Thurles Information

March 1942 In Tipperary History: The Life, Trial & Execution Of George Plant.

The grave of George Plant still attracts annual republican commemorations, while his story remains one of the most striking and contested in Tipperary’s revolutionary past.

Early March each year holds a particularly haunting place in Tipperary history because it marks the anniversary of the execution of Mr George Plant, one of the most controversial republican figures of the early 20th century. On Thursday March 5th 1942, George Plant was executed by military firing squad in Portlaoise jail, bringing a dramatic and deeply disputed chapter of Irish history to a close.

**Pictured Left** → E Company *(Moyglass)*, 7 Battalion, 3 Tipperary Brigade, IRA, membership list.
Pictured Right → George Plant executed by military firing squad in Portlaoise jail, March 1942.
The above shows George Plant’s membership during the War of Independence and Civil War, and his change of address to *“Collins’ Barracks, Dublin”*,where he was tried, convicted and sentenced to death. The James *(Jimmy )* Plant also on this list above was George’s brother.

Born on January 5th 1904, at St Johnstown, Fethard, Co. Tipperary, George Plant grew up in a Protestant farming family. The Plant family were known locally as hardworking, strict, and largely removed from politics. Yet George’s life took a decisive turn in 1916, when he and his older brother James were harshly interrogated by the local constabulary about their associations with local republicans including Seán Hayes and Dan Breen. That experience appears to have had a lasting effect on both boys.

By 1918, George and James had joined Na Fianna Éireann, and during the War of Independence and Civil War George served in the Moyglass unit of the 7th Battalion, 3rd Tipperary Brigade, IRA. He earned a reputation for bravery and reliability. Captured near the end of the Civil War, he escaped from Templemore jail and made his way home across country.

After the 1923 ceasefire, George and James emigrated, living and working in Scotland and later across North America. But Plant’s involvement with republican activity did not end. In 1929 the brothers were sentenced to seven years for their part in an IRA bank robbery in Tipperary town. After serving time in Limerick and Portlaoise, George eventually returned to the United States. In 1938, as Seán Russell steered the IRA in a more militant direction, Plant came back to Ireland and by 1940 was on full-time IRA service.

The event that sealed his fate was the killing of Michael Devereux, quartermaster of the IRA’s Wexford battalion. Devereux, wrongly suspected of informing to the gardaí, disappeared in September 1940. His body was not discovered until a year later, after the sensational escape of IRA chief-of-staff Stephen Hayes from IRA custody triggered fresh revelations and investigations.

Plant and IRA Southern Division commander Joseph O’Connor were first charged with Devereux’s murder in the Special Criminal Court. That case collapsed when key witnesses withdrew their statements, claiming they had been beaten and intimidated into making them. However, the government then took extraordinary steps under emergency legislation to retry the matter before a special military court. In a highly controversial move, normal rules of evidence were effectively suspended, allowing previous witness statements to be read into evidence even when those witnesses refused to testify.

On February 27th 1942, George Plant, along with Patrick Davern and Michael Walsh, was convicted and sentenced to death. O’Connor was acquitted on a technicality. Amid widespread public appeals for mercy, the sentences of Davern and Walsh were commuted to life imprisonment, but Plant’s was not. He was executed just days later, on March 5th 1942.

Even decades later, the Plant/Devereux affair remains clouded in controversy. The legal process used to convict Plant has long been criticised as one of the most troubling episodes in Irish judicial history.
Later research suggests that Michael Devereux was likely innocent of informing and that Plant was probably involved in his murder. Yet debate continues, shaped by the turbulent politics, secrecy, and emergency powers of that period in wartime Ireland.

In September of 1948, Plant’s remains were returned to his family and reburied at St Johnstown, where his grave still attracts annual republican commemorations.

Failed “Super Junior” Ministers Case Shows Reckless Disregard For Taxpayers.

Unsuccessful legal challenge raises serious questions about judgment, priorities and respect for public money.

The legal challenge taken by Deputies Mr Paul Murphy (People Before Profit) and Mr Pa Daly (Sinn Féin) concerned the attendance of so-called “super junior” ministers at Cabinet meetings. They argued that because the Constitution limits the number of full Government members to 15, allowing junior ministers to attend and participate at Cabinet went against that constitutional limit. However, the High Court rejected that argument and ruled that the attendance and participation of those ministers did not breach the Constitution.

