Thomas Kent was born in 1865 into a prominent nationalist family in Castlelyons, Cork. They were prepared to take part in the Easter Rising, but when the mobilization order was countermanded, they stayed home. The rising nevertheless proceeded, and the RIC was sent to arrest well-known sympathizers throughout the country (including, but not limited to, known members of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, Irish Volunteers and Sinn Fein. When the Kent residence at Bawnard House was raided they were met with resistance from Thomas and his brothers Richard, David, and William. A gunfight lasted for four hours, in which an RIC officer was killed and David was seriously wounded. Eventually the Kents were forced to surrender, although Richard made a last minute dash for freedom and was fatally wounded.
Thomas and William were tried by court martial. William was acquitted, but Thomas was sentenced to death and executed by firing squad on May 9, 1916. Apart from the singular case of Roger Casement, Thomas Kent was the only person outside of Dublin to be executed for his role in the events of Easter Week
Thomas and William were tried by court martial. William was acquitted, but Thomas was sentenced to death and executed by firing squad on May 9, 1916. Apart from the singular case of Roger Casement, Thomas Kent was the only person outside of Dublin to be executed for his role in the events of Easter Week
[Back]