Fógraí bháis: Jeff O'Neill

The Market community in Belfast and indeed the wider republican family lost a great friend with the death of Jeff O’Neill last May. Jeff passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer which he saw through with tremendous courage and immense dignity. Throughout his illness Jeff was determined to maintain his personal dignity and was adamant to the end that he would not be a “burden” on his family.
On behalf of the Republican Movement we express our condolences to Jeff’s family and in particular his sisters Peggy and Kay. Throughout his illness Jeff’s family gave him their love and support 24 hours a day. This is also true for a number of his very close and caring neighbours. Indeed all of those who cared for Jeff will miss him dearly as he was such a large part of their own lives.
Jeff was born to Geoff and Liz 69 years ago. Well educated but eager to support his family in those lean times Jeff left school much to the disappointment of his teachers to earn a living as he did all through his hard working and industrious life. Jeff joined the republican struggle at the end of the 1960s and remained committed to the safety of his community, equality for all the people and the achievement of Irish Freedom.
As far back as 1966 Jeff was at the forefront of defending his own community when Ian Paisley tried to lead a loyalist mob through the Market area on the pretext of attending a protest at the Presbyterian General Assembly in Fisherwick Place, Belfast city centre. On this occasion the Paisleyites, supported by hundreds of RUC men and B-Specials, tried to force their way through Cromac Square. Local people bravely fought back as the B Specials attacked homes by kicking in doors and baton charged local residents. While the B Specials were forced back out of the area a number of the residents including Jeff were arrested and imprisoned in “The Crum” for riotous behaviour.
Jeff was always a dedicated and honourable republican and a Market man to the core. He believed that the struggle for National Unity began with fighting for  better conditions for the people of the Market area where he was born and reared. Indeed during the redevelopment of the area Jeff supported the formation of various community groups and residents’ associations to help give the community a strong voice.
Jeff O’Neill was interned for his beliefs in the early 1970s and continued to do his “bit” within the struggle for many years after. This of course included his solid and active support for the prisoners on the blanket and during the hunger strikes.
All throughout Jeff’s illness he remained well informed, crystal clear in his beliefs and straight to the point as always when he had something to say. The attendance by so many at Jeff’s funeral was itself testimony to the esteem in which he has always been held and especially so in his beloved Market area by people of all political opinions and none. The Nolan Downey Sinn Féin cumann will shortly publish a tribute to Jeff O’Neill containing his own thoughts in his own words on those important historical events which occurred during the conflict in South and East Belfast.