The funerals and re-interment of Joseph O'Sullivan and Reginald Dunne who were executed for shooting Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson in 1922.
Joseph O'Sullivan and Reginald Dunne received the death penalty for the assassination of Field Marshal Wilson's in London on 22 June 1922. They were hanged at Wandsworth Prison on 10 August 1922.
A senior British Army staff officer during the First World War, Henry Wilson was shot by Joseph Dunne and Reginald O’Sullivan as he returned home following an unveiling ceremony of a war memorial at Liverpool Street station in central London.
Reginald Dunne who was second in command in the London IRA (Irish Republican Army) was a friend of Michael Collins and Rory O'Connor whose anti Treaty forces had occupied the Four Courts.
Joseph O’Sullivan had served with the rank of lance corporal with the London Regiment during the First World War and lost a leg at Ypres in 1917. Reginald Dunne was also an ex serviceman, having served with the Irish Guards.
Requiem Mass was celebrated in Saint Mary’s Pro-Cathedral on Marlborough Street, Dublin and attended by family members including Patrick O’Sullivan, brother of Joseph, who became first Vice-Commandant of the London IRA Battalion in 1919 and later transferred to the First Battalion, Cork Brigade.
Former comrades of the two men and many associated with the independence movement were also present. Taoiseach Jack Lynch was represented by Commandant Jack O’Brien, and President de Valera by his aide de camp Colonel Seán Brennan.
The funeral cortege made its way through O’Connell Street to Merrion Square and onto Deansgrange Cemetery. Graveside orations were given by Sean Stephenson and Patrick O’Sullivan.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 8 July 1967. The footage shown here is mute.
