On Saturday November 14 1920, Fr Michael Griffin was lured from his house on Montpelier Terrace by three men. By the Monday, there was no sign of him.
A waitress working in Teach na mBia on William Street overheard a Black and Tan saying, “There was a bloody parson shot last night.” A Tan in Hession’s pub in Mary Street was reported to have said, “The parson is in the bog.” Only on Friday November 20, was his body was found near Barna village. It was believed that before this he was taken to Lenaby Castle on Taylor's Hill, where Black and Tans were stationed.
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To commemorate the 100th anniversary of his murder, Galway West Sinn Féin will hold a commemorative event on its Facebook page. This will involve a live broadcast of a lecture by local historian Cormac Ó Comhraí at 7pm this Saturday.
Recently, Galway Sinn Féin erected posters of the priest around places associated with him - Montpelier Terrace, outside his home; Claddagh, where he administered to families; and in Barna.
