DVD remembers Volunteer

Former prisoner Paddy Fegan is pictured with members of the Ballymurphy Ex-POW group, members of the committee and relatives of Volunteer Tommy ‘Todler’ Tolan at the newly updated mural commemorating the IRA Volunteer. Fegan presented a cheque for £

A DVD celebrating the life of Volunteer Tommy ‘Todler’ Tolan is to be launched this weekend in Ballymurphy.
The disc, comprising interviews with friends, family and comrades of the IRA Volunteer who was shot dead on 27 July 1977, “is a moving testament to a man who gave his life in the struggle for Irish freedom”, said Liam Stone and Seamy Kelly, who helped compile the work.
The two ex-POWs said the interviews showed that Todler was a larger than life character who won the respect of his comrades through his bravery and dedication. It was also clear that Todler was an inspirational Volunteer who brought many people to the republican cause.
Both men said those they spoke to for the DVD were very focused on the circumstances surrounding Todler’s killing, which was carried out by members of the Official IRA/Workers’ Party during a feud in 1977.
“Todler had just arrived back from his honeymoon when the feud began,” said Seamy Kelly. “He was walking through Divismore Crescent when he was ambushed and killed. Local republicans were incensed at the time, but now as we interviewed people it became clear that they see the feuding that left people like Todler dead as futile.”
* This Sunday, Volunteer Tolan’s anniversary will be marked in West Belfast with a parade, assembling at the Ballymurphy/Springfield Memorial Garden at 2pm before marching to Divismore Crescent for the unveiling of a plaque in his memory.