A badly corroded 100 year-old grenade located near the monument at Solohead in South West Co. Tipperary was removed to a safe location where it was destroyed in a controlled explosion on Friday last, September 22nd, by the Irish Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team.
Corroded ‘Mills Bomb’, a fully intact ‘Mills Bomb’ and their inventor English engineer Sir William Mills.
The corroded device located by Tipperary County Council staff carrying out road repairs, resembled an MK I time-fused fragmentation hand grenade, latter used during the early years of World War I. The device, according to its original designer, was then the simplest, yet most fool-proof grenade ever manufactured and replaced the existing cast-iron canister, latter set on an 18-inch stick, which was dangerous to use because it often got caught on trench fronts, when lobbed. However, the MK I was retired from active use before the war ended, and was replaced in 1918 with the improved Mk 2 grenade used through the period of World War II.
Known by a more popular name, the “Mills bomb”, this series of British hand grenades, were used by British and Imperial forces, having been designed by English engineer Sir William Mills, (24th April 1856 – 7th January 1932) who also gave us our aluminium golf clubs, known as Metallic Golfing Instrument Heads. Some 75,000,000 of these World War I Mills Bomb grenades were manufactured, with their four-second time fuses, allowing the thrower to easily take cover before they exploded.
Numerous, similar devices are located every year here in Ireland, with one such grenade device located in the Rosemount area of Thurles, in February 2018. On November 16th, 2017, two men, one from Cahir, Co. Tipperary and the other from Clonmel in Co. Tipperary, were arrested having in their possession two fragmentation grenades. On the 14th of May 2020 a Mills bomb, dating back about 100 years was made safe by the Irish Army having been discovered at Harold’s Cross bridge in Dublin, while on Wednesday 6th of March 2015, a man located a grenade Mills bomb at his home while out gardening in Newtown Lawns, Mullingar, Co Westmeath. Earlier on September 22nd, 2009, a World War II ‘Mills Bomb’ was found in Cahir, Co. Tipperary. In 2016 in the small village of Aughrim in Co. Galway another such device was located, and on Tuesday May 21st 2013 a Mills Grenade was discovered by people digging at their home in Crosshaven, Co Cork.
Most of these devices were brought smuggled home by Irish men who had joined the British Army to fight enemies on the front during World War I, and retained for intended use during Ireland’s fight for Independence, in the years 1916-22. Unused they were hidden away in private sheds or buried, to be located by future generations.
Pre-deceased by his brothers Tom and Con, sisters Bridie and Mary, brothers and sisters-in-law; Mr Cashen passed away peacefully while in the care of staff at St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny City, Co. Kilkenny, surrounded by his loving family.
His passing is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by his loving wife Annette, sons Tom and Con, daughters Aileen, Geraldine and Olive, daughters-in-law Marie and Melissa, sons-in-law Mike, John, and Nigel, grandchildren, brothers Joe and Dick, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.
Requiescat in Pace.
Funeral Arrangements.
The earthly remains of Mr Cashen will repose at the home of his son Tom and Marie’s residence (Eircode R93 XF59) on this afternoon, Sunday September 24th, from 2:00pm until 8:00pm same evening, with house to remain private thereafter please. The remains of Mr Cashen will be received into the nearby Church of Our Lady of The Wayside, Oldtown, Clonmore, Co. Carlow, on Monday afternoon, September 25th, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 1:30pm, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in the adjoining graveyard.
The extended Cashen family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
Vocals: From the musical ‘Ragtime’, featuring the gospel, R&B, and soul artist Marlon Solomon.
Lyrics: Lynn Ahrens / Stephen Charles.
Make Them Hear You.
Go out and tell our story, Let it echo far and wide, Make them hear you. Make them hear you. How Justice was our battle, And how Justice was denied. Make them hear you. Make them hear you. And say to those who blame us, For the way we chose to fight, That sometimes there are battles, That are more than black or white, And I could not put down my sword, When Justice was my right. Make them hear you. Go out and tell our story To your daughters and your sons, Make them hear you. Make them hear you. And tell them, “In our struggle, We were not the only ones”. Make them hear you. Make them hear you. Your sword can be a sermon, Or the power of the pen. Teach every child to raise his voice, And then my brothers, then, Will justice be demanded by ten million riteous men. Make them hear you, When they hear you, I’ll be near you, Again.
Pre-deceased by her husband Pat and son Michael, her parents Paddy and Bridie, sister Mary (Hogan), brothers Philip, Tommy and Gerard; the passing of Mrs Tinch is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by her loving sons Derek and Kevin, daughters-in-law Loretta, Donna and Dawn, adored grandchildren and great grandchildren, sister Teresa (Meaney), nieces, nephews, extended relatives and many friends.
For those persons who are unable to attend the funeral service for Mrs Tinch, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.
The extended Tinch family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
Note Please: No flowers. Donations in lieu if desired to Macmillan Trust.
Security & Protection Review Announced For Oireachtas Members & Staff Working On Oireachtas Campus
The Garda Commissioner is to undertake a new security and protection review of TDs, senators, their staff and people working on the Oireachtas campus.
The chairs of the respective parliamentary parties and parliamentary groupings in the Oireachtas, and representatives of the staff and media working in Leinster House, will be asked to contribute to the review and will be met with, as part of this process.
This will allow those working in the Oireachtas to give their views on general security and protection, including their work in their constituencies, as well as on the security approach to parliamentary set days, such as Budget Day and the first sitting of Dáil terms.
This review will be concluded by the end of October and full details will be provided to the Minister for Justice Mrs Helen McEntee TD .
Officials have been asked to examine whether existing legislation is sufficient to deal with intimidation centred on our democratic institutions, including consultation with the Attorney General on this matter.
The Commissioner’s review will also feed into other work being carried out under the auspices of the Oireachtas and elsewhere, such as:-
The Task Force on Safe Participation in Political Life.
A review of security announced this week by the Ceann Comhairle.
The potential impact of the new security allowance for members of the Oireachtas, which was introduced earlier this year.
An Garda Síochána constantly monitors the security of elected representatives.
A recent assessment of security for office holders has led to increased protection over recent years and each Garda Division has a Crime Prevention Officer who is qualified and tasked to liaise with and provide advice to elected representatives.
Serious justifiable concerns have arisen in light of the recent incidents involving protests.
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