Constable Shane Feeney remembered when he roamed the untamed fields of County Mayo as a child full of simply joy. It was a hard life to be sure, though the old stone cottage with its large warming hearth kept their family contented in body and heart. While in the confines of their small acreage, there was some security from an outside world full of tumult.
He remembered listening in awe to his Uncle Paddy’s stories from the road, full of exciting people and wondrous sights. Every tale he spun was punctuated by a hearty laugh which filled all hearts with joy. Neighboring tenants came by regularly for old reels played on fiddle and pipes. Songs sung from memory and passed down by rote rang out in the winking glow of crackling fires.
Though all the goodness he had known as a young lad would soon become undone. For one day, these simple harmonies of their lives were shattered by the malicious actions of a fearsome brute. Newly hired by the owners of Rushford House, he made great haste to establish his menacing presence throughout this vast property.
As difficulties rained over the land through The Famine, Shane’s family could not escape the cruel indignity of forced eviction. But in the face of it all, his strong willed mother pleaded for a touch of leniency to set them straight again.
Yet the hard manager would hear nothing of it. During her pleading protestations, he struggled fiercely with his mother. When she lost her balance and her head struck a large rock, his mother went down with child, both lost to the world. Devastated and without, his family quickly left familiar lands now blighted by deathly despair. They would never return to Rushford House.
Through the intervening years, Shane’s dad became progressively ill, still crushed by a broken heart never healed. It was during this time Shane learned that the owner of Rushford House, Aidan Malloy, had expressed great remorse over the tragedy.
Furthermore, Malloy desperately wanted to make amends for the crime committed by his employee. But Shane’s father could never bring himself to accept anything from Malloy, asking Shane to do the same on his deathbed.
Shane was too young to have the same intense feelings of his father. Nevertheless, he kept his promise as a loyal son. Besides, no token expressions of sympathy could compensate for their deep loss on so many levels. Therefore, the matter lay dormant.
Upon his father’s death, Shane took sole responsibility to care for his sister at the tender age of seventeen. Then. after two years living a precarious existence, Shane determined to find a better way forward. However, he knew there were few opportunities in a land starving for food and shelter.
As chance would have it, an opening came available to train for the constabulary. He seized it with a desperate grip, for here was a rare opportunity to secure some stability in a tumultuous land.
This action had its subtle conflicts. It was hard working amongst the same organization which failed to prosecute his mother’s murderer. In addition, some felt the constabulary was part of the structure designed to keep Irish citizens downtrodden.
Nevertheless, survival through hard times makes unappealing compromises easier to accept. Besides, he had to think about the care of his vulnerable sister. One could say he was forced into forgiveness. Though never would he forget the tragic events at Rushford House.
During the early days of his career, Shane chanced upon posters for an important upcoming rally. With much interest he followed the growth of this fledgling Common Man Movement from that first day at Greenhill Commons. It came to his complete surprise to learn the movement’s co-founder was none other than Duncan Malloy.
Buried anguish from past days at Rushford House struggled within him to be heard. The proud voice of his dying father echoed within him to distrust any offerings from the Malloys. As a result, Shane found it difficult to reconcile these initiatives with the landowners from his childhood.
Yet now he recognized a fundamental change in their nature. Through the movement they were no longer distant aristocrats. In his fresh perspective Shane could see their transformation into progressive protectors of citizens’ rights. As he followed the Common Man Movement further along, he grew a new respect for the family. Part of him could even forgive, but never would he forget the hurtful days of Rushford House.
Guiding his horse over isolated rises and lonely terrain, Shane soon came back to present times. He needed all his faculties to find the remote location he was seeking. Fortunately Shane arrived over an hour after leaving Roderick’s place at a large stone house, situated in front of a tall stand of trees. Shane exercised caution on approaching the front entrance, which he knew was under watch.
Shane dismounted and strode towards the navy door. Just as he was about to knock, a man’s distinctive voice spoke from behind him.
“Who is calling here at this hour of night? Its private property you know, so best speak up and declare yourself!”
Even though he was mentally prepared, Shane was still startled hearing the distinctive accent of a Kerryman from out of nowhere. Quickly composing himself, he gave his response.
“I mean no harm to anyone. My name is Shane Feeney, and I’ve come here to speak with Brendan O’Bannon.”
Silence initially greeted Shane’s words. While he stood rooted to the spot he soon heard a response.
“So you claim to be Shane Feeney from County Mayo, whose family used to tenant out at Rushford House? My family used to be there as well after we came up from County Kerry. Did you know the name of my dad?”
Shane smiled as he responded. “Who could forget the hard working Kearney O’Bannon! I still remember how he mastered the pipes in front of our large hearth. I could have done better to keep in touch Brendan, though I could say the same of you.
“I still look back fondly on all those years of casting stones and fishing on Lough Burnett. Sure takes you back, doesn’t it Brendan?”
Immediately the voice came around to face Shane. “My word, it’s you Shane Feeney! What brings you here to speak with the likes of me? Come closer and let me look at the cut of you! How the hell did you track me down here?”
