15 October 1998 Edition
Fógraí bháis: Jimmy McKenna
All those involved in the Border Busters' campaign of some years ago, both the border communites and people from all over Ireland and further afield who travelled to the many road-opening and bridge-building events, will mourn the loss of one of the leading voices in that campaign - Jimmy McKenna.
The primary loss at Jimmy's recent death was of course to his family and deepest sympathy goes to his widow Maureen, daughters Rosemary and Helena, son Seán, and grandchildren.
Jimmy was a farmer all his life and lived with his family at Killavney, Augher, County Tyrone. Like so many in his community, his land was divided by the border and when he threw himself into the border-busters' campaign it was daily personal experience which motivated him. He was chairperson of the North Monaghan/South Tyrone Community Association.
Jimmy was solid in his convictions and never afraid to put his point of view. His trenchant expression of his rights to British soldiers trespassing on his land was a joy to behold. The values Jimmy represented long predated the arrival of those unwelcome visitors and will live long after their departure. A true character, Jimmy always enjoyed the craic and delighted in an odd sup of the mountain dew.
His Tricolour-draped coffin was borne from St Patrick's Chapel, Clara, in Co Monaghan, to his final resting-place in the adjoining cemetery. In a tribute to the memory of Jimmy McKenna Cavan/Monaghan Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín O Caoláin has said:
``Jimmy gave voice, in his own inimitable way, to the spirit and determination of whole communites that straddle the border during the course of the years of resistance to the closure of cross-border roads by the British government. Often his face in photograph and on screen told the story of how things were. His contribution to the documentary film Dragon's Teeth, an account of the highly successful Border Busters' campaign thankfully remains with us. In struggle, in pursuit of Irish nationalist and republican goals, in campaigning for justice and equality for all, the spirirt of Jimmy McKenna will always be with us. Suaimhneas síoraí go raibh aige.''
The primary loss at Jimmy's recent death was of course to his family and deepest sympathy goes to his widow Maureen, daughters Rosemary and Helena, son Seán, and grandchildren.
Jimmy was a farmer all his life and lived with his family at Killavney, Augher, County Tyrone. Like so many in his community, his land was divided by the border and when he threw himself into the border-busters' campaign it was daily personal experience which motivated him. He was chairperson of the North Monaghan/South Tyrone Community Association.
Jimmy was solid in his convictions and never afraid to put his point of view. His trenchant expression of his rights to British soldiers trespassing on his land was a joy to behold. The values Jimmy represented long predated the arrival of those unwelcome visitors and will live long after their departure. A true character, Jimmy always enjoyed the craic and delighted in an odd sup of the mountain dew.
His Tricolour-draped coffin was borne from St Patrick's Chapel, Clara, in Co Monaghan, to his final resting-place in the adjoining cemetery. In a tribute to the memory of Jimmy McKenna Cavan/Monaghan Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín O Caoláin has said:
``Jimmy gave voice, in his own inimitable way, to the spirit and determination of whole communites that straddle the border during the course of the years of resistance to the closure of cross-border roads by the British government. Often his face in photograph and on screen told the story of how things were. His contribution to the documentary film Dragon's Teeth, an account of the highly successful Border Busters' campaign thankfully remains with us. In struggle, in pursuit of Irish nationalist and republican goals, in campaigning for justice and equality for all, the spirirt of Jimmy McKenna will always be with us. Suaimhneas síoraí go raibh aige.''