 years ago.

The crowd from all over Louth came together to commemorate the centenary of the deaths of Joseph (Josie) Ferguson (4th Northern Division IRA), James Melia (4th Northern Division IRA), Thomas Lennon (4th Northern Division IRA) who were executed by firing squad in Dundalk Military Barracks on the morning of the 22nd of January 1923.

It was a poignant gathering with representatives of the three executed present along with three individuals leading the procession and laying the wreaths to remember their family’s desperate loss. Anita Roddy represented the Ferguson family, Sean Farrell represented the Lennon family and, John Melia representing the Melia family.

The Proclamation was read by Senator Erin McGreehan, the oration was given by Cllr Conor Keelan. The Dundalk Brass Band were also present playing the Last Post and Amhrán na bhFiann. Senator McGreehan commented that “we are going through a period of remembering desperate heartache and loss, the loss that mothers, fathers and loved ones had to endure.

“That legacy of pain travels through generations, that hurt remains within a family and a community.She continued, “it is important to commemorate these events, like we did on the 13th January for Thomas McKeown, Piedmount, Lordship, John McNulty, Belleeks, Co. Armagh and Thomas Murray, Killcarn, Navan, Co. Meath who were executed in Dundalk Gaol. 

Senator Erin McGreehan noted that “in the last letter that Volunteer Josie Ferguson wrote to his mother before his execution he asked to be remembered and I hope that he would be happy that 100years later his family, his community remember. It is incredibly sad. We as a Fianna Fáil organisation remember the loss that was put upon people 100 years ago. We think about the lives and the memories that that these young men didn’t get to make. They didn’t get a chance to grow old in the country that they loved.”

According to Senator McGreehan, she personally feels that it is a “real pity that the State are not collectively acknowledging all those who were executed under orders of the Cumann na nGaedheal Government.” Senator McGreehan concluded with the comment, “it was a cruel time, that Government made the decision to execute their fellow Irish men. They didn’t have to do [that].”