1921

Abstract

This chapter looks at the deaths of the people who died in Ireland in 1921. Ex-serviceman Martin Heavy was abducted along with his mother, sister, young niece, and nephew on the night of December 30, 1920, by masked members of the Curraghboy Company, 4th Battalion, South Roscommon Brigade. Held overnight in a cattle shed, the family were taken next evening by 'mule and trap' through Knockcroghery to 'a big house'. His family were expelled, while Heavy 'was left behind with his hands tied'. Thrown into the Shannon River, his body was never recovered. Ten Curraghboy Company Volunteers were arrested in January of 1921, each suffering 'a severe beating'. Meanwhile, Michael McGrath was one of about fifty of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) who mounted an ambush at Pickardstown. McGrath was killed on the Ballinattin road; he was the first Waterford city volunteer killed during the War of Independence.