Republican News · Thursday 6 February 2002

Executed Civil War Volunteers honoured in Tuam

BY JOE DESMOND, PRO, Tuam Martyrs Cumann

On Saturday 20 January 1923, five men were taken out from Costume Barracks, Athlone, lined up by a wall and by the orders of the highest command in the Free State Forces, were executed by firing squad.

Three of the executed men, Captain Martin Banks, Captain Stephen Joyce and Captain Micheal Walsh came from the Caherlistrane area of County Galway. Volunteer Hubert Collins came from Kickeen, Headford. Captain Thomas Hughes came from Bogganfin, Athlone.

None of their relations were informed of their execution until the following day. The bodies of the five were buried where they died.

What is evident from the moving letters the five condemned men wrote to their parents, brothers and sisters on the night before they died is their deep religious faith, their patriotism, their love of country and their belief in the cause they were about to die for.

Ernie O'Malley's observation of the Volunteers comes to mind; "Pearse kindled in them a fire which was never extinguished until they lay dead on the hillsides or buried with quick-lime against a barrack wall."

Their letters also confirm that even in their darkest hour they were visionary, which this letter from Frank Cunnane to his mother confirms; "There may be some who think that our line of action is a hopeless and foolish one, but the voices of Pearse and Plunkett and those who died for the same cause in 1916, inspired me to follow in their footsteps and I am confident the vindication of the sacred cause will come in some generation or another."

Finally, on 28 October 1924, the bodies of the five executed soldiers were released through the back-gate of Costume Barracks, Athlone. Thomas Hughes was buried in his native Athlone. It was nearly midnight when the bodies of the other executed soldiers arrived in Tuam. It was the biggest funeral procession ever seen in the town.

The interment took place at the Republican Plot at Donaughpatrick Burial Ground on 30 October 1924 after 11am Mass at Headford. A general day of mourning was observed in Tuam and surrounding towns.

In a mark of respect for these men and their sacrifice, Tuam Sinn Féin held a candle-lit vigil at the Headford Crossroads on Monday evening, 20 January, 80 years to the day of the executions. Cumainn from Galway City, Loughrea, Ballinasloe, GMIT, NUIG and Ballinrobe County Mayo, along with relatives of the martyred men made up a 40-plus gathering in support and respect for men from a part of the country that has given so much to Ireland, yet received so little from successive governments and politicians.

The relatives remarked that they were happy to see "someone doing something".

Tuam Sinn Fein is planning an event in April to commemorate six prisoners who were executed in the town by the order of the newly formed Free State Government of 1923. We hope this will mark of the beginning of a new era of politics in this often forgotten part of the country. We ask for all possible support as we aim to create a united policy of change for Galway and Ireland.