**Pictured above left → right: Mr Paul Murphy and Mr Pa Daly**.
**Failed *“super junior”* ministers case leaves taxpayers footing the bill.**

The failed High Court challenge has now resulted in yet another avoidable cost for the taxpayer, and people are entitled to ask: what exactly was the justification for bringing it in the first place?

The court has already ruled that no provision of the Constitution was breached. Despite that, the public is now expected to pay 50% of the legal costs incurred by the two TDs in pursuing this unsuccessful action. At a time when families are struggling with housing costs, rising bills, overstretched health services and pressure on local communities, this is an outrageous misuse of time, energy and public money.

This case was presented as a matter of principle, but many people will see it for what it really was; a political exercise dressed up as constitutional concern. If there was no sound legal basis to succeed, then why was it necessary to pursue it at all? Why was it worth exposing the public to further legal costs without their consent? And where was the consideration for the taxpayers and voters who expect their elected representatives to show restraint, judgment and basic common sense?

Public representatives are elected to solve problems, not manufacture them. They are sent to the Dáil to fight for better housing, safer communities, improved public services and value for money for the people they represent. Instead, these two Deputies chose to embark on a failed legal challenge that has achieved nothing for their electorate except yet another bill that the public may now have to carry.

The suggestion that this action somehow served the public interest will ring hollow for many ordinary taxpayers. There is nothing responsible or commendable about pursuing costly litigation without sufficient justification and then leaving the public to absorb the obvious consequences. That is not accountability. It is not leadership and it is not respect for the people who pay the taxes and cast the votes.

The real issue here is one of priorities and judgment. At a time when every cent of public money should be spent carefully, this case showed a remarkable lack of awareness about the pressures facing ordinary working people. Voters are entitled to expect better than symbolic legal grandstanding with little apparent prospect of success.

There must now be full transparency around the total cost of this failed case, including both the portion of costs that the State has been ordered to pay and the State’s own legal expenses in defending the proceedings. Taxpayers deserve to know the full price of this unnecessary action.

This episode should serve as a warning. Taking a case of this kind without clear justification, without tangible benefit to the public, and without proper regard for the likely financial consequences reflects badly on those involved.

The electorate deserves representatives who fully respect public money, understand public priorities and exercise better judgment than this.

Death Of Jimmy Costello, Formerly Of Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, on Tuesday 3rd March 2026 of Mr James (Jimmy) Costello, Ballybrack, Co. Dublin and formerly of Ballydavid, Littleton, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents Mary and Richard, brothers Paddy, Vincent and Richard, sisters Mary, Josie, Philomena and Teresa, brother-in-law Joe and friend Paddy Glynn; Mr Costello passed away peacefully, while in the care of staff at Leopardstown Park Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving wife Susan, son Paul, daughter Carol, grandchildren Abigail and Laura, his daughter-in-law Fionnuala, Carol’s partner Niall, sisters Kathleen, Peggy and Patricia (Canada), brothers Ger and Michael, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, friends and neighbours.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The remains of Mr Costello will repose for a Funeral Service, on Monday next, March 9th, at 12.00 noon, in Colliers Funeral Home, Old Connaught Avenue, Bray, Co. Wicklow, (Eircode A98 PX65), followed by private cremation.

For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mr Costello, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.

The extended Costello family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.

Note Please: House strictly private. No flowers.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

Ballingarry Rising Co. Tipperary – Arrest & Exile Central To Meagher Commemoration.

A series of events will take place in Waterford city this weekend to commemorate the life and legacy of Thomas Francis Meagher, with particular reflection on his role in the Young Ireland rebellion, the rising at Ballingarry in South Tipperary, and the dramatic events that led to his arrest and transportation to Van Diemen’s Land.

Signatures of Thomas Francis Meagher and Patrick O’Donoghue, both arrested at Rathcannon, Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, following the 1848 Ballingarry *(SR)* rebellion.
Both signatures are written on the back of a prison library book called “Wreath of Friendship”.
*Picture: G. Willoughby*.

Although Meagher is forever associated with raising the tricolour at the Wolfe Tone Confederate Club at No. 33 The Mall in Waterford on Tuesday 7th March 1848, his place in Irish history was shaped just as powerfully by what happened later that year. As one of the leading figures of the Young Irelanders, he became involved in the 1848 rebellion, culminating in the confrontation at Ballingarry, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, in July.

The Ballingarry rising, though unsuccessful, became one of the defining episodes of the Young Ireland revolt. In its aftermath, Meagher was arrested at Rathcannon, Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, tried for treason, and sentenced to death, a sentence later commuted to transportation to Van Diemen’s Land*. His exile marked a crucial chapter in his life and secured his place among the most significant Irish nationalist figures of the nineteenth century.

