Michael McGillian

A dedicated Tyrone Volunteer

MICHAEL McGILLIAN passed away on Christmas Day 2010. Michael’s family has asked An Phoblacht to print the oration given at Michael’s funeral by his lifelong friend, Liam McElhinney.

ONCE AGAIN the sad duty falls on me to pay a final tribute to an old comrade and fellow Volunteer of the old Strabane unit, Óglaigh na hÉireann, veteran republican activist Michael McGillian.
Whenever I think of Michael, I always recall the local branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Éireann, which was active in the town from 1968 to 1971. A few of us who were trying to reorganise Comhaltas and rebuild the Republican Movement locally were also members.
Michael joined the local branch and through time and conversations indicated he was also interested in republicanism. He was approached and joined the revolutionary movement. Thus began for him the work of attending parades and training classes and the 101 other things that go with being a member of ‘the Movement.’
By the time internment was introduced in August 1971 and the Six Counties erupted, Michael was already a trained and capable Volunteer – confident and ready to train and direct others – who were coming forward in ever-increasing numbers to join the struggle. Indeed, the very night following the introduction of internment, 10th August 1971, a small number of Volunteers went into action – three bombs were planted and detonated in the town that night. Thus began for our local area the campaign which was to claim so much from so many over the next two and half decades.
Michael remained one of the most active Volunteers in the town until forced to go on the run in late December 1971. Afterwards, living with his comrades in the caravan in Lifford, he played a full part in all activities of that period.
I recall the young activist who took the Republican Declaration and pledged himself “to guard the honour and uphold the sovereignty and unity of the Republic of Ireland, to establish and uphold a lawful government in sole and absolute control of the Republic and to establish an Irish Socialist Republic based on the Proclamation of 1916”.
Michael remained true to his pledge.
To those of us who served with him in the ranks of the Volunteers, Michael will always remain the youth and young man of the late 1960s and early 1970s, all working for a common purpose and dedicated to achieving the unity and freedom of Ireland.
Michael eventually headed for Dublin where he again did valuable work for the cause: discreet and secretive work which he kept to himself and those directly involved.
His path through life was not an easy one. He had his ups and downs. There were many facets to his life but old comrades and adventures were often on his mind. I can only speak of the Michael I knew.
The Michael I speak of is the Michael of that time, of the early years of the struggle. Someone who was loyal and true, dedicated and disciplined, ever-ready to do whatever was asked of him without counting the cost.
To me, to those who served with him, he will be forever the young Irish Soldier Boy, setting out from his home, not knowing what fate had in store for him – but striding forward, happy in the belief that it was for Ireland and for freedom.
On behalf of his old comrades, I extend our heartfelt sympathy to Michael’s daughter Michelle, his son Anthony, his mother Susan, his brothers and sisters and wider family circle and friends.