I WONDERED if people were aware that Sir John Maxwell, the man responsible for the summary executions of Padriac Pearse, James Connolly, Joseph Plunkett and 13 other Irish patriots, is interred in York Minster?
He seems to have had no connection really with the city, or Minster, other than being made Chief of Command of the Northern Army after his time spent in Dublin during and after the Easter Rising.
As the centenary of the commencement of the Declaration of Irish Freedom falls on April 24, 2016, I thought it might interest local people to be aware of this interment.
Maxwell was badly thought of at the time and the passing of 100 years has certainly not in any way lessened that.
York has very strong Irish connections and it seems insensitive to allow a man who would not allow others to have a decent burial or coffin to lay snugly in our Minster.
Carol O’Brien, York
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