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Showing posts with label Pádraic Mac Coitir. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pádraic Mac Coitir. Show all posts
Pádraic Mac Coitir ✒ Chuala  mé an droch sceal ar maidín faoi mo chol ceathrar, Diarmuid Ó Tuama, ag fáil bás.
Diarmuid Ó Tuama

Although five or six years older than me I've known Diarmuid most of my life. His mother, Rosie, and my father Pat, were siblings and although there were others I was told they were very close. Both had been imprisoned in the 1940s and that's probably the reason they were so close.

As I grew up my da would bring me and my brothers and sisters to the Twomey house in Andersonstown and it was then I got to know them. Diarmuid, being older than me had his own friends so it's not as if I knocked about with him.

When I was 16, I went to work with two older cousins in BÁC and one of the things that I remembered was us visiting Diarmuid in Maynooth were he was studying for the priesthood. On entering his bedsit on the campus I noticed some pictures and clippings on the wall of his da, Séamus, who was chief-of-staff of the IRA. I was all chuffed!

Another thing I remember from those days was us driving up home with our cousin Fergie behind the wheel. As soon as we drove into the street the Twomey house was being raided and Brits were all over the place. They surrounded us and told us to get out of the car. After p-checking us they said they were taking us to Fort Monagh British army barracks. Diarmuid and Fergie protested, saying I was a young lad but they wouldn't listen to them and they put us in the back of a Saracen. I'd been in Fort Monagh a few times and it was a scary place but I felt safe with the two cousins. The thing that I'll never forget was when a Brit officer was asking us our religion. He said to Diarmuid I take it you're a Roman Catholic but he replied that he was an Irish Catholic. Being a wee innocent Catholic I was impressed!

I got to know Diarmuid better over the past 20 odd years and we'd talk about hurling, politics, history, wildlife and many other topics. He had strong opinions and with me also having strong opinions it was inevitable we'd disagree on some things, but we both got on with it.

A few weeks ago I heard he'd contracted cancer so I rang asking if it was alright for me to call and see him. His voice sounded strong on the fón and when I knocked the door he answered it. He'd lost a bit of weight but apart from that he was looking alright. He told me about the treatment he was expecting and in typical Twomey manner said he was going to fight it. We only spoke for a short time about the cancer then started talking about the many birds in his garden. I told him I was learning the names of the common birds as gaeilge and as he was liofa he gave me correct pronunciations of the ones I got wrong. We then went out to the garden where he showed me the herbs and vegetables he's been growing for years. Back in the house he showed me some Irish history books he'd recently got and was looking forward to more that his children got him every Christmas.

On New Year's Day I went to Naomh Pól to watch the Ulster club football final. A few of us then went into the club and Diarmuid's son, Séamus, came in. He has been involved with the club since he was a kid and now he's the priomhoide of An Bunscoil, the same role his da had for years. I asked about him and when he told me I said I'd call soon, which was going to be amarach.

Diarmuid, or Twomey as he was affectionately known, died suddenly of a heart attack this morning aged 71. Not just saying it because he's our cousin but he packed a lot in, being involved in the Bunscoilenna, CLG, stair agus a lán rudaí eile. He'll obviously be sadly missed by his immediate clann as well as many others who have met him.

Padraic Mac Coitir is a former republican
prisoner and current political activist.

Diarmuid Ó Tuama

Pádraic Mac Coitir ✒ Earlier today Aindriú Mac Ruaidhrí contacted me about going to Toome and Duneane given the article that was in the Antrim Guardian newspaper about Roddy McCorley. 

He and Jen picked me up about 2.30pm and up the road we went.

Neither of them had been to Toome so after parking up we walked to the Celtic Cross erected in memory of the boul Roddy. Because they hadn't been to Cargin GAC I suggested we dander down to it and as we walked towards the clubrooms I couldn't get over the size of it. It was a few years since I'd been there.
 
We went into the social club and right away the people in it were very friendly. Unknown to me a few knew me so after ordering our pints we got talking to some and as I looked at one of them he looked familiar. It ended up we were on the same block-H5- during the blanket protest. That was the last time I saw Seán Lavery and we had a great oul yarn talking about the lads we knew. We also spoke about how bitter and cruel most of the screws were.
 
We only had the one pint but if anyone is passing through Toome and looking a pint go to Cargin! We then drove to Duneane church were it's said Roddy McCorley was buried after his execution but his body was dug up by bigots and it's not known what happened to it. Any time a memorial was put up to him the usual crowd wrecked it.
 
None of us had ever been to the Crosskeys Inn but when I said to Jen and Aindriú it was a pub I'd heard of for years and would love to go they agreed. It's a great spot and the pints of Guinness were delicious.
 
So, many places in the Free State are brilliant but I would argue there's places in Aontroim which are just as good, if not better. I'm obviously not talking about snoutvilles...! 

