Paul Moloney

Republicans and local people in Ballymun were shocked and devastated at the sudden death of Paul Maloney, who passed away on Saturday 14 December last, aged 47.

How well Paul was known locally and furthur afield was seen at his removal from Massey's of Finglas to St Joseph's church Poppintree and at the funeral Mass the next day. Friends came to greive and offer comfort to his wife Mary, mother Tess, and young family.

On the morning of the Mass, republicans from Belfast, Derry, Tyrone, Mayo and Dublin arrived. They carried the Tricolour-draped coffin from the church, with Paul's favorite song, Seán Sabhat, being sung for all to hear.

Born in 1955 in Benburb St, Dublin, Paul soon began to educate himself on the historial sites of his native city and also about its characters, and folklore.

In 1966 Paul, as a young lad running around Dublin, rounded up his mates with handcarts to collect rubble that formed the remains of Nelson's Pillar in O'Connell Street , and sold them to American tourists for 2 shillings and 6 pence per stone.

In 1978, he married his wife Mary and moved to a house in Poppintree and started his married life and young family. It is around this time that Paul became interested in what was happening in his community and espeically the Six Counties. With this in mind, like so many more, Paul open his house to republican activists for a cuppa and a place to sleep, etc; any time, day or night, his door was open.

No one was ever turned away. It was through this that Paul, his wife Mary and young family, were soon to learn of the trampling feet of the Special Branch, searching his home and scaring the daylights out of his children. But as usual, Paul always had the last laugh. For at this time he had two large snakes and when they the Branch would arrive to search, he got great satisfaction out of seeing grown men terrified of his pets, that is, if you could tell the difference at times.

It is extremely hard to believe that Paul is gone, and only a short few weeks after we attended the removal and funeral of another close friend, the late Jimmy Gavin. Paul would love to wonder to the Gravediggers after such an event to swallow a few pints or to his local, the Towers, where he could be heard singing his favourite song, Sean Sabhat. He would sing that song with the same conviction as when it was written.

I would borrow a phase from Jim Gibrey about what people like Paul did for the struggle"

"One day, someone will document the role that safe houses have played in the struggle for Irish freedom. In my experience, they are indespensible. Without them, nothing can be done."

His wife Mary, mother Tess, his family and grandchildren have lost a husnband, son, fathe and grandfather. The republican family has lost a very exceptional wee man and friend.

I measc laochra na nGael a raibh sé.

BY SEAN GALLAGHER