Laois Sinn Féin split extends to Easter Rising and Year of the French

Laois Republicans are hosting two Easter 1916 commemorations while Sinn Féin is moving on from a Mountmellick martyr executed during the 1798 rebellion.

2025 marks the first year since Brian Stanley's acrimonious split from the party over disciplinary issues that led to a national focus on Laois Sinn Féin. 

Part of the continuing fallout from the row will be in evidence over Easter when two commemorations will be held by both sides to mark the 1916 Rebellion. Sinn Féin's rebuild in Laois will also see them reorganising in Mountmellick where it lost several members who left with Dep Stanley. The party is also renaming its branch in the town.

Mary Haughton is the Secretary of its revamped Mountmellick Cumman. She issued a statement to the Leinster Express / Laois Live about its 1916 event.

"The Laois Sinn Féin Party are pleased to announce that our newly renamed and rejuvenated ‘Brownie Gorman – Patrick Phelan Cumann’, Mountmellick, is hosting the annual Easter Rising Commemoration. 

"The event will comprise a parade, led by the Portlaoise Accordion band, starting from The Square and parading to the 1798 monument in Wolfe Tone St.

"Guest speaker will be our very own Senator Maria McCormack, fresh from a very strong election campaign and result. Orations will be given, and the reading of the Irish Proclamation, along with the customary laying of wreaths at the monument.

"The event is open to all, and we would love to see the people of Mountmellick and surrounding areas come and join us in commemorating the heroes of the 1916 Rising who gave their lives for our freedom and shaped Ireland into the Republic we now have today. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured: 1798 Memorial in Mountmellick.

"Proceedings commence at the town square in Mountmellick at 1pm," she said.

The Mountmellick Sinn Féin Cumann was previously named in honour of Willie Brock from Mountmellick who was aged 18 when hung for his part in the 1798 uprising against British rule in Ireland. Laois Sinn Féin Chairman Aaron Kelly explained why the branch has been renamed.

"The reason that the Cumann selected these names was because they wanted to include the areas and remember the volunteers of Clonaslee, Rosenalis, and Mountmellick townlands collectively.

"Patrick Phelan was a Mountmellick native who was shot by Free State Forces on 2nd August 1922 in Clonaslee. Patrick was from Wolfe Tone Street. He was a member of the North Offaly Brigade of the Anti-Treay IRA when he was killed in Brittas, Clonaslee beside the castle, on 9 August 1922 during the Civil War. A monument was erected by Laois Sinn Féin at the place where he was shot in 2008.

"Joe 'Brownie' Gorman was a volunteer from Rosenalis originally. He was involved in the Battle of Capard at the Pigott Mansion where he guided a column of 18 to 20 men to safety following an attack by the Free State Forces. He suffered many injuries including being shot in the hip, head and arm by the Free State at various attacks around Laois. He ended up with a plate in his head as a result. On one occasion, he was received bad injuries as a result of gunshots and had to attend Portlaoise hospital where he remained under guard for a few weeks. To escape, he placed a dummy in his bed, dressed as a nurse and made his escape in disguise," said Mr Kelly.

Meanwhile, Dep Stanley who rebranded as an Independent Republican has announced a 1916 event near Portlaoise. 

He says 'Independent Republicans Laois' will hold a 1916 Easter Rising Commemoration on Easter Sunday April 20 at The Heath. They will assemble at The Heath NS (R32 XW40) at 11.30 am, where we will then parade to the nearby Republican monument. 

"All are welcome to attend," said Dep Stanley.