Anniversary of Cork nun's liberation from Nazi concentration camp

Wednesday, 22 April 2020 11:59

The 75th anniversary of a Cork nun's liberation from a Nazi concentration camp falls on Saturday.

Sr Kate McCarthy from Drimoleague was credited with saving up to 120 men through her work in one of the first French resistance groups before she was captured and sentenced to death.

Her sentence was commuted to life and she was eventually released after spending years in prison, where she was repeatedly interrogated.

She eventually made her way back to Cork after the war and spent her remaining years working at the Honan Home in the City.

She died in 1971 and was buried in St Finbarr's Cemetery.

Speaking to RedFM News, local historian Catherine Fleming says Sr Kate's contribution to the war effort is worthy of national recognition.

"She could have been caught at any time, and in fact she was betrayed and captured by the Gestapo on the 18th of June 1941.

"She was put into solitary confinement for 13 months - I mean we're in lockdown now, can you imagine what it would have been like for her in solitary?

"She was an inspiration, she still is an inspiration to women, to everybody when you consider what we're going through in this country now.

"She's an absolute heroine, Cork should be so proud of her, I think Ireland should be so proud of her."