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Both. Tuesday. May 1916 Dearest Hanna, We are appalled by the news which Marys
note gives us. I dont know what or how to say anything
to you, but to tell you in poorest words that our hearts
-mother and mine- are wrung with grief, and in deepest
sympathy with you in the dreadful sorrow that has
come to you. Mary tells us you are up bravely,
I know you are and I know that it needs all your
braveryto bear up successfully under this affection.
I pray god to give you strength to do so. We have
no details, only the black ugly fact, but we
may get them from Mary or yourself soon. Sorrow is almost dumb when it is
deep. More as we that state for you, may poor
one — your loving
father. David Sheehy.
David Sheehy (1844–1932) writes to his daughter Hanna Sheehy Skeffington (1877-1946)
to give his condolences regarding the murder of her husband, Francis.
Hanna Sheehy Skeffington (1877-1946) suffragette, nationalist, language teacher,
was the founder of the Irish Women’s Franchise League and a founding member of the
Irish Women Workers’ Union. She was the widow of Francis Sheehy-Skeffington who was
summarily executed on 26 April 1916. She was active during the Rising, bringing food
to the Volunteers in the G.P.O. and the College of Surgeons. Four days passed before
she found out what had happened to her husband, Francis (1878-1916), and it wasn't
until almost two weeks later that the full details of his execution emerged. David
Sheehy (1844–1932) was a parliamentarian and the father of Hanna Sheehy Skeffington.
Though he supported Irish involvement in the first World War and did not approve of
Hanna Sheehy Skeffington's feminist politics, he was a member of the IRB and interceded
for the release of his son in law Francis Sheehy Skeffington after he was imprisoned
for anti-war protests. He formally declared bankruptcy in 1915 and was forced to sell
the family home, living briefly in Bath, England before moving in with his widowed
daughter, Margaret Sheehy, in Dublin.