Memorial plaque to be removed

The forthcoming demolition of the well known Dublin pub, The Widow Scallons, to be replaced by apartments, has raised concerns about the retention of the commemorative plaque dedicated to IRA Volunteer Martin 'Doco' Doherty, killed by unionist paramilitaries in an attempted bomb attack on the pub in 1994.

Republicans who have spoken to the site foreman have secured a pledge to hand the plaque over once demolition starts. In relation to putting it back up on the new building Sinn Féin councillor for the area Daithí Doolan has said the council requires that the plaque be retained, but that the situation will need to be monitored.

It was a Saturday evening on 21 May 1994 when a UVF gang attacked the Widow Scallons which was hosting a republican prisoners' function upstairs.

IRA Volunteer Martin Doherty confronted the UVF bombers and in the course of a struggle was fatally shot. Another man Paddy Burke was injured.

There is no doubt that Martin Doherty's actions averted an atrocity as he prevented the loyalists from placing a sunsbtantial exoplosive device which it is believed would have killed many of the hundreds of patrons inside.