Volunteer Tom Smith commemorated

THE 33rd annual Volunteer Tom Smith took place in Dublin on St Patrick’s Day with a large crowd, including members of Tom’s family, parading from Berkeley Road Church to Glasnevin Cemetery
Tom Smith was shot dead on St Patrick’s Day 1975 by soldiers at Portlaoise Prison as he attempted to escape along with a number of other IRA Volunteers, including recent Le Chéile honouree Brian Keenan. He was shot in the head and died instantly. The funeral cortege was attacked by gardaí as Tom’s family and friends tried to lay him to rest but he was still buried with full military honours.   
Members of Tom Smith’s family were present at this week’s ceremony as wreaths were laid on the grave of the dead patriot on behalf of the Republican Movement, Dublin Sinn Féin Cúige and other cumainn and friends.
The commemoration was chaired by another recent Le Chéile honouree, Áine Ní Gabhain, and the main address was given by newly co-opted Dublin City Councillor Séamus McGrattan who stressed the need to build Sinn Féin and fight strong campaigns on the Lisbon Treaty and also the local and European elections in 2009. Republicans were told that the only fitting tribute to Tom’s memory was to achieve that for which he died, a 32-county socialist republic.
Also remembered at the same event was the founding of the Irish Republican Brotherhood on St Patrick’s Day 1858, exactly 150 years ago, in Dublin. Micheál Mac Donncha gave a brief history of the Fenian movement, stressing the non-sectarian and egalitarian roots of the organisation.
A wreath was laid at the grave of James Stephens, one of the founders on that day 150 years ago, on behalf of the Republican Movement. This part of the commemoration was completed with a beautiful rendition of The Foggy Dew by Mary Mullen.