John Bradshaw

The death took place some weeks back of republican John Bradshaw of Mullinahone, County Tipperary, the home of the better known republican Charles Kickham. Sharing uncanny resemblances in terms of life long ill-health and a fearless commitment to what they knew to be right, each held proactive republican beliefs.

I had the regretful privilege of attending this man's funeral, a death occurring at the relatively premature age of 48. The tri-colour was draped over the coffin in the church and a colour party led the company of mourners along a lonely country road to the accompaniment of a lone piper. Neighbours and friends from the village walked behind the coffin as children and Special Branch detecticves looked on.

His lawyer niece read a poem based on the theme of `the unknown'; the question as to why it is that so much is left unsaid of people like John while they live. An oration was given on John's request by a Tipperary republican, which unravelled something of that unknown. The speaker pointed to John's absolute fearlessness when it came again to what he recognised as right by his country. John Bradshaw never baulked at asking the awkward question and progressed only when satisfied with the answers returned. He never flinched in the face of friend or foe and maintained his allegiance out of studied evaluation. He was one of those people who judged cautiously. John was of the grassroots of quiet places; the people who ultimately lead and who decide the way forward. John maintained a well thought-out allegiance to the republican strategy and his thinking was not done lightly.

He was known locally as a member of the various local sporting clubs and as someone with republican beliefs. At the burial mass, the local parish priest commented on his sporting and other interests and, describing the burial, the local paper recounted how the town's gun club, of which he was a member, had provided a guard of honour. John Bradshaw was well respected by the few and the rare republicans of villages like Mullinahone, those who accompanied his coffin in colour party, and to the resilient piper's beat; The Rhythm of Time, a history of which John is a part.

His parents, sister, brothers, his partner of very many years Kathleen and his close friends from Cashel in South Tipperary wore a deep sadness that day. John Bradshaw is one of those lesser-known and unspoken losses that our Movement has incurred over the many years and in various circumstances. It's in quiet places that important things happen and sometimes those important moments must wait in the silence of the grave for fuller tribute.

In the quiet of that funeral event, Bobby Sands' words came to mind: ``I am on the threshold of another trembling world, may God have mercy on my soul.'' Ireland is on the threshold of another trembling world and the ever cautious and analytical Bradshaw stood with that tide of change. Republicans who knew his worth know the measure of our loss. His loved ones and long-time friends know the pain of his absence. Had he lived to be a hundred, John would never have flinched and our initiatives will never disappoint his vision. The republican movement will certainly achieve what this man put his life's work into. ``Ní fheicimid a leathéid ann arís.''