On our way we stopped in Casement Social Club - Cumman Sóisialta Mhic Ásmaint because it's the best in Béal Feirste and I met my son, Pádraig MacOitir and his friends. We had a good oul laugh and because I'm an oul lad I went home to get into my pyjamas and get a big mug of Horlicks . . . 

PS That memorial in Duneane graveyard is to a John Carey who was a person that, in my opinion, should never be immortalised. Check him out

Padraic Mac Coitir is a former republican
prisoner and current political activist.

Duneane

Pádraic Mac Coitir ✒ Me, Micky Fitz and Archie Livingstone got the bus to Turf Lodge for the funeral of Digger McCrory who died a few days earlier. 

Old Blanketmen 
As we walked to the wake house we were joined by others, many of whom were in prison with us. Obviously funerals are sad events but on this occasion we spoke about the boul Digger and we had some laughs about the antics we all got up to.

A piper led the way followed by the tricolour draped coffin which was flanked by six of Digger's friends and comrades. We joined the cortege and met some lads we hadn't seen in years. Some looked well for their ages whilst others looked OLD! A lot of neighbours came out to their doors to pay their respect as the cortege wound its way to the Trinity Lodge carpark.

A close friend and comrade of Diggers, Tomboy Loudon, gave the oration and he had us laughing when he spoke about the wee man. (It was filmed so it can be seen on the blanketmen women Facebook page).

After the coffin was put into the hearse for Digger's final journey to Roselawn we were invited to the bar. It was a lovely day so some of us sat outside on the benches and we had great craic talking about Digger and our time in prison. If anyone else was listening they'd have rolled their eyes at some of the yarns that were spun but it was great to hear most of it  . . . 

Padraic Mac Coitir is a former republican
prisoner and current political activist.

Digger's Funeral

Pádraic Mac Coitir ⚽ I've been to a number of county matches this year, most of them to watch Aontroim, and like others came away scratching my head. 

We all know that the hurling has been great and there have been very few bad matches, but that's sport.

Since the championship started I've fancied Ciarraí and until this weekend I thought they were a certainty but the Dubs have shown they're gonna be hard to beat.
 
Before the throw in today I wanted Doire to win but thought Ciarraí would just win by a point or two. I was delighted to see Doire start so positively and as the match progressed I was certain they'd win.

Unfortunately they made some mistakes up front and as we saw Ciarraí were very lucky to win in the end.
 
This brings me to the point about football. I've always said that teams should go for scores from out the field and as we saw both teams scored very good points. Yes, goals are important but they're hard to come by against good defences. It's no coincidence the Dubs and Ciarraí have dominated the football in recent years but they can be beaten. They play, for the most part, positive football. Doire and other Ulster teams have shown they are up there, especially when they play positively so hopefully next year they'll abandon that negative stuff that puts people off.
 
If I was a Doire player, or even a supporter, I'd be pulling my hair out watching the Sunday Game knowing the game was there to be won.

⚽⚽⚽

I'm one of the lucky ones who got a ticket for the hurling final and I'm absolutely delighted. I've been to a right few finals over the years but what really annoys me is how dear they are-90 euro. A friend paid for mine so it's easy for me to be critical.

Just think of the thousands of supporters throughout the country who go to club and county matches and who would love to go to a final. If, for instance, two parents and two children want to go to the match it's 90 euro each. That's on top of the travel, food etc. I know it's a special occasion but the GAA is a very rich organisation and some of their 'top' people get paid megabucks. We all know about the shenanigans within RTÉ and it wouldn't surprise me if something similar comes out about the hierarchy of the GAA.

Having said all that this could be a great match but I've fancied Luimneach all year so I'm going for them to win in extra time. The Cats are also great but because I was bought a retro Luimneach top I'll be wearing it and cheering on the lads in green...

Padraic Mac Coitir is a former republican
prisoner and current political activist.

But That's Sport

Pádraic Mac Coitir ✒ I've been to many parts of the country visiting graveyards and cemeteries and also the sites where Irish Republicans were killed.


Today Pól Torbóid and I went to meet friends in Fear Manach and one asked if we'd been to a memorial erected at the spot where Seán South and Feraghal O'Hanlon died. We hadn't been there but we had read a lot about the attack on Brookeborough RUC barracks carried out by the IRA on 1st January 1957.

There are many articles written about that fateful night so I'm not going to write too much here. What surprised us was how far the IRA ASU got from that unionist village despite so many of the volunteers being wounded. The roads are very narrow and go up into the hills but the enemy didn't capture anyone although the two volunteers unfortunately died at the spot where we stood today. On that night there was a shed where the bodies were left.
 
As we stood looking around we spoke of the rest of the volunteers and what they must've gone through in their heads to evade capture, especially on a winters night. Our friends said they'll take us around other parts of the county where battles etc took place between Irish Republicans and the British.

Indeed there's history going back even further than before the concept of Republicanism was even written about.

Padraic Mac Coitir is a former republican
prisoner and current political activist.

Brookeborough

Pádraic Mac Coitir ⚑ shares some thoughts on a former Sinn Fein councillor who died this month.

Bobby Lavery with Pádraic Mac Coitir

For years I had heard of and had seen him at marches and rallies. 

He was a man I'd always wanted to meet but it wasn't until I got out of gaol in 1996 that I eventually did meet him. I'd have the odd yarn with but would never claim to have known him well but I liked him.

Bobby went through a rough time when he became a SF Councillor for North Belfast. Unionist murder gangs targeted his home a number of times and during one of those attacks his son, Seán, was killed. 

His brother Martin was also killed by one of those gangs. I can just imagine the impact those killings had on him and the rest of his family.

One of the last times I spoke with him was about four years ago in The Hercules Bar and although he knew I wasn't a supporter of SF he was very friendly. We spoke briefly about politics and we left on good terms.

A good man who'll be a loss to his clann and his community.

➤ Padraic Mac Coitir is a former republican prisoner and current political activist.

Bobby Lavery

Pádraic Mac Coitir ⚽ The earliest World Cup I remember was 1966 - yes, that one - but I never saw the final, or indeed any match. 

It was during the summer holidays and we made the best of the good weather running about the streets in our part of Andytown.

1970 was a bit different because we moved to a slightly bigger house in Lenadoon and I vaguely remember the odd match on our black and white TV. They mightn't even have been live because they were played in Mexico but when running about the streets again during that summer we cheered when England were out. This was at a time when British soldiers were driving around in jeeps and although there weren't too many riots we started to guess tensions were rising. Me and my friends went to Colin Glen and if really adventurous up to the hills surrounding Lenadoon. Our parents were probably glad to see the back of us!
 
1974 was completely different. My mother, Máire, died suddenly the previous year which meant my father, Pat, had to bring up ten of us. My two eldest sisters, Róis and Áine, were in Armagh gaol and the British army were roaming our streets harassing and beating anybody who stood up to them. Despite this my da, who wasn't a soccer man, watched some of the World Cup matches on our (still) black and white TV and as he was cheering on West Germany. I too supported them. I loved Beckenbauer and Gerd Muller, especially because his nickname was The Bomber. They won and it made up for that terrible year '66 and all of that'!
 
1978 was when I was on the blanket protest in the H-Blocks and with no access to TV, radio or newspapers we got the results of matches the next day or in some cases days later. The screws hated us that much they probably shouted out wrong results. Fuck them.

1982 I was back in gaol, this time on remand in the Crum and the H-Blocks. Because we had our own clothes and the hunger strike had finished the previous October after ten of our brave comrades died the cowardly screws were a different breed. We didn't have a TV in our cell but there was some coverage on our radios. If I remember right the only matches they commentated live on were England matches and the final.

1986 and back on remand in Crumlin Road gaol. I was on the 3s with a small number of IRA and INLA prisoners which the prison ' authorities' referred to Red Books. We were in single cells and whenever we went on visits, both family and legal, to the hospital or wherever a screw was always with us. We were deemed 'high risk'! A lot of us were into the World Cup but we didn't see one match but got the results on the radio and read the reports in the newspapers.

1990 and back in the H-Blocks. The protests had ended and we gained plenty from the sacrifice of the ten lads. The screws weren't the cocky bastards they once were but at the end of the day they locked us up. We were able to listen to most of the matches on the radio and occasionally we we saw the odd live match.

1994 and things had changed considerably in the Blocks. I was on the camp staff and during negotiations the staff had come to an agreement with the admin to open our cells 24 hours. We had no toilets in our cells and we had argued for years this should never be the way. So they conceded to our demands saying we could use the toilets 24 hours a day. It was unbelievable to be able to watch matches after 8pm - the usual lock up time. I'll write another time why I supported Italy!

1998 and the first world cup I saw free from prison. I wasn't as much into it because I'd more interests but I do remember watching the final in The Suffolk Inn, when it was a great pub.

2002 and again I watched the odd match. I learned there were more important things in life but I understood why it means so much to people.

The other years more or less are the same and the one consistent with me is that I still hate England and want them to lose every match. Most of the English (there again Scottish and even some Irish) pundits on BBC and ITV are enough to make me despise the English team. Yes, I know it's only 'a game' but they bring out the worst in me with their jingoism and smugness.
 
This World Cup is in Qatar and I listen to the usual hypocrites on our TVs. Qatar is one of many countries that people should never visit because of their human rights abuses, including their despicable attitude to women and the LBGTQ+ community. Look at other countries that hosted the World Cup over the years and their human rights abuses - USA, South Africa, Brazil and don't get me started about England!

Padraic Mac Coitir is a former republican
prisoner and current political activist.

Jingoism And Smugness

Book Launch 🔖 The much lauded book, The Yank,  by the former US Marine and IRA volunteer John Crawley has its Belfast launch tomorrow in the Cultúrlann on the Falls Road.

John Crawley will be signing the book as well as doing a Q & A session.

