Sean Heuston
Encyclopedia
Seán Heuston, born Jack Heuston, and sometimes referred to as J. J. Heuston, was an Irish rebel and member of Fianna Éireann
who took part in the Easter Rising
of 1916. With about 20 Volunteers, he held the Mendicity Institution
on the River Liffey
for over two days, though it was originally only intended to be held for 3–4 hours. He was executed by firing
squad on May 8 in Kilmainham Jail.
, of which he was an officer. Seán Heuston arranged for members who could not afford to buy their uniforms to do so by paying small weekly sums. Under his guidance the Fianna in Limerick had a course which encompass not only drilling, which was made up of signalling, scout training and weapons training but also lectures on Irish history and Gaelic classes.
, Heuston was to hold this position for three or four hours, in order to delay the advance of British troops. This delay was necessary to give the headquarters staff time to prepare their defences. Having successfully held the position for the specified period, he was to go on to hold it for over two days, with twenty-six Volunteers. With his position becoming untenable against considerable numbers, and the building almost completely surrounded, he sent a dispatch to Connolly informing him of their position. The dispatch was carried by two Volunteers, P. J. Stephenson and Seán McLaughlin, who had to avoid both sniper fire and British troops across the city. It was soon after sending this dispatch that Heuston decided to surrender.
Séamus Brennan, a member of the Mendicity Institution Garrison under Heuston, gave the following account of the decision to surrender:
.
Prior to his execution he was attended by Father Albert, O.F.M. Cap
in his final hours. Father Albert wrote an account of those hours up to and including the execution: Father Albert concluded:
Fianna Éireann
The name Fianna Éireann , also written Fianna na hÉireann and Na Fianna Éireann , has been used by various Irish republican youth movements throughout the 20th and 21st centuries...
who took part in the Easter Rising
Easter Rising
The Easter Rising was an insurrection staged in Ireland during Easter Week, 1916. The Rising was mounted by Irish republicans with the aims of ending British rule in Ireland and establishing the Irish Republic at a time when the British Empire was heavily engaged in the First World War...
of 1916. With about 20 Volunteers, he held the Mendicity Institution
Mendicity Institution
The Mendicity Institution in Dublin, Ireland, is one of Ireland's oldest charities. It continues its charitable work of providing meals to Dublin's needy from its premises at Island Street, south of Usher's Island, its former location.-History:...
on the River Liffey
River Liffey
The Liffey is a river in Ireland, which flows through the centre of Dublin. Its major tributaries include the River Dodder, the River Poddle and the River Camac. The river supplies much of Dublin's water, and a range of recreational opportunities.-Name:The river was previously named An Ruirthech,...
for over two days, though it was originally only intended to be held for 3–4 hours. He was executed by firing
Execution by firing squad
Execution by firing squad, sometimes called fusillading , is a method of capital punishment, particularly common in the military and in times of war.Execution by shooting is a fairly old practice...
squad on May 8 in Kilmainham Jail.
Early life
He was born in Dublin on February 21, 1891 and educated by the Christian Brothers. He worked as a railway clerk in Limerick and while there took an active part in Fianna ÉireannFianna Éireann
The name Fianna Éireann , also written Fianna na hÉireann and Na Fianna Éireann , has been used by various Irish republican youth movements throughout the 20th and 21st centuries...
, of which he was an officer. Seán Heuston arranged for members who could not afford to buy their uniforms to do so by paying small weekly sums. Under his guidance the Fianna in Limerick had a course which encompass not only drilling, which was made up of signalling, scout training and weapons training but also lectures on Irish history and Gaelic classes.
The Volunteers
In 1913 he was transferred to Dublin Fianna, and was appointed to the Emmet Sluagh. He went on to join the ranks of the Volunteers and played a prominent part in the Easter Rising.The Rising
Heuston was the Officer commanding of the Volunteers in the Mendicity Institution (now called Heuston’s Fort) on the south side of Dublin city. Acting under Orders from James ConnollyJames Connolly
James Connolly was an Irish republican and socialist leader. He was born in the Cowgate area of Edinburgh, Scotland, to Irish immigrant parents and spoke with a Scottish accent throughout his life. He left school for working life at the age of 11, but became one of the leading Marxist theorists of...
, Heuston was to hold this position for three or four hours, in order to delay the advance of British troops. This delay was necessary to give the headquarters staff time to prepare their defences. Having successfully held the position for the specified period, he was to go on to hold it for over two days, with twenty-six Volunteers. With his position becoming untenable against considerable numbers, and the building almost completely surrounded, he sent a dispatch to Connolly informing him of their position. The dispatch was carried by two Volunteers, P. J. Stephenson and Seán McLaughlin, who had to avoid both sniper fire and British troops across the city. It was soon after sending this dispatch that Heuston decided to surrender.
The Surrender
Prisoners
According to the statement given by Séamus Brennan to Piaras F. Mac Lochlainn, author of Last Words, the British troops were “infuriated when they saw the pygmy force that had given them such a stiff battle and caused them so many casualties".Séamus Brennan never saw Seán Heuston again after being transferred to Arbour Hill Detention BarracksArbour Hill Prison
Arbour Hill Prison is a prison and military cemetery located in the Arbour Hill area near Heuston Station in the centre of Dublin, Ireland. The prison is the national centre for male sex offenders.-Architecture:...
.
Court Martial
Heuston had been transferred to Richmond Barracks, and on the 4 May 1916, he was tried by Court Martial. On the Sunday, 7 May 1916, the verdict of the Court Martial was communicated to him that he had been sentenced to death and was to be shot at dawn the following morning.Execution
Order of Friars Minor Capuchin
The Order of Friars Minor Capuchin is an Order of friars in the Catholic Church, among the chief offshoots of the Franciscans. The worldwide head of the Order, called the Minister General, is currently Father Mauro Jöhri.-Origins :...
in his final hours. Father Albert wrote an account of those hours up to and including the execution: Father Albert concluded: