13 November 1997 Edition
Fógraí bháis: Sean `Piggy' O'Neill
By his comrades.
Speaking at the graveside of his former comrade Sean `Piggy' O'Neill, veteran Ardoyne republican Martin Meehan paid tribute to one of Belfast's fiercest guerrilla fighters who died so tragically last month at the age of 44.
``It was an absolute honour to be asked to remember the life of Piggy,'' said Meehan. It was the life of a man, so feared by the British army that at the height of Belfast's gunbattles in the early 1970s they organised a shoot-to-kill operation to remove Sean O'Neill from his own streets. In an ambush Piggy was shot and seriously wounded by British Marine Commandos in the New Lodge Road area. His wounds were taken care of in the 26 counties and he returned north to resume active service.
``A fearless comrade, a character, a kind and giving person, especially to his friends and comrades, Mark Graham, Tacka, JT and Keeney, Piggy always led from the front,'' Meehan said. ``He was a young man when he joined the ranks of Oglaigh na hEireann. Piggy, originally from Ludlow Street in the New Lodge, was interned twice, shot by the Brits in `72, and later sentenced, serving another 10 years of his young life in Long Kesh. He was a man of the utmost principle and dedication and we in the republican movement who were honoured to know him feel a deep sense of loss for a true comrade. To his family, and in particular to his son Sean, I would ask you to remember not just one of the bravest of soldiers but also the kind and warm person we all knew.
``I remember one incident. Piggy would - and did - face an army, but he had one real fear, believe it or not, and that was of mice! The Brits were raiding houses looking for him and the woman of a house told him he could take shelter up the coalhole. So with the streets and entries covered with Brits Piggy moved towards the hide, only to be warned there were mice there. Well, that was enough for Piggy. He decided to take his chances with the Brits rather than the mice. He took to his heels, running out and over the back wall. It was typical of Piggy's nature and character that he ran past the Brits before they knew who he was. Piggy got away but later his comrades pulled his leg about this fierce street fighter running from a mouse.
``We in the republican movement will always remember Piggy with a deep pride and honour, but along with sadness Piggy will also be remembered with laughter. We must thank him for the many sacrfices he made for his people and his country. Piggy, on behalf of the republican movement, we salute you dear comrade and soldier. Look down upon us and pray for your remaining comrades. We will never forget you.''
Speaking at the graveside of his former comrade Sean `Piggy' O'Neill, veteran Ardoyne republican Martin Meehan paid tribute to one of Belfast's fiercest guerrilla fighters who died so tragically last month at the age of 44.
``It was an absolute honour to be asked to remember the life of Piggy,'' said Meehan. It was the life of a man, so feared by the British army that at the height of Belfast's gunbattles in the early 1970s they organised a shoot-to-kill operation to remove Sean O'Neill from his own streets. In an ambush Piggy was shot and seriously wounded by British Marine Commandos in the New Lodge Road area. His wounds were taken care of in the 26 counties and he returned north to resume active service.
``A fearless comrade, a character, a kind and giving person, especially to his friends and comrades, Mark Graham, Tacka, JT and Keeney, Piggy always led from the front,'' Meehan said. ``He was a young man when he joined the ranks of Oglaigh na hEireann. Piggy, originally from Ludlow Street in the New Lodge, was interned twice, shot by the Brits in `72, and later sentenced, serving another 10 years of his young life in Long Kesh. He was a man of the utmost principle and dedication and we in the republican movement who were honoured to know him feel a deep sense of loss for a true comrade. To his family, and in particular to his son Sean, I would ask you to remember not just one of the bravest of soldiers but also the kind and warm person we all knew.
``I remember one incident. Piggy would - and did - face an army, but he had one real fear, believe it or not, and that was of mice! The Brits were raiding houses looking for him and the woman of a house told him he could take shelter up the coalhole. So with the streets and entries covered with Brits Piggy moved towards the hide, only to be warned there were mice there. Well, that was enough for Piggy. He decided to take his chances with the Brits rather than the mice. He took to his heels, running out and over the back wall. It was typical of Piggy's nature and character that he ran past the Brits before they knew who he was. Piggy got away but later his comrades pulled his leg about this fierce street fighter running from a mouse.
``We in the republican movement will always remember Piggy with a deep pride and honour, but along with sadness Piggy will also be remembered with laughter. We must thank him for the many sacrfices he made for his people and his country. Piggy, on behalf of the republican movement, we salute you dear comrade and soldier. Look down upon us and pray for your remaining comrades. We will never forget you.''