Tribute to Cathal Quinn

The sudden death of leading Tyrone Republican Cathal Quinn has shocked many people throughout Ireland.  The former Sinn Féin Councillor died at his home at Tummery, Dromore on Saturday morning, 10 March.
Cathal Quinn was aged 56 and had served as an elected member of Omagh District Council for two separate terms, 1985-1989 and 1997-2000.  His wife Ann currently serves as a Sinn Féin Councillor on Omagh District Council.  Cathal is survived by Ann, their son Declan and their daughters Zena, Brenda and Shelly.  He is also survived by his mother, brother and sisters.
On Tuesday morning, 13 March, with a huge crowd in attendance, a republican Guard of Honour as well as Guards of Honour from sporting organisations in the Dromore area led the funeral cortege to St Davog’s Church.  A piper played a lament and Tom Williams was sung at Cathal’s graveside.
West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP Pat Doherty delivered the graveside oration, describing Cathal as “a true Irish Patriot who spent his whole life helping other people”. Pat extended the sympathy of the Republican Movement and the wider community to the Quinn family.
West Tyrone Sinn Féin MLA Barry McElduff read out a personal tribute from Niall Connolly, who said that Cathal had been “a good friend and a solid influence on me, after I came home from jail in Colombia and as I tried to re-establish my family in Ireland. Cathal liked nothing better than to celebrate the victories of his community and I will no longer be able to meet him for a pint in Dublin, to talk about work, family and politics.  Perhaps most important to him were the advances of the Republican Movement.”
A fuller obituary will be carried in An Phoblacht later this month.
Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam uasal.