Mon 06 Jul 09: On 10 July 1927, Kevin O'Higgins was shot dead at the age of 35 on the Booterstown Avenue in Blackrock, County Dublin.
Born Stradbally, Co. Laois, 7th June 1892, educated at Clongowes Wood College, St Patricks College Maynooth, and UCD.
While a student he joined Sinn Fein, and was imprisoned for six months in 1918 for an anti-conscription speech, and while in jail was elected MP for Laois.
When Dail Eireann was established in 1919 O'Higgins was appointed Assistant Minister for Local Government. He was a strong advocate of acceptance of the Treaty of 1921 and after the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922 became Minister for Justice and External Affairs and vice-president of the Executive Council.
When Civil War broke he took vigorous measures to restore law and order and defended the execution of seventy-seven Republicans in 1922-23. O'Higgins established the Garda Siochana as an unarmed police force to replace the RIC.
His external policy aimed at a free and undivided Ireland within the British Commonwealth. On 10 July 1927, O'Higgins was assassinated at the age of 35 on the Booterstown Avenue side of Cross Avenue in Blackrock, County Dublin while on his way to Mass by three anti-Treaty members of the IRA, Timothy Coughlin, Bill Gannon and Archie Doyle, in revenge for his part in the executions of IRA men during the civil war. He was afforded a state funeral and was buried in Glasnevin Cemetery.
To see Kevin O'Higgins grave click here www.funeralbooking.com/touristservices/#pointname