Search Results for 'Michael Casey'

Week VI

The horrific Maamtrasna murders, the arrest of 10 men, the rush to ‘justice’, the evidence of the Cappanacrehas (known to be bitter enemies of the murdered Joyces), the two informers Anthony Philbin and Thomas Casey (whose false evidence led to penal servitude for life for five innocent men, and the execution of one innocent man), was followed in minute detail not only throughout Ireland, but in Britain and among the Irish communities in America. Yet nowhere did it impact more than on the mountainside community of Maamtrasna .

The brutal killing of the Joyce family, the subsequent round up of the 10 accused, their trial and the sentencing of three men to hang, while the rest pleaded guilty and faced a life of penal servitude, gripped the public yet again when it had barely recovered from the Phoenix Park murders. In particular the evidence by the Cappanacrehas, and by Philbin and Casey understandably caused deadly resentment in Connemara, which still finds an echo today.

Then on August 17 the so called Maamtrasna Murders were committed. It was a crime that the local police dreaded not only because of its horrific nature, but because of the unlikelihood that the perpetrators would ever be found. Usually in a closeknit community, such as at Maamtrasna , the murderers would never be revealed, at least never to the police.

Two healthcare professionals have called out the urgent need for inpatient treatment services for those addicted to cocaine in a documentary broadcast on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta yesterday about the cocaine problem in Connemara.

The 38th annual Conamara Sea Week takes place in Letterfrack from October 22 to 31. This annual celebration of the wonderful marine and cultural heritage of Connemara has something for everyone with workshops, art, music, talks, walks, and more. This year’s festival will also focus on climate action and aims to engage and empower young people to become agents of positive change.

1925

It was an historic day for Hollymount. There was a real buzz about the village as the 50th Anniversary International road races took place on Sunday. Conditions on the day were tough to say the least. It was a day for digging in, supporting, enduring and above all celebrating a unique event in Irish athletics. For a race that was 'baptised' in 1966, uisce played a big part in the day, not least during the short flood on the Kilrush loop. It never dampened the enthusiasm or enjoyment of participants, and reminded us that sport reveals the greatest of the human spirit. And we needed that reminder after recent events.