1868 - 12, May 1916

Born in Glasgow. Moved to Ireland early. Later emigrated to America with his family (1903). Returned to Ireland (1907) and began to organise trade unions in Dublin and Belfast. Assisted James Larkin with organised Dublin lock-out in 1913. Formed Irish Citizen's Army with James White in 1914. Was signatory to Poblacht na Heireann in 1916 and joined his Irish citizen's Army with the Irish Volunteers for the Dublin Rising. Fought in the GPO and was injured in the fighting. Could not even sit up without pain but was held in Dublin Castle after his capture until he joined his comrades in being executed by the british. As he could not stand he was tied to a chair for the fatal firing squad. He was among the last of a long line of executions following the Rising and it was thought by many that he would be spared due to his many injuries. He was not. A fervent socialist, he believed in the rights of the workers until his death.