May 5th-11th 1916
The death of Mr Richard Kent, Bawnard House, Castlelyons took place at the military hospital, Fermoy after being involved in a shootout with his brothers against police at the property. For many years he was a notable athlete, winning many hurdle and weight-throwing contests. The court-martial of his brothers resulted in Thomas being executed on May 9th, William being acquitted and David being sentenced to death; commuted to five years in prison.
The funeral of Head-Constable W. N. Rowe, who lost his life at Bawnard House took place from Fermoy Church to the picturesque churchyard at Castlehyde. The coffin which was of polished oak, was placed on a gun carriage and covered with the Union Jack. The officiating clergymen were the Rev. Canon Abbott B.D. Rector, Fermoy and Rev. J. A. Jagoe, M.A., Buttevant. Amongst those in attendance were Rev. C. Caffrey, M. A. Kilworth and Rev. B. Moran, Wesleyan Minister, Fermoy.
In Mitchelstown, detachments of military accompanied by members of the RIC arrested 31 local members of the Sinn Fein organisation. Amongst those arrested were: P. Keane, W. Ryan, J. Condon, R. Carroll, R. Noonan, M. Fitzgerald, H. Lyons, J. Slattery and E. Chamberlain. The majority of the 31 were soon released but, among those detained, were J. Hannigan, M. Sullivan, P. Roche and W. Casey. It was understood that the whole trouble was caused by the retention of arms known to be in the possession of members of the organisation and that the detained members were released when the missing arms were handed into the authorities. It was reported that Mitchelstown and district had remained perfectly normal during the recent troubles and that the authorities had not been interfered with to date.
The White Star Line shipping company was busy advertising its Liverpool to Australia route which would be calling at Capetown, South Africa. Local ticket agents included N. Fairbrother, Mitchelstown; T. Crowley, Ballylanders; M. J. O’Donnell, Kildorrery; Joseph Donaldson, Kilworth; John Baylor, Fermoy; Thomas O’Brien, Ballyporeen and James Aherne, Lismore.
A meeting of Lismore Union took place which was recorded as being the smallest on record, as no correspondence was received from the Local Government Board. The Master reported that Patrick Mansfield, an inmate, left the workhouse grounds without permission days previously and returned the following morning, only to engage in abusing the porter. The Master expressed his view that Mansfield was a bit demented and asked to have the medical officer’s attention drawn to him as it was impossible to keep him on the grounds. Col. Cotton also described him as a troublesome member. It was ordered to prosecute the inmate.
The War Office advertised Army Contracts for the supply of coal and coke for military services at stations in numerous districts throughout Ireland including Fermoy. Sealed tenders would be received until 12 o’clock noon on May 24th by the Officers Commanding, Army Service Corps in those districts.
