Death of Patrick McLean,
Ballycastle
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(The Ballina Herald,
November 29, 1923)
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The death of Mr. Patrick McLean,
Ballycastle, which, under such circumstances occurred at Castlebar Infirmary on
Friday, is not only a severe blow to his friends and associates of Mayo, but to his many admirers throughout Ireland,
particularly in Gaelic circles, where his style and ability as a footballer won
the admiration of all who knew him.
Though only 22 years
of age, he has done battle for the Mayo County team for the last five years,
and in many a hard fought contest stood out prominently as a western star, but
never shone so brilliantly as did he just four weeks before the date of his
burial, when he was one of those who was responsible for Sligo's bad reverse at
Castlerea. On the play that day he was classed as one of Ireland's leading
footballers, and Connaught men in general looked forward to the day when he
would prove a Hercules to the Mayo team in their fight for All-Ireland honours.
But, alas, he is gone, and with him are Mayo's hopes of winning this year's All-Ireland.
It is hard to think that such a fine young life--a shining light, a guiding
star, one whose enthusiasm even exceeded his ability--is now in death. Hard
though the blow may be to Gaels of Mayo, to his parents and friends, it is
irreparable, for the ideal of the home, the kind friend and sincere and sincere companion is gone.
Yet in such hours of trial sympathy tends to alleviate suffering, and none
could hope for more universal or sincere sympathy than goes forth to his
parents and friends in their great hour of trial.
Once the sad news of
his being wounded became known his associates left nothing undone to keep in
touch with his condition. Hour by hour Mr. O'Sullivan and other Gaels of
Ballina received telegrams as to his condition from Dr. Mongey, and the good
news which the early ones after the operation brought were a source of great encouragement.
Yet on Wednesday evening news of his sinking was received with dismay, and his
parents and friends went to visit him. Two of his close friends, Rev. Fr.
O'Hara and Mr. B. Durcan, N.T., were with him to a late hour on Thursday night,
when he chatted to them with great hope, inquiring for all companions; but unfortunately
he sank fast, and died at 7 a.m. on Friday morning.
On Friday night his
remains were removed to Ballycastle. the funeral was met outside of Ballina by
all the Gaels, a number of whom accompanied the remains to Ballycastle. The
scene there was a very sad and touching one, the entire population being friend
stricken, and more particularly his friends and the youths, who sobbed bitterly
over the sad home-coming of their idol.
The remains were met
at the church by Rev. P. Durcan, C.C., by whom the Rosary was recited.
The funeral, which
took place to Kilbride burial ground on Sunday, was one of the largest
witnessed in the district for years. Over twenty motor cars left Ballina, and,
in addition, there were contingents of old football associates from
Ballyhaunis, Balla, Foxford, Castlebar, Swinford, Bonniconlon, etc.
The members of the
County Team, wearing white scarfs, carried his remains to the burial ground,
where the last prayers were recited by Very Rev. Canon Munnelly, P.P., assisted
by the other clergy present. A wreath was laid on the grave from each of the
five junior football teams in Ballina, in addition to others from the
Stephenite club, Ballycastle football club, the Mayo County Board, together
with others from personal friends. After interment the Rosary was recited in
Irish.
To his friends and
companions we tender our sympathy in their great bereavement.
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FAMOUS FOOTBALLER'S
FATE
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ACCIDENTALLY
SHOT BY COMRADE
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MR. PATRICK McLEAN SUCCUMBS TO INJURIES:
INQUEST AND VERDICT
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Mr. John Kelly, Coroner for West
Mayo, opened an inquest at the County Infirmary, Castlebar, into the
circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Patrick McLean, one of the leading
members of the Mayo football team, who, while in the company of a comrade, a
member of the National Army, in Ballycastle on Monday, 19th November, received
injuries from the accidental discharge of a revolver which proved fatal and he
died in the Infirmary, Castlebar, at 7 o'clock on Friday, 23rd ult. Keen regret
is felt all over Mayo over his fate.
