John Clarke

John Clarke (1883?-?)

Lusk Coy 5th Batt. Dublin Brigade (known as Fingal Brigade)

John Clarke was aged 28 at the time of the 1911 Census. He resided in Tyrellstown Lusk Co. Dublin. He mobilised on Easter Monday with the Lusk Coy at the Old Hall on the Green in Lusk. On Monday night he camped in Finglas and was one of the party of 20 sent to the G.P.O. by Commandant Thomas Ashe following orders from James Connolly by dispatch rider, to send 40 men to the city to augment city garrisons. This was more than half the Brigade Ashe had at his disposal on Monday, due to the confusing countermanding order of Easter Sunday. Ashe chose 20 men of which John was one. They made their way from Finglas to the G.P.O. on foot, in charge of Capt. Richard Coleman of the Swords Coy 5th Batt. From the G.P.O. he was then sent to the Mendicity Institution on Ushers Island to defend this Post along with the members of D Coy 1st Batt. already occupying the building, in charge of Commandant Sean Heuston. According to Sean Heuston’s Field Notepad which includes the Sentry Duty Rota, John was placed on duty defending the hallway of the building. When the surrender came he was taken to Arbour Hill Prison to await court-martial at Richmond Barracks.

Following court-martial he was removed to Kilmainham Gaol to await verdict and sentence. He was sentenced to death later commuted to 3 years. He was then removed to Mountjoy Jail until the 15th of May when he was handed over to Military escort for conveyance to Portland Prison and later transferred to Lewis Prison in Kent. His occupation was farming.

John Clarke (1883?-?)

Complacht Lusca, 5ú Cathlán, Briogáid Átha Cliath.

Bhí John Clarke 28 mbliana d’aois aimsir Dhaonáireamh 1911. Mar sin is dócha gur rugadh é i 1883. Bhí cónaí air i mBaile an Tirialaigh, Lusca, Co Átha Cliath. B’fheirmeoir é. Shlóg sé Luan Cásca, 24 Aibreán 1916, le Complacht Lusca ag an bhFaiche i Lusca. Oíche Luain champáil sé i bhFionnghlas. Fuair An Ceannfort Tomás Ághas teachtaireacht ó Shéamas Ó Conghaile ag iarraidh air 40 fear a sheoladh go dtí an phríomhchathair chun na garastúin ansin a neartú. Bhí níos lú ná ochtó Óglach ag an tÁghasach ar an Luan. Níor shlóg Óglaigh eile de bharr an mhearbhaill faoin Éirí Amach a ghin an freasordú ó Eoin Mac Néill ar Dhomhnach na Cásca. Thogh an tÁghasach fiche fear, John ina measc. Chuaigh siad de shiúl cos agus faoi cheannas An Chaptaein Richard Coleman ó Chomplacht Shoird, 5ú Cathlán, go dtí Ard-Oifig an Phoist. Seoladh cuid acu ansin go dtí Institiúid an Déirceachais, ar Oileán Uiséir, a bhí i seilbh Sheáin Heuston agus Óglaigh eile ó Chomplacht D, An Chéad Chathlán, chun cabhrú leo an foirgneamh a chosaint. De réir Ceap Nótaí Mhachaire Heuston ina raibh Uainchláir d’Fhairtheoirí cuireadh John Clarke ar dhualgas ag cosaint halla an fhoirgnimh. Tar éis an ghéillte, Dé Céadaoin, 26 Aibreán, tógadh é go dtí Príosún Chnoc an Arbhair agus, tar éis cúirte airm i nDún Richmond, cuireadh é go dtí Príosún Chill Maighneann. Daoradh chun báis é ach laghdaíodh an bhreith go 3 bhliain i dteannta daoroibre. Seoladh é go dtí Príosún Mhuinseo agus ar an 15 Bealtaine tógadh é, faoi choimhdeacht mhíleata, go dtí Príosún Portland, Sasana, agus, níos déanaí, bogadh é go dtí Príosún Lewes, Sussex Thoir, Sasana.

Tagairtí:
Rolla Onóra.
Daonáireamh 1911.
Clár Ginearálta na bPríosúnach 1916.
* Níor thángthas ar aon iarratas phinsin ó John Clarke.