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March 1942 In Tipperary History: The Life, Trial & Execution Of George Plant.

The grave of George Plant still attracts annual republican commemorations, while his story remains one of the most striking and contested in Tipperary’s revolutionary past.

Early March each year holds a particularly haunting place in Tipperary history because it marks the anniversary of the execution of Mr George Plant, one of the most controversial republican figures of the early 20th century. On Thursday March 5th 1942, George Plant was executed by military firing squad in Portlaoise jail, bringing a dramatic and deeply disputed chapter of Irish history to a close.

**Pictured Left** → E Company *(Moyglass)*, 7 Battalion, 3 Tipperary Brigade, IRA, membership list.
Pictured Right → George Plant executed by military firing squad in Portlaoise jail, March 1942.
The above shows George Plant’s membership during the War of Independence and Civil War, and his change of address to *“Collins’ Barracks, Dublin”*,where he was tried, convicted and sentenced to death. The James *(Jimmy )* Plant also on this list above was George’s brother.

Born on January 5th 1904, at St Johnstown, Fethard, Co. Tipperary, George Plant grew up in a Protestant farming family. The Plant family were known locally as hardworking, strict, and largely removed from politics. Yet George’s life took a decisive turn in 1916, when he and his older brother James were harshly interrogated by the local constabulary about their associations with local republicans including Seán Hayes and Dan Breen. That experience appears to have had a lasting effect on both boys.

By 1918, George and James had joined Na Fianna Éireann, and during the War of Independence and Civil War George served in the Moyglass unit of the 7th Battalion, 3rd Tipperary Brigade, IRA. He earned a reputation for bravery and reliability. Captured near the end of the Civil War, he escaped from Templemore jail and made his way home across country.

After the 1923 ceasefire, George and James emigrated, living and working in Scotland and later across North America. But Plant’s involvement with republican activity did not end. In 1929 the brothers were sentenced to seven years for their part in an IRA bank robbery in Tipperary town. After serving time in Limerick and Portlaoise, George eventually returned to the United States. In 1938, as Seán Russell steered the IRA in a more militant direction, Plant came back to Ireland and by 1940 was on full-time IRA service.

The event that sealed his fate was the killing of Michael Devereux, quartermaster of the IRA’s Wexford battalion. Devereux, wrongly suspected of informing to the gardaí, disappeared in September 1940. His body was not discovered until a year later, after the sensational escape of IRA chief-of-staff Stephen Hayes from IRA custody triggered fresh revelations and investigations.

Plant and IRA Southern Division commander Joseph O’Connor were first charged with Devereux’s murder in the Special Criminal Court. That case collapsed when key witnesses withdrew their statements, claiming they had been beaten and intimidated into making them. However, the government then took extraordinary steps under emergency legislation to retry the matter before a special military court. In a highly controversial move, normal rules of evidence were effectively suspended, allowing previous witness statements to be read into evidence even when those witnesses refused to testify.

On February 27th 1942, George Plant, along with Patrick Davern and Michael Walsh, was convicted and sentenced to death. O’Connor was acquitted on a technicality. Amid widespread public appeals for mercy, the sentences of Davern and Walsh were commuted to life imprisonment, but Plant’s was not. He was executed just days later, on March 5th 1942.

Even decades later, the Plant/Devereux affair remains clouded in controversy. The legal process used to convict Plant has long been criticised as one of the most troubling episodes in Irish judicial history.
Later research suggests that Michael Devereux was likely innocent of informing and that Plant was probably involved in his murder. Yet debate continues, shaped by the turbulent politics, secrecy, and emergency powers of that period in wartime Ireland.

In September of 1948, Plant’s remains were returned to his family and reburied at St Johnstown, where his grave still attracts annual republican commemorations.

Ballingarry Rising Co. Tipperary – Arrest & Exile Central To Meagher Commemoration.

A series of events will take place in Waterford city this weekend to commemorate the life and legacy of Thomas Francis Meagher, with particular reflection on his role in the Young Ireland rebellion, the rising at Ballingarry in South Tipperary, and the dramatic events that led to his arrest and transportation to Van Diemen’s Land.

Signatures of Thomas Francis Meagher and Patrick O’Donoghue, both arrested at Rathcannon, Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, following the 1848 Ballingarry *(SR)* rebellion.
Both signatures are written on the back of a prison library book called “Wreath of Friendship”.
*Picture: G. Willoughby*.

Although Meagher is forever associated with raising the tricolour at the Wolfe Tone Confederate Club at No. 33 The Mall in Waterford on Tuesday 7th March 1848, his place in Irish history was shaped just as powerfully by what happened later that year. As one of the leading figures of the Young Irelanders, he became involved in the 1848 rebellion, culminating in the confrontation at Ballingarry, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, in July.

