When Civil Unrest Meant Priestly Tensions - Ballinrobe event

Photo:St. Mary's RC Church, Main St, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, Ireland

St. Mary's RC Church, Main St, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, Ireland

By John Healy of the Mayo News Tuesday February 9th, 2016

Extracted by Averil Staunton

 

After the Tourmakeady Ambush of 1921 in which two RIC constables and an IRA volunteer died, the remains of all three were removed to St. Mary’s Church [RC] in Ballinrobe.

 The parish priest Fr. D’Alton, directed that the IRA victim’s coffin would be placed before the high altar; those of the policemen to be placed before the side altars. In spite of RIC protest; Fr. D’Aton refused to change the arrangements.

Later that day, the priest accompanied Dr. Gilmartin, Archbishop of Tuam, to Ballinrobe RIC barracks to offer his condolences, describing the victims as men ‘of exceptional character'.

See more at: Ballinrobe and South Mayo's Fight for Freedom 1916

 

 

This page was added by Averil Staunton on 09/03/2016.
Comments have been temporarily disabled while we update the site. They'll be turned back on when we launch the new version of the site in a few weeks' time.