McVerry and McElvanna remembered in Keady

The annual Michael McVerry/Peadar McElvanna commemoration was held in Keady on Friday evening, 12 June.
The commemoration remembers two brave IRA Volunteers who gave their lives in the cause of Irish freedom in Keady.
Michael McVerry died on active service on 15 November 1973 when he and his comrades attacked the military barracks in Keady.  He was 23 years of age.
Widely known and respected in the South Armagh community, ever since his death Michael McVerry’s efforts in the cause of Irish freedom have been a source of inspiration to young and old in the area and indeed further afield.
As a young man Peadar MElvenna was mercilessly beaten by the RUC and left for dead in a random attack. He was later interned without trial at Long Kesh. Released in 1974 he was later arrested on arms charges but went ‘on the run’ living at various locations in Armagh, Monaghan and Dublin.
Peadar was mortally wounded in a confrontation with British soldiers at Lagan outside Keady on 9 June 1979.
This year’s commemoration of the two brave Volunteers saw a parade make its way through Keady to the republican monument. The well attended event saw many Sinn Féin banners on display. Proceedings at the monument were chaired by local Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan and the main speaker for the night was Junior Minister Gerry Kelly.