9 August 2007 Edition

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Fógraí bháis

Francie McGoldric

As news spread of the tragic death of Francie McGoldrick in a road accident on Sunday 1 July, there was widespread shock in his native Lisnaskea,  and amongst the republican community throughout Fermanagh and beyond.
Francie aged 34, youngest of five children was born in nearby Donagh before moving to Lisnaskea in 1982.  In his youth he was a keen hurler, playing on the Emmett’s team for a number of years.  However as a young man he joined the IRA and in 1993, at the age of 20 he was arrested, charged and imprisoned as a result of his activities. 
I first met Francie when he arrived into Long Kesh after he was sentenced to 14 years.  Although from a different generation of republican activists, we struck up a friendship that was to last throughout our period in prison and afterwards when we were both released.  He settled into prison life fairly quietly and began to use his time constructively, taking up a number of subjects to study.  He was particularly adept at picking up the Irish language and he spent the last 2 years in the gaol’s gaeltacht where he became a fluent Irish speaker.
Unfortunately, Francie’s six years in Long Kesh were punctuated with tragedy.  In 1995 his girlfriend Brenda Curran, mother of their son Shea, was killed in a road accident in Monaghan.  Then in 1997 his brother Brian tragically died.
He was released in 1998 under the terms of Good Friday Agreement.  Shortly afterwards he moved to Ballyconnell in County Cavan, where his second child Saoirse was born four years ago.
Francie was a lively, energetic person, full of enthusiasm and fun, kind and friendly, a man that loved the craic and lived life to the full.  Francie remained an active republican after jail and worked for Sinn Féin in both the recent elections.  He was always proud that he had joined the ranks of the Irish Republican Army.
Among the hundreds that attended Francie’s funeral were ex-prisoners from many counties, motorcyclists and local GAA players.  Francie’s cortege was accompanied from his home through Lisnaskea to the Holy Cross church, by a full guard of honour from the Republican Movement.  He was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery alongside his brother Brian and just a short distance from his girlfriend Brenda. 
On behalf of the Republican Movement, I extend sincere condolences to his grieving parents, Rosemary and Tommy, son Shea, daughter Saoirse, brothers Martin and John, sister Veronica and friend Naomi.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.
BY SEÁN LYNCH


An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland