Signal Captain Jack Lawlor of B.Co2 Kerry no.1 brigade a native of Ballyheigue a member of the Irish Republican Army was killed in fighting the Irish Free State Troops in the Irish Civil War.∼Jack Lawlor
Born near Ballyheigue, Co. Kerry in September 1900.
Served in the Ballyheigue Company, 2nd Batt., Kerry No.1 Brigade, IRA.
On 30 October 1922, a Free State patrol entered the Ballyheigue area, raiding houses. The IRA unit, being no match against the numerical and armoured strength of the Free Staters had already fled from the locality. Fearing that some of the hidden arsenal might be uncovered, Lawlor and several comrades decided to return to Ballyheigue, hoping to get in and get out with their rifles secured. That night, Lawlor was discovered alone and was wounded by gunfire while trying to escape.
The next morning, his body was found riddled with bullets in St. James' Cemetery and his fingers broken. It had been clear that Lawlor had grabbed hold of the graveyard gate as he was being carried in. The Free State soldiers beat off his grip with their rifle butts and Lawlor was finally shot dead. He was later buried by his loved ones in the same cemetery in which he was murdered.
Born near Ballyheigue, Co. Kerry in September 1900.
Served in the Ballyheigue Company, 2nd Batt., Kerry No.1 Brigade, IRA.
On 30 October 1922, a Free State patrol entered the Ballyheigue area, raiding houses. The IRA unit, being no match against the numerical and armoured strength of the Free Staters had already fled from the locality. Fearing that some of the hidden arsenal might be uncovered, Lawlor and several comrades decided to return to Ballyheigue, hoping to get in and get out with their rifles secured. That night, Lawlor was discovered alone and was wounded by gunfire while trying to escape.
The next morning, his body was found riddled with bullets in St. James' Cemetery and his fingers broken. It had been clear that Lawlor had grabbed hold of the graveyard gate as he was being carried in. The Free State soldiers beat off his grip with their rifle butts and Lawlor was finally shot dead. He was later buried by his loved ones in the same cemetery in which he was murdered.
Signal Captain Jack Lawlor of B.Co2 Kerry no.1 brigade a native of Ballyheigue a member of the Irish Republican Army was killed in fighting the Irish Free State Troops in the Irish Civil War.∼Jack Lawlor
Born near Ballyheigue, Co. Kerry in September 1900.
Served in the Ballyheigue Company, 2nd Batt., Kerry No.1 Brigade, IRA.
On 30 October 1922, a Free State patrol entered the Ballyheigue area, raiding houses. The IRA unit, being no match against the numerical and armoured strength of the Free Staters had already fled from the locality. Fearing that some of the hidden arsenal might be uncovered, Lawlor and several comrades decided to return to Ballyheigue, hoping to get in and get out with their rifles secured. That night, Lawlor was discovered alone and was wounded by gunfire while trying to escape.
The next morning, his body was found riddled with bullets in St. James' Cemetery and his fingers broken. It had been clear that Lawlor had grabbed hold of the graveyard gate as he was being carried in. The Free State soldiers beat off his grip with their rifle butts and Lawlor was finally shot dead. He was later buried by his loved ones in the same cemetery in which he was murdered.
Born near Ballyheigue, Co. Kerry in September 1900.
Served in the Ballyheigue Company, 2nd Batt., Kerry No.1 Brigade, IRA.
On 30 October 1922, a Free State patrol entered the Ballyheigue area, raiding houses. The IRA unit, being no match against the numerical and armoured strength of the Free Staters had already fled from the locality. Fearing that some of the hidden arsenal might be uncovered, Lawlor and several comrades decided to return to Ballyheigue, hoping to get in and get out with their rifles secured. That night, Lawlor was discovered alone and was wounded by gunfire while trying to escape.
The next morning, his body was found riddled with bullets in St. James' Cemetery and his fingers broken. It had been clear that Lawlor had grabbed hold of the graveyard gate as he was being carried in. The Free State soldiers beat off his grip with their rifle butts and Lawlor was finally shot dead. He was later buried by his loved ones in the same cemetery in which he was murdered.
