Family and comrades remember Kieran Doherty

MOTHER: Margaret Doherty looks on as piper plays lament

THE 28th anniversary of the death of H-Block Hunger Striker Kieran Doherty TD was marked last Sunday, 2 August, when a large turn-out of Belfast republicans attended a wreath-laying ceremony and white-line vigil near the Doherty family home in Andersonstown.
The crowd was joined by many overseas visitors who, as part of international solidarity group delegations, travel to Ireland each year.
At the wreath-laying, near the Commedagh Drive memorial, Kieran’s mother, Margaret, stood with her family, as Belfast Sinn Féin Chair Bobby Storey addressed the large crowd.
In a speech laced with anecdotes about Kieran’s exploits as an IRA Volunteer and sound political guidance, Storey stressed the need for republicans to be strong and not be influenced by the latest negative campaign being waged by the media aimed at undermining the party.
After the wreath-laying, Jim ‘Flash’ McVeigh, who chaired the proceedings, called on Mrs Doherty to sing the ballad in honour of her son that praises his virtues as a republican who died as he lived opposing British rule in Ireland.
Afterwards, the crowd walked to the Andersonstown Road where they staged a white-line picket.

Andersonstown: Annie Cahill at the white line picket