* Van Diemen’s Land was the original European name for the island of Tasmania, Australia, used from its 1642 discovery by Abel Tasman, until renamed in 1856. Settled by the British in 1803, it served as a notorious, harsh penal colony for convicts. It is now a state of Australia known for its rugged landscape.

Earlier that same year, Meagher had unveiled what would later become the national flag of Ireland in his native Waterford. The tricolour flew for eight days and nights before being removed by the then British authorities. Speaking about the flag in April 1848, Meagher said: “The white in the centre signifies a lasting truce between Orange and Green and I trust that beneath its folds the hands of Irish Protestants and Irish Catholics may be clasped in generous and heroic brotherhood.”

The tricolour was adopted as the flag of the Irish Free State in 1922 and formally confirmed as the national flag in the 1937 Constitution.

This weekend’s Thomas Francis Meagher 178th Anniversary Tricolour Celebration will see a three-day festival of talks and events take place in Waterford city. Organisers say the festival offers an opportunity not only to reflect on the proud history of the flag, but also to consider Meagher’s wider legacy as a revolutionary, a political exile, and a symbol of Irish resilience.

Sadly, our local Thurles Tourist Office promoters have seen fit to ignore this same 178th Anniversary Tricolour Celebration. Same seem to be keeping themselves busy promoting Facebook posts about local children’s and men’s clothing shops, local nail bars, pubs, cafés, Easter camps, college open days, and Mother’s Day; clearly the kind of world-famous attractions that have international tourists booking flights as we speak. After all nothing says ‘must-visit destination’ quite like a last-minute Easter camp and a half-price manicure.
Seriously, while all these Thurles advertised businesses are unquestionably among the very best in their field, same can hardly be seen as unique selling points (USP’s), as far as foreign tourism attractions are concerned, and therefore are about as useful as an ashtray on a motorcycle.

The commemorative weekend opens this evening with the Thomas Francis Meagher Fife and Drum Band performing at the Granville Hotel on Meagher Quay.

Chairperson of the organising committee, Mr Éamonn McEneaney, said the weekend will feature many highlights, including the Friday evening walking tour of the city, four guest speakers at the Medieval Museum on Saturday morning, a gala dinner on Saturday night, and the military parade, wreath-laying ceremony and raising of the flag on Sunday morning.

The events are open to the public, with more information available on the Thomas Francis Meagher Tricolour Celebration website.

Thurles Set To Mark St Patrick’s Day 2026 With Colour, Music and Community Spirit.

Community Spirit to Shine at Thurles St Patrick’s Day Parade.

Thurles is preparing for a vibrant celebration of community, culture and colour, as final arrangements continue for the town’s 2026 St Patrick’s Day Parade.

The event will take place on Tuesday, March 17th, with participants gathering on Abbey Road before making their way into Liberty Square at 2.30pm. Ahead of this years parade, traditional music will begin in Liberty Square from 1.30pm, helping to set the tone for what organisers hope will be a festive and well-supported afternoon.

This year’s celebrations will also place a strong emphasis on inclusion. A sensory area is being provided for those with additional needs, while Ukrainian groups have been invited to take part and share their culture as part of the day’s programme.

Organisers have spent recent weeks working to raise the funds needed to stage the event, with church gate collections taking place across neighbouring parishes. Having already collected in Holycross/Ballycahill last weekend, volunteers are now turning their attention to Thurles. The overall cost of the parade is expected to come in at between €8,000 and €9,000.

The parade committee has also acknowledged the support of sponsors and public bodies who have contributed to the event. Among those backing the parade are Michael’s Jewellers, Thurles Shopping Centre and Supermac’s, while funding has also been provided through a grant from Tipperary County Council.

A number of awards will be presented on the day, with plaques, medals and prizes across categories including Best Performance/Art/Education, Best Dressed Window, Best Small Entry, Best Traditional Window, Best Sports, Judges’ Special Award, Best Individual Entry, Best Walking Group and Best Large Entry.
A vase sponsored by Supermac’s will be awarded to the Best Large Entry, while the overall winner will receive a trophy sponsored by Michael’s Jewellers. The current prize fund stands at between €1,800 and €2,000.

The theme for this year’s parade is simple: “Wear Green”.
Organisers are encouraging everyone attending to embrace the occasion in style and help fill the town with colour on the national day.
They are also appealing for additional stewards to assist with the running of the event. Anyone interested in helping can contact Mobile Tel. No: 087 977 4725.