DONATIONS are being sought to cover the cost of repairing a memorial to an Irish Volunteer that was recently damaged on the Northside.
The stone monument erected in memory of Martin Savage has stood at the Ashtown roundabout for over 50 years.
It was damaged late last month when a car collided with it.
The young Volunteer, who had fought alongside Padraig Pearse and James Connolly in the Easter Rising, was killed three years later during what’s known as the Ashtown Ambush.
He was just 21-years-of-age at the time but was a trusted and respected comrade. He and nine other Volunteers, including Dan Breen, Sean Hogan and Sean Treacy, were caught in crossfire after a botched attempt to assassinate the Supreme Commander of the British Army in Ireland, Lord John French.
Savage was fatally wounded by a bullet in the neck and died in the arms of Breen to whom he is reported to have uttered his last words:
“I’m done, but carry on.
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Matt Doyle of the National Graves Association (NGA), which owns the monument, said they initially suspected vandalism when they first heard it had been damaged.
“In one sense we’re relieved that it wasn’t a deliberate act to vandalise a monument to an Irish patriot,
? Mr Doyle stated.
“We have memorials throughout the country and we would be worried if we started to see them vandalised.
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Meanwhile, the NGA is appealing for donations to cover the cost of repairs to the monument.
The NGA hopes to have the monument repaired and refurbished within the next two weeks.
Local councillor David McGuinness (FF) said he was
“shocked and saddened
? at the news that the stone memorial had been uprooted and damaged.
“I have been in touch with Fingal County Council, Dublin City Council, the Office of Pub glic Works and the gardai to ascertain exactly what happened here and to set in motion efforts to have this memorial reestablished as soon as possible,
? he stated.
“Generations of republicans have visited this site every December to remember young Martin Savage who gave up his life fighting for his country.
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He added:
“I will continue my efforts to get to the bottom of this and have it rectified as soon as possible.
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