DEATH OF MR. EDWARD JOHNSTON GILDEA

Kildare Observer 23 March 1895

Death of Mr. Edward Johnston Gildea

We regret to announce the death recently at his residence ‘Rudolf Strasse,’ Leipsig, Germany, of the above gentleman. The deceased will be remembered as late governor of Her Majesty’s prison at Naas, at a time which was amongst the most remarkable in Ireland – that of the Fenian rising – and the many of the prisoners connected with which Mr. Gildea had under his care in this prison. On the occasion of the escape of the notorious Stephens from Harold’s Cross prison, Dublin, Mr. Gildea was heard to say – ‘If the authorities had placed him under my charge he would not have so easily escaped.’ At that time the governor was only about 26 years of age – a period of life rater youthful for such an important position. Mr. Gildea was third son of the late R. Irwin Gildea, of Weatherford, County Mayo; grandson of the late Captain Jones Gildea, Justice of Corum for Mayo and Sligo; great grandson of the late Robert Hewitt, J. P., Snugborough, County Clare, and great great grandson of the late Henry Bridgeman, J.P., of Broadford Castle, County Clare, also Killadeen, Killaderry, and Backfield. The late governor of Her Majesty’s prison at Naas, was elder brother of the late Rudolph Gildea, governor of her Majesty’s prison at Kilmainham, and later of her Majesty’s prison, Limerick, where he died in harness on January 19, 1892. The deceased was appointed to the governorship of Naas Jail early in 1864, and was much complimented by the old Board of Superintendence and also by the authorities, more than once, for his skilful management of the prison. The late Mr. Gildea was living in Germany for the past three years, at Leipsig, where he was having his children, three in number, educated, his son being a graduate of the University there. To his bereaved relatives and children we offer our sincere condolences.