Peter Dempsey (Kiltullagh)

Who was Peter Dempsey (Kiltullagh)?

Peter Dempsey (Kiltullagh) was a tenant farmer who was murdered during the Irish Land War in 28 May 1881. He was shot to death while walking to Mass with his two daughters across a field mass path.

Dempsey had taken over an 18-acre holding near Hollypark, Loughrea after the previous tenant, Murty Hynes, had given it up following a speech by Matt Harris. Hynes relinquished the holdings in September 1880 after Harris, who was a Fenian, Land Leaguer, Irish nationalist and Westminster MP, condemned him in a speech for taking a farm after the previous occupant had been evicted for non-payment of rent. Dempsey refused to leave the farm and was killed. Two men were charged with murder and were acquitted. Few attended Dempsey's funeral.