Councillor Gerry Loughran

Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew chaired proceedings at the graveside in Edendork Cemetery, County Tyrone. Pictured behind her is Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD, who delivered the oration

The sudden death at the age of 60 of Sinn Féin Monaghan Town Councillor Gerry Loughran on 2 November was a grievous loss to his family and deprived Counties Monaghan and Tyrone, and Ireland, of one of the most popular and dedicated of republicans. The widespread respect he earned was seen when the town of Monaghan came to standstill last Friday. Council offices, shops and businesses closed as Gerry made his final journey through the streets of his adopted home.

Gerry Loughran's coffin was draped in the National Flag and the hearse, led by a lone piper, was flanked by a Guard of Honour of his fellow Sinn Féin councillors from throughout the county. A large crowd, many of whom had travelled from distant parts of the country, awaited the funeral procession at the Cathedral, which was full for the concelebrated Requiem Mass. The homily was delivered by Fr Joe McVeigh of Irvinestown, County Fermanagh, a friend of the Loughran family.

Gerry was laid to rest in Edendork Cemetery, County Tyrone. The graveside ceremony was chaired by Sinn Féin Fermanagah/South Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew. Wreaths were laid on behalf of republicans in Counties Monaghan and Tyrone. The funeral oration was delivered by Sinn Féin Dáil leader and Cavan-Monaghan TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, a close friend of Gerry's. We carry here an edited version of his graveside tribute:

"It was with the deepest shock that we learned of the death of our great friend and comrade Gerry Loughran. He was taken from amongst us without warning last Tuesday and all who knew and loved him are feeling profound grief at Gerry's passing. It is, of course, his family who have suffered the most grievous blow and on my own behalf and on behalf of the Republican Movement, I extend our deepest sympathy and solidarity to Gerry's wife Éilis, his son Seán and his daughter Kelly, to his brother Hugo, sisters Anne and Dympna, father-in-law Liam, mother-in-law Peggy, brothers-in-law Paddy and Bobby, sister-in-law Liz and to all the extended Loughran and Kelly families.

Gerry was the youngest of nine, six boys and three girls. Though his parents were Mary and Joseph, he would assure you he was not the Second Coming! Gerry was above all a loving husband, father and brother, a popular and active member of the community in his adopted home of Monaghan and a true republican. For those of us in Sinn Féin, there was no better friend and comrade than Gerry Loughran. His company brightened every gathering — be it a brief chat with a comrade or a packed party meeting. Gerry's humour and quick-fire wit cracked us all up on many an occasion and I half expect to hear his voice now from the back of the crowd.

Behind Gerry's mischievous smile and witty words was a deep warmth and human sympathy. He had a love of people and a passion for justice that fired his political commitment.

In his native County Tyrone, Gerry rallied to the republican cause as a young man. Like so many other young people in the late '60s and early '70s, when the Northern state collapsed in crisis, Gerry and his brother Seán, among countless others, were prepared to risk their all in pursuit of freedom, justice and peace for our country. Gerry made little of the permanent reminder he carried of the UDR's efforts to stop his march in 1970. He spent a difficult nine months in the South Tyrone Hospital recovering from that shooting.

In 1973, Volunteer Seán Loughran, Gerry's older brother, was killed in a tragic explosion with Volunteer Dermot Crowley of Cork and Volunteer Patrick Carty of Dungannon, a native of Bundoran. Here at Gerry's graveside we also remember his brother Seán, who is laid to rest in the Republican Plot in this cemetery. We honour too all from this community and these counties who have given their lives in the cause of Irish freedom.

Gerry was a committed republican in every sense of the word. He held to the highest ideals of his republican beliefs and in different times he knew and took the risks that struggle demanded. Gerry was once, in British slang, a 'gotcha', but this 'gotcha' got away. Gerry believed that the briefer the spell in Crumlin Road the better. And so he came to Monaghan. Under British law, Gerry could not openly return to his native County Tyrone, as he was still officially 'on the run'. Of course, Gerry did not allow British law to prevent him visiting his friends and family, more particularly in recent years.

