Fógraí bháis: Derry republican Eamon 'Lefty' Kelly laid to rest

There was deep sadness in the Greater Shantallow Area last Monday when a large crowd attended the funeral of lifelong republican Eamon 'Lefty' Kelly to Derry city cemetery.

Lefty's remains were draped in the Tricolour and flanked by a republican guard of honour. Sinn Féin councillor Tony Hassan who gave the graveside oration told those gathered that Lefty's death was a great loss not only to the family but also to the Republican Movement and he extended his deepest sympathy to Lefty's wife, sons and daughters and his wider extended family.

A lifelong Republican Lefty was part of the 1950s campaign and when that ended he got involved with the Derry Housing Action committee

He was deeply involved in the civil rights campaign in the late 60's and after the British introduced internment in 1971 he got re-involved in republican politics.

At the forefront of the republican struggle in the Greater Shantallow Area as a member of Sinn Féin, Lefty worked for the betterment of the people of the area for over 20 years.

He was part of the local Election directive that helped Martin McGuinness get elected to the 1982 assembly. He worked tirelessly in every election since then and played a major role in the growth of Sinn Féin in Shantallow.

Lefty championed the plight of republican prisoners and worked on behalf of the Prisoners Dependants Fund.

Eamon 'Lefty' Kelly is survived by his wife Lalla, his sons Eamon, Kevin, Liam, Robert and his daughters Jacqueline, Laura, Ann, Fiona, Theresa.