Liam O'Connell - Freedom Fighter and Martyr

Liam O’Connell – Freedom Fighter and Martyr. Photo courtesy of Sheila Crowley.

Liam was one of the three IRA freedom fighters from Kilshannig parish who gave their lives in their endeavours to win Ireland its freedom from the oppressive British Empire during the War of Independence, 1919-1921.

England was, probably, the most powerful nation in the world at that time with vast resources world wide and were ruthless enough to use every dirty trick in the book to retain power and suppress opposition. The Irish Volunteers were a collection of farmers sons, shop assistants and ordinary workers who only got rudimentary training to face such formidable, well trained and well armed opponents. Believe it or not, against such huge odds they succeeded in forcing the British Empire into agreeing to a ceasefire on 11/7/1921 and an eventual treaty on 6/12/1921 which gave us back 26 of the 32 counties in the country.

We should be eternally grateful to these men who gave their young lives to win that independence and this website gives our community an opportunity to remember them, they should never be forgotten.

Who was Liam O Connell?

Liam came from a farming background and was born into a very nationalistic farming family in the townland of Lackendarra near the village of Glantane in Kilshannig parish.

He was born on 12 July 1901 to Patrick and Margaret O’ Connell (nee O’ Brien) and had three brothers, and two sisters. He attended the local NS and completed some local courses afterwards. He got word that the Great Southern and Western Railway Company were taking on an apprentice mechanic and he applied for and secured the position. He was based in Tralee and in 1918 was moved to Inchicore to complete his training where he became involved with the local Volunteers.

His home was the first prison used to incarcerate Brigadier General Lucas who was the most senior British officer ever captured by the IRA and the attached photo shows that house which has now disappeared. Two of his older brothers John and Michael were very active members of Lombardstown Company of the Irish Volunteers.

The Fatal Ambush

On 14th October 1920, six Volunteers assembled at Doyle’s Corner on the Phibsboro road in Dublin to attack an expected armed personnel carrier which would appear to be on a routine mission to collect wages for the British Army. The officer in charge entered the bank and it seems the Volunteers decided to capture the army jeep and seize the money when the officer returned. The plan failed because the officer spotted the attack on the vehicle from within the bank and fatally shot Liam through a window.

The Funeral

Liam’s parents and brother Michael went to Dublin to bring home the body. The military were out in force at Mallow railway station and restricted the size of the cortege. They escorted it to Glantane village which was thronged with well wishers, volunteers and sympathisers, but stayed back a distance from the graveside in Glantane Churchyard. Liam Lynch had organised a firing party to solute their fallen comrade and they escaped without incident.

Honoured

The monument in Glantane village. Photo courtesy of Donie O Sullivan

When a local committee purchased a field in Glantane in 1958 to cater for all sports it was named the Liam O’ Connell Memorial Sportsfield and a wall plaque was erected to honour the freedom fighter and martyr. Liam (also known as William) was buried in the family plot in Glantane Churchyard and the existing headstone had a simple inscription carved on it. Liam is also named on the High Cross Monument erected in Glantane village in 1926 to honour the three martyrs who died for Ireland from the parish during the war of Independence.

Inscription of monument in Glantane. Photo by Donie O Sullivan.

Cabra Historical Society ,in 2020, erected a centenary commemorate plaque in his honour near the spot where he was shot dead that fateful day.

The commemorate plaque erected in his honour by Cabra Historical Society. Photo courtesy of Sheila Crowley.

John O Connell’s Account

Liam’s brother, John, wrote an account of the Phibsboro incident and this account is included in the following pages.

Account by John O’Connell – Page 1. Photo by Donie O Sullivan.

Account by John O’Connell – Page 2. Photo by Donie O Sullivan.

Account by John O’Connell – Page 3. Photo by Donie O Sullivan.

Account by John O’Connell – Page 4. Photo by Donie O Sullivan.

Account by John O’Connell – Page 5. Photo by Donie O Sullivan.

May Liam rest in peace and never be forgotten.