Victims of Islandeady Ambush in 1921 are remembered at wreath-laying ceremony

Two victims of the Islandeady ambush were remembered at a wreath-laying ceremony organised by Islandeady Community Council yesterday evening.

Cousins Thomas O’Malley (20) and Thomas Lally (19) were shot dead by British soldiers at a failed ambush at Cloonkeen on May 6, 1921.

On the centenary of their deaths a wreath was laid at the monument erected to their memory at Cloonkeen by relatives and friends of those who took part in the ambush.

Quoting from the Gospel, Mr. Liam Keaveney, chairman of Islandeady Community Council, said: 'A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.’

He continued: “Thomas Lally and Thomas O’Malley were shot at this location 100 years ago today.

"They were unfortunate to have been murdered by the Black and Tans, but in the romantic sense they both laid down their lives so that their friends and comrades could escape to continue to fight another day."

Mr Keaveney said conflict and war is cruel and unnecessary where no side ever wins and family and loved ones only lose.

“We are not here today to say the Crown forces were right or wrong.

"We are not here to say the local Islandeady IRA unit was brave or foolish.

"We are here to remember and honour two local young men from Islandeady who tragically lost their lives and who, if things had worked out differently, I’m sure would have married and lived locally and reared their families in the Free State and then the Republic.”

He thanked everyone who helped to remember the occasion and welcomed relatives of the Lally family.

He hoped the story of the ambush would eventually be displayed in a storyboard, a project that might be undertaken by the local heritage group.

Prayers were offered by Fr. Chris Brennan, Adm., Islandeady.