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People of Kilgobinet remember trench disaster 100 years on

People of Kilgobinet remember trench disaster 100 years on

The parish of Kilgobinet will hold a mass today, to honour six local men who lost their lives in a trench disaster on this day 100 years ago.
On July 7th 1921 six local men were asked to reopen a trench that had been backfilled.
However, unbeknownst to them, a mine was planted in the trench by British troops which exploded.
Six men aged between 19 and 32 died as a result of the incident with some of them passing away in the aftermath at Dungarvan Community Hospital.
They were Volunteer Sean Quinn of Ballymacmague aged 19,  James Dunford of Knockanee aged 19, Thomas Dahill of Kilnafrehan aged 27, Richard Lynch of Inchindrishla aged 29, William Dunford of Kilnafrehan aged 30 and Thomas Burke of Inchindrishla aged 32.
Meanwhile, several others who survived lived with injuries and scars from the event for the rest of their days.
The incident happened just two days before a ceasefire in the War of Independence
A mass will be held at St Gobnait's Chuch this evening at 7.30pm to honour the men who died.

A memorial in Kilgobinet to commemorate the six men who lost their lives.Photo Credit: Willie Whelan

Local Historian from Waterford County Museum Willie Whelan said at this time in West Waterford had become an awful affair.
"This was a common IRA tactic at the time [digging trenches to obstruct transport]. War is never pretty but at this particular stage in the war the gloves were off on all sides really.
"The war locally had become an awful affair... It's hard to imagine any grouping that would perceive themselves to be representing law and order would stick mines in the bottom of a trench that anyone could have come across," Whelan said.
You can listen back to Willie Whelan from Waterford County Museum discuss the tragedy that happened on this day 100 years ago here:
https://www.spreaker.com/user/wlrfm/kilgobinet

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