Fian Tobias Molloy commemorative events in Tyrone

A NUMBER of commemorative events are planned to mark the 40^th anniversary of the death of 18-year-old Fianna Éireann recruit Tobias Molloy, who was fatally wounded by a rubber bullet fired by a British soldier from the notorious ‘Camel’s Hump’ border checkpoint in Strabane on 16th July 1972.

The first event – organised by the Molloy/Devlin/McCauley Sinn Féin Cumann in conjunction with Strabane National Graves Association – is a commemoration parade leaving New Street in Clady this Sunday at 3pm (15th July) and following the route to Donneyloop graveyard where Tobias is buried.

The parade will be led by a colour party from Sinn Féin Republican Youth dressed in Fianna Éireann period uniform and the Strabane Memorial Flute Band. Graveside commemoration proceedings will include a special tribute from Christine McGillian, who was a close friend of Tobias, and a musical tribute from Terry Boyle.

A Remembrance Vigil, organised by Sinn Féin Republican Youth (speaker Seán Lynch MLA), will be held at 7pm on Monday (16th July) at the memorial plaque close to the spot on the Camel’s Hump, where Tobias was killed on the anniversary of his untimely death 40 years ago.  

Calling upon local republicans to attend both events, Sinn Féin Councillor and Strabane National Graves rep Jay McCauley said:

“Tobias Molloy was 18 years old when, returning from his girlfriend’s home in Lifford, he was struck above the heart by a rubber bullet fired by the British Army. The British propagandists were quick to claim that Tobias was shot while taking part in a riot but these claims were disputed by local eyewitnesses, who were adamant that he was nowhere near the riot, and was shot down in cold blood and without reason.

“Local youths helped carry the injured Tobias to Lifford Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

“The British Army’s killing of Tobias and its subsequent brutal attack on his funeral cortege as it made its way across the border for burial at Donneyloop were defining events in the lives of so many people from this area and particularly for that generation of young people who were prepared to take a stand in defiance and resistance against the might of the British state.

“So, 40 years on, I call on republicans from every era to take the time out to attend the memorial events that have been planned in memory of Tobias and in doing so pay a fitting tribute to his memory.”