Volunteer Tommy O'Neill (1911-2001)

``An outlawed man in a land forlorn. He scorned to turn and fly. But he kept the cause of freedom safe. Upon the mountain high.'' From Dr. George Sigerson's `The Mountains of Pomeroy'.

 


On the morning of 13 June, Tommy O'Neill slipped peacefully away from this world. His passing was very much in keeping with his life - quiet and dignified. Coming almost five years to the day after the death of his wife Kitty, it was the closing of a distinguished chapter of local history in Cappagh.

Generations of Tommy's family have lived in the Cappagh area. This is O'Neill country and their ancestral roots can be found in the great Irish Chieftains of the 16th and 17th centuries. Though small in stature, Tommy was a giant of a man. A founder member of the Tyrone Prisoners Dependants Fund, he was vice President of An Gallbhaile Cumann na Piarsaigh and Honorary Life President of Tyrone National Graves Association.

His death has left Tyrone republicans sorely grieved, for we know that we have lost a great leader.

Coming from a strong traditional republican background, he joined Óglaigh na hÉireann in 1937 and remained a loyal Volunteer right up until his death in his 90th year. It is of course too soon to record his exploits but Tommy earned the trust and respect of every generation.

He had a particular grá for the younger Volunteers and was always ready to help, to listen, to encourage and to be a friend. Tommy and Kitty reared a large family, yet for 55 years theirs was an open house, the kettle always on the boil.

Over the past 30 odd years of conflict, their home was the hub of republican activity. Civil Rights, PDF, National Graves and Sinn Féin meetings all took place in O'Neill's. At times of great loss we gathered there to support each other and remain united. The O'Neill family themselves were no strangers to suffering, harassment and imprisonment. Through it all, Tommy remained unflinching in his support for the republican leadership.

A close personal friend of Martin McGuinness MP, Tommy regarded it as a signal honour to have been asked to sign Martin's electoral nomination papers. The respect was of course mutual and Martin spoke of his deep affection for his dear friend when unveiling the magnificent new monument to Cappagh's fallen heroes on Sunday 15 July. As it was rightly pointed out, these Volunteers could not have operated without the likes of Tommy, Kitty, Mickey Boyle and John Donaghue.

Their trojan work, particularly during the Hunger Strikes, will never be forgotten. Although there was a great team spirit, Tommy was the undoubted patriarch. This was reflected in the huge turnout at his wake and funeral. Everyone, it seemed, knew ``Wee Tom''. A lifetime collecting hens and turkeys, delivering meal and fertiliser and later driving Kitty on her insurance round had taken him to every corner of Tyrone.

Hard work was no stranger to him but above all came his dedication to establishing a United Ireland.

After Tommy's coffin was carried from his home in Cappagh's Main Street, it was draped in the national flag and his beret and gloves were placed on top. Uniformed Volunteers carried Tommy's remains as far as the memorial, where they took their final salute to their gallant comrade. A huge crowd then accompanied the funeral to St. John's Church, Galbally. After Requiem Mass, Tommy was laid to rest with his wife Kitty and son Jimmy in the family plot.

In his oration, Francie Molloy assured the family that we all shared their grief and thanked them for sharing their home with all of us over the years. At the Community Centre afterwards people lingered long, exchanging stories of Tommy's life.

Reluctantly, we all went our separate ways, well aware that Cappagh, Tyrone and beyond were all the poorer for his passing.

Ní fheicimid a leithéid arís. Go ndeana Dia trócaire ar a anam uasal.

BY BARRY McELDUFF