Hundreds gather to remember Connie

Hundreds of republicans, mainly from Counties Monaghan and Derry, but also from other parts of the island, travelled to Carrickroe in North Monaghan on Sunday last to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of Connie Green.

Saor Uladh Volunteer Connie Green was a native of Derry City. He was mortally wounded by the RUC during an attack on Roslea Barracks on 26 November 1955. He was brought to the home of James and Ellen McKenna at Toneysillogagh near Tydavnet where he died some hours later. He was 35.

Despite poor weather conditions a large crowd assembled at St Enda's Hall in Carrickroe to march to the local graveyard to commemorate and celebrate the life and sacrifice of Connie Green. They were accompanied by four marching bands. The Longstone Pipe Band from County Down, The Spirit of Freedom Flute Band from Derry, the Dublin Republican Flute Band and the Volunteer Louis Leonard and Jim Murphy Flute Band from Fermanagh.

Sinn Féin Councillor Brian McKenna welcomed Connie's brother Paddy and wife Maureen who and commented on the fact that the republican tradition continues to be demonstrated in the Green family. In May Connie's niece Patricia Logue, daughter of his sister Margaret, was elected as a Sinn Féin member on Derry City Council. His nephew, Oliver Green, was also a candidate in the same elections.

Sinn Féin Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness was the main speaker. He recalled the conditions in the Derry that Connie Green grew up in. He told of deprivation and neglect by the unionist government and said that just as he and others like him had joined the IRA in the late '60s and early '70s so too Connie Green, a decade-and-a-half earlier, had decided that he could not stand by and witness the continuing injustice being fostered on his community and on his country. He paid tribute to Connie Green's comrades, many of whom were in attendance at Carrickroe.

On the current state of the Peace Process, McGuinness said the IRA decision to put its arms beyond use threw up questions unionist leaders had to answer.

At Carrickroe Community Centre people had an opportunity to view a display of newspaper reports and photographs that reported on the attack on Roslea Barracks in which Connie Green lost his life. Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD presented Connie's brother Paddy with a framed painting of Carrickroe chapel while local Sinn Féin member Celine Trainor presented Paddy's wife, Maureen, with a bouquet of flowers.

Councillor Patricia Logue, niece of Connie Green, presented a silver plaque to Lily McKenna, in appreciation of Lily's parents, Jimmy and Ellen, having comforted Connie in their home in the short period before his death.