This Athlone councillor died after being shot crossing the street

100 years ago last week, an Athlone councillor was killed by the Black and Tans as the violence of the War of Independence escalated dramatically in Athlone.

On October 22, 1920, Michael Burke, Dublingate Street, Athlone, had been about to cross the street from the former 41s public house when he was struck in the head by a bullet fired by the Black and Tans, who were shooting indiscriminately as they drove through the town.

He died some days later, on October 27, in St Vincent’s Hospital, Athlone.

He had not been involved in the War of Independence and was crossing the street returning to his home, having visited a neighbour, when the incident happened.

A plaque in his memory was erected on Church Street, close to the Civic Square, in September 2016.

Earlier on October 22, an RIC constable Harry Biggs had been killed by the IRA during an ambush on Crown Forces at Parkwood between Moate and Horseleap.

In response, the Black and Tans drove through Moate and Athlone firing indiscriminately - causing damage to property and costing Cllr Burke his life.

An inquest into the death of Cllr Burke found that ‘deceased died on October 27, from laceration of the brain, caused by a bullet unlawfully fired by one of the armed forces of the Crown, on Friday night, October 22, at Church Street, Athlone’.

This piece from the Westmeath Independent in March 1922 gives the full details:

"The tragic circumstances of Mr Burke's death are still fresh in the public mind. The night of October 22, 1920, was one of the worst experienced during the reign of terror in Athlone.

On that afternoon a party of Black and Tans travelling in two Crossley tenders from Gormanstown were ambushed at Parkwood, near Moate, one of their number being shot dead.

Returning to Athlone that night about 8pm the survivors indulged in indiscriminate firing passing through the streets. In both towns there were many marvellous escapes as the streets were crowded with people returning from evening devotions in the various churches—soldiers and civilians—and it was providential that there were not many casualties.

At Athlone, as the lorries were coming down the street from Irishtown the occupants discharged fusilades from their rifles continuously, all pedestrians panic stricken sought cover in the nearest residences. The late Mr Burke was on a visit at the moment to Mrs Farrell's, opposite his own house, sympathising with her in her bereavement occasioned by the death of her husband, Mr. Edmund Farrell, a personal friend of Mr Burke's, whose interment took place on that afternoon.

Hearing the firing, the late Mr Burke, anxious for the safety of his wife and family, rushed out as the lorries passed. As he was stepping off the footpath he was struck with a bullet in the head and fell unconscious. The late Dr Dobbs, Drs Everard and Kerley, were immediately summoned to the scene. The Very Rev. Fr. Fridolin, O.F.M., also arrived.

On examination the doctors found the bullet had lodged in the brain, and the prospects of his recovery were hopeless. He was later brought in the ambulance to St. Vincent's Hospital where he died five days later without regaining consciousness.

His death under such tragic circumstances, evoked the deepest regret as deceased was one of the most popular and most highly esteemed gentlemen in the town. Though a comparatively young man he was for many years a member of the various local public boards the Urban Council, Athlone No. 1 Rural District Council, and Poor Law Guardians.

A most industrious, broadminded, straightforward and inoffensive citizen, he was highly esteemed by all classes in the town. His funeral to Cornamagh cemetery was a large demonstration of popular sympathy and a fitting last tribute of respect to a prominent citizen whose Ioss was generally felt. He left to mourn his loss a widow and three young children, to whom the sympathy of the townspeople went out in no small measure in their terrible affliction.”