William Conway (Irish republican)

William Conway (1902-1979) was born in Ballycrenode^[1] in 1902, Co Tipperary. Son of Timothy and Anastasia Conway and brother to 6 siblings, 5 brothers and 1 sister. Mr William Conway was a member of the Irish Republican Army and among the founders of the Young Ireland Hurling Club.

Background

His father was a farmer. William Conway joined the IRA as a member of the North Tipperary IRA from 1917 to 1919. He came to Dublin and worked as a barman with his brother James near Lower Mount Street where they rented a place. Once in Dublin, he joined the branch of G Company 3rd Battalion of the Dublin Brigade. While working in Mount Street and met Sean Hyde who came into his shop. They discussed the spies, or the Murder Gang, on Mount Street.

Bloody Sunday (22 Lower Mount Street)

On 22 November 1921, his lodgings were raided by the military over the Bloody Sunday murders. The raiding party found pamphlets (illegal) a first aid kit, filed dressings, some maps, and a compass. He was arrested with his brother Jim and taken to the bridewell RIC barracks.

During a police lineup on 1 December he was identified by Nellie Stapleton, a witness and maid at 22 Lower Mount Street, as being one of the people she saw during the assassination of Lieutenant Angliss. He was charged with Murder.

On 15 December he was taken to Kilmainham Gaol along with 3 other suspects Frank Teeling, Edward Potter, and Daniel Healy.

Kilmainham Gaol escape

On the night of 14 February 1921, a daring escape^[2] from Kilmainham Gaol was masterminded by Michael Collins and his command. Frank Teeling, Ernie O’Malley, and Simon Donnelly escaped from the Gaol on the pretext of a transfer order, and after some guards were bribed. After Frank Teeling escaped, William Conway, who said he was in the cell next door told of the incident is a letter to the pensions board statement^[3], that the he took Frank Teeling’s overcoat from his cell when he heard that bloodhounds were being brought in to search for the prisoners; thus removing the scent for the dogs. Following the prisoner escape by Frank Teeling from Kilmainham Jail on 14 February, the Under Secretary James MacMahon hastily arranged under curfew, for the transfer of 24 high risk prisoners including Conway to Mountjoy Jail during the night of 16 February 1921.

Lower Mount Street trial

The Bloody Sunday trial for the Lower Mount Street murders began on the 25 January 1921^[4], and ended on 31 January.

The whole of Ireland were enthralled by the trial with most Irish newspapers and international newspapers reporting it.^[5][6][7]

During the trial William Conway vigorously protested his innocence saying that he was at 9am Sunday mass in Westmoreland Street. One controversial thing came to light recently when a lawyer for the defence, Vincent Rice, wrote to the Bureau of Military history^[8] stating that a witness had seen Conway with his brother at about 8.50am walking on the way to mass. This statement was not shared by the prosecution at the time.

William Conway was convicted of the murder of Lieutenant Angliss along with Frank Teeling, and Edward Potter. Two of the defendants were identified by a witness, a British Army Lieutenant called Mr. "C".^[9] The 3 were given sentences of death by hanging. Daniel Healy was tried separately and was found not guilty.

Over a month later, William Conway and Edward Potter had their sentences commuted to penal servitude on 6 March 1921.^[10] He was later transferred to various prisons in England, including Dartmoor, Portland, and Frongoch in Wales.

Aftermath

Following the amnesty of December 1921 he returned to Ireland. As an early member of the GAA he remained a faithful organiser of the Irish National sport. Notably he was also a playing member of Faughs and Grocer’s Club.

The Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave attended his burial at Deans Grange Cemetery in 1979. Full military honours with a 21 gun salute were rendered at his funeral.

References