John McQuaid and Mick McKernan

County Monaghan

John McQuaid and Mick McKernan

THE passing in the last months of 2011 of two County Monaghan, lifelong republican activists in their 90s has caused great sadness but has also given rise to great memories shared by their many comrades and friends across north County Monaghan.
The death in mid-September of John McQuaid of Barratitoppy in the Knockatallon area of the county has seen the door closed an always-open house for many active republicans, including the late Volunteer Seamus McElwain and many other well-known faces who have added their contribution to the story of this historic area’s association with the republican struggle down through the generations.
The one constant, among others, was John McQuaid.
In 2007, in his 90th year, John insisted on accompanying Sinn Féin’s then Dáil leader, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, as he conducted his general election canvass in Scotstown village. John McQuaid was, in the words of Ó Caoláin at a subsequent party meeting, “a highly-respected republican and much loved comrade of so many who had the honour and privilege of knowing him down the decades”.
The passing in early December of Mick McKernan of Kingorry, Castleshane, has taken yet another United Irelander from our midst.
Born in April 1921, the year that saw our country and its people divided by a British-imposed border, Mick from a young age and throughout his long life railed against that injustice and did everything he could to remove the abomination that is the partition of our country.
Mick leaves to mourn him his wife Mary and sons Pearse and Michael Jnr and daughter Pauline.
Speaking at his graveside, Sinn Féin Dáil Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin described Mick as “a solid and true republican, an Irish republican in the truest and finest sense.
“Mick did not live to see the achievement of his life’s dream but he has helped to pass on a stronger, more confident Irish republicanism than that known in any decade preceding this.”
Mick’s dream “is now within the grasp of a generation following”, declared Deputy Ó Caoláin.
Both John McQuaid and Mick McKernan were recipients in different years of County Monaghan Sinn Féin’s ‘Honourees’ Night Awards’. Irish republicans, not only in County Monaghan but throughout Ireland and in every corner of the globe salute the years of service, courage and determination of both these fine men.
May John McQuaid and Mick McKernan be forever remembered and may they both rest in peace.
Suaimhneas síoraí dá hanamacha.