Greater Ballymurphy remembers its dead

Hundreds of people gathered at Milltown Cemetery on Sunday 2 November for the annual commemoration of the republican dead of the Greater Ballymurphy area. Led by a Republican Colour Party, the relatives, friends and comrades of the dead marched in formation to the Republican Plot, where Seany Adams, a former POW and friend to so many of those being honoured, gave the main oration.

In his speech, the Ballymurphy man highlighted the fact that many of the dead died at a young age.

"Sean Doyle died in the '40s on his 16th birthday. Michael Magee, who was in my class in school, was only 15 years old. Micky Sloan was 16 and my big mate and hurling companion, Eamon McCormack, was 17 when he was shot dead by the British Army while defending his people from a loyalist attack".

Adams made special mention of the women who died on active service‚ Maura Meehan, Dorothy Maguire, Ann Parker, Anne Marie Petticrew and Cathy McGartland.

"It is only when you look back over the last 30 years that you realise the effect that this small community called Greater Ballymurphy has had on our fight for liberation against the might of the British Empire," he reflected.

"The men and women of our area were not found wanting; they have always been to the fore. Ordinary men, women and children, faced with an extraordinary situation, faced that struggle head on in defence of their community. To the families of our dead Volunteers, who have refused to be broken or silenced, who have struggled with the pain of losing a loved one, we salute you. To the Irish people who have fought and died in Ireland's long bloody fight for national liberation, for freedom and justice, for equality and peace, we salute you also."