Major breakthrough in the mystery of Irish patriot’s remains

THERE has been another twist in the fabled story of Staker Wallace which goes back over 200 years.

Patrick Staker Wallace (or Wallis) was executed in Kilfinane by the British in the lead up to the 1798 rebellion. Wallace was commander of a local division of United Irishmen.

He was arrested following an alleged plot to murder the local landlord, Capt Oliver who then offered his freedom in return for the names of other United Irishmen and the location of their weapons. Wallace refused.

He was jailed in Kilfinane and underwent public flogging before he was publicly hanged and beheaded. His head was put on a spike above the Market House for a number of weeks before he was buried in the town.

The actions of the Irish patriot, believed to be from Bulgaden, were never forgotten. He is remembered in song - A Lament to Staker Wallace; name of a GAA Club and a statue in Kilfinane.

Fast forward to 2006 when human bones were discovered in Kilfinane when the council were carrying out urban renewal works. Locals believed that the remains of Wallace were among the bones found. It was thought three men were buried in the grave.

However, it appears Wallace was forgotten about for 14 years as the Limerick Leader revealed in 2020 through correspondence from the council that, “This project was put on a back burner due to ongoing pressure of work”.

Kilfinane man James O’Brien, who raised his concerns in 2020 over the delay with Minister for State Niall Collins, said: “Those bones lay forgotten for over 200 years. It's a fright to God if they are forgotten again.”

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Mr Collins said, “Sitting on skeletal remains for over 14 years, which are an integral part of the history, heritage and culture of Kilfinane is simply not acceptable”. He called on the council to immediately begin the testing process.

Funding was sought in 2021 under the 2022 council budget with an osteoarchaeologist (scientific study of human skeletons) procured in October 2021.

Funding was confirmed in January 2022 and the bones were delivered to the osteoarchaeologist. Last September, Sarah McCutcheon, archaeologist with Limerick City and County Council, said the osteoarchaeologist had completed her review of the bones.

“A summary of the information gleaned is that the minimum number of individuals contained in the collection is five although there might be up to seven. There is no clear evidence of any skeletal material from a 65-year-old individual (Wallace’ age when he was killed).

“The age range for the material is between 25 and 45-years-old. It looks like Staker Wallace’s bones may not be part of the collection,” said Ms McCutcheon.

However, there is now conjecture over his age and that he may not have been a pensioner after all. Some including the Kilfinane Coshlea Historical Society have long been open to the possibility that Staker Wallace’s age was exaggerated.

In a new update this month, Ms McCutcheon said they took two samples for dating to Queens University in Belfast.

“The results were better than expected and indicated a late 18th century date for both samples. The osteoarchaeologist is investigating the possibility / options with pursuing DNA,” said McCutcheon.

She said that although none of the bones can be definitively identified as belonging to Staker Wallace “I think it is reasonable to suggest that his body, at least, is included in the assemblage, particularly if there is reason to think now that he may be closer to 45-years-old rather than over 60 as suggested elsewhere”.