West Tyrone – Óglach Danny McCauley 25th anniversary commemoration

A LARGE CROWD gathered in Strabane on Friday evening to pay tribute to the memory of Óglach Danny McCauley on the 25th anniversary of his death.

A colour party made up of local republicans followed the Strabane Memorial Flute Band led the parade from Danny’s former home at Casement Place the short distance to his final resting place at Strabane Cemetery. There, Jay McCauley of Strabane National Graves chaired the graveside commemoration proceedings.

In extending a warm welcome to Danny’s family, friends and comrades, Jay said that even though many of the young people who were in attendance had not known Danny personally, they were aware through the recollections of so many others of the massive esteem in which Danny was held within the local community because of his unrelenting and selfless dedication to the cause of Irish freedom and to the ideals of Irish republicanism.

Following the laying of wreaths, a lament was played on the uilleann pipes and the national flag was lowered to a drum roll.

● Danny McCauley – committed political and military soldier 

Francie Molloy MP spoke of Danny as a devoted husband, father, son and brother and that it was due to his great love and aspirations for his family that Danny saw the need for freedom and social justice.

He described Danny as a committed political and military soldier who first joined the ranks of the IRA in 1972 and became renowned for his ingenuity and leadership qualities and quickly rose through the ranks to become O/C of the West Tyrone Command.

He said that Danny understood the need to combine military action with political and community activism and that he was to the fore in all facets of the republican struggle.

Stating how despite imprisonment and the toll that hunger strikes for better conditions took upon Danny's health, he continued to lead from the front upon his release.

Describing how the many years of hardships endured through imprisonment and struggle contributed to his untimely death he said the fact that Danny was on active service on the very day he died bore testament to his commitment and bravery.

Following the graveyard proceedings, the criwd paraded back to Fountain Street Community Centre to view a poignant commemorative exhibition which included family memorabilia put together in Danny’s memory.