The event will be chaired by another former IRA volunteer and no stranger to prisons, Pádraic Mac Coitir,


Guest speaker will be Dr Ruán O'Donnell author of the critically acclaimed Special Category: The IRA in English Prisons


John Crawley, 2022, The Yank: My Life as a Former US Marine in the IRA. Merrion Press. ISBN-13: ‎978-1785374234

The Yank 🕮 Belfast Book Launch

Pádraic Mac Coitir ✒ shares his thoughts on learning of the death of a neighbour at the start of the month. 

Pádraic Mac Coitir
with Leslie McCrory
  
I've lived most of my life in Lenadoon and have met many men and women but unfortunately as I get older a lot of those people are now dead.

I got word from a friend yesterday telling me his cousin, Leslie McCrory, died in the early hours. I've known Leslie to see for years but it was only 5 or 6 years ago we got talking and not just saying hello to each other.

I was walking down the Suffolk Road one fine morning when I noticed Leslie walking slowly up so I crossed the road and asked if he was ok. He said he was but because that part of the road is steep he was finding it a bit hard. He was going to the shop so I offered to get his messages but he thanked me and said he'd make it no matter how long it took.

A week or two later I saw him in the Donegal Celtic social club and nodded over to him. A few minutes later one of the barmen came over with a pint and said Leslie bought it. I went over and thanked him and from that day on very we would often talk when we met in the club or on the street. He lived in Suffolk Court, which us locals always refer to as The Suffolk cul-de-sac.

Although I wouldn't claim to have known Leslie well I always got on well with him and at times he even made an oul grump like me laugh. In more recent years his health had started to get worse but he never complained. I met his son, Martin, this morning and he told me Leslie was conscious right to the end and he said it meant a lot to him and the rest of the family. No doubt he will be sadly missed by his family, neighbours and friends in the Donegal Celtic club.

Padraic Mac Coitir is a former republican
prisoner and current political activist.

Leslie McCrory

Pádraic Mac Coitir ✒ I was at the Aontroim v Port Lairge hurling match in Páirc Corrigan two weeks ago and saw Neil McManus remonstrating with Iarla Daly. 

Being on the far end of the pitch I couldn't hear what was being said but when the final whistle went I walked on to the pitch. I asked a few people what happened and was told Daly called McManus a 'British bastard'. 

I've heard of a lot of derogatory comments levelled at players from the 6 counties but the one thing they most definitely aren't and that's 'British bastards'. It's stinking that GAA players lower themselves to that level and it's something that needs addressing. 

I was also talking to a Dublin hurler who played against Aontroim in the recent match and he told me he was called a 'Free State bastard'. That's also stinking. Players will get excited and do their best to win but they shouldn't lower themselves to that level.
 
After speaking with my friend, Colum Mac Giolla Bhéin, about it he wrote the following poem - a poem that should be read by people who would never tolerate abuse on the playing field.
 
Partitionist Mind Games
For a Waterford player

I don’t want to fight with you , fall out with you
I have had for a long time a certain
Grá for Port Láirge
Brought about by watching John Mullane
Now there was a man
Played with his heart on his sleeve
Gave it his all with nothing to leave
But when you call Antrim players British
You deeply insult me and all Gaels
I’m truly glad that I’m able say
That you no doubt, had little to worry about
Whilst going around
Wearing your gear with nothing to fear
Your identity displayed
From your toes to your head
What was your greatest worry?
If it would be cold and raining
when you got on the pitch
ain’t life just a bitch
or that your team mates would have eaten
all the sandwiches
by the time you got back to the club house
For Gaels in the occupied six counties
There was a lot more to worry about
and fear, just being here
but it never deterred them from
proudly displaying that same identity
players were shot dead by trigger happy
British soldiers on their way to games
They were killed
In their clubs
Outside their clubs
In their homes
At their places of work
By the forces of the British state
And their death squads
Supporters murdered on their way
To and from games
According to your logic another Brit
Seamus Heaney wrote a poem about it
When his cousin and another Gael
Were murdered by members of the UDR
A regiment of the British army
You see the common denominator here?
The word you chose to use
I feel sure it was never your intention
To hurt or insult
But merely to wind up your opponent
If so find another way to do it
But if indeed it was your intention
To hurt and insult
Then hang up your boots
You don’t have what it takes to be a Gael
You don’t know what it means to be a Gael

Colum Mac Giolla Bhéin

Padraic Mac Coitir is a former republican
prisoner and current political activist.

Partitionist Mind Games

Pádraic Mac Coitir ✒ writing on the 30th anniversary of a military exchange between IRA volunteers and the British Army in Co Tyrone.


I remember this night 30 years ago when listening to the radio whilst imprisoned in the H-Blocks and reports were coming in of people being killed in Tyrone. 

I was on the wing with lads from that county and we were talking out the doors as to what we thought had happened. At that time I only knew the county from going through parts of it at night. Of course we knew the history of the county going back to the O'Neill clann and how they fought to the end against the English.
 
