New memorial to murdered men to be unveiled

limerick | rights and freedoms | event notice Saturday May 13, 2006 13:08 by Des Long - limerick republican information service lris at eircom dot net 52 ShannonBanks, Limerick 061 343314

Two men murdered by Crown Forces are to be remembered with the unveiling of a new memorial soon

A new memorial is to be unveiled to two Limerick men murdered by
Crown Forces - the ceremony takes place on the main Limerick to
Tipperary Road at the Cross of Grange on 21st May - all are welcome

Organising committee chairman Des Longs views the new memorial

Media Information from….
BLAKE/O’NEILL COMMEMORATION
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A memorial to two Limerick men murdered by Crown
Forces which was removed by Limerick County Council
during roadwork is being restored on Sunday 21st May
in a ceremony at the Cross of Grange on the main Limerick
to Tipperary Road.

Michael Blake and James O’Neill were murdered by Crown
Forces in 1920 and no one was ever brought to justice for the
crime according to local historian Des Long who is chairman
of the committee organising the event.

“These innocent men were gunned down by the Black and
Tans and a memorial erected to their memory was removed
by the local authority during road work in the area,” he said.

“We contacted the County Council in a bid to trace the memorial
and through the efforts of Councillor Eddie Wade it was agreed
that a new monument would be erected.

“The new memorial will be unveiled on Sunday 21st May by
well known County Limerick speaker Seamus O’Suillabhain
whose family were active in the War of Independence in the
area. Historian Tom Toomey will address the gathering on the
events leading to the murder of the two men and a wreath
will be laid by Joe Lynch, the chairman of Limerick Republican
Graves.

“The ceremony takes place at the Gross of Grange on the
main Limerick to Tipperary Road at the junction with the road to
Cappamore. We assemble at the cross roads and march to the
spot where the men were murdered for the unveiling at 3 o’clock.

“We would like to invite the general public to attend and to
hear the address by Tom Toomey who at present is researching
and writing a “History of the Limerick IRA during the War of Independence.”

(Ends)
Caption: Organising committee chairman Des Long view the new memorial
Issued on Friday 12th May 2006
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For confirmation contact Des Long on (061) 343314
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