Born in Loughshinny on 26th July 1886, christened John McCann in St Maurs Chapel Rush on the following day, John was eventually conferred with his nickname the Rover McCann because his wandering and inquisitive nature became clear or, another version goes, that he was constantly on the move after 1916 to avoid encounters with RIC and British forces so as to protect his own safety.....

On the 22nd of November 1920 John “Rover” McCann was removed from his home by uniformed men and later found dead after receiving a number of gun-shot wounds.

The headline of a newspaper article describing the event reads:

BRUTAL MURDER IN RUSH

YOUNG MAN TAKEN FROM HIS HOUSE AND MURDERED BY UNIFORMED MEN
FATE OF POOR JACK MCCANN

The Lusk Heritage Group and Loughshinny & Rush Historical Society in partnership with Historical writer Aidan Arnold have produced a booklet that describes the life and time of John 'Rover' McCann, the Irish Republican Army, the influences that shaped his life and the events that lead to his untimely and brutal death.

For more information about the booklet and how to obtain a copy please contact the Loughshinny & Rush Historical Society on 087 0682949.

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.