28/04/2026
Mourne Abbey and Clonmult Executions. 28th April 1921.
On Thursday, 28th of April, four men were executed in the Military Detention Barracks in Cork, now Cork Prison. Thomas Mulcahy (18) and Patrick Ronayne (24) were executed having been captured in Mourne Abbey; Patrick O’Sullivan (22) and Maurice Moore (24), both of Cobh, for their involvement at Clonmult. The men received their last visitors on the previous evening.
The ex*****ons were carried out yesterday morning (at 8.00 and 8.15). Very Rev. Cannon O’Sullivan and Rev. W. O’Brien, C.C. were with the prisoners at an early hour in the morning. At 7 o’clock they assisted at mass celebrated by Father O’Brien and received Holy Communion. At 7.30 a.m., Cannon O’Sullivan said Mass and the prisoners were joined in their prayers by Rev. Father O’Brien.
After Masses in the oratory the prisoners were removed to their cells, and within a few minutes, accompanied by the Rev. Cannon O’Sullivan and Fr. O’Brien, were marched to the place of ex*****on in pairs. When the firing party discharged the volley they withdrew and the priests then went to the dead men and imparted Papal Benediction. The prisoners met their death with firmness and fortitude.
Following the ex*****ons, the four bodies were transported by military ambulance to the Cork city jail, off Western Road. Their bodies were buried beside their comrades who had been executed for Dripsey. Applications made by their families to the military authorities for the return of their bodies were refused. The bodies remain buried there to this day.
