Death of last witness of Gallagh Ambush

THE death of Joe Gormley from Brownsgrove last Wednesday marks the end of an era associated with the War of Independence in this area as he was the last surviving witness of the ambush at Gallagh during which two RIC men were shot. Joe, who lived nearby at Beagh, was only six at the time but it was an event that he never forgot and he had a plaque erected at the scene a few years ago. Well known as a market gardener and agricultural contractor, Joe would have been aged 98 on March 31st. He was a very active man up to a few years ago and was still driving his car at the age of 94. Large crowds attended the funeral and burial on Thursday and Friday with eight priests concelebrating Mass in Cortoon. The chief celebrant was Fr Stephen Farragher and among the other priests were Joe's two first cousins Frs Michael and John Coen as well as Fr. Dermot Burns, a nephew of Joe's late wife Mary who passed away in 2000. Joe is survived by his sons TJ and Vincent and his daughters Marie, Annette, Rosarie, Bernie, his brother Jarlath, grandchildren, great grandchildren and a wide circle of other relations and friends. A full obituary will appear next week.