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Bob Howe

    The ''troubles' of 1922, in Ireland, were, in my limited knowledge, a major step in settling the affairs of the Irish people over the long hated English rulers.  In the case of many it is a read that is a history lesson.  For some it is 'close to home', while for others it is a family ancestor happening.  In my quest for my 'Ireland born' ancestors, who had settled as far back as 1597, It had been noted that Bob How was shot in bed by the Sinn Fein, in 1922.  [who's bed was not mentioned].  My original Phillips/Whelpy begat Charles.  One of Charles's issues was William;  and William and his wife had, among others, Catherine Jane.  Catherine married Joe Fuller and their known daughter, Kate, married Robert (Bob) Howe.

    On the night of the 27th of April, 1922, around 10 o'clock in the evening Bob went to answer the door.  At home was his wife Kate and when the door was opened, shots were fired and in the end Bob lay dead.  Who shot him is unknown.  During this night 6 others were shot dead in the area.  The night of the 7 murders.  At these times it can be expected that 'old scores' may have been settled under the guise of an up-rising.  On the other hand Bob and the others may have been involved with the 'troubles'.

Since the above writing I have learned that it was an old score that was settled on Bob.  Apparently Bob had made slanderous statements about someone years earlier.

Sources:
    From Tony Kent:-'' I got the death register entry for Bob Howe, cause of death "shock caused by bullet wound, homicidal" he died on 27 April; inquest on 29th; info supplied to register by coroner.  Bob Howe died at his home in Ballaghanure.''
    From Don Wood:- '' However, I did find a book that detailed the murders of Bob Howe and others in April 1922. He died on 27th April and was 60 years old at the time. The statement of his wife Catherine on what happened is on record somewhere and is quoted in the book. Apparently he was shot after answering a knock on the door at about 10 o’clock at night. His address was given as Ballaghanure, which is to the west of the village of Castletown. Also killed the same night was his near neighbour, John Chinnery, aged 31. John Chinnery’s sister Olive and her husband, Joseph Moore still lived in Kinneigh [Ed: until the 190's]  The book, I have been told, is called The IRA and It's Enemies.