Why did Kennedy not shut his shop?

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T H E

M I C H A E L

O ’ D E M P S E Y

S H O O T I N G

Why did Kennedy not shut his shop, on the day of Terence McSwiney’s Funeral?

What was the real reason for the shooting of Kennedy & O’Dempsey?

About the Author

The shooting of these two civilians, during the Irish War of Independence in March 1921, was an indirect consequence of the death, on hunger strike, of Terence McSwiney, Lord Mayor of Cork. He had died the previous October. Business premises had been asked to close, as a mark of respect, on the day of McSwiney’s funeral. However, Kennedy refused to comply and local Republicans mounted a picket on his shop. He had engaged the services of solicitor Michael O’Dempsey to take a court case to have the picket removed. But why did Kennedy refuse to close his shop? Was this refusal and the subsequent court case, adequate justification for shooting the two men?

Key Dates McSwiney’s Death. 25/10/1921 Several funeral services were held between 27th & 31st Oct.

The Abduction of The Shooting O’Dempsey

15/03/1921 O’Dempsey was held O’Dempsey & client Kennedy ambushed up at gunpoint, & shot in Borris. abducted and interrogated.

03/01/1921

Margaret Franklin is the grandniece of Michael O’Dempsey, who was a brother of her paternal grandmother, Mary Franklin (nee O’Dempsey.) The tragic story of the shooting of Michael in March 1921 was never spoken about within the family circle, while she was growing up. As the centenary of the tragic event draws near, Margaret is using historical documents to try to piece together the events leading up to the shooting.


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