The following
jury was sworn -- Messrs. Patrick
O'Malley (foreman); Joseph McManus,
Thomas O'Hara, Ballynew, T. Basquil, P. Fallon, J. Kelleher, J. Mugan, Peter
Clarke, J. Brady, T. Grimes, M. Cannon, M. Murray, and Joseph Burke.
Mr.
Stephen Huggard, solr., appeared for Pte. Healy.
Supt. Doyle, Ballina, and Inspector Casey, conducted the proceedings on behalf of the state.
Capt.
Hunt, Command Headquarters, represented the military.
Mr.
Martin McLean, father of the deceased, in reply to Inspector Casey, deposed
to meeting his son on the streets of Ballycastle on Monday at about o'clock. shortly after he heard that he had
been shot at Miss Munnelly's public house. Witness went to Miss Munnelly's and saw his son lying on the floor. the deceased
said he took the revolver from a military man to examine it, and when handing
it back the accident occurred. He said he was shot accidentally. He also said
it was not very much and that he would be all right. The name of the military
man was Michael Healy, and the
deceased was on intimate terms with him. He then gave formal evidence of
identification.
Dr. A. MacBride, Resident
Surgeon, deposed--Patrick McLean, the deceased, was admitted to the infirmary
at 7.45 p.m. on Monday, 19th inst. He was suffering from a bullet wound in the
left abdomen. I operated on him and found the large gut wounded in two places,
and also a cut in the small gut. There was a good deal of bleeding. He died
this morning at 7 o'clock, the cause of death being shock from the injuries received
and subsequent peritonitis.
Coroner--Does anyone wish to ask the doctor
any questions?
Foreman--No.
Inspector Casey said he had wired Supt.
Doyle, Ballina, to bring his witnesses at once, and after some discussion it
was decided to adjourn the inquest to 4 o'clock at the Bar Room of the
Courthouse.
On resuming.
Dr. John Crowley, T.D.,
Ballycastle, examined by Supt. Doyle, said he remembered Monday, which was the
fair day at Ballycastle, and between 3 and 4 o'clock he was called by a
soldier, who said he wanted him, and witness asked what he wanted him for, and
he said he wanted him to come down the street, and again asking him what he
wanted him for, he said "Pat McLean is shot." Witness then went with
the soldier to Miss Munnelly's house, and
in the front room there he saw the deceased lying on the floor. Witness
examined him and found a small circular shaped wound in his left iliac region
about an inch or an inch and a half above poupart's ligament in a direction of
the outer and the middle third of the ligament. Witness went to his house and
got dressings and applied them. He gave a hypodermie or morphia and had him
moved into a motor car and sent to the Co. Infirmary.
Supt. Doyle--How would you say the wound was
caused/--It could be caused by a revolver bullet.
Witness added that the soldier who for him
seemed very distressed and very anxious about the condition of the deceased.
Mr. Huggard--Would you tell me in plain
language where the bullet entered?
Dr. Crowley stood up and pointed to the place
where the bullet entered.
Would that be consistent with the deceased
being in a sitting position?--Yes.
The bullet that injured him would come from
the direction and position of the wound, be fired from the same lever?--Yes.
And the military man seemed anxious to do
everything he could for the deceased, and asked witness to accompany him to
Castlebar, added Dr. Crowley.
Captain Hunt--In your opinion could the wound
be self-inflicted?--Well, I fancy if it were self-inflicted there would be some
searching.
Well, in your opinion it was not?--No.
Miss
Annie Murphy, shop assistant to Miss Munnelly, deposed, in reply to Supt.
Doyle, that she was in the shop when she heard the shot; she was in the kitchen
five minutes before that. When she was in the kitchen she saw the deceased and
Michael Healy, a National solider, there. They were sitting at the fire. Healy
handed a revolver to Pat McLean, and the latter handed it back again to Healy.
She was in the shop about five minutes when she heard the shot, and when on her
way back she saw the deceased lying in the hall and Healy went for the doctor.
Witness asked the deceased what happened to him, and he said it was an accident
and asked her to get the priest.
By Mr. Clarke (a juror)--What were they doing
in the kitchen?--They were having a drink.
