2 October 2003 Edition

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Vol Diarmuid O'Neill remembered

Diarmuid O'Neill was remembered by republicans from West Cork and beyond on the 7th anniversary of his killing in London by British police, on Sunday 21 September last.

The event has been organised by Clonakilty Sinn Féin Cumann every year since the unarmed 27-year-old IRA Volunteer was gunned down in cold blood by British police on 23 September 1996. Diarmuid O'Neill is buried in Timoleague Cemetery, and Councillor Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin extended a céad míle fáilte to what was the largest crowd to date to attend the annual commemoration. He welcomed in particular Diarmuid's father Eoghan and brother Shane.

Ó Súilleabháin said that republicans have always been proud to remember their patriot dead and significant events in Irish republican history. "We do so unashamedly and proudly," he said, as he reminded the crowd that the same weekend marked the 200th anniversary of another great Irishman, Robert Emmet. "Let us not forget that the cause for which Robert Emmet and Diarmuid O'Neill gave their lives was the exact same, even though there were almost two centuries between their deaths. They, and all who died in between for Irish freedom, yearned for a free, united Ireland with its people living in harmony and equality," said Ó Súilleabháin.


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