Dermot Moran, Woodford, Galway

Dermot became an active republican from a young age and was always available, day or night, to help his comrades.

THE south Galway village of Woodford came to a standstill on 12 October as hundreds of republicans attended the funeral of the late Dermot Moran who was laid to rest in the Cemetery beside St John the Baptist Church, Woodford. 

Dermot, a local republican community activist and spokesperson for the Boroughter/Clonmoylan Bog Action Group, was born in Coose, Whitegate, County Clare, and in later years lived in Duniry, Kylebrack, Loughrea, County Galway. 

Dermot was a keen athlete who competed all over Ireland and ran his own garden and lawn maintenance business. He was also involved in training the Clare camogie team, who had a guard of honour at Woodford Church beside the cemetery.

Dermot became an active republican from a young age and was always available, day or night, to help his comrades. He put in many hard hours canvassing for Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, Carol Nolan TD, Noeleen Moran and Annmarie Roche.

Dermot’s final journey was accompanied from the Tommy Larkin GAA grounds to the Woodford Cemetery by a 60-strong republican guard of honour.

Other guard of honour were provided by the turf cutters, Clare Harriers Athletic Club, Woodford Community Group and Woodford Youth Club, showing the level of esteem and respect that Dermot was held in by the people across his own community.

Seán McGettigan delivered the graveside oration, describing Dermot as “a freedom fighter, a tireless worker for his community and the turf cutters; a true friend who, like his forebears, flew the flag for Irish freedom and a united Ireland”. 

The ceremonies concluded with Irish tunes played at his graveside followed by a rousing rendition of Amhrán na bhFiann.