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Former Military Prison / Detention Facility - James Stephens Barracks.
Built in 1802, this facility was the location of the first military executions during the #IrishCivilWar that occurred outside Dublin/Kildare. #MilitaryHistory #BarracksHistory
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Built in 1802, this facility was the location of the first military executions during the #IrishCivilWar that occurred outside Dublin/Kildare. #MilitaryHistory #BarracksHistory
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John Murphy & John Phelan were members of 5th Bn, Kilkenny Brigade, IRA, which conducted a raid on or around 12 OCT 1922, at Sheestown House, outside Kilkenny City. During the raid a number of firearms and money were taken.
Following subsequent raids by the National Army, on 13 DEC in Bennettsbridge, Murphy & Phelan were arrested and brought to the Military Prison. They were found guilty by a court martial board and sentenced to death.
This was seen as a move by the government at the time to decentralise executions from Dublin/Kildare with the aim of being a deterrent to Irregular Forces and help bring a quick end to the war.
Both men were executed in the prisons exercise yard at 0800hrs, 29 DEC 1922. The area is now the barracks remembrance garden.
John Phelan
John Murphy
Ernie O'Malley (Left) and Peter de Loughry (Right) also spent brief periods in this facility following separate incidents. O'Malley spent time here in 1920 following an attack on Woodstock House, Inistioge. He was sent to Kilkenny on orders from Michael Collins & Richard Mulcahy.