Who stood it?--Deceased.
Mr. Huggard--Do you know both men?--Yes.
For a long time?--yes.
Did you know that they were good
friends?--Yes. Had you often seen them together?--Yes.
Did you see them coming into Miss
Munnelly's?--Yes.
And called for a drink?--Yes.
Who paid for the drink?--Pat McLean.
Where were they when Mclean called for the
drink?--In the kitchen.
When you went into the kitchen the two men
were sitting there in a friendly way?--Yes.
There was nothing to make you suspicious of
anything mentioned?--No.
You say you are sure Healy handed the
revolver to McLean?--Yes.
And you were gone five minutes before you
returned to the kitchen?--Yes.
When Healy was handing the pistol to McLean
did you notice any cartridges lying about?--No.
Was the gun locked?--I could not say.
When you got to the hall did you see the two
men there?--Yes; I saw McLean lying in the hall and Healy was going for the
priest.
And the deceased told you it was an
accident?--Yes.
Capt. Hunt--Could you say what state they
were in when they entered?--I cannot say.
How many drink had they?--One.
Capt.
Hennessy, Killala, deposed that he went to Ballycastle on Monday last with
Privates Healy and O'Brien. Both men were shooting between 3 and 4 o'clock, and
went immediately to the house where the occurrence took place and found the
deceased lying on the floor of a room facing the street. Witness asked him how
he felt, and the deceased shook his head as much as to say he didn't feel well,
and afterwards he said he was shot and that it was purely accidental. He
mentioned it was Private Healy fired the shot and that they were the best of
pals. Witness placed Healy under arrest and took the revolver from him, when he
found one of the cartridges (produced) had been fired. There were two loaded
cartridges in the gun. The revolver was a Colt .45. Healy asked that Dr.
Crowley be allowed to accompany the deceased.
Mr.
Bourke (a juror)--Was this man on duty at the time?--Yes.
And is it usual for soldiers on duty to go in
drinking?--I went for a cup of tea at the time.
Mr. Cannon--So they were actually off at the
time?--Yes.
Mr. Huggard--I take it that Healy went to
Ballycastle on duty?--Yes.
You asked the poor man that was shot what
happened to him and he said Healy shot him and that it was purely
accidental?--Yes, and that they were the best of friends.
You saw Healy after the occurrence?--Yes; he
appeared to be very distressed.
He wanted to get Dr. Crowley to go to Castlebar
with deceased?--Yes.
Capt. Hunt--What unit does Healy belong
to?--The military police.
What was your duty there that day?--I don't
care to answer that.
Does he belong to the Battalion police?--No,
to the Provost-Marshall's staff.
Then how does it come that he was under your
command?--I don't wish to answer that; it is a military matter.
Coroner--You are not bound to answer that.
Guard H. Leonard, Ballina, deposed to seeing
the deceased the previous day in the Co. Infirmary, Castlebar, when he took a
statement from him.
Coroner--I don't think I can take it as he
did not believe that he was dying.
Mr. Huggard--I don't think you can take it. I
will get it from him in cross-examination.
Coroner--That is the proper course.
Mr. Huggard (to witness)--What statement did
he make?
Witness then read the following statement
made by the deceased:--
"I Patrick
McLean, remember the 19th day of November. I went to Ballycastle about 12
o'clock, noon, and I entered Loughney's for cigarettes. When I came out I met
Michael Healy. We had a conversation and went for a drink as we were on
friendly terms. He was fooling with his revolver and he gave it to me and I
gave it back and told him to put it in his pocket. Healy was telling me how to use a revolver, and all of
a sudden a shot went off and a bullet entered by side, and I remembered no more
until I found myself in hospital."
This closed the evidence for the State.
For the defence,
Sergeant
H. J. Brunner, Civic Guard, Killala, deposed that he knew Michael Healy,
who is a private in the military police, and he knew him for over two months,
during which time he came into close contact with him officially. He was
attentive to his duties and very well conducted and of sober habits. he
understood firearms and he understood the military police carried firearms when
on duty. Witness also knew deceased and often saw him in the barracks at
Killala with Healy, and both were good friends.
