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1920-60

Private Joseph Evans

Private Joseph Evans (aged about 18) of the Machine Gun Corps (Charleville)

Date of incident: 24 Aug. 1920

Sources: Death Certificate, 24 Aug. 1920 (Charleville District, Union of Charleville); Limerick Leader, 27 Aug. 1920; Commonwealth War Graves Commission; http:www.cairogang.com/soldiers-killed/list-1921.htm; http://www.cairogang.com/soldiers-killed/evans-j/evans-j.html (accessed 13 Jan. 2014).

 

Note: Evans was accidentally shot and killed by another soldier in ‘recently commandeered’ premises adjoining the RIC barracks in Charleville. ‘From the particulars available, it appears that some of the soldiers were playing with revolvers when one, it is alleged, accidentally went off, killing Evans instantly, the bullet entering above the mouth and penetrating to the back of the skull. Dr. J. Cremin and Rev. Father Madden, P.P., were promptly summoned, but when both arrived, the unfortunate man was . . . beyond medical and spiritual aid.’ See Limerick Leader, 27 Aug. 1920. According to the Limerick Leader, the incident occurred on Monday evening, 23 August, but Evans’s death certificate and his headstone give 24 August as the date of his death. He was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery at Charleville.

The Irish Revolution Project

Scoil na Staire /Tíreolaíocht

University College Cork, Cork,

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