Volunteer Hugh Duffy

Volunteer Hugh Duffy, from Derry City, who died on 1 December and was buried with full military honours, was the best and most reliable friend that anyone could ask for.

Hugh was born and bred in the Creggan area of Derry, where he lived his whole life, apart from when he was imprisoned for his political ideals.

Hugh became involved in republican politics at an early age, possibly due to his family history, which saw an elder brother die as a result of an accident when Hugh was eleven years old.

Hugh was interned in one of the earliest raids of internment, as him and his wife Betty awaited the birth of their first child. Unfortunately, when baby Ciara was born the medical prognosis was bad and a successful campaign was launched to have Hugh released.

Hugh and Betty cared for baby Ciara for the three-and-a-half years of her short life, a tragedy that Hugh never ever really came to terms with. Betty and Hugh went on to have a family of three, John, Bronagh and Orlaigh, each of whom Hugh was extremely proud.

Although faced with personal tragedy, Hugh continued his role as an IRA Volunteer and became active in community politics. His door was open to all and people arrived day and night with problems that Hugh took on and solved.

Hugh's status as someone who you could go to became legendary, not only in the Creggan area but throughout the city of Derry.

In the 1980s, Hugh was again imprisoned, on the word of a paid perjurer, before being acquitted on appeal and as before, Hugh weighed back into the republican cause upon his release. He continued his community and republican activity right up to the point when his illness stopped him getting around.

Over the past few years, Hugh and I have travelled across this country and I got to know him very well. I delighted in his stories and his humour as we drove the length and breadth of this island, as Hugh was intelligent and extremely well read.

I realised his delight when his first grandchild was born, a baby girl named Ciara, which helped ease the loss of his own child.

Hugh spent his life in pursuit of his political beliefs, committed to his family and helping the people of Creggan. The large number of people at the funeral was testament to that. Hugh will be remembered as a very warm and generous man who gave a lifetime of service to his community.

On behalf of the Republican Movement, I offer sincere condolences to his wife Betty, his children Bronagh, John and Orlaigh and his granddaughter Ciara.

I measc laochra na nGael a raibh sé.

BY MITCHEL McLAUGHLIN