The Ballingarry rising, though unsuccessful, became one of the defining episodes of the Young Ireland revolt. In its aftermath, Meagher was arrested at Rathcannon, Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, tried for treason, and sentenced to death, a sentence later commuted to transportation to Van Diemen’s Land*. His exile marked a crucial chapter in his life and secured his place among the most significant Irish nationalist figures of the nineteenth century.

* Van Diemen’s Land was the original European name for the island of Tasmania, Australia, used from its 1642 discovery by Abel Tasman, until renamed in 1856. Settled by the British in 1803, it served as a notorious, harsh penal colony for convicts. It is now a state of Australia known for its rugged landscape.

Earlier that same year, Meagher had unveiled what would later become the national flag of Ireland in his native Waterford. The tricolour flew for eight days and nights before being removed by the then British authorities. Speaking about the flag in April 1848, Meagher said: “The white in the centre signifies a lasting truce between Orange and Green and I trust that beneath its folds the hands of Irish Protestants and Irish Catholics may be clasped in generous and heroic brotherhood.”

The tricolour was adopted as the flag of the Irish Free State in 1922 and formally confirmed as the national flag in the 1937 Constitution.

This weekend’s Thomas Francis Meagher 178th Anniversary Tricolour Celebration will see a three-day festival of talks and events take place in Waterford city. Organisers say the festival offers an opportunity not only to reflect on the proud history of the flag, but also to consider Meagher’s wider legacy as a revolutionary, a political exile, and a symbol of Irish resilience.

Sadly, our local Thurles Tourist Office promoters have seen fit to ignore this same 178th Anniversary Tricolour Celebration. Same seem to be keeping themselves busy promoting Facebook posts about local children’s and men’s clothing shops, local nail bars, pubs, cafés, Easter camps, college open days, and Mother’s Day; clearly the kind of world-famous attractions that have international tourists booking flights as we speak. After all nothing says ‘must-visit destination’ quite like a last-minute Easter camp and a half-price manicure.
Seriously, while all these Thurles advertised businesses are unquestionably among the very best in their field, same can hardly be seen as unique selling points (USP’s), as far as foreign tourism attractions are concerned, and therefore are about as useful as an ashtray on a motorcycle.

The commemorative weekend opens this evening with the Thomas Francis Meagher Fife and Drum Band performing at the Granville Hotel on Meagher Quay.

Chairperson of the organising committee, Mr Éamonn McEneaney, said the weekend will feature many highlights, including the Friday evening walking tour of the city, four guest speakers at the Medieval Museum on Saturday morning, a gala dinner on Saturday night, and the military parade, wreath-laying ceremony and raising of the flag on Sunday morning.

The events are open to the public, with more information available on the Thomas Francis Meagher Tricolour Celebration website.

Thurles Set To Mark St Patrick’s Day 2026 With Colour, Music and Community Spirit.

Community Spirit to Shine at Thurles St Patrick’s Day Parade.

Thurles is preparing for a vibrant celebration of community, culture and colour, as final arrangements continue for the town’s 2026 St Patrick’s Day Parade.

The event will take place on Tuesday, March 17th, with participants gathering on Abbey Road before making their way into Liberty Square at 2.30pm. Ahead of this years parade, traditional music will begin in Liberty Square from 1.30pm, helping to set the tone for what organisers hope will be a festive and well-supported afternoon.

This year’s celebrations will also place a strong emphasis on inclusion. A sensory area is being provided for those with additional needs, while Ukrainian groups have been invited to take part and share their culture as part of the day’s programme.

Organisers have spent recent weeks working to raise the funds needed to stage the event, with church gate collections taking place across neighbouring parishes. Having already collected in Holycross/Ballycahill last weekend, volunteers are now turning their attention to Thurles. The overall cost of the parade is expected to come in at between €8,000 and €9,000.

The parade committee has also acknowledged the support of sponsors and public bodies who have contributed to the event. Among those backing the parade are Michael’s Jewellers, Thurles Shopping Centre and Supermac’s, while funding has also been provided through a grant from Tipperary County Council.

A number of awards will be presented on the day, with plaques, medals and prizes across categories including Best Performance/Art/Education, Best Dressed Window, Best Small Entry, Best Traditional Window, Best Sports, Judges’ Special Award, Best Individual Entry, Best Walking Group and Best Large Entry.
A vase sponsored by Supermac’s will be awarded to the Best Large Entry, while the overall winner will receive a trophy sponsored by Michael’s Jewellers. The current prize fund stands at between €1,800 and €2,000.

The theme for this year’s parade is simple: “Wear Green”.
Organisers are encouraging everyone attending to embrace the occasion in style and help fill the town with colour on the national day.
They are also appealing for additional stewards to assist with the running of the event. Anyone interested in helping can contact Mobile Tel. No: 087 977 4725.

