Police Chief Speaks About 'Forgotten Ten'

This past Sunday, May 1, Chief Joel Hurliman made a speech at a ceremony for the 95th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Monday Rising in Dublin on the New Haven Green.

The Easter Rising was a rebellion in Ireland headed by Irish republicans aiming to end British rule in Ireland and establish the Irish Republic. Hurliman spoke about the "Forgotten Ten."

These individuals were all hanged by the British during the War of Liberation, also known as the Black and Tan War or simply the Tan War, in 1920-1921 on either skimpy or no evidence whatsoever of the crimes they were accused of, after only short military tribunals.

The "Forgotten Ten" were: Kevin Barry, Thomas Bryan, Patrick Doyle, Frank Flood, Patrick Moran, Bernard Ryan, Thomas Whelan, Thomas Traynor, Patrick Maher and Edmond Foley.

Their sacrifice turned public opinion sharply against the British Government worldwide, but especially in the United Kingdom and led directly to the treaty ending British rule signed on December 6, 1921. They were all buried at Mountjoy Jail and remained there until 2001 when they were all reburied in an official Irish Government ceremony.

At Sunday's ceremony, music was provided by the New Haven Fire Department Emerald Society pipe band and both the Irish national anthem and the Star Spangled Banner were sung by Liz McNicholl. Several Shelton and Valley residents were in attendance, according to Hurliman. He has been asked to speak at the event again next year.