Óglach Antoine Mac Giolla Bhrighde remembered at Coolcalm

THERE was a large attendance at Sunday's republican commemoration at Coolcalm Churchyard (Desertmartin) to mark the 30th anniversary of the death on active service of Óglach Antoine Mac Giolla Bhrighde.

Antoine died while engaging enemy forces along the Fermanagh border on 2 December 1984. His comrade, Ciarán Fleming from Derry City, lost his life in the same IRA operation which would also see an SAS trooper die in combat.

Family, friends and comrades of Antoine were among the large crowd that heard former IRA leader, H-Block escapee and current Sinn Féin Six-County Chair Bobby Storey pay tribute to Antoine for his dedication as a republican soldier and a Sinn Féin representative at home in Ireland and abroad.

The South Derry Martyrs Flute Band played at the event, which was chaired by lead organiser for County Derry Sinn Féin Republican Youth, Seán Bateson.