A Fatal Wound

A FATAL WOUND

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Ballina Herald, August 28, 1921)

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  At the Mater Hospital, Dr. Louis Byrne, City Coroner, investigated the circumstances connected with the death of Lieut. Patrick Mullen (23), Carralabin, Bonniconlon, Ballina, Co. Mayo.

  Mary Mullen, sister of the deceased gave evidence of identification. She said he was a labourer and was unmarried, but could not sway how he came by his injuries.

  Mr. W. B. Black, who was instructed by Mr. Sean O h-Uadhaigh on behalf of the next of kin, in the court of examination, elicited the fact that the deceased left home about five weeks ago on some military business. The witness said she believed her brother was a soldier in the I.R.A.

  “How long had he been a soldier in the I.R.A.?” asked Mr. Black.

  “Since 1916,” replied the witness.

  Dr. Lysaght, house surgeon at the Mater Hospital, said there was an oval-shaped wound in the left buttock which did not seem to be of recent origin and was septic. Mullen mentioned that he had been wounded four weeks before. Death was due to septicaemia following the bullet wound and subsequent exhaustion.

  In reply to Mr. Black, the house surgeon mentioned that in his opinion the delay in bringing the man to hospital contributed to his death.

  Mr. Black said it was quite plain that the deceased had been engaged in military action, and that he was wounded in the course of that, and his death, therefore, was unavoidable.

  The jury found in accordance with medical evidence. They added they had no evidence to show how deceased came by his injuries, and made a recommendation to the military authorities to remove the body to Ballina.

 This Patrick Mullen was Lieut. Pat Mullen, of the Free State Army. He is interred in the old cemetery in Kilgarvan. Fr. Eddie O’Hara was the chief celebrant of the Mass and burial.