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Easter Rising: Ballycastle woman related to Roger Casement dies

Sir Roger Casement, who was executed for his role in the Easter Rising
Sir Roger Casement, who was executed for his role in the Easter Rising Sir Roger Casement, who was executed for his role in the Easter Rising

A WOMAN from Co Antrim related to Sir Roger Casement has died just weeks away from the centenary of the Easter Rising.

Lesley Casement, thought to be aged in her nineties, passed away on Tuesday at Glendun Nursing Home, Cushendun.

Her late husband was Major Frank Casement, a direct relative of Irish nationalist and human rights campaigner Roger Casement.

She had resided at Magherintemple House, a noted stately home outside Ballycastle that was the seat of the Casement family and the place where Roger Casement was raised.

Born in Dublin, he went to live with his uncle John Casement in Magherintemple when his parents died and was educated in what is now Ballymena Academy.

Nearly a century ago Roger Casement was arrested in Co Kerry ahead of the Easter Rising and executed aged 51 for treason the following August.

He had travelled to Germany in a bid to raise an Irish Brigade for the uprising by recruiting Irish soldiers who had fought for Britain in the First World War and had been captured by Germany.

Mrs Casement is survived by her six children Hugh, Sarah, Patrick, Robert, Anne and Susie.

Her funeral service is due to be held today at 2.30pm at Culfeightrin Church of Ireland Parish Church, Ballyvoy, with interment afterwards in the adjoining churchyard.