McCaughey And Grew To Be Remembered Next Month In Galbally

The 1916 Societies with news of an upcoming commemoration.

On October 9th 1990, IRA Volunteers Martin McCaughey and Dessie Grew were killed by undercover British soldiers in an SAS ambush in Lislasley, near the village of Loughgall. 25 years on from that fateful night, the people of Tyrone and Armagh – where these two young men called home – remember yet their daring deeds and contribution to the struggle for freedom in Ireland.

Fuair síad bhás ar son saoirse na hÉireann.

The PH Pearse Society Galbally-Cappagh will be hosting an Independent Republican Commemoration for Martin and Dessie on Sunday 11th of October at 2pm, assembling at Galbally Community Centre for a parade to the graveside of Vol. Martin McCaughey at nearby Galbally Graveyard.

Martin was the oldest son of Owen and Bridget McCaughey. A boyhood friend of several of the Loughgall Martyrs, including Declan Arthurs, Seamus Donnelly, Tony Gormley and Eugene Kelly, they would travel to local discos and football matches when growing up. Martin was a talented Gaelic footballer who played for his local side Galbally Pearses, going on to be selected for the Tyrone Minor team.

Dessie was the second eldest in a family of seven girls and four boys, born to Kathleen and Patrick Grew. He was educated at primary level at Knocknaconey Primary and at secondary level by the local Christian Brothers, where he obtained high grades at both ‘O’ and ‘A’ Level. Dessie was deeply interested in his native culture. He spoke fluent Irish and represented both his schools at Gaelic football.

25 years on from that night they were killed outside Loughgall, by the SAS under the British government’s notorious ‘shoot-to-kill’ policy, the Pearse Society are honoured to be commemorating two brave Volunteers and look forward to seeing everyone there. All are welcome and for more information contact the Pearse Society on their Facebook page or get in touch with us here on this site.

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