Sean F. Quinn
Encyclopedia
Seán Francis Quinn was an Anti-Treaty IRA officer (Adjutant General) in the Fourth Northern Division of the Irish Republican Army (IRA).
He was educated by the Christian Brothers
in Newry
.
On April 22, 1923, he was at a safe house in Castlebellingham
along with his brothers Padraig Quinn
(IRA Quartermaster General) and Malachi (father of Ruairi Quinn
Labour TD). Also there was Frank Aiken
(O/C) and Ned Fitzpatrick. They were betrayed by a Catholic priest who had said Sunday Mass for them. Soon surrounded by a large force of Free State troops, Seán Quinn decided they would shoot their way out. Seán and Pádraig Quinn were shot and captured. Aiken escaped (he was named IRA Chief of Staff the next day). Malachi and Ned escaped by hiding in the attic. Seán Quinn died a month later in prison from the untreated wounds.
On May 24, 1923, soon after Seán Quinn’s death, Frank Aiken issued a “cease fire” order and instructed all IRA units to “dump arms” which effectively ended the Irish Civil War
.
He was educated by the Christian Brothers
Congregation of Christian Brothers
The Congregation of Christian Brothers is a worldwide religious community within the Catholic Church, founded by Blessed Edmund Rice. The Christian Brothers, as they are commonly known, chiefly work for the evangelisation and education of youth, but are involved in many ministries, especially with...
in Newry
Newry
Newry is a city in Northern Ireland. The River Clanrye, which runs through the city, formed the historic border between County Armagh and County Down. It is from Belfast and from Dublin. Newry had a population of 27,433 at the 2001 Census, while Newry and Mourne Council Area had a population...
.
On April 22, 1923, he was at a safe house in Castlebellingham
Castlebellingham
Castlebellingham is a village and townland in County Louth, Ireland. The village has got a lot quieter since the construction of the new M1 motorway which bypasses the village...
along with his brothers Padraig Quinn
Padraig Quinn
Pádraig Ó Cuinn was an Irish Republican Army Quartermaster General in the Fourth Northern Division in the Irish War of Independence....
(IRA Quartermaster General) and Malachi (father of Ruairi Quinn
Ruairi Quinn
Ruairi Quinn is an Irish Labour Party politician who has been Minister for Education and Skills since March 2011. He is currently a Teachta Dála for the Dublin South East constituency. He was Minister for Finance from 1994 to 1997, and leader of the Labour Party from 1997 to 2002.-Early...
Labour TD). Also there was Frank Aiken
Frank Aiken
Frank Aiken was a commander of the Irish Republican Army and later an Irish politician. A founding-member of Fianna Fáil, Aiken was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1923 and at each subsequent election until 1973...
(O/C) and Ned Fitzpatrick. They were betrayed by a Catholic priest who had said Sunday Mass for them. Soon surrounded by a large force of Free State troops, Seán Quinn decided they would shoot their way out. Seán and Pádraig Quinn were shot and captured. Aiken escaped (he was named IRA Chief of Staff the next day). Malachi and Ned escaped by hiding in the attic. Seán Quinn died a month later in prison from the untreated wounds.
On May 24, 1923, soon after Seán Quinn’s death, Frank Aiken issued a “cease fire” order and instructed all IRA units to “dump arms” which effectively ended the Irish Civil War
Irish Civil War
The Irish Civil War was a conflict that accompanied the establishment of the Irish Free State as an entity independent from the United Kingdom within the British Empire....
.
Footnotes
Ernie O’Malley, The Singing Flame (Anvil Books Limited, Ireland, 1978)- The Newry Reporter, Thursday, August 25, 2005, page 6.