For centuries many brave women and men kept up that fight and during this recent phase of conflict they were amongst the most active. Unfortunately they lost many volunteers to death and imprisonment. but like other parts of the country not all of them lay down when faced by a foe that was heavily armed and were assisted by local unionists.

On 16th February local IRA volunteers opened fire on Coalisland RUC barracks and they made the short run back in a lorry to Clonoe Catholic Church. Unknown to them the British were lying in wait and as the crossed the cattle grid a heavily armed force of SAS opened fire on them. Over 500 rounds were fired and four Volunteers were killed. They had no chance to surrender but this wasn't the first time the British army and the RUC had fired on Irish Republicans without warning.
 
The four volunteers killed on the fateful night were Peter Clancy, Patrick Vincent, Kevin Barry O'Donnell and Seán O'Farrell.
 
Next morning when we got out of our cells there was a sombre mood on the wing and as more details of what happened came in we were all devastated, especially the Tyrone lads who knew some of the volunteers. The screws knew not to mess us about when news came in of volunteers being killed so we just walked around the yard or sat in cells talking of how their families and fellow volunteers were coping.

Earlier today four of us from Béal Feirste drove to Clonoe graveyard to join hundreds of locals paying homage to the 4 volunteers. 


Proceedings started at 6pm and although very cold we all stood in silence as tributes were paid, laments played and a plaque was unveiled. Shortly after we walked over to the grave of Peter Clancy where tributes were paid and a beautiful rebel song was sung.

We met people who we had been in gaol with and others we hadn't seen in a long time and we spoke of how fitting the whole night was.
 
A convoy of cars then made the short journey to Coalisland graveyard. The sisters of Seán O'Farrell and Barry O'Donnell gave very moving tributes in memory of their brothers. Songs were also sung and as the moon shone down on a dark graveyard it made the occasion even more sombre.


Because a mass was being held at the church in Edendork we went and paid our respects at the grave of the 4th volunteer, Patrick Vincent. 


As we walked around the graveyard we were struck at how many other graves held Irish Republicans who were killed in previous struggles as well as this so far unfinished one.
 
I would like to thank the local 1916 Societies and Tyrone National Graves Association for being so welcoming to us. It goes without saying that the volunteers who fell on that night 30 years ago will never be forgotten.

Fuair siad bás ar son saoirse na hÉireann.

Padraic Mac Coitir is a former republican
prisoner and current political activist.

Remembering Volunteers From Clonoe Ambush

Pádraic Mac Coitir ✒ About 10.30am today I called to the house where Maura McCrory was being waked. 

Maura McCrory (left) With Friends

As soon as I walked into the living room I was greeted by Alex and Duncan. I then met the rest of the family, some of whom for the first time.
 
A death in any family is a sad occasion but as I stood over the tricolour draped coffin I looked at Maura and was reminded of the many times I met her. I can't remember the exact time but the first was when me and Alex were in gaol together and Maura was visiting him and Jackie and our kids, Fionnghuala and Pádraig, were visiting me. Over the next lotta years I'd see her on other visits and we always said a few words to each other.

When I was released I would see Maura at many protests, rallies and functions for political prisoners here in Ireland, Palestine and Turkey. She was a quiet woman but had a lot of time for people who stood up for the oppressed and the impression I got from her was that she didn't suffer fools.

Whilst in the house four of her cousins - Frank, Harry, Séamus and Gerard Fitzsimons - were there and we got talking about Maura and given the fact we all have strong opinions we talked about the past, present and future. I was offered coffee and sandwiches which were very much appreciated. Not being the shy wee lad I was once upon a time I took a slice of Swiss roll when a tray of buns came around!
 
Up until today I didn't realise there are eight siblings in the McCrory clann and they couldn't be friendlier to me and the many other people who called to pay their respects. I left two hours later coming away knowing more about a woman I had a lot of time for.
 
Maura McCrory was very well known not only in Béal Feirste and she will be sadly missed especially by her family.

Padraic Mac Coitir is a former republican
prisoner and current political activist.

Visiting A Wake House

Pádraic Mac Coitir 🔖 I have read many books about the hunger strikes and prison protests. 

Some have been very good and others not so good. I called to see my friend Paddy yesterday and he asked if I had read a new book titled The Comrades. I told him I hadn't and to be frank I was sceptical about it but he suggested I take it and then give him my opinion on it.

About 10pm last night I flicked through it because I am reading a book written by Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter, which I'm enjoying very much. I decided to put it away and opened The Comrades and after two hours I finished it and despite my scepticism I thought most of it was very good. It is a relatively short book with 122 pages.

It begins with a poem written by Bobby Sands called 'Comrades in the Dark' and then followed with the introduction by a woman who was in Armagh gaol during those terrible days of protest.
 
