31 May 2001 Edition
Michael Barrett remembered
The public execution in London of Michael Barrett, a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood from near Montiagh, Fermanagh, was remembered at a special Mass in his honour last week on the anniversary of his execution on 26 May 1868.
The congregation which gathered in Montiagh chapel included a number of his relatives who are still living in the Montiagh district as well as others from Irvinestown and Ederney. It is thought that this was the first time a Mass was ever held in his memory.
The Mass was concelebrated by two priests from the parish, Frs Joe McVeigh and Pat McHugh. In the course of his tribute, McVeigh said it was important to remember Michael Barrett, who was unjustly killed by the state. He gave a brief outline of Barrett's life and the circumstances of his arrest and trial. He recalled how the evidence at his trial was contradictory and how many people of conscience at the time protested about the unfair trial.
Fr McVeigh called for the erection of a memorial in his memory both in the cemetery in London where he is buried and in his own native area.
Michael Barrett was arrested in Glasgow in January 1868 and charged with causing an explosion in London in December 1867. Even though he said he had never been to London in his life and even though many witnesses from Glasgow gave evidence that he was in Glasgow when the explosion took place he was found guilty and sentenced to death by public hanging.
``It is unfortunate that nearly all that is remembered about him now is that he was the last man to be hanged publicly,'' said McVeigh. ``I hope that future research will give us a fuller picture of this most courageous young man and will highlight the injustice of his killing. It is time he was vindicated. The British government should grant a posthumous pardon.''
The congregation which gathered in Montiagh chapel included a number of his relatives who are still living in the Montiagh district as well as others from Irvinestown and Ederney. It is thought that this was the first time a Mass was ever held in his memory.
The Mass was concelebrated by two priests from the parish, Frs Joe McVeigh and Pat McHugh. In the course of his tribute, McVeigh said it was important to remember Michael Barrett, who was unjustly killed by the state. He gave a brief outline of Barrett's life and the circumstances of his arrest and trial. He recalled how the evidence at his trial was contradictory and how many people of conscience at the time protested about the unfair trial.
Fr McVeigh called for the erection of a memorial in his memory both in the cemetery in London where he is buried and in his own native area.
Michael Barrett was arrested in Glasgow in January 1868 and charged with causing an explosion in London in December 1867. Even though he said he had never been to London in his life and even though many witnesses from Glasgow gave evidence that he was in Glasgow when the explosion took place he was found guilty and sentenced to death by public hanging.
``It is unfortunate that nearly all that is remembered about him now is that he was the last man to be hanged publicly,'' said McVeigh. ``I hope that future research will give us a fuller picture of this most courageous young man and will highlight the injustice of his killing. It is time he was vindicated. The British government should grant a posthumous pardon.''