Danny Morrison to speak at Drumnakilly Martyrs Commemoration in Tyrone

‘I was involved in South Tyrone during the Hunger Strike campaign and a year after that I came to Mid-Ulster to stand in the 1982 Assembly election where I got to know Gerard, Martin and Brian well’

DANNY MORRISON – former Editor of An Phoblacht and Assembly member for Mid-Ulster (1982-86) – is the main speaker at a commemoration to mark the 25th anniversary of the SAS shooting of IRA Volunteers Gerard and Martin Harte and Brian Mullin at Drumnakilly on Tuesday 30 August 1988.

A series of commemorative events is being held, concluding with a commemoration at graves of Gerard and Martin the Republican Plot in Loughmacrory on Sunday 1 September at 11am. (See poster below)

Speaking ahead of the commemoration, Danny Morrison – previously the Sinn Féin Director of Publicity and now an accomplished author and political commentator – said:

“I am looking forward to going back to Tyrone at the weekend to speak at the commemoration for the three Volunteers and to catch up with good friends and acquaintances I made there during the 1980s.

“Tyrone is a place I hold dear in my heart and I like to go back there as often as possible. The people of Tyrone were very warm and opened their doors to me in the very darkest days of the conflict.

“I was involved in South Tyrone during the Hunger Strike campaign and a year after that I came to Mid-Ulster to stand in the 1982 Assembly election where I got to know Gerard, Martin and Brian well.

“They were committed family men and dedicated republicans who paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we might be free from oppression and injustice. It is important that we always remember their sacrifice and express solidarity with their families.”

Declan McAleer, a Sinn Féin Assembly member for the area, said:

“Being devoted community men, it is fitting that the Volunteers will be remembered through activities such as the Sperrins Mountain Climb, the annual football tournament and the ‘Drumnakilly 25’ cycle, all of which takes place throughout Saturday with the commemoration on Sunday.

“This is going to be a very emotional weekend as we pause to remember the sacrifice of Brian, Gerard and Martin and we call on all republicans to take part in the commemorative events and to remember them with pride.”