Thomas was saved from firing squad

THE story of Thomas McCann from the Platten Road is an extraordinary one.

He passed away exactly 50 years ago, an achievement in itself, as he was destined to die by firing squad many decades earlier. He was reprieved the day before he was to be killed.

Thomas, with his brother Joseph, left the Irish Guards in Britain to join the Free State Army on its formation.

However, some months loter, Thomas was one of those who left the army as a protest against the execution of Irregulars, as they were called at the time, but unlike the others he took with him a lorry-load of arms and ammunition which he handed over to the Republican forces which he joined.

Captured shortly afterwards, Thomas was tried as a deserter (and also in connection with the removal of the guns), and was sentenced to death.

Local influences, notably those of the late Seamus Murphy, Cumann na nGael T.D., and Fr. Nulty, Pastor of St. Mary’s parish, were used in the condemned man’s favour and he wos reprieved to be released after the Civil War with the other prisoners.

Born in Duleek Street in 1901, Thomas worked for many years as a dock labourer with the British and Irish Steampacket Co.

A skilled footballer he played with the Wolfe Tones from the mid 1920s to the late 1930s, winning Louth Championship and Cardinal O’Donnell Cup medals and other trophies.

He was survived by his brothers John and Stephen; sisters, Mrs. Mary Ann Murphy and Mrs. “Pa “Maguire, and by nieces, nephews and other relatives.

His funeral mass was in St. Mary’s Church, by Rev. M. Deegon, C.C., and the funeral took place to Calvary.

During the interment, an oration was given by Mr. Laurence Grogan, prominent Co Louth member of Sinn Fein and the Last Post and Reville was sounded by a member of the Drogheda Brass Band.