This Thursday (Nov 7), the public is invited to Dungarvan Library at 7 pm for the launch of 'Bloodshed in the Comeraghs' by David Prendergast.

The event is hosted by Waterford County Museum, with Síle Murphy as guest speaker. All are welcome.

Eighty-one IRA Volunteers were executed by Free State firing squads during the Irish Civil War. Yet many more were killed unofficially after being kidnapped, surrendering, or undergoing brutal interrogations. This was the fate of Thomas Keating, commandant of the 2nd Waterford Battalion, who, after being shot and captured on April 11, 1923, was denied medical care and left to bleed to death by his captors.

For the first time, David's book explores in detail the controversial circumstances surrounding Thomas Keating’s death at the hands of the National Army.

Pursued from the Knockmealdowns to his familiar ground in the Comeragh Mountains, Keating was ultimately gunned down in Coolnasmear while making a final, desperate attempt to leave the war behind and return to the safety of his beloved home in the Kilrossanty foothills.

This morning (Wed) on 'Deise Today', Damien was joined in studio by author David Prendergast and Willie Whelan from the Waterford County Museum for a chat about the book, ahead of its launch tomorrow evening.

You can listen back to the piece by clicking on the image above...