Conor McCrann

The late Conor McCrann

It was with deep shock that the family and friends of Conor McCrann learnt of his untimely death in September. An active member of the James Crossan/Kieran Doherty Sinn Féin Cumann in Ballyconnell, County Cavan, Conor's passing has been mourned by political activists far and wide.

Born in England in 1957 to Irish parents, he first visited Ireland's shores at the tender age of four, when the family bought a pub in Ballyconnell.

Although he returned to England when he was 13, he always vowed to come back to Ireland before his 40th birthday. He kept his word and settled back in Ballyconnell in 1995.

At 38, he was a seasoned political grass-roots veteran, having joined Sinn Féin in the late '70s following a brief foray with the Socialist Workers' Party. When you sat with Conor over a pint of Guinness, you would have to coax him into telling you his tales of picketing with striking miners during the Thatcherite years, of standing alone in protest at the treatment of Irish Hunger Strikers, and of his more colourful career with a rock band.

A founder member of the Ballyconnell-based Kieran Doherty Memorial Committee in 1996, he helped to forge strong connections with Doherty's native West Belfast. He was a frequent visitor to Andersonstown, where the family and friends of Doherty, who was a TD for Cavan/Monaghan, held him in the highest esteem.

His two main hobbies spoke volumes about Conor. His stoic allegiance to Celtic Football Club was never more on show than when the Bhoys happened to be playing 'Old Firm' rivals Rangers on the television. His favourite pastime, however, was fly-fishing. Dappling a fly on the surface of some tranquil lake epitomised the Conor McCrann that we all knew.

A deep thinker, a passionate human being, a man of integrity and respect, Conor leaves an unfillable void.

On Wednesday 15 September, Conor McCrann's Tricolour-draped coffin was carried in turn by friends and comrades from Belfast, Ballyconnell and England, through the streets of Shanagolden, in his mother's native County Limerick, to his final resting place. Our sympathies go to his mother, sisters Una and Fionnuala and brother Kevin.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

BY DONAL CARLIN