Gerry was active in Sinn Féin in Monaghan Town for many years. He was a very popular figure in the community. His natural concern and care for others and his good humour made him an obvious choice as a candidate in the expanding Sinn Féin team in Monaghan in 1999. Elected on his first outing, Gerry was re-elected in June 2004. His comfortable re-election was testament to his hard work, demonstrating the appreciation of the community of his adopted home town.

He was proud of his native Tyrone and took special delight in the County's Gaelic football All-Ireland victory in 2003. Gerry was a keen member of the St Macartan's Snooker Club, a sporting passion he developed in his teenage years in his native Dungannon. He had a fine singing voice and was a member of the Monaghan Choral Society. Through all his activities, he was very much part of the Monaghan Town community. In recent years, Gerry worked at the local McCaldin's Bakery and was in daily contact with shoppers in Fleming's supermarket. To the people of Monaghan Town, he was both a character in the best sense and a respected public representative.

Gerry's contribution to the development of Sinn Féin in Monaghan was significant. He held a number of positions, including chair of the local cumann of the party. He was regularly in attendance at the Sinn Féin advice centre. His record of public service to the people of Monaghan is second to none. One word has cropped up time and time again when people offer an opinion of Gerry — dependable.

He had a particular concern for those in greatest need, especially for older people, for whom it is widely acknowledged he did so much.

Gerry was proud of the academic achievements of his son and daughter and it should be a consolation to Kelly and Seán at this tragic time that as Gerry's children, they did their father proud. I will add too that Gerry and Éilis can both be very proud of the strength shown by Seán, who found himself so unexpectedly facing the responsibility of arranging for his father's remains to be brought home and all the other responsibilities that arise at a time such as this. Kelly too showed great strength and courage. His love for you both was fathomless and boundless.

In recent years, Gerry renewed his practical support of the development of Sinn Féin in County Tyrone. He took equal pride in the Dáil and Westminster successes of Sinn Féin in Cavan/Monaghan and Fermanagh/South Tyrone. It is very fitting, therefore, that I am joined in this joint Monaghan and Tyrone tribute by the Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew.

He was a true republican who abhorred the cancer of sectarianism — be it religious or political. The widespread respect he earned among all sections of the community is demonstrated by the many expressions of sympathy and tributes, by the many visitors to the wakehouse, the attendance at the Mass this morning and here by Gerry's graveside.

Gerry was selfless in his dedication to the community and to his country. He neither smoked nor drank and only left Ireland once on holiday, last year. He got his 'high' from living life to the full and in the service of his fellow human beings.

Wee Gerry was small in stature but big-hearted and broad-minded. He was absolutely unique and nobody, but nobody can fill his shoes. We will miss him very much because he was great fun to be with and his sharp wit lightened the darkest and most difficult hours. We'll all cherish special memories of comradeship and special moments shared.

At times like this it is easy to despair and to wonder at the apparent futility of life. But Gerry's dearest wish would be that we who survive him would recommit ourselves to an Ireland of equals, an end to discrimination and the evils of sectarianism and to work on until we celebrate as a united sovereign people in a united and sovereign land. Let us never shirk our responsibilities or weaken in our resolve to achieve the dream that Gerry nurtured in his heart.

I will conclude with a piece of encouragement from Gerry himself:

"Don't be shy about mixing and introducing yourself to others — after all, we are all neighbours' children."

Slán leat, Gerry 'the Crow' Loughran, ár gcara agus ár gcomráid."

I measc laochra na hÉireann go raibh a anam dílis.

• The Loughran family wish to express their sincere and heartfelt thanks to all who assisted them over the course of the wake and with the arrangements for the funeral of their husband and father, Gerry 'the Crow' Loughran.