14 June 2001 Edition

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John Huddleston



On Wednesday last, Belfast republicans and the people of Newington turned out to say farewell to one of their own, John Huddleston, who died from a heart attack tragically in the early hours of Sunday, 27 May.

That he died in the early hours of the morning while trying to calm a tense situation at the interface on the Limestone Road surprised none of his friends and comrades in the area, as he was a regular presence there when trouble was feared. Every summer, he was a pivotal figure in the structures put in place in North Belfast to help defend vulnerable nationalist areas from loyalist attack.

John's involvement in republicanism dated back to the early `70s, when he was one of hundreds interned for years without trial in Long Kesh. Then in the `80s, when the British government was using ``supergrasses'' - or paid perjurers - to attack the republican struggle, John found himself back in jail, this time on remand in Crumlin Road.

Originally from the St James's area of the Falls Road, he lived in Newington for many years with his wife Christine, rearing a family of four, three sons and a daughter. A request by the local by the local Sinn Féin cumann to help with a small piece of work literally led to the opening of the floodgates, as - despite a history of poor health - he threw his energy, enthusiasm and abilities into the life of the community in the area. On top of his involvement in the local credit union and being one of the founders of the Newington Residents Community Association, he became a tireless activist for the republican struggle in the Newington area.

Along with Christine, he was the backbone of what became one of the most active Saoirse committees in Belfast, campaigning for the release of his comrades in the jails. After helping us out for years, he became a member of the local Sinn Féin cumann, where his experience and enthusiasm made a massive contribution to its work. His flair for publicity work soon saw him become editor and producer of our local Sinn Féin newssheet.

At the time of his death, he was working night and day on preparations for the forthcoming elections as the local director of canvassing, as well as being active in the local 1981 Hunger Strike committee, and he was a familiar sight at all the protests, vigils and commemorations in the area.

John was a great friend and an outstanding comrade and is sorely missed by all. Despite a short recent bout of ill health, he was always planning ahead for what needed to be done. Last week, he asked that come July he would be honoured if he could read his own personal tribute at the commemoration for his old jail pal, hunger striker Joe McDonnell.

Now all that energy and ability is lost to us, but he is at rest with Belfast's republican dead, with Joe, Kieran Doherty, Pat McGeown and all his other old friends and comrades.

We will miss you terribly, John and our heartfelt sympathy goes to our comrade Christine and the family. Slán, mo chara.

BY SEÁN OLIBHEAIR

An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland