TRIBUNE, 26th December, 2007 NEWS PAGE THIRTEEN This article is based on research related to Offaly and the Civil War executions published in the recently launched Offaly Historical and Archaeological Society (OHAS) annual journal Offaly Heritage. The journal will be available at the OHAS Research Centre at Bury Quay for €20 (€15 to OHAS members) early in the New Year. This week, in Part 1, local historian PHILIP McCONWAY looks at the execution of three Tullamore youths in Birr Castle. In Part 2, which will be published next week, the execution of two Offaly IRA Volunteers and a Leix IRA Volunteer will be covered.

OffalyPART 1 Collins over theAnd new constitu- natives Colum TheKelly, Patrick Civil War Executions Introduction tion, and the renunciation of Cunningham and William The Civil War is undoubtedly the Collins-de Valera pact. Conroy were tried by a military one of the most harrowing and Opportunistic Criminality court in Roscrea and executed tragic periods in modern Irish The general lawlessness dur- at Birr Castle on 26 January history. The lasting bitterness ing the Civil War greatly facili- 1923 for armed raids on houses was heightened by the fact that tated intimidation and robbery. at . They were over triple the number of offi- There was no shortage of found guilty and sentenced to cial executions was carried out unscrupulous individuals to death for possession without by the Free State than the take advantage of the troubled proper authority firearms, bur- Crown forces during the War of times for their own ends. glary of houses, stealing a sil- Independence. Six official exe- Robbers frequently masquer- ver watch, several sums of cutions were connected to aded under the name of the money, with other goods and Offaly during the Civil War. IRA. Free State leaders became chattels. The young gang’s Over 12,000 Republicans were more hard-line in their attitude downfall occurred when they imprisoned, often in poor, towards brigands. Michael held up a few farmers on their overcrowded conditions where Collins, Commander-in-Chief, way from Tullamore. The boys ill-treatment was common. was disgusted at the growing demanded money and the General Nevil Macready, levels of criminality: ‘There is farmers handed over about Commander-in-Chief of the a lot of plain looting, robbery, eighteen shillings. The farmers British Army in Ireland, and violence going on. It is later gave evidence at the remarked how the Free State common criminality and must court-martial in Roscrea. One overwhelmed the IRA, ‘by be punished…There are too crucial witness who sealed the means far more drastic than many guns in the country boys’ fate was an ex-member any which the British –uncontrolled guns, I mean – of the RIC. Government dared to impose and they have got to be got in.’ Conroy was briefly in the Free during the worst period of the As robbery, looting and anar- State Army but deserted to join Rebellion.’ In terms of fatali- chy became rife the unprotect- the IRA. He was deemed to be ties the War of Independence ed boats on the too young for the IRA and was remained a more violent period became a lucrative free-for-all refused admission to their with at least 24 people killed. for anyone wishing to engage ranks. A Republican related There was a minimum of 22 in theft. Cargoes of drapery, how the IRA objected to fatalities for the Civil War in drink, bacon, confectionary, Conroy’s youth: ‘…some of Offaly: 8 Free State Army (1 and other goods were favourite his friends raised objections as accidental), 6 IRA (1 acciden- targets for theft. Such was the to his age, saying he was too tal), and 8 civilians (2 acciden- scale of theft the Midland young. In fact, I myself was tal).There was major infra- Tribune reported that the ‘peo- one. With the result that he structural damage and econom- ple to whom the goods are con- went home.’ Rejected by the ic loss. Such was the gravity of signed get very little. Boats IRA, Conroy sought alternative arrive at their destinations adventure in crime. finances that it was dissolved more or less empty, and busi- Fr Pat Gaynor, C.C. Birr: A by the government in 1924. ness people are wondering if an Witness Account of the The Treaty air service would frustrate the Execution Under the terms of the Anglo- plans of the raiders.’ The local Fr Pat Gaynor, C.C. Birr, was Irish Treaty the Irish Free State press often blamed the rapa- one of two priests who served became a dominion within the cious public, many of whom as chaplains to the three boys. The scene of the execution at Birr Castle where the three Tullamore youths were blindfolded, tied to chairs and shot by a firing squad who took up positions inside the British Empire. On 7 January were people of standing in their Gaynor came from an ardent archway. 1922 the Treaty was passed in community. Numerous houses Republican background. He the Dáil by a narrow margin, and residences in many areas was imprisoned in Limerick 64 to 57 votes, but won deci- were looted. Furniture in Jail for his Republican activi- sive public backing in the June numerous mansions was ties in Clare during the War of election. The majority of peo- robbed and installed in houses Independence. A supporter of ple, the press, and the Catholic elsewhere. the Treaty he was also a step- Church supported the Treaty in The opportunistic withholding brother of Seán Gaynor, O/C Offaly. All four T.D.’s repre- of rates by the general public North Tipperary Brigade IRA senting Leix-Offaly supported proved to be a serious problem who, in the later stages of the the Treaty. Harry Boland, a and was denounced by Seán Civil War, was elevated to O/C leading anti-Treatyite, claimed O’Kelly, the chairman of 3rd Southern Division IRA, the unanimous support of the Offaly Co. Council: ‘This is which covered North Leix-Offaly T.D.’s for the one of the fruits of this row of Tipperary, Offaly and Leix. Fr Treaty was a ‘rather unique dis- which everybody is taking Gaynor was impressed by the tinction in Ireland’ and he advantage. It is a great harvest three boys’ calm and composed accused them of betraying the for rogues: they want to make demeanour before the execu- public mandate for a Republic. hay while the sun shines, and tion. In contrast, Fr Gaynor At an Anti-Treaty meeting in don’t care a devil about Free feared he would be overcome Tullamore Boland emphasized State or Republic. The only with the intense emotion and how the Treaty was signed thing they have in mind is horror of the imminent execu- Seán O’Kelly, Offaly Co. under duress by men ‘with a loot.’ O’Kelly would later tion. Fr Pat Gaynor, C.C. Birr, Council Chairman, was a pistol at their heads in London’ revile ‘highwaymen, burglars, Two hours before the execu- chaplain to the three vocal critic of the widespread and that the Crown forces left thieves, and ruffians’ exploit- tion the priest heard their con- Tullamore youths executed in criminality in Offaly. the country because they ing the collapse in security and fessions, said Mass and gave Birr on 26 January 1923. ‘found it impossible to govern stability: ‘Those armed ruffi- the youths Holy Communion. McGuinness, O/C 1st Battalion it.’ ans, going about holding up Accompanied by Fr Dinan he (Tullamore), Offaly No. 1 A recent plaque erected in Birr Castle to mark the 80th anniversary of the execution of the three Ultimately the Provisional inoffensive people and depriv- had breakfast with them and Gaynor gave a vivid account of Tullamore youths. The ages listed on the plaque are incorrect. Kelly was aged 22 and Cunningham the execution he witnessed: Brigade recalled how the IRA Government had a greater ing them of money and proper- accepted their last messages for ‘told them to go home out of was aged 20. Conroy was believed to be aged 16 although this has yet to be confirmed. Photo: desire to cower to British gov- ty. In that way we are outrival- relatives in Tullamore, includ- After this final treat, they were Philip McConway led away to one of the little compassion...they were all ernment pressure to implement ing the Black and Tans.’ ing a message for a girlfriend young.’ As with many people three Tullamore youths, these pound of flesh in a desperate former member of the 1st the Treaty than to accommo- The execution of Colum of one of the boys. Fifteen min- twin towers at the archway beside the Castle and were at the time they exploited the two criminals did not have the measure to stamp out criminal- Battalion (Tullamore), Offaly date their former comrades on Kelly, Patrick Cunningham, utes before the execution a break down in law and order as same family connections to ity was futile. The following No. 1 Brigade IRA but was the anti-Treaty side. This was and William Conroy. Free State Army officer taken upstairs to be blindfolded and to have pieces of white a convenient opportunity to Republicans which ensured they month armed criminals killed neutral in the Civil War. It was evident in the reneging of a In Offaly extreme measures enquired if they had any last engage in robbery. To max- were not included on the 77 list. John Finlay, 26, a drayman, not until a year after the Civil promise to maintain the IRA as were