Ned Bailey

It was with great sadness that we buried our long time friend and comrade Ned Bailey. Ned, who was 72 years of age, came from Emo, Co Laois, where he was well known and loved in the area. He was a founder member of Emo GAA Club and Boxing Club. Ned was active in the Republican Movement from the 50s right up to the time of his death.

He was jailed in the 60s in Mountjoy Jail and jailed again in the 70s in Portlaoise Jail for Republican activities. Ned and Beth's home was open anytime of the day or night to his comrades. A huge crowd was present on the evening of 9 September at his removal from the funeral home in Portarlington where his Tri-coloured raped coffin was flanked by a Republican guard of honour.

The massive numbers who attended his funeral on the morning of 10 September was testimony to Ned's popularity. Republicans came from every corner of Ireland.

Proceedings were chaired by Sinn Féin Councilor Mossy Reilly from Athy, Co Kildare, who strongly condemned the presence of plain clothes member of the Garda Síochana, who were in the graveyard and were video-taping mourners at the funeral. The oration was given by Councillor Joe O'Reilly from Navan who also had served a term of imprisonment with Ned. Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Republican Movement.

The following is a quote from Pearse, a favourite of Ned's:

``In every generation we have renewed the struggle, and so it shall be to the end. When England thinks she has trampled out our blood in Battle, some brave man rises and rallies us again; when England thinks she has purchased us with a bribe, some good man redeems us with a sacrifice.''

The Republican Movement extends its deepest sympathies to his wife Beth, daughter Margie, sons PJ and Edward and his extended family.

Alex Murphy

by Christy Mac an Bhaird

The men in Long Kesh and their supporters in the US lost one of their guiding lights on Saturday 8 November when Alexander ``Alex'' Murphy died at the age of 85.

Alex, who was from Sevastopol Street off the Falls Road in Belfast, came to the US in 1954. Settling in Chicago, he worked as a painter and decorator, and was the vice president of the Tiffiney Painting and Decorating Company.

Alex died in the arms of his wife Kitty, to whom he was married for more than 50 years, and was surrounded by his family when he passed away. A colour guard fired a volley over his grave as he was buried at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery.

In his later years, Alex's sight was impaired, causing him to travel less, but he remained a strong supporter of freedom for Ireland.

Paul Doris, national chairperson for Irish Northern Aid said, ``We regret the passing of Alex Murphy, a staunch republican and long-time supporter of Irish Northern Aid. He will be missed not only by his family and friends in America, but by those he helped over the years in Ireland.''

Throughout his life, Alex's commitment to Irish freedom never wavered. He travelled to Ireland nearly every year and was a frequent guest at the Bodenstown commemorations.

He became an active supporter of the Republican Movement in 1969, and was affiliated with Irish Northern Aid since the beginning.

Alex was a former member of the Central Board of Chicago and former chairperson of the South Side Chicago Unit of INA.

In 1981, Alex was one of many members who participated in sympathy hunger strikes in front of the Chicago Civic Center to draw attention to the hunger strikes in Long Kesh.

Alex married Kitty Ward, also from Belfast, in 1935, at St Mary's Church in Belfast. Together they had nine children, 23 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

``He was one hundred percent behind the boys in Long Kesh,'' said his daughter Sally.

``He was with them until the very end. He was one hundred percent `England Out,''' she said.

Alex often wrote to POWs in the Kesh and visited them when he was in Ireland. A nephew, Alex Murphy, from Andersontown, is currently serving life in Long Kesh.

When Gerry Adams visited Chicago in 1994, he made certain he had a special audience with Alex.

``Gerry made his way through a crowd of people to where (Alex) was sitting and kneeled down to speak to him,'' Sally said.

Alex's wife Kitty said her husband tried to make it back to Ireland every year, but that his sight was failing and his month-long trips home became fewer and fewer. Alex was last in Ireland in May of 1994.

Kitty also said Alex had requested people make donations to their favourite charity in his memory, adding, ``the only charity he knew was the boys.''