22 July 1999 Edition

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Derry tribute to Volunteer Jim Moyne

Tar Abhaile, the Derry former prisoners' group, is to offer an Irish language bursary scheme in tribute to Volunteer Jim Moyne and in recognition of the growth of Irish in the Derry city area.

Jim Moyne, a Derry Volunteer, died while interned in Long Kesh concentration camp on 13 January 1975. Moyne was waiting for medical attention, which was delayed, after he suffered an athsma attack.

Announcing the scheme, Pius McNaught, the Chair of Tar Abhaile said: ``Tar Abhaile is very happy that the Moyne family has permitted Tar Abhaile to act as the guardians of the scheme''.

Speaking to An Phoblacht, Raymond McCartney of Tar Abhaile explained that the bursary, which will take place during Derry's annual Gasyard Féile and will continue as an annual event, will take a competition form, with entrants being asked to submit a poem or an essay in Irish or a drawing under the title ``Gaeilge i mo shaol''; Irish in my life.

There will be two categories for entrants: the Primary school category and the post-Primary school category.

The bursary will be presented on Thursday 19 August, during the Féile, and everybody who enters will receive a certificate in acknowledgement of their participation in the Volunteer Jim Moyne bursary.

Said McNaught: ``The scheme is open to all children with an interest in the Irish language, and hopefully it will be seen as one encouraging participation.''

Those interested in competing should submit their entries to The Jim Moyne Bursary Scheme, 1 Westend Park, Derry before Wednesday 11 August 1999.

 

Devenny memorial unveiled



Saturday 17 July saw the unveiling of a memorial to Sammy Devenny, exactly 30 years after his death.

The monument was erected at the spot where his house used to be on William Street in Derry, where he was beaten by the RUC; a beating from which he was later to die on 17 July 1969.

During the attack, Devenny's children were also assaulted, as were two of his friends. It is significant that no member of the RUC has ever been charged with any offences relating to the incident.

At the ceremony, Sinn Féin Councillor Mary Nelis condemned this ``injustice''.

The ceremony was attended by many friends and family of Sammy Devenny and the memorial was unveiled by Cathy Healy, his daughter. The event was organised by the ``Friends of `69'' group, which is organising a series of events in order to highlight significant events of that year.

Barney O'Hagan, chairperson of the group, explained that the memorial ``will provide a permanent reminder of the ordeal which Sammy Devenny, his family and friends endured at the hands, feet and batons of the RUC 30 years ago''.

 

Trimble slammed at Cannon commemoration



Sinn Féin National Chairperson Mitchel McLaughlin was the main speaker at the annual Volunteer Patrick Cannon commemoration on 17 July. Patrick Cannon was a young IRA Volunteer from Edenmore who was killed on active service with his Donegal comrade Peter McElcar in 1976.

A large crowd took part in the ceremony which began with a parade from Darndale Roundabout to Patrick Cannon's graveside in Balgriffin Cemetery. The ceremony was chaired by Stewart Reddin of Dublin North East Sinn Féin. Statements were read from the Sinn Fein Women's Forum by Ann Osborne and from Ogra Sinn Féin by Danny Hamilton. The Roll of Honour was read by Brian McGurrin and Michael Foy played a lament on the bagpipes. Sinn Féin Councillor Larry O'Toole addressed the crowd before the main speaker was introduced.

Mitchel McLaughlin said that Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble's refusal to enter into an Executive with Sinn Féin was ``a very serious setback for the peace process''. The Sinn Féin Assembly member said: ``Since Good Friday 1998, Mr Trimble has failed to lead his community and to implement the Agreement. In fact he has followed the rejectionists in his own party in full retreat from the Good Friday Agreement, which was overwhelmingly endorsed by the Irish people in referendums North and South. Mr Trimble must resign immediately as First Minister.''

McLaughlin called on the Irish and British governments to implement the parts of the Agreement that do not require the Executive, including withdrawal of the British Army, replacement of the RUC with an acceptable police service, repeal of repressive legislation and the equality agenda. He also commended Dublin Sinn Féin for its work and recent electoral successes and said that the party's full potential had yet to be realised.


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