21 January 2010 Edition

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Fógraí bháis: Death of Jan Hegarty

Jan Hegarty, a dedicated Derry City republican, died on Saturday 9 January after a short illness.  Married to Paddy with one daughter, Karen, Jan worked tirelessly on behalf of the prisoners for over 20 years.  At her funeral, Councillor Kevin Campbell, a former blanket man, paid the following tribute:

"Throughout the fight for Irish freedom there have been many people who have contributed enormously to that struggle, yet who have never made the headlines or indeed wanted to make the headlines. Jan Hegarty was one of these people.
Indeed there have been many tasks within the struggle that people have been reluctant to take on, especially when it comes to raising money.
When it came to the prisoners and their families, however, nothing was too much for Jan Hegarty and she worked tirelessly on their behalf.
I think every prisoner and their families owe a debt of gratitude to Jan and her husband Paddy for the dedication that they showed towards them over the years.
Jan dedicated her life to republicanism and this could be seen in how Jan gave up every Friday and Saturday night to travel around the bars to collect for the Prisoners’ Dependents’ Fund (PDF), no matter how bad the weather was or when others were out enjoying themselves during many festive occasions. 
While Jan didn’t realise it, she became a well-recognised republican figure around the town due to her collections. When people saw Jan entering a bar they got their money ready and such was her manner that nearly everyone contributed, whether republican or not.
Jan could also be without her husband Paddy for several days each week, as he drove families to every prison across the country, leaving her without transport. Never once would Jan say you cannot go  – in fact she would be the total opposite, pushing Paddy out to ensure a family got to the prison for a visit.
Jan also made sure that the flags in the cemetery were ready for every Easter Sunday and Derry Volunteers march and that each and every grave had a Tricolour flag worthy of our republican dead. She also ensured that every republican coffin in the city had a flag readily available to cover it and it is fitting that the flag that Jan was so proud of adorned her own coffin.
When the prisons emptied and Jan retired from her PDF duties, Martin McGuinness praised her service during an Easter Sunday commemoration.  Jan was heard to say that she was totally humbled but that this recognition was one of the greatest gifts bestowed upon her.  I think everyone would echo Martin’s sentiments.
Jan Hegarty was a strong republican woman who maybe never recognised, to the extent that we do, her massive contribution to our struggle.
I am proud to have been asked to give this oration today and as a former prisoner in representing all the former prisoners to honour Jan Hegarty, the woman, the wife, the mother, the grandmother and the republican.
To her husband Paddy, daughter Karen and her wider family circle, we offer our sincerest condolences.
I measc laochra na Gael a raibh sí."


An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland