12 March 1998 Edition

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Fógraí bháis: Paddy Clugston

The death has taken place in Newry of a stalwart Republican, Paddy Clugston.

For many years Paddy led the stewards for the Easter Sunday parade. He was always immaculately dressed and he stood out at Easter with his well-groomed suit and his gleaming white shirt and black tie, which he insisted all the stewards wear.

But Paddy will probably be best remembered for his work on behalf of Republican prisoners. They were always close to his heart and over the years - indeed, decades - Paddy raised an enormous amount of money for the prisoners' families. He organised a weekly draw at Glen Electric and he collected every Saturday night around the pubs of Canal Street.

A few years ago he walked from Newry to Dublin to raise hundreds of pounds for Newry PDF.

Paddy knew that he was very ill but he bore it with typical courage and not a little humour. He refused to let his terrible illness get him down and he carried on in his normal fashion as best he could. He helped run Sinn Féin's very successful 150 Club and recently, when Frank Johnston and Tommy Carroll volunteered to take over his run, Paddy nearly chased them from the door - it was his pitch and he insisted on keeping it going.

Paddy Clugston was a vital component in the Republican Movement in Newry and he will be sorely missed. On behalf of the Republican Movement I would like to offer our deepest sympathy to Paddy's wife, Bridie, to his sons, Patrick, Mark and Dominic, his daughter, Elaine, to his mother and his brothers, Tony and Harvey, and to all his family and friends.

By Davy Hyland

An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland