Wednesday 28 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. 7069Murder · Co. Galway · 14 Nov 1920

Priest Michael Griffin's 1920 murder recalled on centenary of body's discovery

Father Michael Griffin, a priest, was murdered during the War of Independence. He left his home in the west of Galway city on the night of 14 November 1920 and was believed to have been taken to Lenaboy Castle, where Auxiliary forces were stationed. His body was found six days later in an unmarked grave in a bog at Cloghscoltia near Barna, shot through the head, and he was buried in the grounds of Loughrea Cathedral. No arrest or charge is reported, and the latest development is a 20 November 2023 article marking the hundredth anniversary of the discovery of his body.

  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
Father Michael Griffin, a priest, was murdered during the War of Independence.
Where
  • He left his home at 2 Montpellier Terrace in the west of Galway city on the night of 14 November 1920 and never returned.
  • He was believed to have been taken to Lenaboy Castle on Taylor's Hill, where Auxiliary forces were stationed.
  • His body was found in an unmarked grave in a bog at Cloghscoltia near Barna.
When
His body was found six days later, around 20 November 1920.
Cause
  • He had been shot through the head.
  • It is believed he was shot by the Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary because of his sympathies for the independence movement.
Investigation
The sources report no arrest or charge in the case.
Other details
  • He was born in Gurteen and ordained in 1917.
  • He was buried in the grounds of Loughrea Cathedral.
  • A 20 November 2023 article marks the hundredth anniversary of the discovery of his body.
7 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereHe was believed to have been taken to Lenaboy Castle, where Auxiliary forces were stationed. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • whereHis body was found in an unmarked grave in a bog at Cloghscoltia near Barna. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • whenFather Griffin left his home on the night of 14 November 1920 and never returned. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • causeHe had been shot through the head. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • causeIt is believed he was shot by the Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary because of his sympathies for the independence movement. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • otherThe article marks the hundredth anniversary of the discovery of the priest's body. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • otherThe priest was buried in the grounds of Loughrea Cathedral. (galwaybeo.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 Nov2023
    Othergalwaybeo.ie, first report
    Galway priest's murdered body found at shallow grave after being 'shot in head'

    Historical centenary feature about a 1920 killing during the War of Independence. It does not relate to any current case in the list.

    victim, Father Michael Griffin, male, irish (judged from name)Father Michael Griffin