6 November 2003 Edition

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James Byrne Commemoration

Ross Connolly, grandson of 1916 leader James Connolly, is pictured speaking at the grave in Deansgrange Cemetery of James Byrne, DĂșn Laoghaire trade union activist with the ITGWU, who died as a result of the effects of a thirst and hunger strike undertaken following his arrest and imprisonment during the 1913 lockout.

A local committee comprising of republican trade union activists organised on this the 90th anniversary of his death the erection of a new headstone over the grave with an inscription containing the words of James Connolly who gave the oration at Byrne's funeral. Of Byrne, Connolly said: "James Byrne truly died a martyr as any man who ever died for Ireland."

SIPTU President Jack O'Connor was the main speaker on the day, which saw well over 250 republicans, socialists and trade union activists attending from across Dublin. Wreaths were laid on behalf of Byrne's family while the SIPTU band played the Last Post.


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