Volunteer Lar Doyle

The friends and comrades of IRA Volunteer Lar Doyle were saddened and shocked recently to hear of his untimely death at an early age.

Lar Doyle was born and reared in Bray, County Wicklow. He moved to the Olcourt estate with his partner Lisa and two children Amy, aged seven, and Séamus, aged three. A painter and decorater by trade he was always on call to give a hand without complaint.

The many people who knew Lar will forever remember him as a strong willed, caring friend. He was someone who immediately struck an impression - he was a man of few words but many actions.

Lar had many passions in life but music always played a big part. A member of a successful band, Lar toured extensively with his friends.

Lar Doyle was drawn to the republican struggle in the early 1980s. Witnessing the heroic sacrifices of the H-Block hunger strikers and the many attacks on the nationalist community in the Six Counties, Lar decided he could not stand on the sidelines.

As a Volunteer with Oglaigh na hEireann Lar Doyle never shirked the many resposnibilities which fell on his young shoulders. He proved to be a courageous and reliable Volunteer, inspiring his comrades by his discipline, commitment and tireless activism.

Lar was very active in Bray on all the issues affecting the community and was a member of the local Sinn Féin cumann.

Lar Doyle was a good friend and comrade who is missed by the Republican Movement. To his partner and children and to his extended family we offer our sincere condolences.

I measc laochra na nGael go raibh a anam.

Peter Nolan

The death of Peter Nolan on Monday 7 April caused widespread sadness in Republican circles in the Midlands. Peter was a lifelong republican who remained deeply committed to his life long dream of a united Ireland. Only a week before his death he read the proclamation with his usual passion at the Easter Sunday commemoration in Clonygowan, County Offaly.

Peter, who was 82, also had a great love of history and folklore both local and national and his collection of books, pamphlets, photos, press cuttings and tapes will, one hopes, form the basis of a local library/heritage centre in his native village. He was also a great lover of music and was perhaps the last surviving member of the local pipe band. He always carried a tin whistle and with a little promoting would render a tune.

The huge turnout at his funeral was a testament to his popularity. His coffin arrived in Boher church draped in the tricolour carried by his republican comrades and led by three pipers.

The proceedings at the grave were chaired by Gerry Farrell of Maote cumann, Sinn Féin, of which Peter was also a member. Among the many wreaths was one from his local cumann and one from the Republican Movement laid by Tommy McIntyre. A short oration was given by Councillor John Carroll, Birr UDC, who spoke of his courage and commitment to the republican struggle down through the years and how history would reveal the role he played.

He expressed sympathy on behalf of the Republican Movement with his wife Mae, his son Tommy and his daughters Frances and Margaret, his sister and grandchildren and spoke of how we could only try to understand their great loss as Peter was also a great family man in his own quiet way.

Go ndeana Dia trocaire ar a anam.