NAAS: 6 June 2001: by Trish Whelan. An historic flag stolen from Naas UDC c1919 is now back where it belongs, thanks to a local historian.
In a surprise gesture, Stan Hickey presented the green embroidered flag, previously owned by the Irish Volunteers, to the UDC. It was formally accepted by UDC chairman Cllr Pat O’Reilly.
Stan Hickey said the flag had been in the Hickey family home all his lifetime and he had taken it with him on his marriage.
The history of the flag came to light when during some research work, Stan came across a local newspaper cutting detailing how ‘on Tuesday night, it was discovered that a flag previously owned by the Irish Volunteers had been abstracted from the UDC’s offices. It is believed entrance was effected by the use of a ladder’.
The flag had been given to the UDC on the disbandment of the Volunteers. It was quite valuable at the time, with the embroidery work alone costing £3.
“You may ask was the Hickey family involved in the larceny but how it came into our possession I do not know,” Stan told those present. He added his father would have been a young boy at the time.
He presented it back to the UDC in the very same room from which it was stolen.
Cllr O’Reilly thanked the Hickey family for their generosity and assured them the precious flag will be treated with the respect it deserves.
©2001trishwhelan/knn