It then gives short stories of the 12 men who died, two in English prisons in 1974 and 1976 and the other 10 in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh. Much has been written about Michael Gaughan, Frank Stagg, Bobby Sands, Frank Hughes, Raymie McCreesh, Patsy O'Hara, Joe McDonnell, Martin Hurson, Kevin Lynch, Kieran Doherty, Tom McElwee and Mickey Devine. And for the most part these short pieces were written by men who knew the lads personally.

Some of the writers were captured on operations with their comrades and others didn't get to know them until they met in gaol. I have written many times that it's important the memory of our fallen comrades lives on and no doubt much more will be written about them.
 
The 1970s and 80s were the most intense times of this phase of struggle and the prisons were full of men and women. most continued that struggle whilst behind bars. Protests would take place for better conditions, transfer from English to Irish gaols and of course for political status. The men written about in this book were members of the IRA and the INLA. And as they embarked upon the hunger strike they knew the dangers they faced.
 
None talked of a 'peace process', decommissioning weapons or taking seats in Leinster House and Stormont but of a 32 County Socialist Republic.
 
I have always argued when people write or speak about the dead hunger strikers their names shouldn't be used in electioneering but unfortunately this is the case when Sinn Féin stand in elections. Members of that party have every right to write about them because some knew them personally, which can be seen in this book.

Some of the short pieces written by the men must have been very hard and even an oul cynic like me was moved by a lot of it. Many readers will take something different from it but I would recommend this book.
 
The book finishes, as it started, with a very moving poem this time written by former hunger striker, Laurence McKeown. It's about Mickey Devine and simply called 'Red Mick'.

Danny Morrison (ed), 2021, The Comrades. Publisheer: Bobby Sands Trust. ISBN: 9781838483571.

Padraic Mac Coitir is a former republican
prisoner and current political activist.

The Comrades

Pádraic Mac Coitir ✒ A friend - yes, I do have one - is just off the fón and although I rarely talk too long on it we spent about 45 minutes talking about sport - GAA to be precise - and characters we knew.

He was telling me he went to the funeral of a Christian Brother who taught him. The man was known as Brother Ennis and although I never knew him I'd heard of him. My friend said he was strict but very fair and he ended up head teacher in St Mary's. He was a great Gael who played for and managed a number clubs in places he was sent to teach. Whilst in Béal Feirste he managed the school teams, Naomh Treasa and Aontroim. I'd read his obituary and I was very impressed. His funeral was in BÁC so no doubt there will be more written about him.

I then told my friend I met a real character when out and about today. His nickname is Hector and although we weren't on the same block during the blanket protest I'd heard of him. Anyway we were standing in a supermarket and he had me in stitches with his yarns. Some I can't write about but this was the funniest and I hope I do it justice in print.

He had been mentioned in a recent book which I read and when he said about this particular part he was adamant it happened and I've no reason to doubt him. A lot of the food we got was terrible but we ate it because we were always hungry. Anyway whenever we got cabbage for our dinner Hector would keep some for later that night when we got bread and he'd make a cabbage sandwich. He then asked me if I ever made them. I liked bread and cabbage but would never think of making a sandwich. He then went on to tell me he still makes cabbage sandwiches. I thought he was winding me up but he got excited saying "they're great". He said that whenever he gets cabbage for his dinner and then keeps some for the next day - "none of that English crap of bubble and squeak", says he. He fries it with bacon and onions and sticks it between two rounds - of plain bread of course! There's very little I don't eat but not so sure about that but who knows...

Good old Hector!

Padraic Mac Coitir is a former republican
prisoner and current political activist.

Hector

Pádraic Mac Coitir ✒ It's a cliché but every day is a learning day and today I learned something new. 

For years I've drank Guinness and despite its despicable history I won't stop drinking it. 

I know the history of the Guinness family- English planters, financed the scum in their fight against the United Irishmen, forced families off their stolen land during An Gorta Mór, supported the British army during The Easter Rising (they built armoured cars), they didn't employ a catholic until 1966 (and probably paid De Valera and other scum traitors to keep their cowardly mouths shut).The Free State 'government' is as bad as any quisling 'government' and any political party that takes part in it are traitors to the Irish Republic.
 
Anyway, after that rant, a friend was telling me he heard some bars on the Shankill Road and other unionist areas don't sell Harp beer because HARP, according to them, stands for Help All Republican Prisoners. I was telling a Celtic fan about it and he said they should sell Harp and brandish it as Heroes Are Rangers Players...! 

Yes, us Belfast people - the Taigs - do have a sense of humour. Must have something to do with the snouts - not talking about protestants - locking park gates on a Sunday and forcing their kids to go to a Free Presbyterian church and then to Sunday school to teach them how to hate Fenians.

Padraic Mac Coitir is a former republican
prisoner and current political activist.

Guinness

Pádraic Mac Coitir ✒ Seamus Mc Aloran wrote the following piece which is very interesting. I'm going to write something which supports his opinion

As we prepare to bury another republican, Oglach Paddy Mo Burnside, from the New Lodge area, I would like to highlight a practice, which I believe is discriminatory and which needs to be challenged. This involves the removal of the national flag from the coffins of deceased republicans before they are carried into the church, sometimes in atrocious weather conditions. I think this is disrespectful to the deceased and the national flag.

