Monaghan hears Great Escape tale

The story of the 1983 Great Escape from Long Kesh was told in Sliabh Beagh in Monaghan on Saturday 17 November to an audience of some 300 people. Councillor Pat Treanor (Clones Town Council) introduced the three speakers, Gerry Kelly, Bik McFarlane and Bobby Storey, all of whom played key roles in the escape.

The speakers recounted how some 38 IRA Volunteers were involved in the escape on 25 September 1983, 19 of whom succeeded in escaping from Europe's most secure and repressive jail regime.

The audience were given an analysis of security at the jail, the psychological approach adopted by the prisoners to create the conditions for escape as well as an intriguing series of personal anecdotes, which brought this momentous story to life.

Bik McFarlane acknowledged the role played by Fermanagh Volunteer Séamus McElwaine in ensuring the successful escape of eight Volunteers in his party. Having ditched the car they were travelling in, no less than three miles from Long Kesh, Séamus guided the group cross country over a three-night trek and finally to their rendezvous and freedom. McElwaine was later killed by the SAS while on active service.

Fallen comrades were acknowledged in a closing slide presentation.

Knockatallon Sinn Féin thanked all of those who attended and made it such a successful night.