MARTYR or murderer?
That is a question for the audience according to Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhríde, the actor set to bring Patrick O’Donnell’s story to life in a new TG4 drama.
‘The Queen v Patrick O’Donnell’ will be the first time the west Donegal man’s story has been told on screen.
It will relate in detail the incredible events that climaxed at the end of a rope in Newgate prison almost 140 years ago.
“I think everyone in Gaoth Dobhair knows who Paddy was. His story has always been told and his name mentioned in local lore and local politics,” said Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhríde.
Patrick O’Donnell’s story, one of violence, intrigue and courtroom drama, could easily have come from the pen of a fiction writer.
He was convicted in 1883 of murdering infamous informer James Carey on board a ship off the coast of South Africa. The inciting incident being the Phoenix Park Murders where two senior British government officials in Ireland were assassinated by ‘The Invincibles’, a nationalist gang that targeted high profile people to promote their cause.
The murders in broad daylight shook British politics and led to the arrest of Carey, leader of The Invincibles.
Taking aim…Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhríde in a scene from drama which airs on March 16.
Facing execution Carey agreed to turn informer, a decision that led to the rounding up of five of his comrades who were hanged on his testimony.
Carey’s payment was safe passage to South Africa. But while on board the ship he was recognised by a fellow Irishman and murdered.
Patrick O’Donnell, a quietly spoken man from Glasserchoo, Min An Chladaigh, was sent to the gallows for the crime.
But TG4’s film, which airs on March 16, contains evidence from British Home Office files which were kept secret for a century. They raise serious questions about O’Donnell’s conviction.
“Our truth is that he took a stand and opposed what he felt was wrong. And he paid a price for that,” said writer and actor Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhríde.
“I don’t think anyone can say what was going through his mind but it is interesting to show different sides to the story and then let the viewer decide.”
Eoghan is better known for his work off-screen, as an author and a screenwriter. It was Patrick O’Donnell’s story that convinced him to make a rare foray into the acting limelight.
“It was the script that actually convinced me to do the part.
“Given that Paddy was a local man I was very happy that they chose a Donegal actor to play the part and someone who speaks Irish because he was an Irish speaker himself.
“It was good that they got someone local to do it because a lot of the time they bring actors in from outside. So it was nice to ask someone who understands the mindset of the people.”
To everyone in west Donegal Patrick O’Donnell was a hero, someone who avenged a terrible deed. Following his death a Mass was held in Gaoth Dobhair before an empty coffin bearing the inscription ‘Sacred to the memory of Patrick O’Donnell, executed at London 17 December 1883’ was interred in the family plot.
A memorial also stands in Derrybeg, the starting point each Easter Sunday for a march by the local band.
Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhríde’s career centres mainly on writing. But portraying Patrick O’Donnell, from his early life through to his death at the age of 50, was an opportunity too good to pass up on.
“I’m primarily a writer and I focus mainly on books and Irish language books. Most of my efforts go into that and I wouldn’t call myself an actor.
“I have taken on certain roles, for example ten years ago I did a film called Silence. I was involved in the writing of it which made it easier for me. But if a project comes along and I like it I will consider it.
“This was one I liked and I’m chuffed that they asked me.”
The Queen v Patrick O’Donnell airs Wednesday, March 16 at 9.30pm on TG4.
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