Private
O'Brien, National Army, deposed, in reply to Mr. Huggard, that he
accompanied Private Healy to Ballycastle on the day in question, and was with
him all day up to the time he went with the deceased. Witness knew Healy for
the past six months, being in the same unit of the military police, and was
associated with him daily during that time. Witness knew the deceased through
Healy. Witness met McLean in Ballycastle, and he shook hands with him, and
Healy came up and the deceased called him aside, and the two walked away
together. Witness heard a civilian say there was an accident in the town, and
he went to Miss Munnelly's and saw the deceased and Healy who was talking about
the priest and doctor.
By Supt. Doyle--We had no drinks together.
Mr.
McManus (a Juror)--Is is a customary thing for military police to hand
their revolvers to civilians?--I don't think so.
Captain Hennessy was recalled, and said
Healy had been under his charge for about six weeks and was always capable of
handling a gun or revolver.
Coroner--Have you any further evidence?
Mr. Huggard--Only Healy.
Coroner--I think the jury have sufficient
evidence to enable them to find a verdict.
Mr. Huggard--The man who discharged the shot
was the bosom friend of the deceased, and he is most anxious to tell the jury
how the thing occurred.
Coroner--I don't think it is necessary to
examine him. Do you wish to say anything to the jury?
Mr. Huggard then addressed the jury, and said
nobody regretted this sad occurrence more than did Healy. He and deceased were
practically reared up children together and were bosom companions. they were
both members of the same unit of the Old I.R.A., and were, therefore, life-long
companions, and what had happened was the last thing in the world either of them
would dream of. the deceased was a sportsman and was the best footballer in
North mayo. Certainly he was the best man they had the time of this unhappy
occurrence, and his loss is a calamity from the point of view of Gaelic
football. He assured the jury that no one felt this loss more than did Healy.
He said they associated in the Old I.R.A. in pre-Truce days; they were also in
the National army together, and it was only when deceased's brother joined up
that the deceased's left the army to assist his father on the land. He then
described how the accident occurred, and pointed out how careful his client was
in avoiding what occurred. In conclusion, he expressed to the parents and
relatives of the deceased an expression of heartfelt sympathy in the great loss
they had sustained.
The Coroner said the jury had listened very
carefully to the evidence, and they would have very little difficulty in coming
to a decision. Mr. Huggard had put very ably before them the facts he elicited
from the evidence. It was a sad thing to see a fine young man taken away in the
prime of life through an accident. they saw such accidents occurring
frequently. Why did they occur? He thought there should be more control over
the use of firearms.
Captain Hunt said he was there representing
the military authorities, and he could assure them that no one regretted what had
occurred more than they did, and personally he felt it very much. It was for
the jury to decide whether there was any negligence. It ought not be very
difficult for an intelligent body of men like they were to decide, and if their
decision rendered nobody liable to civil proceedings, he (Captain Hunt) could
tell them that the military authorities would probe it to the bottom. There was
a military code dealing with the handling of firearms carelessly, and the
provisions of that code would be brought into operation in the inquiry that
would ensue. He desired to join with the rest in regard in extending to the
relatives of the deceased his deep sympathy in their bereavement on behalf of
his authorities and himself.
The Bar Room was then cleared for the jury to
consider their verdict.
During their deliberations they recalled Dr.
Crowley, after which they brought in the following verdict:-
"We find that the deceased, Patrick
McLean met his death by a bullet accidentally discharged by a military
policeman, the cause of death being according to the medical evidence. We
attach no blame to anyone, and we tender our deep sympathy to the relatives of
the deceased."
Coroner--In that expression of sympathy I
join most heartily.
Supt. Doyle--I also desire to be associated
with that expression of sympathy.
Captain Hunt--And I again tender my sympathy.
Mr. Huggard--It is unnecessary for me, I
think, to repeat what I have already said on behalf of Michael Healy, but let
me add that he feels it more than any other one in court, and he wishes me to
tender the deceased's relatives his deepest and most sincere sympathy.
The proceedings then terminated.
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