Woman related to 'forgotten' patriot John Devoy searching for other family links

A relative of a Co Kildare patriot is searching for other people with family links to him. Kill native John Devoy, who died in 1928, helped supply arms for the 1916 Rising but his role in the fight for Irish freedom is often overlooked by historians. A statue in his honour was unveiled in Poplar Square in Naas in October. Distant relative Jo Vahey, who lives in Dublin, said Devoy is related to her on her grandfather's side and she wants to trace other family members with links to him. Jo told KildareNow: "John Devoy wasn't mentioned during the 1916 anniversary events even though he was a great Fenian and helped Ireland with guns. "I was delighted to read on KildareNow that a statue was unveiled to him." She added: "he is related to me through my grandfather Chrstopher Kenny and my mother was his grand niece. "I'd so much like to know more about his family." Devoy, who is buried is Glasnevin Cemetery, helped source guns and money for the Easter Rising from the US where he was exiled. A documentary entitled 'John Devoy – The greatest of the Fenians' compiled by historian Donal Higgins was screened in the Riverbank Theatre as part of Kildare County Council's Decade of Commemorations Committee. As one of the leaders of the I.R.B. and Clan na Gael, he played an important role in the 1916 Rising, working closely with Roger Casement to source German arms for the rebels.