Danny O’Neill

REPUBLICANS from Dundalk, Belfast, Downpatrick and further afield gathered on a cold January day in the small County Louth village of Haggardstown to pay tribute to veteran republican Danny O’Neill, who died on 24 January at 70 years of age.
Danny lived in the Dundalk area for the last 30 years but was originally from Seaforde Street in the Ballymacarrett area of East Belfast. One of eight children born to Edward and Margaret O’Neill, one of the most respected families from that small republican enclave, Danny was born in 1938.
The O’Neill family was deeply involved in all aspects of community life in the area, social, cultural and political.
One of Danny’s brothers had been interned for years in Crumlin Road Prison during the 1950s campaign so it was inevitable that when the latest phase of struggle erupted, in 1969, Danny would play his part and he was to the fore in defending his ravaged community.
Danny was involved in the rehousing of isolated nationalist and republican families who were intimidated out of their homes. He was also, with his comrades, responsible for forming the first Sinn Féin cumann in the area. And to this day the Seán Martin/Seán Tracey Cumann continues to be very strong in the Short Strand area.
In October 1971, during an engagement with the British Army and the IRA, Danny was seriously wounded and it was thought he might lose his leg.
Around that time, Danny’s best friend, Davy Thompson (also a founder member of the cumann), was brutally shot dead by the British Army. While Danny was recovering in hospital, he was charged and sentenced to four years in prison. He served his sentence in Crumlin Road and in the Cages of Long Kesh.
On his release he was immediately rearrested and interned without trial in Long Kesh. He was one of the last internees to be released when internment was brought to an end in December 1975.
When he was released from internment, Danny returned to the republican struggle and once again paid the price for that involvement when, in 1977, he had to flee his native Belfast and go on the run. Danny went to live in Dundalk and it was only in recent years that he was able to return home to visit his family.
Danny was very fortunate to meet his beloved wife, Jean, a native of Portlaoise, and settle down in Haggardstown, where their children Daniel Óg, James Emmet and Orlagh were born.
Danny gave to his community in the way he had given to the republican struggle all his life. He was deeply involved in the local Geraldines GAC, working with the youth and organising their football training.
The respect that his adopted community held Danny in was evident by the massive turn-out at his funeral. The people of Haggardstown accepted him as one of their own. They have lost a great friend as have the people of Ballymacarrett/Short Strand.
Deepest sympathy is extended to Danny’s wife, Jean, his sons and daughters and grandchild, and also to his sisters and brothers and extended family.