A native of Eyrecourt, Co Galway, Sister Sarah was born in 1919 to Brigid Claffey and Michael Clarke. Whilst still a young girl at school her father, an invalid, contracted TB and died. Rather than lead a materialistic life Sister Sarah opted for a spiritual one, entering the la Sainte Union Order, taking her noviciate at a convent in Killashee.

Her days at Killashee convent, entering holy orders and being completely cut off from family and friends, subsequently helped to instil an affinity with the prisoners that she was later to make contact with.

Following her move to London, Sister Sarah enrolled at Chelsea Art School. The time she spent there boosted her confidence as the 1960s was a radical period, with students protesting in London and Paris, and people demonstrating against racial segregation in the United States.

Whilst Sister Sarah was completing her studies at Chelsea Art School events in the Six Counties were unfolding. When the oppressed nationalist community’s demands for civil rights were ignored and met with state violence, a revolutionary situation developed that culminated into a national liberation struggle.

Although not from a Republican family with any strong interest in politics Sister Sarah was aware of the centuries of oppression her people had endured under British rule. Rather than ignore the plight of the nationalist people, and opt for the quiet life, she decided to act by joining the civil rights movement.

As British repression increased and the war intensified Irish Republicans soon found themselves incarcerated in English jails. Nevertheless, despite the brutal treatment meted out to Irish political prisoners they remained determined in their struggle for political status.

The terrible treatment that prisoners and their families endured convinced Sister Sarah that something needed to be done. Therefore she helped establish a prisoners’ support group which provided much-needed support for the prisoners and their families.

As Sister Sarah and others, such as Frs Faul and Murray, continued to speak out against the inhuman treatment that the prisoners and their families received she was eventually barred by the British Home Office from visiting prisoners for “security reasons”. Despite this, and the hostility and suspicion encountered, she continued with her campaign helping prisoners’ wives and children.

Though her motives were merely humanitarian and religious, and not confined solely to political prisoners, her work was often criticised by the Church and State. In her book she says: “My mission has never been political but humanitarian – to ease the suffering and hardship of prisoners and especially their families. That I had a special sympathy for Republican prisoners stems from the belief that had it not been for the political situation they would never have been in jail, nor would their families have suffered or seen the inside of a jail.”

Even when nearing death Irish political prisoners were treated in a shameful manner by some clerics. For example, when Frank Stagg’s sister requested that he be given the last sacraments as he lay dying in Wakefield jail this was refused until the intervention of Sister Sarah and others.

In a chapter on the Prevention of Terrorism Act, Sister Sarah recalls some heartbreaking and terrible cases of cruelty inflicted on people detained under the Act. Victims have been severely traumatised, and suffered nervous breakdowns, because of this draconian piece of British legislation which is merely used to terrify the Irish community in Britain. “They have one thing in common,” Sister Sarah says, “they happened to people who were vulnerable, unworldly and innocent.”

Sister Sarah is a remarkable and determined woman who has spend more than 25 years highlighting the degrading and inhuman treatment inflicted upon Irish political prisoners and their families in British jails. None of whom would have seen the inside of a jail were it not for the British military occupation in the Six Counties. This book is not only a testimony to the highly valued work of Sister Sarah, it is also a telling indictment of the British judicial system and its treatment of Irish people.
— Eugene Egan
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Lillie Thewles was born in Chapelizod, County Dublin on June 13, 1898. She was one of a family of eight children. Her parents’ had strong connections with the Fenian movement of 1867.

Her mother was a founder-member of the “Women Prisoners’ Defence League” along with Madame Maud Gonne MacBride and Mrs Despard.

Her uncle, Michael Mallin, one of the leaders of the Irish Citizen Army, was executed for his part in the Rising of Easter Week. She is survived by her sister Sissie and nephews and nieces.

Lillie joined Cumann na mBan in 1917 , when the organisation was being reformed after the Easter Rising. All through the Tan War, Lillie worked with the 1st Battalion, Dublin Brigade, IRA, whose headquarters were at 44 Parnell Square.

In 1922 during the bombardment of the Four Courts, Lillie and her comrades made their way to Jenkinson’s, Potato Merchants, in Capel Street, in an effort to reach the Republican forces, including her own two brothers, Christy and Joe, who were under siege in the Four Courts.

It was at this point the Four Courts exploded, bringing down the glass roof of Jenkinson’s on top of Lillie and her comrades, forcing them to surrender. Lillie was imprisoned in Kilmainham Jail and the North Dublin Union.