Brendan O’Bannon looked him over with a deep gaze before giving Shane one hearty hug. After years of separation, these two childhood friends embraced in joyful reunion. Shane was happy to have made Brendan’s acquaintance once again.
“Word traveled through good people a number of years ago concerning your whereabouts. I’m so glad you’re still here my friend.”
“Shane, there’s no need for us to be out here,” said a smiling Brendan. “Let’s go inside and catch up on our times since Rushford House.”
Both men were soon sitting in front of a low fire while discussing their lives over the intervening years. Remarkably they felt their youthful kinship come anew as time progressed. When a couple of hours had passed, Brendan posed a key question to Shane.
“I gather you came to seek me out for a reason after all this time. So go ahead and tell me what troubles your conscience?”
“Like I told you before, my lot is now as an officer in the Irish Constabulary. Times have been so hard in our country that one takes opportunities as opposed to making decisions. Late this evening I found out about a horrific crime that was perpetrated by some officers from the British Security Force. It happened right in the town limits of Sligo.
“Things being the way they are, I am powerless to pursue needed justice in my official capacity. That is when I thought of you. Even though it has been years since we last met I still have my ears to the ground. It also helps to have the confidence of those who know more intimately about your latest passions.”
O’Bannon gave Feeney a curious look. “Listen Shane, you were a good friend a ways back to me. Though I don’t have the optimism of youth we once shared. I sense you’re hinting at my rumored activities in the last five years or so. All that talk does not concern me, so I feel there’s no need to deny any of it.
“Shane Feeney, I have to say
your profession puts me at odds to discuss much of anything with you other than childhood pursuits. Believe me; I am truly happy to see you alive and well! But I don’t see the benefit of opening up that part of my life to you. So consider carefully what I’ve just said before you go any further.”
Shane could fully appreciate Brendan’s position. All he wanted to accomplish was to apprise him of the terrible occurrence at the O’Reilly homestead. Whether Brendan would do anything in relation to the matter was entirely his own decision. Realizing this, all Shane could hope for was a sympathetic audience.
“Remember Brendan back to when we would tell each other for days on end all we had to eat were boiled potatoes and a crust of bread? Because of that we took every opportunity for trespassing onto Lough Burnett to catch some fish. I was not the greatest and had little success, though you were a natural angler.
“Regardless, each time you would divide your catch in half and give me a share. I would protest, but you would always say “Shane, we came together and leave the same. There is always strength in the togetherness of compassion.” All I ask is that you forget the uniform I possess and look upon what I say in the same vein. For the man may wear a different cloth, but my heart still beats the same as yours.”
Looking straight into Brendan’s eyes, Shane could almost see O’Bannon’s mind switching back to those very moments long ago. He soon straightened himself in his chair before replying to Shane’s pleading.
“Like I told you already Shane, there’s a certain practicality to everything I do these days. Now, in memory of everything we went through together I promise you this. Speak freely and I will lend both ears. That is all I can commit to you now.”
Shane nodded his head in silent acknowledgement. Pulling his chair closer to Brendan, he recounted the exact story as heard from Roderick Smith. In keeping his promise, Shane never mentioned the source of his tale.
Through it all, Brendan wore the same expressionless face while catching every word from Feeney’s lips. When Shane concluded, O’Bannon rose from his chair and slowly paced the floor in front of his hearth.
“Do you have any more to tell me Shane?” he finally asked.
Shane thought it prudent to relate those events at Sligo station leading up to his first encounter with the Security Force officers. When he finished, Brendan walked towards his chair and stood right in front of him.
“Shane Feeney, it has been a pleasure to see you again. We should not make it so long in the future, though it would be best for you not to call here for quite some time. I hope we understand each other on this. Take good care my friend.”
Feeney was shocked to hear Brendan’s choice of words, though O’Bannon did hear him out as promised. Rising from his chair, he met Brendan’s hand in a farewell handshake.
“I wish you all the best Brendan. Thank you for seeing me at such a late hour and being a good listener.” With that Shane Feeney left O’Bannon’s residence for his long journey home.
Brendan waited ten minutes to ensure Feeney was a safe distance away from his property. Going back outside, he followed a short path to what appeared to be an old abandoned barn. Casting a sharp look about, he went around back of the structure and rapped hard five times on an old trapdoor.
Pausing for a moment, he began speaking into empty night air. “All is seen in this good light of the moon.”
Within a moment, the trapdoor opened outwards to reveal a friendly face. “Brendan, it’s always good to see you, but why are you here at such an awkward hour?”
“Hello Gerard. I know we were all going to meet in the morning, though something has happened which needs our immediate attention. Hope you and the men were able to get a couple hours of rest. I don’t know how long it will be before the next opportunity.”
Both men descended the wooden steps to a large room fitted out with chairs and a large meeting table. The stone walls were lined on two sides with bookcases. As for the other two walls, doors on opposite ends led to sleeping quarters. From the outside, no person could ever imagine the sophisticated quarters within.
