West Belfast Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Alex Maskey speaks at Lenadoon Martyrs Commemoration

Published: 12 September, 2009

Republicans gathered at the Lenadoon Republican memorial in the grounds of the Roddy McCorley club on the Glen Road on Saturday 12th September, for the annual Lenadoon martyrs commemoration.

Family members, friends and comrades of those on the Lenadoon Roll of Honour gathered alongside republicans from the Lenadoon area and from other parts of Belfast for the ceremony which was chaired by Lenadoon Sinn Fein councillor Gerard O'Neill.

A mural depicting the history of Lenadoon women in struggle and featuring the images of well known female Republicans from the area was unveiled by family members of those depicted on the mural.

Wreaths were laid at the event on behalf of the Republican movement, Sinn Fein, Lenadoon Commemoration Committee and the Roddy McCorley society.

The Roll of Honour was read by Ann-Marie Weir. The Volunteers on the Lenadoon Roll of Honour are;

Vol Tony Henderson 4th April 1971 Belfast Brigade 1st Battalion

Vol Tony Jordan 28th June 1972 Belfast Brigade 1st Battalion

Vol John Finucane 28th June 1972 Belfast Brigade 1st Battalion

Vol Laura Crawford 1st December 1975 Cumann na mBan

Vol Brendan O'Callaghan 23rd April 1977 Belfast Brigade 1st Battalion

Vol Joe McDonnell 8th July 1981 H-Block Martyr

Vol Mairead Farrell 6th March 1988 GHQ Staff

Vol Bridie Quinn 8th December 1988 Belfast Brigade 1st Battalion

Vol Patricia Black 15th November 1991 Belfast Brigade 1st Battalion

Also remembered were those members of the Lenadoon community who died at the hands of the British Army, the RUC and their loyalist murder gangs.

Councillor O'Neill then introduced the speaker, Sinn Fein MLA Alex Maskey.

Mr Maskey spoke of how Lenadoon became a 'cauldron of resistance' in the early days of the conflict and said that this spirit of resistance has continued on right up until this present day.

He spoke of the enormous active support for Republicanism in the Lenadoon area when he said:

'There have been many facets to Republican activity over the years. This area has done it all and it has borne a heavy toll for its activism.

'Lenadoon should be proud of its contribution to the struggle and proud of its history.

'I represented this area for many years and it was an absolute privilege and an honour to do so. The people of this area are great people and I saw their commitment, their determination and their humanity on countless occasions.

'The people are what make us strong and what has allowed our struggle to develop. We have come a long way and we have the people to thank for that.

'The mural says it all - 'Strong is what we make each other until we are strong together'.'

In closing, Mr Maskey thanked the Lenadoon Commemoration Committee for organising the ceremony, the members of the Roddy McCorley society who provided the colour party for the ceremony, the Roddy McCorley club for hosting the event and local artist Fra Maher for painting the wonderful mural.