DramaasThomas Buckleyisheldat gunpointnear Duleek
Most of the ordinary readers of newspapers nowadays have become so used to seeing reports of raids, arrests, and hold-ups, that those things have now ceased- to more than mildly interest them, that when one hears the story of a daring escapade from the lips of the victim it assumes a new interest. The account of what happened to Mr. Thomas Buckley, Motor Car Owner, George’s St., Drogheda, is on a par with what appears in those penny magazines that cater for the sensational and the exciting.
On Saturday night last, the 31st January, he was visited at his house by two respectably dressed men, representing themselves to him as Insurance Agents, who asked him to drive them out to Gogan’s of Duleek to make enquiries about some hay that had been’burned.- This was at 7.15 p.m. He agreed to drive them, and they started at once, the two fares saying they wanted to be back in Drogheda in time to catch the 8.15 train to Dublin.
Both the passangers sat in the back of the motor car until they were outside the town, when one of them crossed over the seat and got into the front along with Mr. Buckley. He passed no notice of this. They were chatting away in a friendly fashion. When about half a mile this side of Duleek the man who was sitting in the front put over his foot and switched off the car, which stopped. Still Mr. Buckley’s fears were not aroused, and he had asked the man why he had done so. The-latter only replied that he could get out and start the car again.
Mr. Buckley did so, and was about to re-enter the car when both the men pointed revolvers at him in the most approved fashion, and without so much as saying by your leave proceeded to go through his pockets, relieving him of a half-crown which happened to be all the money he had about him, his silver watch, and his permit and license papers. They then tied him up gagging him, and fastening his hand with the straps, and threw him bodily into the back of the car.
When they had him tied up, he heard them whispering something about “will we shoot -him now ? “It is easy to imagine that he was not feeling entirely at his ease considering the nature of the situation in which he found himself. This was after 8 o’clock, on a lonely road on a dark night, in the company of strangers carrying revolvers, who, whatever their intentions, were evidently not of the strictly law-abiding type.
They then proceeded to drive the car towards Duleek, and when on the outskirts at Knockisland, owing to the unskilful manipulation of it, the car broke down. Mr. Buckley was . ordered out. his straps were removed and with two guns digging him in the small of the back, he was told to fix up the engine again. He was unable to do so. .and almost in the same breath was told to dislocate the engine, while the two men proceeded to help him in this. Having smashed the plugs, dislocated the coils and destroyed a new battery, they said they would set the car on fire. While this operation was in progress, one of the raiders, or whatever one likes to call them, happened to look up the road, and saw three police approaching at a short distance.
One of his companions told Mr. Buckley if he said a word that would, give them away, they would blow his brains out. The other man walked up to the police, saying the car had broken down and they pointed out Dr Tallon’s house, who might be able to help.
With that Buckley ran, and he shouted “Police, arrest those men, they have robbed me and smashed my car.” The police called to the other two to put up their hands, one of the police saying that if they didn’t do as they were told he would have no fooling with them. Buckley had then to walk between two fires up to the men, and hand them over to the police who kept all three covered. They were later handed over to the military for trial. in her native Baltray.
A member of the Sheridan family of Baltray, her husband, Dan, who was a well known and highly respected member of the local business community, predeceased her in 1978.
They raised a family of 12 children, all of whom, except one, are still living. Philomena died in 1982.
Devoted to her family, their welfare, and the care of her home, took up most of Mrs. Rock’s time and interest. A perfectionist, she always maintained very high standards, giving of her best to everything she undertook and encouraging her family to do likewise.
She enjoyed her home, her garden and the friendship of family and neighbours.
She was much loved by all her family, her children, her 46 grandchildren and 54 great grandchildren. While her passing has left a great void in their lives they have drawn solace from the appreciation of the long years of happiness that she enjoyed and the peace and serenity of her passing.
Requiem Mass was celebrated in Laytown Church by Monsignor John Hanly, assisted by Very Rev. John Hanratty, P.P. Monastcrboice.
The funeral took place to Rclig Mhuire where; Mgr. Hanly and Fr. Hanratty also officiated.
T. Gillespie, H O’Neill, M. Carolan, A. Malone C. Malone, M. Sharpe, T. Clarke P. McDonnell and S. McQuoid.