Nenagh republican commemoration at Kenyon Street Graveyard
A COMMEMORATION will take place in Nenagh next week of Volunteer Martin Tierney, who fought in the War of Independence and Anti Treaty side in the Civil War.
Martin Tierney of 2 Clare Street, Nenagh, was the son of John Tierney, a member of the Urban District Council. There were six boys and three girls in the Tierney family. Their mother Katie Ryan ‘Black’ was from Gortagarry and a Cumann na mBan member.
While still in his teens, Martin joined the Tipperary IRA column during the War of Independence and went through many engagements. When the Civil War broke out, he took the side of the IRA, even though his brother was fighting with the Free State Army.
This constant exposure to fighting took its toll on his body. Two of the Tierney boys were members of the IRA, Martin and John (Jack). Jack was wounded in the lung during an engagement in the war against the Black and Tan. He joined the Free State army after the split and was again injured during this period.
One day, during the height of the Civil War, Jack arrived home in Clare Street. Coming through the front door, he went to the kitchen, placed his revolver on the kitchen table and in disgust at what was happening, threw his tunic on the floor.
Then, who would walk in the back door, obviously, “on the run”, but Martin. Because of their different political views, the family had made arrangements for them not to meet. But immediately Jack struck out his hand in friendship and shook hands with his brother.
HUNGER STRIKE
Volunteer Tierney was eventually captured and interned in the Curragh for a considerable period during the Civil War. Shortly before his scheduled release, possibly on health grounds, another prisoner who looked like Volunteer Tierney and claimed to be him, walked through the gates of the internment camp and escaped.
After the appropriate delay, Martin went to the authorities, making them aware of the mistake, and enquiring as to when he would be released. Instead of being released, however, Tierney was accused of being involved in the escape plot and had his sentence increased.
In protest of this injustice, Martin commenced a hunger strike and was eventually released. He received a great welcome in Nenagh on his return home.
Shortly after his release, Volunteer Martin Tierney began to experience severe pain in his stomach. Dr T Courtney had him admitted to Nenagh Hospital. According to one account, the many friends who visited him would spend their time walking up and down the corridor trying to relieve him of pain.
Volunteer Tierney died within a few weeks of his release, possibly as a result of the hunger strike. His death took place on July 4, 1924. He was just 23 years old.
Volunteer Tierney was buried with full military honours in Kenyon Street Graveyard . After Martins's death, Jack returned to the Republican fold and remained a Republican until the day he died.
The man who walked out of the Curragh internment camp in Martin's Place was the father of a young family who was serving a long sentence.
Renowned Nenagh Republican Kitty Quigley (deceased), who was a niece of Martin's, would always say that she loved visiting Martin's grave when she was young as there was a glass-enclosed wreath on it (unheard of in those days) with a Tricolour intertwining clasped hands.
COMMEMORATION
The North Tipperary Republican Commemoration Committee will be holding a commemoration on Friday, July 5, at 8pm at Kenyon Street Graveyard, Nenagh - E45 W838 - to remember Volunteer Martin Tierney. As with all our commemorations, everybody is welcome, particularly family.
Parking in Railway Station carpark.