5 March 1998 Edition
Fógraí bháis: Paddy McManus
Following the recent death of veteran republican Belfast Sinn Fein Councillor Paddy McManus, a great many tributes were paid for his lifelong commitment to his community and his pursuit of an end to conflict with the achievement of united Ireland.
All political parties in Belfast City Council, with the exception of the DUP, paid glowing tributes to Paddy for his hard work as a councillor, good humour and courtesy, his pleasant nature and his obvious commitment to his political beliefs which he pursued with vigour and dignity.
At his funeral in his native Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh, Councillor Alex Maskey delivered the oration. ``This afternoon we are gathered in comradeship and love as we say farewell to Paddy. We offer our sympathy to Vera his sister, his aunt and uncle Maggie and Albert and remaining family here in Fermanagh. Our sympathy also goes to his best friend for many years, Pat McGivern.
``The Irish News, in a most fitting tribute to Paddy, referred to him as the ``quiet man who worked tirelessy'' and that certainly is true but he also very definitely left his mark. Paddy Mac was a safe pair of hands, he was a father figure and he served his people well.
``My first encounter with Paddy occurred around 1969 when throughout the sectarian attacks against nationalist areas he was one of those few who rose to the occasion and stood shoulder to shoulder with Catholic familes like my own to defend lives, homes and districts. Without people like Paddy the New Lodge for one would be very different today. There are many of us who owe a great debt of gratitude to Paddy McManus.
``Paddy was a well read man, passionately interested in Irish history and culture, whilst very aware of broader world events and history. An intelligent and politically educated man he could debate with anyone on a host of subjects. No doubt his knowledge and yearning for justice brought him to the republican cause. Paddy first joined the republican movement in the mid 1960s, a lean period for republicanism. And be in no doubt that he was key to rebuilding the movement when Belfast nationalists found themselves defenceless in the face of loyalist pogroms and an increasingly hostile British army. Paddy was also keenly associated with all things Irish, particularly the GAA, while defending Catholic homes, rebuilding the movement, reforming the PDF and setting up relief committes.
``Paddy was arrested and interned for four years. While in prison Paddy showed his many qualities of determination, gentleness, and humour, never complaining and always there to give you a helping hand. After release he continued his work as a republican and was a unstinting supporter of the prisoners through the dark days of the blanket protests and hunger strikes.
``Paddy Mac was a leader in the changing world of republicanism at the beginning of the 1980s. From a position of leadership within Sinn Fein he helped transform our party into an effective political force. Little did Paddy know that he would become a city councillor in 1989 until he died on 9 February 1998. Another 9 years of hard work, never ending work on behalf of his constituents, his people and his country. Unfortunately many of those years were marred by the sectarian abuse he received as a committed republican elected representative. Abused by those who regrettably never realised that he should have been a friend. Paddy worked for all the people of Belfast. This Paddy McManus was acknowledged by parties and staff across the political spectrum in Belfast council.
``Ingrained in Paddy was his dry wit and Belfast humour. Every one of us have a multitude of funny stories and yarns to tell of his legendary sharp wit.
``Vera, the McManus clan and Pat, you have lost a loved one and friend. We all have and the republican struggle has lost an incredible activist and ambassador. On behalf of Pat and Vera I want to pay special thanks to young Liam, Hannibal and Dominic - with all the others - for the loving care and attention they gave to Paddy in the last few weeks of his life. The shock of his tragic death is tempered only by the affection shown him and the knowledge he did not suffer long.
``It was an honour to know Paddy Mac, we are saddened by his passing, he will never be replaced in our hearts and in our struggle.''
All political parties in Belfast City Council, with the exception of the DUP, paid glowing tributes to Paddy for his hard work as a councillor, good humour and courtesy, his pleasant nature and his obvious commitment to his political beliefs which he pursued with vigour and dignity.
At his funeral in his native Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh, Councillor Alex Maskey delivered the oration. ``This afternoon we are gathered in comradeship and love as we say farewell to Paddy. We offer our sympathy to Vera his sister, his aunt and uncle Maggie and Albert and remaining family here in Fermanagh. Our sympathy also goes to his best friend for many years, Pat McGivern.
``The Irish News, in a most fitting tribute to Paddy, referred to him as the ``quiet man who worked tirelessy'' and that certainly is true but he also very definitely left his mark. Paddy Mac was a safe pair of hands, he was a father figure and he served his people well.
``My first encounter with Paddy occurred around 1969 when throughout the sectarian attacks against nationalist areas he was one of those few who rose to the occasion and stood shoulder to shoulder with Catholic familes like my own to defend lives, homes and districts. Without people like Paddy the New Lodge for one would be very different today. There are many of us who owe a great debt of gratitude to Paddy McManus.
``Paddy was a well read man, passionately interested in Irish history and culture, whilst very aware of broader world events and history. An intelligent and politically educated man he could debate with anyone on a host of subjects. No doubt his knowledge and yearning for justice brought him to the republican cause. Paddy first joined the republican movement in the mid 1960s, a lean period for republicanism. And be in no doubt that he was key to rebuilding the movement when Belfast nationalists found themselves defenceless in the face of loyalist pogroms and an increasingly hostile British army. Paddy was also keenly associated with all things Irish, particularly the GAA, while defending Catholic homes, rebuilding the movement, reforming the PDF and setting up relief committes.
``Paddy was arrested and interned for four years. While in prison Paddy showed his many qualities of determination, gentleness, and humour, never complaining and always there to give you a helping hand. After release he continued his work as a republican and was a unstinting supporter of the prisoners through the dark days of the blanket protests and hunger strikes.
``Paddy Mac was a leader in the changing world of republicanism at the beginning of the 1980s. From a position of leadership within Sinn Fein he helped transform our party into an effective political force. Little did Paddy know that he would become a city councillor in 1989 until he died on 9 February 1998. Another 9 years of hard work, never ending work on behalf of his constituents, his people and his country. Unfortunately many of those years were marred by the sectarian abuse he received as a committed republican elected representative. Abused by those who regrettably never realised that he should have been a friend. Paddy worked for all the people of Belfast. This Paddy McManus was acknowledged by parties and staff across the political spectrum in Belfast council.
``Ingrained in Paddy was his dry wit and Belfast humour. Every one of us have a multitude of funny stories and yarns to tell of his legendary sharp wit.
``Vera, the McManus clan and Pat, you have lost a loved one and friend. We all have and the republican struggle has lost an incredible activist and ambassador. On behalf of Pat and Vera I want to pay special thanks to young Liam, Hannibal and Dominic - with all the others - for the loving care and attention they gave to Paddy in the last few weeks of his life. The shock of his tragic death is tempered only by the affection shown him and the knowledge he did not suffer long.
``It was an honour to know Paddy Mac, we are saddened by his passing, he will never be replaced in our hearts and in our struggle.''