Joseph Norton resided at 1 Lispopple Swords. He joined the Irish Volunteers early in 1914 and became a member of the Swords Coy, 5th Batt. Dublin Brigade (later known as the Fingal Brigade). Of Joseph Norton, the ‘Catholic Bulletin’ in a biographical sketch, wrote:-
“Early in 1914 he was among one of the first to join Irish Volunteers. On Easter Tuesday he promptly offered his services arriving with his comrades at the G.P. O., they were charged by Commandant James Connolly with the perilous enterprise of relieving the besieged Mendicity Institution held by Commandant Sean Heuston. They reached their destination through a very hail of machine-gun and rifle fire, but being cut off from headquarters after twenty-four hours desperate fighting, were obliged to surrender. The death sentence passed on Norton was commuted to three years penal servitude. From the date of his release his health failed perceptibly, until on November 28, 1917 he succumbed to a severe attack of penumonia.”
Reporting on the funeral of the patriot the “Irishman” of December 8th, 1917 mentioned:-
“The remains of the late Mr. Joseph Norton who was sentenced to three years imprisonment for his connection with the Insurrection, was interred in Swords on Sunday…There was a large representation of the Dublin Brigade I.R.A. – over 1,500 attending. The Cyclist Corps of the City Regiment was in full attendance…Cumann na mBan, Citizen Army, Fianna and some of the men who were with the deceased in Lewes Jail. The firing party was selected by the Dublin Brigade. After the internment three volleys were fired over the grave and the “last post” sounded. The cyclists numbering a thousand, caused a sensation as they marched through the city and dismissed in O’Connell Street. The marching contingent dismissed in the suburbs.”
Joseph Norton died on 29th of November 1917 and is buried at St Colmcilles Cemetery, Swords.
Bhí Joseph Norton ina chónaí ag 1 Lios Pubaill, Sord. Chláraigh sé in Óglaigh na hÉireann i 1914 agus bhí sé ina bhall de Chomplacht Shoird, 5ú Cathlán, Briogáid Átha Cliath (ar tugadh Briogáid Fhine Ghall níos déanaí). I gcuntas faoi Joseph sa “Catholic Bulletin” deirtear: “Bhí sé i measc iad siúd a chláraigh in Óglaigh na hÉireann go luath i 1914. Máirt na Cásca thairg sé é féin ar an toirt le haghaidh seirbhíse agus, ag sroicheadh Ard-Oifig an Phoist lena chomrádaithe, chuir An Ceannfort Séamas Ó Conghaile ceann oibre orthu fiontar baolach a dhéanamh chun faoiseamh a thabhairt d’Institiúid an Déirceachais a bhí i lámha An Cheannfoirt Seán Heuston agus a bhí faoi léigear. Shroich siad a gceann scríbe trí lámhach meaisínghunnaí agus raidhfilí ach toisc iad a bheith scoite ón gCeanncheathrú bhí orthu géilleadh tar éis 24 uair troid fíochmhar. Laghdaíodh an bhreith bháis a daoradh ar Norton go 3 bhliain i dteannta daoroibre. Ón uair a scaoileadh é theip ar a shláinte go dtí gur thug an niúmóine a bhás 28 Samhain 1917.” Tá Joseph Norton curtha i Reilig Naomh Colmcille, Sord. Bhí tuairisc faoi shochraid an tírghráthóra in eagrán 8 Nollaig den “Irishman” a deir: “Adhlacadh corp Joseph Norton, ar daoradh 3 bhliain i bpríosún de bharr a pháirt san Éirí Amach, i Sord ar an Domhnach…Bhí a lán as Briogáid Átha Cliath, Arm Phoblacht na hÉireann – os cionn 1,500 – i láthair. Bhí lán-fhreastal den Chór Rothaithe ó Reisimint na Cathrach… Cumann na mBan, An tArm Cathartha, Na Fianna agus cuid de na fir a bhí leis i bPríosún Lewes. Roghnaigh Briogáid Átha Cliath an mheitheal lámhaigh. Tar éis an adhlactha scaoileadh trí rois piléar thar an uaigh agus séideadh an Ghairm Dheiridh. Chuir na rothaithe, míle acu, ionadh ar mhuintir na cathrach agus iad ag dul tríd an Chathair chun scaipeadh i Sráid Uí Chonaill. Scaip an mheitheal mháirseála sna bruachbhailte.”
Tagairtí:
Rolla Onóra.
Daonáireamh 1911.
Clár Ginearálta na bPríosúnach 1916.
“Catholic Bulletin”.
“Irishman” 8 Nollaig 1917.
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