“Gerard, call together everyone this instant,” ordered O’Bannon when they touched feet to floor. “There is truly no time to waste!”
Soon Brendan was surrounded by Gerard and seven other men. Even though they were fast asleep not five minutes before, each one appeared ready for engagement, whatever the situation required.
“Gentleman, I’m sorry to disturb you at this odd hour, though a matter has been brought to my attention which requires immediate action. Normally we set objectives based on our own initiatives. However, what I have learned in the last hour is of great importance to one of our chief aims; independence for Ireland.
“As we always do, I will share everything I know with my brothers. The only thing I cannot reveal is my source of information, which is for everyone’s mutual safety. Please follow my words closely.”
Brendan proceeded to recount all he knew concerning the O’Reilly incident, protecting information which would reveal Shane Feeney’s identity. All around the table, each man grew increasingly frustrated by this turn of events. When he finished, their manner had been transformed into complete anger.
Cathal was deeply moved by all he heard. “For goodness sakes Brendan, we have to do something about this! Not only have they murdered an innocent man, but they’ve probably captured Peter Harvey, co-leader of the Common Man Movement. He and Duncan Malloy are fast becoming giants through word of their strengthening appeals!
“We all know what they’re trying to do. This is a direct strike against any movement for self-government, even nonviolent protest. If the Security Force has Peter Harvey, they will surely hang him. That will put grave fear into every supporter of their cause and others like it. I say we make plans to rescue Peter Harvey. Too much is at stake not to act!”
Gerard was also moved to comment. “It’s like I have always said. Those wicked bastards do not care to offer dignity to any of our citizens, be they man, woman or child. The only thing they understand is might for might. I sure hope we agree to uphold the spirit of our oath and give them their own back!”
Brendan looked at his remaining comrades. “So everyone heard what has happened. We all know how things are done within the Free Eire Homeland movement. By show of hands, two-thirds of you have to approve before we act on any motion. So let me see those in favor of taking back Peter Harvey from the Security Force.”
Brendan watched in quiet wonder. Rarely did all the men come to consensus so quickly. Without any protestations, he counted all nine hands in the air, including his own. He knew they were fortunate, because a united front would be the only chance for rescuing Peter Harvey. Though Brendan still expected their future actions would come at a heavy price indeed.
“All is settled gentlemen. But I have grave news to start things off. If the Security Force left today from Castlebar station back to Dublin, we are too late already. What that would mean is a long journey to Dublin, using our contacts over there to organize a jail break in full cooperation.
“I don’t have to tell anyone here about the chances for success in such an operation. We would be going into the den of the beast itself. Therefore, each man’s life would be at certain peril.”
Hearing the latest words from Brendan, all prior enthusiasm became tempered with silent reckoning. They would be faced with a very solemn, complex task to carry out their mission. Suddenly, Cathal jumped from his chair in a rush of newfound excitement.
“Brendan, I don’t think that has to be the case! I remember speaking to a lad whose sister lives in Castlebar. She was supposed to visit Dublin yesterday but had to put it off. Seems their station has been closed to passengers for a number of days already because of the tracks. So the Security Force is probably stuck in Castlebar. I bet they come back to Sligo tomorrow and catch a train from there.”
O’Bannon contemplated Ca
thal’s comments carefully. “If your friend is correct, I doubt they would have risked coming back to Sligo later in the day. They would be too exhausted for the return journey, to say nothing about their overworked horses. In my view, we have no other option but to make that assumption. This gives us mere hours to formulate a plan.
“Based on everything known to us, we will use all our resources to track those bastards down. Therefore, between Castlebar and Sligo we shall attempt to free our fellow patriot Peter Harvey. If the Security Force is lucky, they may escape with their lives!"
Every man roared in hearty approval while pounding the heavy table on hearing Brendan’s fiery proclamation. When the din subsided, Brendan continued to speak.
“Before we begin plotting, there is some personal business which must be attended. I think it only respectful for Peter’s family to know what happened to him. I am guessing the Common Man Movement has said nothing to them, for fear of messing up their escape operation. Well, it seems that time has passed.
“Niall, as unofficial spokesman for Free Eire Homeland, I ask of you to deliver this unfortunate news. Be gentle, as Peter is his mother’s only child. Above all, give them the respect they are most certainly due!
“I know through intelligence they live in Kilmarnie, which is over eighty miles away from here. I figure that by early afternoon you shall be close. When you arrive in town, ask the locals where to locate the Harvey homestead. And please, do not tell his family he was captured! I trust with God, faith and luck on our side we will have a chance of getting him back.”
“Very well Brendan,” answered Niall confidently. “Is there anything else you need from me before I prepare to set off?”
Brendan walked over to Niall’s chair and gave him a gentle pat on the back. “I have nothing more to ask of you Niall. Have a safe journey, and be alert at all times. From now on, the chances for our success weigh on everyone’s shoulders.”
The Watchman's Grace Page 58