Thomas Molloy was a 16 year old civilian when he died on 14th November 1945 as a result of a wartime accident.
Molloy lived near the Ferlagh Crossroads in Tassagh, Co. Armagh. Approximately 3 miles away from his home, he worked on a farm on what locals call Corran Mountain. The mountain stands about 850 feet above sea level. It is home to the Grey Stone, said to mark the grave of an ancient bull that chased Saint Patrick from the land.
The 1911 Irish Census shows a Daniel Molloy at House 24, Corran, Armaghbrague, Co. Armagh. Ten years earlier, the census lists Daniel Molloy at House 28, Carran, Armahague, Co. Armagh. He farmed land belonging to the Earl of Gosford. It is possible that Thomas Molloy was a descendant of this farming family.
During World War Two, there was a military training range near Corran Mountain. It was near here where Thomas Molloy was driving cattle on 14th November 1945.
Molloy died as a result of an explosion caused by some ordnance left at the military site. The owner of the farmland, a Mr. Murphy, suggested the weight of the passing cows may have caused the detonation.
An inquest took place on 23rd November 1945. Jane Cassells, a resident of Corran Road stated she saw Thomas Molloy driving cattle towards “The Clady”. Clady Road runs between Corran Road and the Ferlagh Crossroads outside Tassagh. Local newspaper, The Armagh Guardian carried the story on 30th November 1945.