Tom Smith honoured in Dublin

Over 150 Dublin republicans attended the annual Volunteer Tom Smith commemoration. Last Thursday, St Patrick's Day, marked the 30th anniversary of the IRA Volunteer's killing by 26-County soldiers in 1975, during an escape attempt from Portlaoise Prison. The annual Tom Smith commemoration followed his original funeral route from St Joseph's church on Berkeley Road church to Glasnevin Cemetery. Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD was the main speaker.

A wreath was also laid by republican POWs in Portlaoise at the spot where he was shot down.

Tom was a native of Dublin, born and reared in Harold's Cross on the southside of the city. He joined the IRA shortly after 1969 and was attached to the 2nd Battalion of the Dublin Brigade.

In November 1973, along with Volunteers Michael Fox and James Callaghan, he was convicted before the Special Court in Dublin, sentenced to imprisonment, and moved to Portlaoise.

On St Patrick's Day 1975, the prisoners made an escape attempt. They blasted a hole through a door in the recreation room leading to the prison yard on the northern side of the prison. Soldiers, who opened fire on the escapers as they entered the yard, shot Tom in the head. He died instantly.

His body was removed to Dublin the following Thursday, escorted by a Guard of Honour from the IRA's Dublin Brigade. That Saturday, his funeral was attended by thousands of republicans. As the funeral procession moved to Glasnevin Cemetery, it was harassed by over 1,000 Gardaí in riot gear, backed up by a company of heavily-armed military.

As the front of the cortege entered Glasnevin, armed Special Branch men forcibly closed the cemetery gates. Wielding clubs and batons, they set upon the mourners, savagely beating men, women and children. The mourners, stewards and organisers exercised remarkable restraint during the fierce onslaught, in consideration of the mourning family and as a mark of respect for the dead Volunteer.

Despite the attack, Tom Smith was buried with full military honours.