100 YEARS SINCE THE ARDEE MURDERS
NOVEMBER 30 WILL MARK THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MURDER OF SEAN O’CARROLL AND PATRICK TIERNEY, TAKEN FROM THEIR BEDS AND EXECUTED IN ARDEE. HUBERT MURPHY LOOKS BACK AT A SHOCKING PERIOD IN LOCAL HISTORY.
LATER this year there are plans to commemorate two men who left a lasting impression on the whole fabric of Ardee - Sean O’Carroll and Patrick Tierney, both of whom were taken from their homes and shot dead on November 30, 1920. As a tribute to them, two streets were renamed in their honour in the mid Louth town - but who were O’Carroll and Tierney and how did they die.
In 2012, Sean King, Rosemary King, Matt Duffy and David Higgins produced a document that detailed much of the debate at the time.
Media reports at the time stated that O’Carroll and Tierney were taken from their homes by ‘armed and uniformed men’ and were part of a ‘ black list’ - with up to 40 names and it stated that all the men on it were ‘ wanted’.
Sean O’Carroll was a teacher and was living in lodgings. He was taken from the house and brought to a spot near the railway station where he was shot with a revolver.
His cries attracted the attention of local residents who carried him to a house and summoned a doctor and a priest. He died shortly afterwards.
Tierney, who was also aged between 30 and 35, was the son of a local farmer. He was taken a short distance from his house and killed.
Other homes were also targeted, the house of
Michael Grace in Castle Street searched, along with the offices of solicitor JJ Lynch, Michael McGinn, Catherine Gibney from Castle St and Patrick Keeley, egg and poultry merchant.
James Farrelly from Clogherhead was active in the Republican movement and lived on Railway Street. He had spent time in Frongoch in Wales.
On the night of the murders, he heard the shots and escaped down the railway line, the Black and Tans coming to search his home just minutes later.
He would later become a Captain in the Free State army. He became post master in Ardee up to his death in 1948. His son was noted local historian Vincent Farrelly.
A military court of inquiry was held in private into the O’Carroll and Tierney murders and the solicitor for the men was ejected as he objected to the proceedings.
A few days later, both men were laid out - side by side - in the church and large crowds assembled to recite the Rosary.
Mr O’Carroll’s mother came from Belfast to journey home with her son’s body
Both men received the ultimate honour in 1951 when the Drogheda Independent reported that two streets were re-dedicated to both men.
Railway Street and Tisdale Street were rcnamed O’Carroll Street and Tierney Street respectively in memory of Captain Sean O’Carroll and Quartermaster Patrick Tierney of the I.R.A.
The Ardee Brass and Reed Band headed a torchlight procession to Railway Street where two minutes silence was observed, after which the band played “Faith of our Fathers “and the National Anthem. The same ceremony was then carried out in Tisdale Street.
Mr. Eugene Kavanagh, N.T., Marlboro Street,
Dublin, Brigadier in the I.R.A.. in dedicating the two streets, said:—” We come here to-night as fellow Irishmen and women to commemorate the memory of two young Irishmen who laid down their lives that we might be free.
‘It is 31 long years ago since that terrible night, when the blood of these men was shed so that you, the people of Ardee and Ireland, might
enjoy the freedom which we possess to-day.
‘It is also fitting that the band should play “Faith of our Fathers” for these men fought and died for physical and religious freedom. They knew of Ireland’s fight down through the ages: they had the will to win, and gave their lives for their high ideals. Their comrades are here tonight to pay homage to them. One comrade I would like to mention in particular, the late Mr. James Farrelly, who recently died. We are proud of them and I hope the people will fight for the Faith as these men have done.”
Continuing. Mr. Kavanagh said:— “I welcome on this platform Dr. P. J. Steen who was medical officer to the Brigade and who was ready at any time I called on his services to attend a wounded comrade. I would also like to pay tribute to the late Dr. Lyons, Bishop of Kilmore, and the late Joseph T. Dolan. These men braved the murder gang to render what assistance they could to the unfortuante men.
‘In honour of the supreme sacrifice made by Sean O’Carroll and Patrick Tiemey I now, on behalf of you people of Ardee, dedicate Sean O’Carroll Street and Patrick Tierney Street.” (
Mr. J. T. O’Kelly, Rogerstown, Chairman, Ardee Unit Old I.R.A said that the old I.R.A. felt something should be done to commemorate the sacrifice these two young men have made—a p e r p e t u a 1 memorial.’
Senator James T. McGee said:—’If I was asked to comment on what has been said here, I would add to the tributes paid to the memory of Scan O’Carroll and Patrick Tierney if that was possible. I was not in the vicinity of Ardee on that night 31 years ago (Mr. McGee was arrested a week previously and interned in Ballykinlar) when the blood of our two young men stained the soil of their own beloved country. Their greatest reward is that their memory will live forever.
‘ The Commissioners having agreed, the old I.RA. have to-night taken one step forward to commemorate the memory ol these two men. It is also intended to erect a memorial in the town when the necessary funds have been raised.
‘I would like to say here that Martin Tierney is the person responsible for having Castleguard Textile Co. in Ardee. Finally I would appeal to the younger generation to learn and be faithful to the ideals for which Sean O’Carroll and Patrick Tierney died.
Others on the platform were Mr. Thomas Keelan, Detective Branch, Dublin Castle (Commandant, I.RA.), Mr. Patrick J. Kearney, Housing Officer, Louth County Council, Mr. Martin Tierney, Dr. P. J. Steen.
IT IS 31 LONG YEARS AGO SINCE THAT TERRIBLE NIGHT, WHEN THE BLOOD OF THESE MEN WAS SHED SO THAT YOU, THE PEOPLE OF ARDEE AND IRELAND, MIGHT ENJOY THE FREEDOM WHICH WE POSSESS TO-DAY.