H-Blocks Hunger Striker Óglach Thomas McElwee Commemoration

IN A MOVING SPEECH delivered to hundreds of republicans gathered in Bellaghy, County Derry, on Sunday to mark the 35th anniversary of the death on hunger strike of IRA Volunteer Thomas McElwee, Danny Morrison spoke of the humanity of a man who died for what he believed in – “a Republic where everyone is treated equally, regardless of their religion”.

“Tom gave his life on hunger strike because he wanted an Ireland that was at peace with itself,” Danny Morrison said, “where Catholic, Protestant and Dissenter were united in building a better society.”

Quoting from a letter the dying south Derry man sent to his family from his prison deathbed, when he spoke of his dream to unite the people of Ireland, Morrison said Tom’s vision was “a prescient one because that is precisely what the Peace Process is about”.

Morrison, who liaised between the republican leadership on the outside and the prisoners in the H-Blocks during the 1981 Hunger Strike, was emphatic about the attitude of the British Government of Margaret Thatcher He accused them of killing the prisoners because “they didn’t want a settlement”.

Hundreds of republicans from across the North attended the parade which made its way through the south Derry village of Bellaghy to a ceremony at St Mary’s Cemetery where Thomas McElwee (pictured) is buried alongside his cousin, Volunteer Francis Hughes, whose Hunger Strike death occurred on 12 May.

Colm Scullion, who was captured by British forces with ‘Big Tom’, also addressed the crowd.

Colm spoke of his respect for the man the H-Blocks prison officers nicknamed “Punchy” for his readiness to fight them despite being outnumbered.

Clearly still affected by the memories of 35 years ago, Colm Scullion recalled Tom leaving his wing in H-Block 3 on his way to the Prison Hospital where he would die and shouting to him: “All the best, Colm!”

“They were the last words I heard him say,” Colm said of his dear friend and comrade.

As the rally ended, wreaths were laid on behalf of the republican family on the Bellaghy grave shared by the cousins.

Among the wreath-bearers was Seán McPeake (pictured below, standing), who was also captured with Tom.

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