On her release Lillie continued her association with Cumann na mBan, travelling the length and breadth of the country forming new branches of that organisation.

Lillie supported the Republican Movement for over seventy years and she believed as strongly as ever in its objectives.

The removal took placeon January 3 to the Church of the Blessed Virgin, Chapelizod. The funeral Mass was at 11am on Saturday, January 4, followed by interment in Clonsilla Cemetery.

Republican Sinn Féin was represented at the funeral by Líta Ní Chathmhaoil, Ard-Rúnaí.
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He was father of H-Block hunger-striker Kevin Lynch who died aged 25 on August 1, 1981 after a 71 day fast.

Sincere sympathy is extended to his wife Bridie, sons Mícheál, Patsy, Gerard and Francie, daughters Gene, Mary and Bridie and to his extended family.

Local Republican Sinn Féin representative Michael McGonigle told SAOIRSE that he asked Mrs Lynch during Kevin’s hunger-strike what the position of the family would be in the event of Kevin’s slipping into unconscious.She replied that they would respect his wishes. “Paddy and Bridie stood firmly behind their son’s decision in ruling out medical intervention. It was very hard for a mother and father to do so,” said Michael McGonigle, “but they did it.”

Paddy and Bridie Lynch took part faithfully in every Bundoran H-Block hunger-strike commemoration and were familiar figures on the speakers’ platform. Last August they missed out due to Paddy’s final illness.

At the funeral to the local cemetery on January 7 a wreath was laid on the grave by Michael McGonigle on behalf of Republican Sinn Féin. Other wreaths included one from the Bundoran-Ballyshannon H-Block Committee and one from Joe and Mary O’Neill, Bundoran.

The indomitable Paddy Lynch will be missed. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.
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At the time of his death Tom was Trustee of the Friends of Irish Freedom. One thing for sure, if they run a dance in Heaven, Tom will be the one with the journal ads and you would never turn him down for an ad.

Tom was loved and respected by all who knew him and will be greatly missed.

We extend our sincere sympathy to Tom’s family – Maura, James. Rosetta, Eilish and the late Mark, and also to his 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
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A Republican Guard of Honour was present at the removal to St Stephen’s Church, Tyrellspass on Tuesday evening and again on the following day at the funeral. The coffin was draped in the National Flag. The burial took place in Meedin Cemetery on Wednesday. Among the attendance at the funeral was Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, Uachtarán Sinn Féin Poblachtach and Dan Hoban of Mayo. Brian McCormack laid a wreath on behalf of the Republican Movement.

At the graveside Emmett Walsh, Sinn Féin Poblachtach, Offaly introduced Seosamh Ó Maoileoin to the crowd. Seosamh Ó Maoileoin said

“Iarradh ormsa cúpla focal a rá anseo inniu. Is ócáid bhrónah í agus muid bailithe sa reilig seo chun Tom Monroe a adhlacadh. Cara liom le blianta ab ea Tom.

Poblachtánach dílís ab ea é le blianta anuas. Bhí sé gníomhach i nGluaiseacht na Poblachta. Rinne sé a chion chun saoirse na hÉireann a bhaint amach.

“We are here today to bury Tom Monroe, a lifelong Republican. I first met Tom many years ago. He was the main instigator in setting up the local James Daly Cumann of Sinn Féin. James Daly was executed in India for his part in the Connaught Rangers mutiny in 1920. Tom Monroe was there when James Daly was reinterred in Tyrellspass in 1970.

“For a number of years Tom went around fund-raising in order to erect a memorial over James Daly. He went from house to house, organised dances in Kilbeggan, Daingean and elsewhere. He raised the required amount and Tom was a proud man when all his hard work came to fruition. Joe Clare, well known for his part in the Mount Street bridge area of Dublin in 1916, came to Tyrellspass to unveil the memorial. Joe and Tom were good friends for a good many years. Another good friend of Tom’s was Teresa Maher from Tore (Tyrellspass), a sister of the executed James Daly.

“Tom was also a good friend to the Republican prisoners from the Midlands. Be it Mountjoy or Portlaoise he went to see them. He wrote weekly letters, sent food parcels when they were allowed and also gave money to the prisoners.”

Seasamh Ó Maoileoin described Tom Monroe as “an avid reader of books. He had a wonderful collection of Irish historical novels and other materials. Some of his favourite books he read several times. He could quote you entire passages. He spoke of Kevin Moore, a character from James Murphy’s Convict Number 25 or the Clearances of Westmeath. He also mentioned the Whitefeet. He had a great affinity for this agrarian society in the 1800s. In Dublin he loved to browse around Fred Hannas’ and Greenes’ bookshops.

