Hundreds gather in Andersonstown to remember Kieran Doherty

Jennifer McCann speakng at Kieran Doherty’s commemoration

Hundreds of republicans gathered in Andersonstown on Thursday 2 August, to mark the 26 anniversary of the death of IRA Volunteer Kieran Doherty after 73 days on hunger strike in 1981.
A white line vigil was held along the length of the Andersonstown Road before members of the community walked up Slemish Way to assemble at the Kieran Doherty memorial at Commedagh Drive where the proceedings took place.
The proceedings at the memorial were chaired by Sinn Féin Belfast City councillor Michael Browne.
The National Anthem was played by Kieran’s nephew also named Kieran.
Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Republican Movement, Andersonstown Martyrs Sinn Féin Cumann, Andersonstown EX-POWS and the Andersonstown Commemoration Committee before the roll of honour of 20th century hunger strikers was read out by a member of the Andersonstown Commemoration Committee.
Councillor Browne then introduced the main speaker West Belfast MLA and Ex POW Jennifer McCann, a close comrade of Bobby Sands.
Jennifer spoke of the sacrifice of the hunger strikers and how they would be alive forever in our determination to see the achievement of a 32 county socialist republic.
Margaret Doherty, the mother of Kieran, asked to say a few words before the end of the ceremony and spoke how proud she was to have had such a strong and brave son and thanked everyone gathered for keeping alive the memory of her son.
The ceremony finished with the playing of a lament.