Bob Byrne fought for Irish freedom
February 1985
MILITARY honours were rendered at the graveside in St. Peter’s cemetery on Thursday morning last as the remains of Mr. Robert (Bob) Byrne, 9 St. Brigid’s Terrace, Scarlet St., Drogheda, were laid to rest. A detachment from *B’ Company, 27th Batt, Eastern Command, Gormanston Camp, under Sergt. Brannigan, fired a volley of three rounds as a final tribute to a man who had played his part in Ireland’s fight for freedom.
As briefly reported in our last issue, Bob died at his residence on the previous Tuesday followiing a brief illness. Aged 85 years, he was son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Matt Byrne, Boyne Place, Dyer Street, and from the early age of 16 years was employed as a general operator in the building and undertaking business of Frank Watson & Son, Dyer Street.
Bob, by his gentle manner and pleasantness, won many friends of all persuasions and creeds and for years was a familiar figure in the town centre of Dyer Street, his cheery salutation was always a pleasure to acknowledge.
His passing came within a month of his great friend, Harry Fairclough, whose funeral he attended on Christmas Eve. Like Harry, Bob joined the 1st Batt, 9th Brigade, 1st East Division Old I.R.A. and also played a leading role in the formation of the Fianna Fail Party and the local St. Marys 77 Cumann.
At the outbreak of the Civil War he was one of the 200 or so Republicans who occupied Millmount Barracks. He remained a very active member of the party down through the years and it was fitting that members of the organistion from all cumainn in the area, led by Deputies P. Faulkner and S. Kirk, should have formed a guard of honour as the cortege made its way from Our Lady of Lourdes Church to St. Peter’s cemetery on Thursday.
On the previous evening as the remains were removed from Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital to the church, the guard of honour was drawn from members of the Flanagan-Stewart Cumann. The coffin was draped with the Irish tricolour.
Bob is survived by his wife, Lily, a member of the Conaghy family; daughter, Mary (Mrs. Moore); son, Matt; grandchildren, Liz, Brendan, Paul, Gary and Conor; son-in-law, Brendan Moore; daughter-inlaw, Cepta Byrne; brotherin-law, Jem Conaghy, nieces and other relatives to whom deep sympathy is extended.
Rev. L. Caraher, S.M., C.C., St. Peter’s, who also received the remains the previous night, celebrated the Requiem Mass. Also present were Rev. M. McVeigh, C.C, St. Peter’s, and Rev. Fr. Peter, O.F.M., spiritual director of the men’s section of the Secular Order of St. Francis of which Bob was a member for many years. Fr. Caraher, assisted by Fr. Peter, officiated at the graveside.
Amongst the large attendance were Deputies P. Faulkner and S. Kirk, Aid. C. O’Brien, Aid. F. Godfrey, Coir. T. Murphy, Coir. A. Farrell, Coir. R. Dempsey, Mr. Matt Nolan, chairman, Drogheda Harbour Commissioners; Mr. Michael Cullen, Mr. Pat Smith, Mr. Michael O’Brien, Mr. Pat Farrell and many other members of the Fianna Fail party.