Saturday 31 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 18867Murder · Co. Kildare · 14 Dec 1923

Book on cover-up of 1923 Milltown murder of Private Joseph Bergin

National Army soldier Private Joseph Bergin was killed on 14 December 1923, and his body was found in the Grand Canal near Milltown, County Kildare. Well-publicised trials were held in the following years. In December 2023, author Mark D McLoughlin published a book on the murder and its cover-up, which discusses the involvement of Military Intelligence, including senior officers. The book, part of Kildare County Council's Decade of Commemorations Programme, is available through Kildare Library Service and as an e-book, and the reports name no suspect, arrest, charge or sentence.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
National Army soldier Private Joseph Bergin was murdered.
Where
His body was found in the Grand Canal near Milltown, County Kildare.
When
The killing took place on 14 December 1923.
In court
Well-publicised trials were held in the following years.
Investigation
The book draws on the Military Archives, National Archives, contemporary newspapers and trial reports.
Other details
  • The book discusses the involvement of Military Intelligence in the killing and subsequent cover-up, including of senior officers.
  • The book, by Mark D McLoughlin, is part of Kildare County Council's Decade of Commemorations Programme.
  • The book was announced on 14 December 2023 and reviewed on 15 December 2023 by kildarenow.com.
  • The book is available to download from the Kildare Library Service website and as an e-book through BorrowBox.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe book is an account of the murder of National Army soldier Private Joseph Bergin. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatThe article describes the murder of National Army soldier Private Joseph Bergin. (kildarenow.com)
  • wherePrivate Joseph Bergin's body was discovered in the Grand Canal near Milltown in County Kildare. (kildarenow.com)
  • wherePrivate Joseph Bergin's body was discovered in the Grand Canal near Milltown, County Kildare. (kildarenow.com)
  • whenThe murder took place on 14 December 1923. (kildarenow.com)
  • whenThe killing took place on 14 December 1923. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe book covers the well-publicised trials held in following years. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe book discusses the involvement of Military Intelligence in the killing and subsequent cover-up, including of senior officers. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe book is available to download from the Kildare Library Service website and as an e-book through BorrowBox. (kildarenow.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 Dec2023
    Otherkildarenow.com, first report
    KILDARE ARTS SCENE: New book on the cover up of The Milltown Murder

    Arts and publication piece about a historical case from 1923, not a report of a new incident. The article names no suspects or accused persons, and it gives no age, sex or nationality for the victim.

    victim, Joseph Bergin, irish (judged from name)Joseph Bergin
  2. 14 Dec2023
    Otherkildarenow.com, follow-up
    New book focuses on murder committed in County Kildare which just turned 100 years old

    Announces the book on the 1923 murder, describing its sources, the events leading up to the killing, the trials held in following years, and Military Intelligence's involvement in the killing and cover-up. It adds no suspect, arrest, charge or sentence.

    victim, Joseph Bergin, irish (judged from name)Joseph Bergin