Memorial restored to its former glory

ON the 87th anniversary of the burning of the courthouse in Croom, Co Limerick, I visited Anhid Cemetery to pay my respects to the memory of the three IRA volunteers who lost their lives in that action on May 31, 1921, and who are laid to rest there.

The headstone to their memory has been wonderfully restored thanks to the local community. However, there has never been a wreath-laying ceremony in honour of those three brave, forgotten IRA volunteers.

The three men who lost their lives that day were John Maloney and Edward Donnelly of Honeypound, Croom and James Hogan from Fanningstown, Croom.

A fourth volunteer, Simon Howard received serious burns. He never fully recovered and died a few years later.

Simon Howard was brother of Garrett Howard who won five All-Ireland senior hurling medals and Railway Cup medals with Munster and Leinster.

Vincent Donnelly

12 Garanogue Road

Raheen

Limerick