Today in 1921 Murder of Patrick and Harry Loughnane Patrick and Harry Loughnane lived at the family farm at Shanaglish, near Kinvara, with their mother and sister.Harry spent much of his time playing with children and one day hoped to be a primary school teacher but ill health prevented this from happening. Patrick played full-back for beagh and was described as a tower of strength. He had regretted not taking part in the Easter rising of 1916.Patrick was a local IRA leader and Sinn Féin secretary, he was also active in the local GAA. Harry was president of the local Sinn Féin club and a goalkeeper with Beagh hurling club. While working on the family farm in Shanaglish on the evening of November 26, the two brothers were arrested by the Black and Tans. Nothing was heard of, nor from, the boys until a week after their arrest when a group of Auxiliaries called to Mrs. Loughnane to inform her that her sons had escaped their capture. Ten days after they had been arrested their bodies were found in a muddy pond near Ardrahan. After being arrested the brothers were beaten for hours in Gort Bridewell. From there they were tied to the tailgate of a lorry and dragged along the roads.At Drumharsna Castle, the headquarters of the Black and Tans they were beaten again. At 11pm that night they were taken from Drumharsna Castle to Moy O’Hynes wood where they were shot. Witnesses have recounted that on Saturday morning, Harry was still alive and was heard moaning. On Sunday morning, the Auxiliaries took the bodies to Umbriste near Ardrahan where they were set alight. After their bodies were discovered they were examined by a local doctor. They were badly burnt and it was found that the letters ‘I.V.’ were cut into the charred flesh in several places, two of Harry’s fingers were missing and his right arm which was broken completely across the shoulder was hanging off. Both of Pat’s legs and wrists were broken. The doctor found that hand grenades had been put into their mouths and exploded. Despite a heavy Black and Tan presence in the area, Volunteer officers held an inquest and the verdict was inscribed on the breast plates of the coffins,At two oclock in the afternoon, the two coffins were taken down the road to the cemetery and laid side by side in a separate plot. As soon as the last sods had been placed in position six local Volunteers stepped forward and fired three volleys.
Posted on: Wed, 26 Nov 2014 22:42:25 +0000
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