24 April 1997 Edition

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Fógraí bháis

Seamus Fitzsimmons



The ultimely death of Seamus `Ardglass' Fitzsimmons of Rodney Parade, Belfast shocked and dismayed all who were privileged to have known him. A life long republican, `Ardglass' entered the ranks of the IRA in the late 1960s. It was a calculated decision. The political atmosphere was heavily pregnant with unionist violence, and those volunteering for the IRA - with its meagre resources and inept leadership were exposing themselves to enormous risk.

Undeterred, Seamus Fitzsimmons, with the courage of the brave, fought in 1969 to defend nationalist communities against the political violence of the unionist state, but he did not leave matters at that, instead throwing in his lot with the armed struggle of the IRA to remove forever the threat of injustice and repression from Ireland. Ardglass's IRA odyssey was spent throughout the 1970s either on the run, interned, on active service or as a political fugitive in the 26 Counties.

Ardglass's home was never really his own or his family's - it belonged to every IRA Volunteer in Belfast and beyond. Both he and his mother Maisie regularly gave up their dinner to ensure that some Volunteer or other `on the gallop' had their share of nourishment.

A man of few words, Ardglass allowed his actions to do the talking for him. People knew that with Ardglass what you saw was what you got. That was his enduring trait throughout his thirty years of republican struggle.

Never one to complain - right to the end - he has left us with a rich and noble memory; a memory of a friend and comrade who won our respect, admiration and love. We shall all miss you, Shammy, and remember you as the gentleman you were.


An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland