27 May 1999 Edition
Martin Doherty remembered
The fifth annual Volunteer Martin Doherty Commemoration took place in Dublin on Sunday, 6 May. IRA Volunteer Martin Doherty was shot dead as he foiled a UVF bomb attack on a function for republican prisoners at the Widow Scallans pub in Dublin's Pearse Street on 21 May 1994.
Several hundred people marched from Finglas to Glasnevin Cemetery where the ceremonies were chaired by former republican hunger-striker and Sinn Féin candidate for Finglas, Dessie Ellis.
Ellis welcomed everyone, in particular Martin Doherty's family and his sons Martin and Michael and former political prisoners including the Balcombe Street Four, one of whom, Joe O'Connell, addressed the crowd.
O'Connell reminded everyone of the quick thinking and bravery of Martin Doherty which had saved so many lives during the attempted massacre by the UVF at the Widow Scallans five years ago. Martin Doherty had spent much of his young life in the service of the republican struggle, whether directly engaged in the IRA's war in Britain or defending those at the prisoners function in 1994.
Those who carried out the attack on the Widow Scallans had come to Dublin in an attempt to destroy the fledgling peace process but they were thwarted. The reaction of certain Irish politicians in the aftermath of the attack was despicable, O'Connell said, as they spent their energies demanding that the Irish government attack the funeral of Martin Doherty rather than pursue an investigation into the circumstances of the loyalist attack in the heart of Dublin. They had played into the hands of those at the time who were actively trying to destroy the prospects of a meaningful peace process. If such politicians had shown a fraction of the courage displayed by Martin Doherty, the peace process would now be well on the way to a successful conclusion.
Sinn Féin Minister Designate to the proposed Six County Executive, Bairbre de Brún said republicans were angry and frustrated a year on over the continued failure to implement the Good Friday Agreemen. She urged everyone present to continue to weigh in behind the Sinn Féin project and to increase the party's strength in the weeks and months ahead so that the momentum to implement the Agreement and forge ahead with the quest for justice and freedom would be maintained.
On Friday evening, friends and relatives of Martin Doherty gathered at the spot where he was killed to dedicate a new plaque, erected by the National Graves Association, to his memory.
Flowers were laid at the spot by Martin Doherty's family and Seán Crowe of Sinn Féin recalled the events surrounding the gun and bomb attack and paid tribute to the memory of Martin Doherty.
Several hundred people marched from Finglas to Glasnevin Cemetery where the ceremonies were chaired by former republican hunger-striker and Sinn Féin candidate for Finglas, Dessie Ellis.
Ellis welcomed everyone, in particular Martin Doherty's family and his sons Martin and Michael and former political prisoners including the Balcombe Street Four, one of whom, Joe O'Connell, addressed the crowd.
O'Connell reminded everyone of the quick thinking and bravery of Martin Doherty which had saved so many lives during the attempted massacre by the UVF at the Widow Scallans five years ago. Martin Doherty had spent much of his young life in the service of the republican struggle, whether directly engaged in the IRA's war in Britain or defending those at the prisoners function in 1994.
Those who carried out the attack on the Widow Scallans had come to Dublin in an attempt to destroy the fledgling peace process but they were thwarted. The reaction of certain Irish politicians in the aftermath of the attack was despicable, O'Connell said, as they spent their energies demanding that the Irish government attack the funeral of Martin Doherty rather than pursue an investigation into the circumstances of the loyalist attack in the heart of Dublin. They had played into the hands of those at the time who were actively trying to destroy the prospects of a meaningful peace process. If such politicians had shown a fraction of the courage displayed by Martin Doherty, the peace process would now be well on the way to a successful conclusion.
Sinn Féin Minister Designate to the proposed Six County Executive, Bairbre de Brún said republicans were angry and frustrated a year on over the continued failure to implement the Good Friday Agreemen. She urged everyone present to continue to weigh in behind the Sinn Féin project and to increase the party's strength in the weeks and months ahead so that the momentum to implement the Agreement and forge ahead with the quest for justice and freedom would be maintained.
On Friday evening, friends and relatives of Martin Doherty gathered at the spot where he was killed to dedicate a new plaque, erected by the National Graves Association, to his memory.
Flowers were laid at the spot by Martin Doherty's family and Seán Crowe of Sinn Féin recalled the events surrounding the gun and bomb attack and paid tribute to the memory of Martin Doherty.