This came to a head for me at the wake and funeral in October of Oglach Davy Saunders. Davy had the national flag on his coffin and was to have a Requiem Mass in St Patrick's but the family was told that the flag would not be allowed on the coffin for his Requiem. Davy had instructed his family that if the flag was to be removed then he didn't want to be brought into the church and as a result, prayers were said outside the house and he didn't get a Requiem Mass.

I met the priest on the way to the funeral and challenged him as to why the national flag had to be removed and the reply was a curt, "it's not allowed". I informed the priest that it was allowed and highlighted some funerals where the flag was allowed to remain on the coffins of deceased republicans. As we were on our way to the funeral I left it at that.

I then challenged this decision in writing to the parish of St Patrick's, as I think it is discriminatory and is a rights issue. In the priest's reply, he tried to use church law as the reason (Sacrosanctum Concilium) and other church laws. When I challenged this to be not true, I was then told it was "Diocesan Policy".

The truth of the matter is that when the smokescreen of Sacrosanctum Concilium etc is removed other factors are at play in not allowing the flag on the coffin to enter the church. I believe it to be a political decision, indeed I have documentary evidence that it is political. I believe, even in death parishioners and their families are being discriminated against because of their political beliefs.

The priest in his final reply stated that any funerals that he was involved in, where the flag was taken off the coffin, "these families have been very happy with that, none found this unacceptable".

I have attended many funerals of deceased republicans and I don't know of any relatives who were happy with this decision. Some have reluctantly gone along with it, in order to have the Requiem Mass, while others have chosen to forgo the mass rather than remove the flag.

I do not believe that relatives in their grief should have this pressure put upon them. It's time this discriminatory practice was stopped and I have informed the parish that once Christmas is over, I am organising a campaign against it. Republicans in other areas are willing to come on board to help the campaign

In the age of parity of esteem, as 2022 approaches this practice must cease.

This is what I, Pádraic MacCoitir, wrote:

Firstly, I've written a lot on the site Séamus posted his piece but they've either been edited or weren't published.

Secondly I never met Paddy Mo but have heard a lot about him. Even during my time on the blanket protest when he was in a different block his name was mentioned. Perhaps it was because some of the lads I was on the wing with were from the New Lodge.

Getting to the main point Séamus wrote about. I've been involved in many funerals, republican and nationalist, and have always said if a person or their family want a flag on their coffin they're entitled to it.
 
Irish Republicans in recent years for the most part are catholics but more like myself are atheists. So I won't go anywhere near a church when my funeral takes place. The catholic church here in Ireland, Spain, Italy and many other so called catholic countries has supported fascists and they continue to be very conservative.

They brought in one of their 'laws' in 1981 (which had nothing to do with Ireland) whereby only those 'of importance' could be admitted into a church with a flag on their coffin.

I was a member of the National Graves Association for number of years and was chair of it and during those years I, and a minority of us, challenged the catholic church over the issue of flags on coffins in churches.
 
I would argue that if the families of those wanting a flag on the coffin of their loved ones going into a catholic church they should demand it happens.

Padraic Mac Coitir is a former republican
prisoner and current political activist.

Funeral Flag

Pádraic Mac Coitir ✒ Kicks off  the TPQ 2022 writing with memories of Xmas in Gaol.

I don't dwell on my time in gaol but occasionally I'll be asked to do a talk or write something about it. This morning is one of those times I'll write about food on Xmas day. I'm writing it because when I was out for a dander I met an oul comrade and we spent a couple of minutes talking about food and he suggested I write something.

I spent 15 Christmases inside, most of them in the H-Blocks. The first was 1976 in H1. I'd been on the boards for 5 days and was back on the wing on the 23rd and really looking forward to a slap up meal two days later but the wing O/C told us it was a 'tradition' for Republicans to do a 24 hour fast. I was young and naïve so just done as I was told.

In those days we could get a special parcel from outside. After my visit on the 24th I was called up to the grilles to get the parcel and couldn't believe the size of it. There was a box of Milk Tray, fruit cake, sweets, cheese, ham and fruit. I was in the cell with Joe Craven from Bawnmore - later killed by a unionist murder gang. Joe also got a big parcel and we were like two big kids. The other lads on the wing also got big parcels and someone suggested not taking anything until the fast ended at midnight on Xmas. The fast was easy especially knowing we were gonna stuff our faces that night. About 10 to 12 we heard the other lads laughing so we got our cheese, meat and other treats out and on to the table then a big cheer went up at 12 on the button. It was one of the best Christmases we had.

