New Twinbrook memorial to fallen IRA Volunteers

THE hundreds of republicans from across Belfast and south Derry who marched in Twinbrook on Saturday 8 November to mark the 40th anniversaries of IRA Volunteers Gerard Fennell and John Rooney braved atrocious weather in a show of respect worthy of the sacrifice of two republicans who lost their lives within a week of each other in November 1974.

Republicans of all ages – men women and children, and especially those in the ‘Fianna slua’ – were undaunted by the downpours as they made their way from the Dairy Farm Shopping Centre to the new memorial at Broom Park, close to the family homes of both Volunteers.

It was there that the new granite stone was unveiled by member of the Volunteers’ families.

As the unveiling ceremony got underway, veteran republican Pat Rice read the Roll of Honour while wreaths and floral tributes were laid.

The main oration was delivered by Junior Minister Jennifer McCann, who assured everyone that the sacrifice of the IRA dead “would never be forgotten”.

One of the bands present, the South Derry Martyrs, brought proceedings to an end with Amhrán na bhFiann.

As well as remembering Volunteers Rooney and Fennell, the sacrifice of Volunteer Jim O’Reilly (who died in March of this year) was also marked.

A lifelong Volunteer and former POW, Jim was held in the highest regard by those who knew him as an active service Volunteer, a POW and a friend.

Jim’s partner Margueritte and comrade Tom McVeigh unveiled Jim’s name on the memorial in the Twinbrook Garden of Remembrance.

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