[Summary: On May 9, 1922, James Keogh of the Ballinasloe anti-Treaty IRA was shot dead in a land dispute near Loughrea. He was a brother of Jack Keogh, leader of the anti-Treaty IRA in East Galway.]

War and Peace

Ballinasloe during the War of Independence (1919–1921) and the Civil War (1922–1923)

Local Newspaper Extracts

East Galway Democrat, Saturday, May 13, 1922

Loughrea Tragedy

A verdict of death from bullet wounds wilfully inflicted by some person or persons unknown was returned at an inquest at the courthouse, Loughrea, on John Moran (not Lyons as published), Cruckmore, and Vol. James Keogh, Ballinasloe, who lost their lives at Carra, where houses built by the CDB [COngested Districts Board] for people in the congested areas were seized by local landless men.

At 1 a.m. on Tuesday a house built for a man named Madden, and occupied by him and others, including Moran, was attacked by a party of armed men. Subsequently Moran's dead body was found inside, and Keogh's a few yards outside. Vol. Keogh, who was attached to the IRA troops, was stationed at Woodlawn, and got leave on Monday.

The jury condemned the practice of indiscriminate carrying and using of firearms, and requested the authorities to exercise rigid supervision in the future.

Vol. Jas Keogh is son of Mr and Mrs John Keogh, Deerpark, Ballinasloe, with whom the deepest sympathy is felt in their great bereavement. On Wednesday the remains were conveyed from Loughrea to Ballinasloe by motor and were accompanied by a number of IRA. They were placed in St Michael's Church, where they lay overnight. The coffin was covered with the Republican Flag. High Mass was celebrated on Thursday morning for the repose of his soul. On Thursday evening the deceased was interred in Killure cemetery, full military honours being accorded. The funeral cortege was extremely large, and was headed by the Ballinasloe Brass Band, playing the Dead March in Saul. May he rest in peace.