My next Xmas was in H-2 where we were on the blanket protest. I was in the cell with Paul McGlinchey from Bellaghy. Paul sadly died in August. The atmosphere on the wing was very good and at that stage the screws weren't beating or harassing us too much. We got a half decent breakfast of weetabix, fried soda, egg and bacon and plenty of bread, some of which we kept for that night. We went to mass and at that time most of us were practicing Catholics so took communion and at different parts of the mass we sang carols and it was good oul craic.

After mass we couldn't believe it when some of the screws offered us a cigarette. Even me and other non-smokers took one and gave to our cell mates. We got dinner earlier than usual which consisted of slices of turkey and ham, potatoes, sprouts and carrots. For dessert we got trifle. We were even more surprised when the screws let us go to into other cells. Four of us were from Lenadoon and when we were locked in the cell it was like we had won political status. After half an hour we were locked back in our cells. When the screws came back at 2pm we got our tea which was cheese, spam and a boiled egg and to our surprise a slice of fruit cake. Shortly after that the screws let us slop out and fill the containers with water then they left until unlock next morning.

The following Xmas was to be the worst. It was during one of the coldest times since records were kept. We didn't know until years later the area around Long Kesh it was -18 Celsius. Earlier that year we escalated the protest and it was the start of brutal beatings. The screws threw liquid into the cells which made us wretch so we smashed the windows to give us fresh air. With the windows out in that terrible winter it's a wonder none of us died. On Xmas morning we got a cold breakfast which was left in by smirking orderlies. Morale was very low but we never showed our fears to the screws. At mass we sang carols even though there wasn't the heart for it. Before the screws left we got a very meagre and cold dinner but because we were constantly hungry we ate it. After 2pm most of the screws came back drunk and gave us verbal abuse. One or two screws were ok but we despised most of them and people ask me if I still hate them and I tell them I most definitely do. Fuck all that liberal and Christian crap about forgiveness.

I got released from the protest in July 79 but it wasn't long until I was back in the Crum. Xmas 81 was completely different from my earlier experiences. I was on the 3s in C wing and my cellmate was Bobby Storey. Bobby died last year. We knew each other well and we got on very well during the months we were in the cell. We got parcels 2 or 3 times a week and on that particular Xmas we got special ones.

1976 happened to be the last time we went on 24 hours fast. In the morning we got a hot breakfast and we would could buy sachets of coffee from the prison tuck shop which was great. For our dinner we got vegetable soup, turkey, ham, carrots, sprouts, roast and mashed potatoes and gravy. For dessert we got Christmas pudding and custard. Bobby and I were thin then but we loved our grub and both of us were to spend different periods on remand and we always said the food in the Crum was very good.

I was to spend another 9 Christmases in the Blocks and those days were completely different from the terrible days of the blanket and no-wash protest. We ran our wings and the screws rarely harassed us. Christmases were more or less the same but the best for me was 1989. A few years before that republicans took parole so a number on our wing were away for 7 days. The wing was quiet but morale very high. A few lads made hooch which consisted of sugar, yeast (smuggled in!) and lots of jam. During the 12.30-2pm lock up a number of us went into Cell 26 - or the big cell as we called it- after our dinner. Once the screws left the wing we opened one of the plastic gallon drums full of the hooch. We were laughing like big kids as it was poured into our plastic mugs. We shouted sláinte then took a big slug of it. It was terrible but we didn't care. There was only 6 of us in the cell so we shouted out to the other lads, as gaeilge, that it was great. The more we drank the better it tasted and because we hadn't had a deoch in years it started to get us drunk. When the screws came back and unlocked the doors the other lads came down for their fill. We were supposed to go easy but some of the lads drank too much and took sick. The screws knew we were drinking something but they dared not do anything.

So there are some of the Christmases I spent inside. I may have got some things mixed up but I can say I enjoyed most of my time in gaol apart from those terrible days during the blanket protest. Of course many more Irish Republican men and women spent many years in prisons here in Ireland, Britain, Europe and the US. And yes, there are Irish Republicans in gaol today and hopefully it won't be long until they get out and spend Christmas with their families and friends.

Nollaig shona daoibh agus Tiocfhaidh ar lá!. No crawling apology from me...

PS. I do have a good memory but obviously forget some things and get mixed up with events. Unlike some people out there I'll admit my mistakes and thanks to a fella I was in the Crum with Xmas 81 he pointed out to me some. He reminded me Bobby Storey and others were moved to the Blocks before Xmas - I was moved a few weeks later. I knew I was in the cell with two Fermanagh lads but thought it was January 82 but after Bobby was moved me and the lads were in the cell together. One was Séamus McIlwaine - shot dead by the SAS in April 86 - and the other was Eugene Cosgrave who died of natural causes a few years. Not just saying it because they are dead we got on very well and although we were locked in our cell most of the day and night we talked and although I loved reading I only read the papers such were the yarns we had.

I said I wouldn't mention him but I have to for putting me right. Go raibh maith agat Kieran Flynn. From now on if I'm gonna write about the Crum at that time I'll defer to you!

Padraic Mac Coitir is a former republican
prisoner and current political activist.

Xmas Behind Bars

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