Many will remember Tom for his paper subs for many years. He sold Republican papers all over these parts. He also covered the towns and villages around with Easter Lilies. He was honest and trustworthy. Tom did his rounds until illness stopped him. When Republicans were rounded up and brought to courts Tom took part in protests and pickets. His house was frequently raided by the police.

Seosamh went on to described Tom Monroe as “ a wonderful man at Eastertime. He organised commemorations and made several wreaths. He would sometimes read the 1916 Proclamation or the Westmeath Roll of Honour or carry the National Flag.

“One of Tom Monroe’s greatest wishes was to erect a memorial to the eleven people from the Ballinagare area who were butchered in 1798. In the past couple of weeks he discussed it again and he pledged money to a memorial.

“In 1986 Tom Monroe sided with Sinn Féin Poblachtach. He would have no truck with those who would sell out the Republican Movement. It broke his heart to see the Movement betrayed in 1986. Tom’s wish all his teenage and adult life was a free, united Ireland. He favoured force to remove the English from our country and he made no bones about it.”

Seosamh Ó Maoileoin concluded by offering the sympathy of the Republican Movement to Tom’s brother Mick, his aunt Lil Campbell in America, his cousins, other relatives, neighbours and friends who mourned after him.

“A Dhia déan trócaire ar a anam.”

Tom was a serious-minded Irishman who adhered faithfully to Irish Republicanism and gave service to the end. Indeed the late Cáit Uí Mhuimhneacháin, Mullingar used to refer to him good-humouredly as “General Munroe” – an echo of the ballad about his famous namesake of 1798 – Henry Monroe.
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Bhí Máabh ag teagasc ar feadh na mblianta i mBaile Átha Cliath agus sa tSamraidh bhíodh sí ag cuidiú le na deirfiúir Síle Ní Dhúgáin a bhí ina príomh oide ar Choláiste Uladh Gort á Choirce. Chaith Síle a saol ag obair do chúis na Poblachta agus ba mhór an taca í do chúis na bpríosúnach.

I ndeireadh a lae bhí Méabh i dTeach Banaltrais i Leamhcán i mBaile Átha Cliath agus le linn daoithe a beith ansin thug sí cuid mhaith eolais damh nuair a bhí mé ag scríobh Óglaigh na Rosann. Ar dheis láimh Dé go raibh a hanam uasal!
— Pádraig Ó Baoighill
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The remains were removed from Tagney’s Funeral Home, Castleisland to Clogher Church and burial took place at Clogher Cemetery on Tuesday, December 3. Bernie O’Connor, aged 79, was a lifelong member of the Republcian Movement. A Guard of Honour by Republican Sinn Féin and a lone piper led the funeral cortege to Clogher Cemetery.

Eamonn Breen, Castleisland, gave th e graveside oration:“Is mór an onóir domsa óráid a thabhairt ar uaigh mo chara dílís Bernie O’Connor, ba mhaith liom comhbhrón ó chroí a chuir ó Gluaiseacht na Poblachta lena chlann agus lena mhuintir ar fad. Táimid bailithe anseo cun slán agus beannacht a rá go fear uasal cróga, calma. D’oibrigh sé go dian ar son na rudaí agus na gcúiseanna ar thug sé dílseacht dóibh. Bhí grá aige dá thír Éire, ina hiomaine son bhaile ina rugadh agus a togadh é Gleann na Ginntí, Baile-mhic-Eilleagóid.

“We are here, dear comrades, at the graveside of Bernie O’Connor to say a last farewell to a loyal friend, a brave commander, a gallant Irishman and a true gentleman. On behalf of the Republican Movement I would like to extend our sympathy to his family, relatives and friends.

“Bernie O’Connor was always a determined foe of his country’s enemies. He played an active part in the struggle for freedom in the 1940s, ’50s, ’60s and right up to the present he was always ready and willing. His efforts never ceased to drive British oppression and tyranny from our land.

“Bernie, whose remains we are now returning to his native soil, was always close to nature. He knew every tree, every bird, every stream, every stone in his native Glounageenty, he was at one with nature.

“I personally will miss him. His family, Brian, Michael, Sheila and Kathleen will miss him, but his brave heart and determination will live on. Slán go fósill, a Bhernie.”
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Carswell was appointed in November 1996 as a successor to Lord Chief Justice Brian Hutton. The Dublin administration was not consulted about his appointment, despite precedent being set in the London-Dublin agreement of 1985.

