Rags Seeley.Many Carlovians will
remember Rags Seeley the Barber, on Tullow Street, Carlow.
Here is a transcription of a letter he wrote in 1922.
From the Pat Purcell Papers. The content is sad to note
as it records how people who once served and fought
alongside each other were now angrily debating among
themselves as the country was just months away from
plunging into a devastating Civil War.
- 1 College Street,
- Carlow.
29th March 1922
A certain statement was made by some of
the speakers at the pro-Treaty public meeting held in
Carlow on last St. Patrick's Day. I am "the youth" one
of the speakers referred to and I emphatically deny the
statement that I recognised "a British court". I wish to
state that at least one of those speakers on the
platform, if not more, have in the past recognised a
British court. I am prepared to prove this. I can
furnish any of my accusers with the Dublin Castle report
of my trial.
The following is a copy of same.
- "Thomas Seeley of College Street,
Carlow sentenced to 18 months hard labour.
He refused to recognise the court but he
pleaded guilty to having in his possession, a
revolver and 12 rounds of ammunition - one
bullet was flatnosed".
- Is mise le meas,
- Thomas Seeley.
(mise le meas English
translation: With regards)
Note from Michael Purcell 2009. In
1990 Carlow County Heritage Society carried out a
refurbishment of the Presentation Convent on Tullow
Street. During this work the late Fabian Townsend found
a number of items including a revolver and a leather
bandolier hidden in a concealed fireplace in one of the
nun's bedrooms. A note attached stated the items
belonged to Tom Seeley. On the bandolier was stamped
"Carlow Battalion IRA" inscribed alongside was my
uncle's name, Edward Snoddy. (he was shot dead on 5th
January 1923). In 1997 I presented the bandolier to Tom
Seeley's grandson, Fintan Seeley, it now hangs in his
pub "The Porterhouse" in New Jersey, USA. Shortly after,
news was published of the find, two detectives from
Carlow Garda Station contacted me and confiscated the
revolver.
The above is a true and
accurate transcript of the original document.
Transcribed by Michael Purcell 2009.
See also
Death of Noted
Gael.
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