24 April 2008 Edition

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Seamus McCollum

VOLUNTEER Seamus McCollum, Óglaigh na hÉireann, was laid to rest in the Republican Plot in Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin on Wednesday, 16 April, after a lifetime of dedication to the cause of Irish freedom. He was a proud, dedicated and committed Volunteer who gave his whole life to the fight for freedom, seeking nothing in return.
Seamus was born in Lancaster, England, in 1922 to a County Antrim family. From a very young age he knew about the injustice inflicted on Ireland by the British occupation and was determined to do something about it. In the late 1940s, Seamus became active in the Anti-Partition League and as that attempt to end British rule in Ireland faded he joined the IRA. He was arrested and spent four years in English prisons. While incarcerated he came into contact with other republican POWs and also forged friendships with POWs from the Greek Cypriot EOKA nationalist movement. These friendships stood the test of time and some of those Cypriot ex-prisoners were recently in Ireland to visit Seamus in hospital.
On his release from prison, Seamus came back to Ireland only to be arrested and interned in the Curragh Camp in 1958. When freed from the Curragh he reported back to the IRA and remained active until the 1962 cessation. Seamus then returned to England and worked as a shipping clerk. When hostilities broke out in 1969 he once again returned to the ranks of the IRA.

RESOURCEFUL
Seamus was a resourceful and determined Volunteer and present-day republicans owe a debt to people like Seamus who did everything to keep the flame of the republican struggle alive. His years in English prisons in the 1950s only strengthened his resolve despite the isolation and brutality of the prison regimes. He was there, willing and able, to add his invaluable support and experience in helping the IRA bring the war to England in the 1970s. He successfully evaded capture during that turbulent time and returned to Ireland in 1976, setting up an import/export business in electrical equipment.
Unfortunately for Seamus and the Republican Movement, the Garda was to discover that the electrical components he was importing didn’t give much light but delivered one hell of an explosive kick! Seamus was once again arrested and sentenced to 10 years in Portlaoise Prison.
Seamus was now in his 50s and was a republican POW for the third time. Seamus’s arrival in Portlaoise was a reminder to the younger Volunteers of the continuity of the republican struggle. He was a staunch republican but you wouldn’t know that from his reputation – he didn’t have a reputation. He was unassuming and quiet.  In a way, he was the perfect Volunteer, there to be called upon when he was needed. He was fiercely committed but he didn’t have an ego. He didn’t have to prove himself. Seamus’s actions spoke for him. He was one of those Volunteers who is there forever, avoids the limelight, proud and generous.
There was a lot more to Seamus McCollum, of course.  He was highly intelligent, quick-witted and well-read. He had a sharp and incisive mind and a great sense of humour. He loved the craic and a good debate or argument. He was very much from the physical force tradition of republicanism but was not opposed to change and has always remained on great terms with his comrades, particularly those who were with him in England. He was an inspiration and a shining example to all republicans.  And so his generous spirit will live on to inspire and guide new generations of republicans.
In recent days, his comrades in Cyprus sent a message to be read at Seamus’s funeral. They said:
“We shall always keep in our memory the glorious but difficult days we had together in the British prisons. These memories will remain unchanged for the rest of our lives.
“We are sorry that we shall not meet with you, dear Seamus, but be sure that we shall always remember those days. You can go, dear comrade, with our love.  From your comrades of EOKA.”
Codladh sámh, a Sheamuis. Ni déanfar dearmad ort go deo.


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