A campaign group seeking to re-inter Roger Casement’s remains at Murlough Bay in Co Antrim has formally applied for an exhumation licence.
Casement, one of the leaders of the 1916 Rising, was executed for treason at London’s Pentonville Prison on 3 August 1916.
His body was repatriated to Ireland in 1965 following long-standing requests by the Irish government of the time and buried with State honours at Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin.
However, Casement’s final wish remained unfulfilled.
The plot at Murlough Bay in Co Antrim
In the days leading up to his execution, Casement expressed a desire to be buried at Murlough Bay in the Glens of Co Antrim, where he spent parts of his childhood.
In a letter on 25 July 1916, he wrote: “Don’t let my body lie here – get me back to the green hill at Murlough, by the McGarry’s house, looking down on the Moyle, that’s where I’d like to be now, and there’s where I’d like to lie.”
This evening, the Roger Casement Commemoration and Re-interment Association (RCC&RA) submitted a formal application to Dublin City Council and Glasnevin Cemetery to grant an exhumation licence to move Casement’s remains from Glasnevin to Murlough Bay.
Members of the Roger Casement Commemoration and Re-interment Association with copies of the application in Belfast tonight
Formed in 2013, the RCC&RA is dedicated to honouring Casement’s legacy and carrying out his final burial request.
Members of the group gathered at the Casement Social Club in Belfast alongside their legal team Phoenix Law solicitors, O’Neill’s Funeral Directors and Patrick McCarry – a man who has offered space on his property near the existing Casement monument for the re-interment.
The campaign has also been backed by James Casement, a direct surviving relative of the revolutionary leader, who co-signed the petition.
The RCC&RA said exhumations are regularly granted across the Island of Ireland, however this is the first application of its kind in respect of Casement.
The application was marked at an event in Belfast this evening
RCC&RA Chairperson Alan Daly said: “This evening after many months of preparation, we have formally applied for the exhumation of Roger Casement to bring him home.
“Casement always wanted to return home and today we hope to start the process to make that happen.
“It is historic to be co-signing this application with Roger’s direct and surviving relative, James Casement.
“We now look forward to receiving the necessary license from Dublin City Council so we can ensure Casement is returned without any further delay.”