enforced in an attempt to request. Two of the boys asked cloth pinned over their hearts. The firing squad then took up imise the propaganda capital Futility of the Birr while carrying provisions and War ended that conditions the army of the Republic, the curb the growing anarchy for lemonade while the third out of the executions the IRA Executions some stimulants at Leabeg. returned to relative normality. perceived duplicity of Michael stalking the county. Tullamore asked for a bottle of stout. Fr position just inside the archway (between it and the Castle) claimed them as ‘Republican The executions in Birr were Finlay, a young man with a Offaly was one of a number of some rifles loaded with live Soldiers.’ The IRA may also overly harsh. The boys’ youth- powerful physique, resisted the counties which included Cork, cartridges, others with blanks, have wanted to save their ful exuberance and naivety raiders. He was then shot Leitrim, south Clare, south so that the soldiers would not Republican families from the lured them into the easy pick- through the heart by a raider , Tipperary and know who among them had shame and stigma that the ings of crime. They never armed with a rifle. A renowned Roscommon where the Gardaí fired the fatal bullets. criminal label implied. The harmed anyone. The Free GAA footballer who played for struggled to restore law and Fr Dinan and I stood near at boys were soon relegated to the State’s insatiable desire for a the Offaly team, he was also a order. hand, oilstocks opened. Three historical doldrums becoming chairs were placed, backs to the largely forgotten figures in East, opposite the firing squad, local history. After the execu- and at eight o’clock the blind- tion their bodies were bought folded youths were helped for burial to . In 1924 at down the stairs from the east- Blueball, Tullamore, large ern tower and were placed in crowds assembled to meet the the chairs and were tied to bodies of the executed boys for them. The tallest boy – without internment. The bodies of exe- any air of bravado –asked to be cuted Offaly IRA Volunteers left face the firing-squad stand- Patrick Geraghty and Joseph ing: there was not even a Byrne also arrived from tremor in his voice and his . The Midland comrades were equally calm Tribune reported there was a and brave. On being told that huge funeral procession which he must sit in the chair, he started for Tullamore. The obeyed without a word. coffins were draped with the Next moment a silent signal tricolour and the long proces- was given by the officer-in- sion of cars was noted as a charge and the shots rang out: remarkable feature. The boys’ two of the boys seemed to be bodies were laid side by side in unconscious, if not dead, but plots in Clonminch cemetery the third boy fell sideways and and to this day lie in unmarked the chair toppled over and he graves. In 2003 a plaque was lay, moaning and twitching, on unveiled in Birr Castle on the the ground. Fr Dinan and I 80th anniversary of their exe- rushed forward to give Extreme cution. Unction, but were told to wait; The Free State did not flinch then three young officers on any emotional grounds over advanced and placed revolvers the youth of the boys. Kelly against the boys’ temples and was aged 22 while fired one shot each to end their Cunningham was 20. Conroy agony. was believed to be aged 16 I anointed two, with all haste although this has yet to be con- and Fr Dinan anointed the other firmed. Another boy from boy. All my attention was fixed Shragh who carried a gun on my own part in the tragedy. belonging to his father on the But while I live I will remem- raids escaped execution. The ber how serenely they faced boy, aged 16, was pardoned death: how resigned they were because of his youth, the – poor victims of mischance! – alleged intervention of the making atonement for a boyish Catholic Church, and also the prank without a word of com- possible status of his family plaint. who were substantial farmers. Buried in Unmarked Graves in It was one of the first occasions Clonminch Cemetery where criminals were executed. The three boys were recorded Two bank robbers were execut- on the list of 77 Republicans ed in on 14 March officially executed. They were 1923 for armed raids on the not members of the IRA. Seán Hibernian and Northern banks Part of Colum Kelly’s original last letter to his mother. Kelly, aged 22, was executed in Birr Castle The unmarked graves of the three executed boys in Clonminch cemetery. Photo Philip McConway at Oldcastle, Meath. Unlike the on 26 January 1922. Courtesy: Rosaleen Monaghan