Fógraí bháis - Brendan (Basil) Doris

It was with great sadness that I learnt of the death of Brendan (Basil) Doris last Thursday. An early morning phone call from his daughter Michelle to say her Daddy had died numbed me into a sense of shock. Basil had been a great friend, comrade and Council colleague to me.

Basil's Mother Kathleen had been a great champion of civil rights, travelling the length and breadth of Ireland. Her family followed her lead into the civil rights campaign on the streets and squats to highlight the housing needs. When that passive campaign was attacked, Brendan like many others joined the IRA. He was arrested and time spent in Crumlin Road Jail on remand, Armagh Jail for a short time, Long Kesh and Magilligan. Brendan was not easily deterred and was regularly involved in confrontations with the screws.

Brendan was a character. He had a great way of getting on with comrades in prison, and could settle arguments with a simple word but could start them also. This was to stand him in good stead when he was released back into his native Clonoe. While in prison Brendan brought Coalisland and Clonoe with him into the prison yard — he would say to fellow Tyrone prisoners "it's just like the Island, we'll walk round Mamies Corner or take a walk down to Tessie's, his local. The prison became the local community with markers around the fence or the hut.

Brendan was released in 1976 and returned to the struggle. He married Kathleen and had two children, Michelle and Brian, of whom he was very proud. Brendan was asked to stand for the Council election in 1989. "No bother," he said. Nothing was ever any bother to Basil, no task too large. These were dangerous times for councillors and Sinn Féin members, but Brendan never questioned the risk, seeing it all part as part of the struggle.

He was elected to the Dungannon Council along with Volunteer Martin McCaughey, who was later murdered by undercover Brits. Dungannon Council was a different place compared to the current situation. So the battle continued on another site of struggle. After Martin's death I stood in the by-election which followed. Sheena Campbell was drafted into Coalisland to manage the election. Brendan, as the local councillor, was key to driving that election and to winning it. Sheena's greatest achievement was getting Basil to wear a tie. Sheena and Basil worked well together and we won the election against all odds and launched the Torrent Strategy.

In the council Brendan was well liked. He was a hard worker and the people of Coalisland and Clonoe were his people. He was a great defender of these people, always challenging and always fighting for their rights and entitlements. He was never deterred and was always there when people needed him. He had stood for the council in very dangerous times and he is to be commended for his courage. Kathleen was a great supporter of these decisions as were all his family.

Brendan was particularly proud of Michelle after winning his seat on the council and they had a partnership in struggle which shone through. He was a great source of support and guidance to Michelle in the council where he will be sadly missed.

Brendan's funeral was a testimony to the high regard in which he was held within the Clonoe community, across Tyrone and indeed throughout Ireland. His coffin, draped with the National Flag and Clonoe football jersey was flanked by former prison comrades, councillors, members of Sinn Féin and Clonoe O'Rahilly's.

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams spoke of the dedication and commitment of Brendan and his family; of the courage of Brendan, Kathleen, Michelle and Paddy and Brian to whom he offered his deepest sympathy, and to his three grandchildren, Saoirse, Ryan and Grace, and to his brothers Paul, Don, Patrick and sister Loretta.

Brendan (Basil) will be missed by everyone from young to old. He will be remembered as a great friend, a lifelong republican but firstly as a husband, father and grandfather. I feel I have lost part of my life and a great friend in Basil.

I measc laochra na nGael go raibh sé.

BY FRANCIE MOLLOY MLA