Father Griffin C.C. Missing

Galway Observer, November 20th 1920

Introduction

Responding apparently to a sick call, Father Griffin, who is junior curate for the parishes of Bushy Park and Barna, Galway, went out into the howling gale in the company of three men, who are said to have trench coats and rubber boots. No trace of him has been obtained.

Mr Cruise, Divisional Commissioner R.I.C., declares he is confident that no member of the Crown forces had anything to do with the abduction.

Rev Peter Davis, P.P., maintains with equal confidence that no Catholic and no Irishmen would touch a hair of Father Griffin's head.

It was at first thought that finding himself at a distant part of the parish, Father Griffin had taken refuge with some neighbouring priest. Answers received to telegrams sent to all the surrounding parishes have dispelled this hope.

Was It A Decoy

Moreover, the circumstances give rise to the suspicion that Father Griffin was decoyed from this house on a fictitious call or that he was induced to open the door by this means.

It is significant that Father Griffin did not take the Blessed Sacrament with him.

Father Griffin resided in Sea Road terrace, where he shared the house with Rev J.W. O'Meehan, B.D., the senior curate. The only other occupant of the house was the housekeeper. This week Father Griffin was off duty and would therefore attend to all night calls.

The housekeeper states she heard loud knocking at the door shortly after midnight on Sunday. She heard Father Griffin go to the window and speak to men outside. Immediately afterwards he opened the front door. She heard someone go upstairs with him to the room. They appeared to be conversing in ordinary tones. Within ten minutes both left the house.

A Midnight Call

A neighbouring resident says that shortly after 11.30 he heard knocking on the priest's door, as if with fists. A howling gale was blowing and there were intermittent showers of rain. The knocking, he says, became more insistent, as if the butt ends of revolvers so rifles were being used.

Father Davis informed Mr Cruise that a search party was being organised, and the latter replied that his men would give them every assistance, provided there was nothing political in the party. It is understood that Father Davis also called on Brigadier—General Chaplain to place the facts before him.

A Clonfert Man

Rev Michael Griffin was born at Gurteen, Ballinasloe, and belonged to the diocese of Clonfert. Ordained from Maynooth in 1917, he was loaned to Galway diocese and appointed to a curacy in Ennistymon. In June of 1918, Father Griffin was tranferred to Rahoon parish which comprised St Joseph's Church, Galway and the church at Barna, and the districts of Rahoon and Bushy Park. He was an ardent Gaelic Leaguer and used the Irish language on every possible occasion. At the general election he gave his support to Padraig O'Maille the Sinn Fein candidate, but since that date has taken no part in politics.

Of a genial disposition, Father Griffin was the soul of good nature. The esteem in which he was held was revealed in the indignation that has been expressed at his abduction. Catholic members of the R.I.C. are shocked at the occurrence.

It now seems clear that Father Griffin was not called to attend any of his parishioners on Sunday night and the opinion is prevalent that he was induced to open the door by a stratagem. He may then have been taken by force, although this theory is discounted by the evidence of Barbara King, the housekeeper, who says that when he returned to his room, accompanied by one of his callers, they appear to be speaking in friendly tones.

Father Griffin's bedroom is on the third floor at the back, and his sitting room is towards the front of the house on the same floor. When he heard the knocking he entered the sitting room from his bedroom and conversed with the callers from his window, subsequently going downstairs, past Father O'Meehan's sittingroom to open the front door.

It has been definitely ascertained that he did not take the Blessed Sacrament with him when he left with the three strangers. Father Griffin's mother and brother have arrived in Galway from Gurteen. A touching scene was witnessed when the mother learned that no news could be obtained of her son's whereabouts.

Police patrols have been sent out in all directions. An officer stated on Thursday that while the police would welcome the assistance of civilians who would conduct a search under police control, they could not tolerate any body of men usurping their functions.

It was learned that the local Catholic R.I.C. men had discussed the question of making a direct protest to the Bishop against any insinuation that they were in any way responsible for, or privy to, the abduction of a Catholic priest, which they deplore as deeply as anyone.