2 December 2004 Edition

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Seán O'Carroll and Patrick Tierney honoured

The Ardee Seán O'Carroll and Patrick Tierney Commemoration Committee held a very successful parade and wreath-laying ceremony in the Louth village on Sunday 28 November.

The parade assembled at the Fair Green and, accompanied by several bands and a large crowd, proceeded to the monument at the Drogheda Road. The ceremonies were chaired by Sinn Féin Louth County Councillor Pearse McGeough, who particularly welcomed members of the O'Carroll and Tierney families, who have been very supportive of the commemoration committee. He also welcomed Sinn Féin elected representatives from Louth, Monaghan, Armagh and Meath.

Following the wreath-laying ceremony and last post, the oration was delivered by Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, who recalled the brutal slaying by the Black and Tans of Volunteers O'Carroll and Tierney on 30 November 1920, 84 years ago this week.

He recounted extracts from the local newspaper reports of 4 December 1920, which extolled the people of Ardee for 'taking little part in the political agitation' of the day, describing Ardee as 'the last place in Ireland' where such events could have been expected.

"Describing the people of Ardee as 'orderly, undemonstrative and sensible', the Dundalk Democrat went on to state that even 'the local Sinn Féiners are neither numerous nor very belligerent'," said Ó Caoláin. "Whatever knowledge the author of those opinions had of the people of Ardee and its environs, he or she knew nothing of the courageous men and women of this locality who were actively involved in the fight for Irish freedom. Men and women like Seán O'Carroll, who had moved to Ardee, and Patrick Tierney, a native son of this town.

"And whatever about the disposition of the local Sinn Féiners in 1920, I can say before this crowd today that the Sinn Féiners in Ardee and district and throughout mid-Louth in 2004 are not only numerous and growing in strength, but can and will be just as belligerent as the moment or challenge demands," he declared, to enthusiastic applause.

Councillor McGeough concluded the proceedings by thanking all present for participating in the commemoration. He singled out the South Armagh Demilitarisation Committee, who took part with their float.


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