No photo at present

No photo at present

Share

Private Patrick O’Neill was the son of Charles O’Neill, of 46, Graham Street, Londonderry. He lodged at 47, Fahan Street, Londonderry with a James Doherty.

Officially he died on Tuesday 6th December 1914 from a heart attack caused by exhaustion from excessive vomiting.

During Saturday, the 3rd of December, Patrick, and some friends attested[1] to join the Royal Irish Regiment. On the following Monday night, they had gone out drinking and after exchanging insults with the police, Patrick was arrested and detained for a period of 4 hours at the police barracks. His stepmother collected him at which time he said, “I will never recover from the slogging they just gave me.”

Acting Sergeant Elliot stated that Patrick had taken his coat off to fight them, at which time he fell. He then violently resisted the police who had arrested him and took him to the police barracks.

James Doherty, who shared a room with Patrick stated that all of Monday night after being released by the police, Patrick had been vomiting and he was also complaining that the arresting officer had jumped on his chest with his knees.

Mrs Doherty, who was the wife of James said she had seen Patrick at 10am, Tuesday morning, smoking a cigarette. He was dead by 1pm. Nobody realised how serious his condition was.

The coroner concluded that although Patrick had some minor injuries, he believed he died from exhaustion caused by excessive alcohol and vomiting and that his arrest had nothing to do with his passing away.

He would never join his regiment as his first day of training was to be Friday, 9th of December.

The Royal Irish regiment 6th Battalion was formed in Clonmel on the 6th of September 1914. They eventually went to France during December 1915.

Date of Death: 08/12/1914 (Aged 26)

Service: Private, Royal Irish Regiment, 6th Bn.

Service Number: 3422

Burial Location: Londonderry (or Derry), City Cemetery,              M. D. 571.


[1] Attested is to join.

Leave a Reply

Consent Management Platform by Real Cookie Banner