Lives of Irish Martyrs and Confessors . , the treachery of Co-lonel Fennell enabled Ireton to compel the surrender ofthe Twenty-four persons were excepted from quar-ter by the articles of capitulation. Knowing the fate thatwas reserved for him, Dr. OBrien retired to the pest-house,in order to devote the last hours of his life to the benefitof his suffering fellow-citizens, and to preparing himself fordeath. Here he was found by the officers sent to arresthim, and brought before Ireton, who told him he was to betried by a court-martial, and imprisoned till the sentencewas pronounced. The
Lives of Irish Martyrs and Confessors . , the treachery of Co-lonel Fennell enabled Ireton to compel the surrender ofthe Twenty-four persons were excepted from quar-ter by the articles of capitulation. Knowing the fate thatwas reserved for him, Dr. OBrien retired to the pest-house,in order to devote the last hours of his life to the benefitof his suffering fellow-citizens, and to preparing himself fordeath. Here he was found by the officers sent to arresthim, and brought before Ireton, who told him he was to betried by a court-martial, and imprisoned till the sentencewas pronounced. The bishop heard this unmoved, andwhen asked did he want counsel, calmly replied that all herequired was his confessor. This boon was granted, andFather Hanrahan, a member of his own order, was suffer- ? He was the one of the twenty-four to whom quarter was denied by Ireton who esicaped.—Borlase and Ludlmv, afi. Leland, vol. iii. p. 387. t Moran, Persecutions, p. 61 ; Yiivcnys History 0/Ireland, p. 591 ; Hibernian Ma^atintp. IRETON CONDEMNING THE BISHOP OF LIMERICK, During the Commonwealth. 299 ed to pass the whole day and night of the 30th October inhis prison. On the following evening he was led out toexecution, and, as Father Hanrahan related, walked as joy-fully to the place as to a feast. His contemporary, DeMarinis, relates his execution thus: He went with joy tothe place of execution, and then, with a serene counte-nance, turning to his Catholic friends, who stood in thecrowd inconsolable and weeping, he said to them, Holdfirmly by your faith, and observe its precepts ; murmurnot against the arrangements of Gods providence, andthus you will save your souls. Weep not at all for me, butrather pray that in this last trial of death I may, by firm-ness and constancy, attain my heavenly reward. Thehead of the martyr was struck off and placed on a spike onthe tower, (which is on the middle of the bridge.—ARosario,) and long after seemed to drop fresh blood, anduncor
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