A CIVIL War commemoration will take place in Rathcabbin this week in remembrance of a local man who died in the conflict.
Séan Moylan grew up in Gurteen, Rathcabbin, and joined the anti-Treaty side during the war. He died in terrible conditions in the internment camp in Curragh and was buried in Pallas Graveyard, Rathcabbin.
Séan’s father John and his mother Mary reared their family in Gurteen, Rathcabbin, in the home where their descendants still live. There were eight children in the family but two died in their infancy. The children were Michael, Séan, Katie, Sarah, Bridget, Mary, Anne and Margaret.
During his childhood Seán fell ill with typhoid fever. He also succumbed to diphtheria and was sent to Birr Hospital where he made a full recovery.
Both Seán and his brother Michael joined the IRA. According to a relative, Séan was “a great sport, and all the girls loved him. Michael who joined up from the beginning of the War of Independence was more serious; he was the real army type.” During the period when they were both members of the IRA during the War of Independence, Michael continued to work on the family farm and Séan worked in the County Council and was a postman.
“In the early days Séan wasn’t inclined to join the IRA,” Cllr Seamus Morris told the Midland Tribune. “During a time of such great upheaval many people were uncertain what path they should take. Eventually Seán decided to join. One day Michael pointed out to Seán that one of them would have to go on full time active service. The reason for this choice was both parents were elderly, and one of the sons would have to remain at home to look after the place. It was decided that Séan would go, and he joined a Flying Column. Michael remained at home, where he was still able to continue his local IRA activities, blocking off roads when the need arose, gathering intelligence, locating safe houses and organising dumps for arms and ammunition.”
When the Civil War broke out both brothers joined the anti-treaty side and both of them were interned during the conflict. “Séan was picked up by Free State forces after an incident in Borrisokane in 1922,” continued Cllr Morris. “He spent most of his time in Maryborough (now Portlaoise) prison. During those troubled times Seán endured severe hardship, particularly in the Curragh internment camp where he was transferred for treatment. Conditions there were terrible. They were receiving very rough treatment, and as a result the internees were protesting. On one occasion they burned down their compound in protest, and as a result spent a considerable time out in the open, enduring cold, hunger and rain. Subsequently, Seán’s health deteriorated rapidly. He developed Diphtheria again which made breathing and swallowing difficult. He was taken to Hospital and operated on, but was returned to the prison compound before he had fully recovered. He died in the camp. His death was the result of the neglect he suffered while a prisoner. He was a prisoner in the Curragh camp for a year.”
Cllr Morris said that after his death two or three soldiers called to the Moylan home in Rathcabbin and asked if the family wished to collect the remains for burial in Rathcabbin or if they would like him to be buried in the Curragh. The family were determined that he not be buried in the Curragh because of the bad treatment he had suffered there. They asked for the body to be brought home. Local men Fr Hayes and Mick Morris drove up to the camp in a motor hearse and collected the remains; which were brought to the chapel in Rathcabbin; and after mass the coffin was carried on the shoulders of relatives and fellow soldiers to Pallas graveyard. Séan died on June 12th, 1923, aged 25.
Cllr Morris said the North Tipperary Republican Commemoration Committee will hold a commemoration to remember Séan, 100 years after his death, at Pallas Graveyard (R42TW60) on June 9th at 8pm in the evening. All are welcome to attend.
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