Staff-Captain Jim McGinn remembered on 25th Anniversary

Relatives of Jim McGinn present were his sisters, Teresa and Anne, Strabane and his niece. John McElhinney, Letterkenny and late of Strabane, presided and Tommy McGinty, Ballindrait, Lifford led the attendance of 20 to 30 people in a decade of the Rosary in Irish.

A wreath was laid by Cormac McElhinney, a Fianna Éireann scout at the plaque marking the spot where Jim McGinn died on December 15, 1973. The Irish Tricolour flew beside the plaque throughout the ceremony.

Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, President of Republican Sinn Féin in his address said that Staff-Captain McGinn had died for Ireland nine days after the Sunningdale Agreement was signed.

How could a lesser Agreement signed at Stormont on April 10 last be justified and the great sacrifice and loss of life in the intervening years be validated, he asked, if Sunningdale was not acceptable in 1973?

Jim McGinn and his Tyrone and Donegal comrades who died would be remembered whenever and wherever the cause of Ireland’s freedom and independence was raised, he concluded.
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Loyalists released after grenades find

On Friday November 27, the British Colonial police (RUC) discovered explosives at a premises occupied by a Protestant fundamentalist clergyman. The haul of six grenades and six detonators were found at an office of Pastor Clifford Peebles on the Woodvale Road in north Belfast.

Three people were interviewed by the RUC regarding the find, but on November 29 a Crown Forces statement said: “A total of three people were arrested and assisted with police inquiries. All have now been released without charge.”

Also on November 29, Britain’s Observer newspaper claimed that the Russian-made grenades were part of the same consignment of explosives put on display by a pro-British death-squad the previous evening. The group styling itself the Orange Volunteers staged a show-of-strength for a television crew at a secret location.

Defending the right of their brethren to march over Croppies in Drumcree or anywhere else they like, the Orange Volunteers threatened to launch a murder campaign against the nationalist community.
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Comhbhrón

FINNAN, Deepest sympathy is extended to Mary and children on the death of Gerry. From Bobby and Geraldine McNamara.

FINNAN, Deepest sympathy is extended to Mary and family on the death of Gerry. From Tom and Mary O’Sullivan, Doon, Co Limerick.

FINNAN, Deepest sympathy is extended to Mary and family on the death of Gerry. From Seán Treacy Cumann, Tipperary town.

FINNAN, Deepest sympathy is extended to Mary and family on the death of Gerry. From Matt Kissane, Tipperary town.

FINNAN, Deepest sympathy is extended to Mary and family on the death of Gerry. From Des Long, Limerick.

FINNAN, Deepest sympathy is extended to Mary and family on the death of Gerry. From Joe and Nora Lynch and family.

FINNAN, Deepest sympathy is extended to Mary and family on the death of Gerry. From Joe and Éamon Costelloe, Tipperary.

McNAMARA, Deepest sympathy is extended to Seán McNamara on the death of his father Thomas. From Republican Sinn Féin, Limerick.

McNAMARA, Deepest sympathy is extended to Seán McNamara on the death of his father Thomas. From Mick Hanley, Limerick.

McNAMARA, Deepest sympathy is extended to Seán McNamara on the death of his father Thomas. From Joe Lynch, Limerick.

McNAMARA, Deepest sypmathy is extended to Seán McNamara on the death of his father Thomas. From Pat O’Shea, Limerick.

O'SHEA, Deepest sympathy is extended to Pat O'Shea on the death of his brother Andy. From Seán and Irene McNamara, Limerick.

TUCKER, Deepest sympathy is extended to the Tucker family on the death of their father Joe. From Republican Sinn Féin, Limerick.

TUCKER, Deepest sympathy is extended to the Tucker family on the death of their father Joe. From Seán O’Neill, Limerick.

RYAN, Deepest sympathy is extended to the Ryan family, Garryowen, Limerick, on the death of their father Patrick. From Mick Hanley, Limerick.

RYAN, Deepest sympathy is extended to the Ryan family, Garryowen, Limerick on the death of their father Patrick. From Republican Sinn Fóin, Limerick.
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I gCuimhne

Ó CONAILL, 8th Anniversary. In memory of Dáithí Ó Conaill, who died on January 1, 1991. Sadly missed by Eileen Durand, New Jersey.

Ó CONAILL, 8th Anniversary. In proud and loving memory of Dave O’Conaill, who died New Years Day 1991. Remembered always by Cathleen Knowles McGuirk.

Ó CONAILL, 8th Anniversary. Remembered with pride and sorrow at his passing on January 1st, 1991. He will always remain an inspiration and a guiding light to Republicans. From his comrade George Harrison, New York.

Ó CONAILL, 8th Anniversary. The Liam Mellows Cumann, Sinn Féin Poblachtach remembers with pride Dáithí Ó Conaill whose death eight years ago left us all the poorer. We pledge ourselves to carry on where he left off.

Ó CONAILL — 8th Anniversary. In proud memory of Dáithí Ó Conaill who died on New Years Day 1991. From Corrie Swan, Nenagh.

McGUIRK — 1st Anniversary. In proud and loving memory of my husband Dermot who died on January 4, 1998. A life-long Republican whose contribution is incalcuable he will never be forgotten. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. From Cathleen.

McGUIRK — 1st Anniversary. In proud and loving memory of Dermot McGuirk who died on the 4th January 1998. From Liam Mellows Cumann, BÁC.
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Beannachtaí na hAthbhliana

NEW YEAR greetings to Josephine Hayden, the only Republican female political prisoner in the 26 Counties. From Republican Sinn Féin, Limerick.

NEW YEAR greetings to Irish political prisoners, especially Martin Duffy, Long Kesh. From Joe Lynch, Limerick.

NEW YEAR greetings to Josephine Hayden, Republican POW, Limerick jail and her comrades in Portlaoise jail. From Liam Mellows Cumann, Republican Sinn Féin, BÁC.

VERY SPECIAL New Year greetings to Irish political prisoners. Do not forget that many people in the Basque country support your struggle. (EUSKAL HERRIA). From Mikel. Antzuola (Gipuzkoa), Basque Country.
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CABHAIR Christmas morning swim

On seeing his opportunity to ‘get one over’ on ‘The Phantom Donoghue’ (who failed to put in an appearance this year — inquiries are ongoing!), our star attraction, John ‘The Kidney’ Callaghan, earned his sponsorship money by diving in a second time in the space of twenty minutes.

However, and on the other hand, two swimmers who needed absolutely no prompting were up next — Des Foley and Wesley Troy, both from Ballymun, and both making their debut at the swim. This was new and strange terrority for both Des and Wesley — the rain, wind, muck and freezing cold canal water, the dozens of strangers looking on at them from the bridge and the crowds at the fire and at the sound-speakers, all of whom were eating and drinking in a party atmosphere, cheering on the two newcomers.

With only a second or third thought each, Des and Wesley moved over to the turf fire, stripped off like two Olympic contenders, the lads entered the water, barely causing a ripple, swam a length each and, with appreciative cheers from the audience, were helped back on to the canal bank.

CABHAIR extends thanks to the swimmers, to the ‘Christmas Crew’ for the flag, banners, food and drink, and of course, to the spectators for turning up and braving the elements with us and thanks to all those who sponsored one of the swimmers.

A swift return of all funds would be much appreciated by CABHAIR.

Till next year . . .
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Web layout by SAOIRSE -- Irish Freedom December 7, 1998 Send links, events notifications, articles, comments etc, to the editor at: saoirse@iol.ie marked "attention web-editor".