21 February 2008 Edition

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Fógraí bháis

John ‘JJ’  Doherty 

DERRY republicans were shocked recently by the sudden death of well-known Derryman and respected republican John Joseph Doherty, fondly known as ‘JJ’.
JJ was born in Derry in 1934 and grew up in an era where civil and voting rights were denied to the deprived nationalist people of the city, so he understood hard times. This instilled a sense of social justice in standing up for his community, neighbours and friends that was to last throughout his life.
JJ married Maureen in 1954 and had ten children: Marie, Kay, Bernie, John, Patsy, Danny, Jim, Joe, Kevin and Sharon, 22 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, all of whom JJ was immensely proud of and very close to. Danny was killed on active service with the IRA with his comrade, William Fleming, in 1984. Kay, Patsy, John, Jim, Danny and JJ himself were to find themselves imprisoned at one time or another during the recent conflict. At one stage, four family members at the one time were in various prisons across Ireland.
JJ worked in Derry Docks all his adult life and was a leading union shop steward renowned for his vigorous defence of workers’ rights and better conditions for his fellow dockers. He led the dockers out on strike many times to protest around civil, prison and human rights issues.
In a fitting tribute, one of his fellow dockers described him as “a man of quiet dignity who had a commanding bearing about him that always gained the respect of those around him”.
A keen footballer all of his life, JJ at one time played for Derry City Reserves and also set up and successfully managed Abbeyville FC within his local community. He remained an ardent Derry City fan throughout his life.
JJ was never afraid to stand up for his neighbours and on several occasions this led to confrontations with the British Army and the RUC, one of which resulted in a scar across his head as a result of a rifle butt. This would never deter JJ and his support for the republican struggle remained steadfast right up until his death, with JJ and Maureen attending the Derry Sinn Féin AGM the previous week.
JJ and Maureen attended nearly every public meeting during the Peace Process in support of the republican strategy and their presence alone was enough to settle nerves amongst many in the republican base. He was a modest man of few words but when he did speak he always put his points across with great vigour and integrity although in a quiet and discreet way.
JJ’s wife, Maureen, lost her brother, Paddy Doherty, on Bloody Sunday. Both JJ and Maureen were ardent supporters of the republican cause with their door always open and JJ a willing helper in any way possible. The true extent of his involvement will never be known due to the quiet, modest nature of the man himself. JJ never begrudged the fact that many of his family went to jail for the republican cause and was extremely proud of his son, Danny, who died as a soldier on active service for Óglaigh na hÉireann.
JJ was a true republican and a gentleman. Derry republicans turned out in their thousands, including many leadership figures, to pay tribute to JJ and his family. He will be deeply missed not only by his own family but by the greater republican family in the city and beyond.


 


An Phoblacht
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Ireland