Cathal Ó Dálaigh - Celtic Cross Memorial

Charles J. Daly, Vice O/C, 2nd Battalion, Cork No. 1 Brigade, IRA.

We are currently fundraising to erect a Celtic Cross Memorial to Volunteer Charles J. Daly, who was murdered by Crown Forces on the 29th June 1921.

The Memorial will be erected close to where Charles Daly's body was found at Mount Vernon, near the Kinsale Road Roundabout, in Cork City.

Our target is to raise €5,000 for a 10 ft Celtic Cross, its installation, and and a commemorative ceremony to mark the unveiling. We would be greatly appreciative of all donations, whether it's €5, €10, €20 or €50.

Charles James Daly was born in 1890 and worked as a clerk at the Cork Gas Company. He was a staunch Irish Republican, having joined the Irish Volunteers upon their formation in Cork.

On the 17th February 1920 Charles was arrested during a raid on the Sinn Féin Thomas Ashe Hall, and on March 23rd was sentenced to nine months hard labour for possession of weapons and ammunition, and sent to Mountjoy Prison in Dublin.

Charles was temporarily released on May 7th to Mater Hospital after engaging on a 10 day hunger strike, and while recuperating went on the run, rather than return to prison.

After the execution of IRA Volunteers in Cork Gaol on the 28th February 1921 in the aftermath of the Dripsey Ambush, the IRA shot 12 British soldiers on the streets of Cork City.

Charles was a member of an Active Service Unit and was key to organising and participating in the attacks, along with several of the Ballycannon Martyrs.

In retaliation the British Army mistook Óglach Charlie Daly, of 14 Lough View Terrace, who was a railway employee, and murdered him close to Kent Station, believing he was Charles J. Daly.

On the 27th June 1921, a staff meeting of officers of the 2nd and 3rd Battalions, Cork No. 1 Brigade, took place at O'Shea's public house in Waterfall. Undercover British Army officers surrounded the building, and shot dead Leo Murphy, who was Commandant of the 3rd Battalion. Charles along with 24 other members of the IRA were arrested, and on the 28th June he was singled out for special treatment and brought to Victoria Barracks, where he was brutally tortured, beaten, and shot dead.

Amongst his injuries it is recorded "he had six bullets in his body, five bayonet wounds, a broken eye socket, crushed skull, broken ribs, broken fingers, broken arm and a broken leg."

Charles was buried on the 1 July 1921 in the republican plot in St Finbarr’s cemetery in Cork.

We would greatly appreciate your support in helping erect this memorial, and welcome new members to join the committee for the erection of the Celtic Cross.

Adhrae buaidh agus beannacht.

Tomás MacCormaic

Cathal Ó Dálaigh Memorial Committee