Robert Carswell, an infamous anti-Republican, presided over many high profile trials in recent years including the Casement Park show-trials into the deaths of two British soldiers. Now Kevin McNamara has tabled a series of House of Commons questions into the background and appointment of the new court’s chief.

He is being aided by fellow Labour MP, Chris Mullin, who is a member of a Home Affairs Select Committee at Westminster which is investigating the extent of Freemason’s influence among politicians, the police and the judiciary.

McNamara received written and evasive replies from the Lord Chancellor’s department, “The Lord Chancellor does not require candidates for, or holders of, judicial office to declare membership of any lawful organisation”. McNamara referred to the description of the Orange Order as a “lawful” organisation as “an unhappy reply given what happened at Drumcree when the rule of law was challenged by the Orange Order”.

Asked why he was pursuing the issue, McNamara replied “I was never happy with him [Robert Carswell] and his judgements on various things. I thought it would be helpful if he was aware that people were keeping an eye on him.”

Meanwhile in Britain the Association of Women Barristers has compiled a dossier on members of the judiciary with links to the Freemasons and is recommending to the Commons Home Affairs Committee that anyone appointed a judge be required to resign membership of the Freemasons or at least disclose it publicly.

Josephine Hayes, chairperson of the association, said there were probably more judges who were Freemasons than those identified. The Masonic yearbook for 1996/97 lists over 30 judges as high-ranking or “Grand Officers” of the Masonic Order.
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The ceremony was chaired by Con Darcy, Sligo. A wreath was laid on behalf of Republican Sinn Féin by Brian McGovern, Sligo. A decade of the Rosary as Gaeilge was recited by Seán McGoldrick, Sligo and Ard Chomhairle member Declan Curneen gave the oration.

Republican Sinn Féin continued to promote the cause of the All-Ireland Republic despite all the betrayals and difficulties faced by its members at the present time.

He singled out the 26-County Public Order Act as a device to intern Republicans “by the back door”. He also condemned the resurrected Heavy Gang tactics of the 26-County political police against Republican Sinn Féin members.

He concluded with the words of James Hope, the Belfast Presbyterian United Irishman whose words would give inspiration to all Republicans during times of trial in the days ahead.

Hope wrote: “Hope for success under all circumstances. Have your heart. You may live to see Ireland what she should be but whether or not let us die in this faith.”

The ceremony concluded with a minute’s silence for all the Republican dead in Sligo and also for the fourteen victims of Bloody Sunday which took place 25 years ago in Derry.
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We are both officers of the Derry Brigade of Óglaigh na hÉireann.
— Martin McGuinness with Joe McCallion in the dock at the Special Criminal Court, Green Street, Dublin, January 1973.

There will be no control of airspace or water for the Palestinians.
— Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahi, December 1996. (Without access to sweet [ie fresh] water in the Middle East it is impossible to exist.)

I remember reporting old Johnny Andrews, then Prime Minister, claiming that his Orange-hued administration would last a “thousand years”.
— James Kelly recalling the words of unionist John Andrews, Stormont Premier 1940-43, Irish News, January 4, 1997.

We have got to understand that not only did the Parachute regiment and another regiment, through a sniper on the walls, inflict great pain and great hurt on the families and community that day, but what Lord Widgery did when he published his inquiry report was to basically murder the truth.
— Don Mullan, author of Eyewitness Bloody Sunday, Irish News, January 22, 1997.

Séanann Gearóidín Taylor seo (nach bhfuil seilbh ag na Sealadaigh ar an gcoiste i bPoll Glas, Béal Feirste in aghaidh gadaithe gluaiste*#225;in). Ba í a chuir an feachtas ar bun agus a bhíodh ina Cathaoirleach air. Is ball de Sinn Féin Poblachtánach (sic) í.
—Foinse, Eanáir 26, 1997.

Tá scoilt sa pháirtí sin (Páirtí na n-Oibrithe) agus an IRA Oifigiúil, mar a bhfuil an dá faicsean ag déanamh réidh leis an t-easaontas a shocrú le gunnaí.
— Foinse.

Five members of the South African security forces confessed to the Truth Commission there that they had killed Steve Biko in 1977. They looked for an amnesty.
— RTÉ Radio, January 28, 1997. (The Ard-Fheis of Sinn Féin in 1977 protested at the torture and murder of Steve Biko, Black Consciousness leader while in the custody of South African Apartheid security forces.)
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