LIFE-LONG republican and friend to many, Eithne Hegarty (nee Toner), passed away peacefully at her home in Dundalk at the age of 83 on 18 December. Eithne was born in Magherafelt, County Derry, on 4 September 1925 and on 8 July 1954 was married to Colm. The couple lived in Desertmartin, outside Magherafelt, until 1979, when they moved to Dundalk and ran The Dundalk Bar until their retirement in 1990. Eithne was well-known and admired in South Derry and further afield for her commitment and dedication to the republican struggle and she played an important role during the difficult years of conflict. She was a great source of support to all who came in contact with her and there are many stories to be told of the generosity and hospitality shown to anyone who arrived at her home. She was well-respected and knowledgeable on almost every subject and was a great story-teller herself and an inspiration to many. When Eithne and husband, Colm, settled in Dundalk in 1979 she continued her work as a republican. She was heavily involved with An Cumann Cabhrach, was secretary to the board of management of the ex-prisoners’ group, Fáilte Abhaile, and held several senior positions in Sinn Féin, including secretary of Louth Comhairle Ceantair. She was a member of the Watters Brothers Sinn Féin Cumann in Dundalk until her death. Personal friends Louth TD Arthur Morgan and Magherafelt Sinn Féin Councillor Ian Milne, both paid fitting tributes to Eithne at her graveside and offered the sympathy of the whole republican family to husband Colm; her children, Catherine, Bridín, Eithne and Colm; grandchildren and great grandchildren; and her wider family circle and friends. Her son, Pádraig, sadly died in 2000.
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