Nuala Fleming, Derry City

As a shop steward Nuala provided leadership in the many battles with the factory owners and attended Civil Rights marches in the fight for rights as citizens.

Derry lost a true Republican activist when Nuala Fleming passed away in December after a brave fight against cancer.

Her graveside oration was delivered by her comrade and friend Rose McCartney.

Nuala was born in 1948 and during the 1950s and 1960s she saw how the discrimination of the Orange state impacted upon the city.

Nuala’s everyday experience forged a great understanding of how poverty, unemployment and discrimination impacted on the entire community.

Nuala worked in the many factories in the City’s so it came as no surprise that she joined and promoted the union to work hard for workers’ rights.

As a shop steward she provided leadership in the many battles with the factory owners and attended Civil Rights marches in the fight for rights as citizens.

Rose McCartney said:

“She joined Cumann na mBan in 1972 and it was then I first got to know Nuala and forged a friendship that lasted over 40 years.

“Nuala was an IRA Volunteer and was well aware of the demands made of a Volunteer. In the 1970s and 1980s she was to the fore of the prison campaign against criminalisation, organising protests from the factory floor to the Guildhall Square.”

As a Sinn Féin activist in the Eamonn Lafferty Cumann she engaged in campaigning, elections, representing people, and political discussion with a determined attitude that lead to the electoral growth of Sinn Féin in Creggan, and Derry.

Despite her illness she attended the unveiling of the mural to celebrate 100 years of Cumann na mBan and women’s contribution to struggle. Unfortunately, Nuala was not well enough to attend the Commemoration Dinner Dance where she was recognised for her contribution to struggle.

We remember and reflect on the loss of a sister, republican, Óglach, trade unionist, activist and friend. We cherish your strength, dignity, loyalty and integrity that you brought to every aspect of your life.

To Molly, Hugh, Róisín, Mary Lou, Dominic and Immelda, is extended our deepest sympathy as you mourn the loss of a kind and loving sister.