No. 171 “Slieve Gullion” Steams into Thurles Town.

The No. 171 “Slieve Gullion” Steams into Thurles at 11:57am This Morning, Marking Another Milestone for Irish Main Line Steam.

Great Northern Railway (Ireland) S Class 4-4-0 No. 171 “Slieve Gullion”, arrived into Thurles Railway Station at 11:57am this morning, drawing a warm welcome as the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland’s (RPSI) flagship steam locomotive continues its return to regular main line operation.

Today’s working forms part of the RPSI’s “An Sáirséal” Steam & Diesel Special operating between Dublin Connolly and Limerick, with No. 171 hauling the train from Dublin Connolly to Thurles, before an 071 Class diesel takes over for the onward run to Limerick.

Built by Beyer, Peacock & Co. in Manchester in 1913, No. 171 is one of the celebrated GNR(I) S Class express passenger locomotives, named after a mountain in the south of County Armagh, Northern Irelandand, is synonymous with the golden age of Irish main line steam.

Following an extensive overhaul and a long period out of traffic, No. 171 returned to steam in July 2024, officially launched back into service at Whitehead in September of that year, and later resumed main line, revenue-earning passenger work in November 2025, its first such duties since 2002.

An RPSI spokesperson said the Thurles arrival is “another proud moment for everyone who contributed to bringing ‘Slieve Gullion’ back; proof that Irish main line steam remains very much alive, and still capable of turning heads wherever it goes.”

“Don’t Sell Out Our Lake”: Cllr Phyll Bugler On Shannon–Dublin Pipeline.

A North Tipperary councillor has warned that Tipperary County Council must “come out strongly” with regard to its position on the proposed Shannon-to-Dublin water transfer scheme, as the multi-billion euro project moves through the planning process.

The proposal from Uisce Éireann would abstract treated water from the River Shannon system at the Parteen Basin and transfer it through a new pipeline to support supplies in the Eastern and Midlands region and the Greater Dublin Area. Planning permission has been lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála.

What is being planned?
Project documentation published by Uisce Éireann sets out a new abstraction from the lower Shannon at Parteen Basin; a proposed water treatment plant near Birdhill, and a pipeline running approximately 170km to a termination point reservoir at Peamount, connecting into the Greater Dublin Area network.

Uisce Éireann states the abstraction would be a maximum of 2% of the long-term average flow at Parteen Basin. The volume most commonly cited in public reporting is roughly 330–350 million litres per day (depending on the source and whether a rounded “up to” figure is used).

Cost estimates are varied. Uisce Éireann has referenced a preliminary indicative range in the €4.58bn–€5.96bn bracket, while other reporting has noted higher “worst-case” risk scenarios discussed in official correspondence.

“A legacy of a beautiful lake that’s destroyed”
Speaking on local radio, Councillor Bugler said she fears the council will not oppose the project strongly enough when it finalises its submission. She said she raised her concerns directly with council Chief Executive Ms Sinéad Carr, warning against any temptation to prioritise potential local “community benefit” funding over environmental impact.
She has urged the council not to “sell us out” and said she was worried about damage to Lough Derg for future generations.

Uisce Éireann has said it is proposing a “bespoke Community Benefit Scheme” linked to communities hosting construction and permanent infrastructure.

Criticism after Killaloe meeting.
The councillor also criticised Uisce Éireann’s public engagement after a recent information meeting in Killaloe, saying she was dissatisfied with the answers provided on how the project would operate during low-flow or drought periods.
In particular, she questioned how a 2% abstraction figure based on long-term averages would translate during dry spells and whether abstraction would be reduced or suspended, and what that would mean for the reliability of supply to Dublin and the wider region.

**Proposed Tipperary – Dublin Pipeline**.

“What turns this from local frustration into national hypocrisy is the scale of spending Ireland is willing to contemplate elsewhere. The Irish Government has backed the Water Supply Project for the Eastern and Midlands region, intended to bring a new long-term water source from the Shannon system towards the greater leaking Dublin area“. See Link Here

Ms Bugler further claimed that some representatives displayed limited familiarity with local water and wastewater infrastructure, including the source of supply for towns Ballina and Newport from the Mulcair River, and raised concerns about treatment levels at Ballina’s wastewater facility. These are allegations made by the councillor in media reports; Uisce Éireann has not, in the published material cited here, issued a point-by-point response to those specific claims.

Council submission in preparation.
Meanwhile, Tipperary County Council is preparing its formal submission to the planning authority. Separate coverage has reported that consultants have been appointed to assist the council in drafting its response.
With the application now before An Coimisiún Pleanála, we learn that stakeholders and members of the public can also make submissions as part of the statutory process, ahead of a decision on whether the project proceeds and, if so, under what conditions.