Tinneny descendent Andrew Murray, the son
of John and Mary Reynolds Murray of Derrykenny, Newtownbutler, Co.
Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, was murdered along with his neighbor
Michael Nann. October 23, 1972 members the British Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
unit
attacked Andy and Michael while Andy was working for Michael on his farm
in the townland of Aughnahinch near Newtownbutler.
Eamonn Mcphillips of Newtownbutler wrote a
Ballad about the event. Each year around the anniversary of their
death, Eamonn, members of the Matt Fitzpatrick 1916 Society - Newtownbutler
and others from the community gather in a ceremony commemorating the
murders.
Michael Nann And Andrew Murray
There’s
a place called Newtownbutler on a Farm outside that town
Two young men were
murdered by the forces of the crown
Michael Nann and
Andrew Murray your names we’ll
ner forget
Taken from your
families what a cruil death you met
It was on a mild
October in the year of seventy two
Going about your
daily work it’s
little that you knew
The British Troops
were lying in wait with murder on their mind
Twa’s
you who they did murrder in that visious hatefull crime
They first
surrounded Michael as he stepped into the Byre
Stabbing him so
many times he lay there in the myre
Young Andy tried to
make a run out the laneway he did go
But the Argiles
they caught up with him twas there they laid him low
People driving past
that night on the road to Wattlebridge
Saw British Troops
upon the road and emerging from hedge
Confused and waving
traffic on with blood upon their clothes
It was little did
the people know of the murder by thease foe
The R.U.C. knew
well that night what happened on that farm
And with the Crown
they covered up and did not raise alarm
The next day the
bodies they were found twas a solemn sight to see
God rest you Micky
and Andy may your souls in heaven be
Video
of Eamonn singing the ballad.
Accounts surrounding the deaths of
Michael and Andrew known as “The Pitchfork Murders” can be found at the
following links:
Andrew was the grandson of
Patrick and Mary Tinneny Murray
of Derrykenny, Newtownbutler, Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland,
great-grandson of Mary Tinneny
of Goladuff, and great-great-grandson of
Hugh Tinneny of Goladuff.
Photo/Video credits: The Murray Family
- The Matt Fitzpatrick 1916 Society-Newtownbutler and Eamonn Mcphillips.
