This article appeared in the
Irish Independent January 1923
Terrible Co. Carlow Tragedy.
Young Man Shot Dead
On Friday week an appalling tragedy was enacted
in the house of Mr. E. S. Maffett, soir.. Thornville, Palatine.
Details are lacking, because the inquest adjourned after hearing
two witnesses who merely gave formal evidence. But the facts are
that Edward Snoddy, aged about 18, formerly of Blackbog, and J.
Birmingham, Ke1listown, were fired at in Thornville. Palatine.
Snoddy was shot in the back and Bermingham was shot through the
jaw, the bullet entering one side and coining out in the other.
After the tragedy Miss Maffett cycled to the Carlow Military
Barracks to give word and she came back in the lorry with the
military, who conveyed the dead body of Snoddy to the barracks,
and also the wounded man to the hospital, and placed a guard on
the house. Mr. R. P. McDonald, Coroner, opened an inquest in the
Carlow military barracks on Saturday touching the death of
Edward Snoddy, who was shot dead at Mr. E. S. Maffett's
residences, Thornville, Palatine, on the previous day.
The following were sworn on the jury: — Messrs.
James J. Dunphy (foreman). J. P. Pidgeon, Garrett Hearns, Robt.
S. Moore, Jas. Corcoran, James Kelly, John Coakley, John
O'Neill, Thos. Doyle, Thomas Doran. William O'Neill, Thos.
Clarke. James Brien, Martin O'Rourke, John O'Neill, John
O'Brien, Jos. Russell, Patrick Carpenter, John Byrne, and James
Doyle.
Mr. P. J. Byrne, solr., represented the
next-of-kin of deceased.
Patrick Snoddy, deceased's father, identified
the body as that of .his son, who had been a railway porter. He
was a political prisoner till quite recently. He last saw him
about ten months ago. Dr. L. Doyle deposed to making a
superficial examination of the body. He found a bullet wound in
back of right forearm - an entrance wound - and a corresponding
exit wound on front of right forearm. There was .also a wound at
the back of the left shoulder, an entrance wound, and at the
right side of chest at lower level he found a bullet under the
skin. The cause of death was haemorrhage due to a bullet wound
of the lungs and probably the heart. In reply to members of the
jury, Dr. Doyle said in his opinion death was instantaneous. The
bullet (produced) was a revolver bullet of small pattern. It
looked as if the shots were fired from behind. In further reply,
Dr. Doyle said that the wounded man, Bermingham was not in a
position to give evidence, and he could not say when he would.
The inquest was adjourned till Monday. January
22nd at 3 o'clock.
THE FUNERAL.
On Saturday evening the remains were conveyed to
the father's residence, at Blackbog, where they lay overnight,
numerous people coming to pay their respect to the dead and
sympathy with the living. On Sunday, the interment took place in
the family burial ground, Ballinacarrig, and the funeral was
large, all classes, creeds and shades of political thought being
represented.
There was every evidence of sorrow and sympathy.
The funeral cortege was preceded by the Graiguecullen Fife and
Drum Band, playing appropriate music along the route. There were
several wreaths. Following the coffin was a large guard of
honour, composed of the dead man's comrades in the Carlow
Brigade I.R.A., and also the Carlow Cumann na mBan. The general
public followed. A volley was fired over the grave and the "Last
Post" sounded, and the large crowds then dispersed.
The following were the chief mourners:- Patrick
Snoddy (father). Mrs. Snoddy (mother): John, Michael and Thomas
(brothers): Mrs. Phelan, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Purcell, Mrs. Redmond
and Essie (sisters); Francis and Val. Slater (uncles); Mrs.
Walsh (aunt); Paddy and Ned Slater, John and Joseph Walsh, James
McCarthy, John, Thomas and Laurence Hayden and Val. Farrell
(cousins); Patrick Jones, Jos. Phelan, P. Purcell, and J.
Redmond (brothers-in-law).
Sent in by
Michael Purcell 2009
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