'Flying Column' Volunteer killed in Kilkenny to be remembered

On this coming Sunday, November 27, a commemoration to be held in Mitchelstown will remember Thomas O’Dea who died on October 18, 1922 in County Kilkenny fighting with the Republicans under the leadership of Dinny Lacy.

Many men fought bravely with Dinny Lacy in the Civil War but generally these were sent from Fermoy barracks to assist.

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Thomas O’Dea was different, after returning from WW1 he resumed his trade as a baker at Michael O’Brien’s shop in Church Street, Ballyporeen and it was from here, he joined the local Ballyporeen Company, 6th Battalion, 3rd Tipperary Brigade.

During the War of Independence, he fought locally with the 106 men and women of the IRA and Cumann na mBan, but during the Civil War, he took the Republican side and joined up with Dinny Lacy’s column of fighting men.

Hence Thomas O’Dea was in Kilmanagh that fateful day manning the Lewis gun as the column fought their way back to Clonmel after capturing Urlingford barracks.

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All are welcome to join the commemoration this Sunday November 27, commencing at Baldwin Street in Mitchelstown at 2pm and heading to Old Brigown Graveyard to the O’Dea family grave for an oration by Cashel’s finest, Labhrás Ó Murchú.