Video - Dublin IRA Volunteer 'who did not stand idly by' remembered

150 people took part in the annual commemoration for IRA Volunteer Patrick Cannon in north Dublin on Saturday.

Volunteer Patrick Cannon (20) was killed alongside Donegal Volunteer Peter McElchar (19) in a premature explosion on 17 July 1976.

Describing Pat Cannon as "a young, outgoing man from a typical working class family," Lynn Boylan MEP said that, unlike the Irish Government, "he did not stand idly by while his fellow Irishmen and women were being brutally treated and killed by the British Government."

Noting that Republicans should never lose sight of their goal of a united Ireland of equals, Lynn Boylan said the Peace Process should not be taken for granted:

"We must never let the deaths of Pat and his fallen comrades be in vain. The most fitting tribute you can pay to them is to realise the aims for which they died."

Referencing the ongoing onslaught against the Palestinian people, the Dublin MEP said that equality does not stop at the Irish coastline. Many of those marching from Northern Cross to Balgriffin Cemetery carried the flag of Palestine to show solidarity with the besieged people of Gaza.

Hitting out at the Israeli Government she said:

"We must refuse to allow the oppression of the Palestinian people. The atrocities taking place in Gaza today must stop."

Members of Patrick's family took part in the commemoration including his brother-in-law Ciarán O'Moore who was recently elected to Dublin City Council for the Clontarf ward.

The event was chaired by Dublin City Councillor Mícheál Mac Donncha. Many Sinn Féin elected representatives were in attendance including
Dublin North West TD Dessie Ellis, Dublin councillors Larry O'Toole, Ray McHugh, Anthony Connaghan, Noeleen Reilly, Malachy Quinn, Eoin Ó Broin, Paul Donnelly, Daire Ní Laoi, and also Kinsale Councillor Noel Harrington.

The march was led by the Dublin Republican Colour Party and the Rising Phoenix Republican Flute Band.