It will be six long years next month that my father, Volunteer. Martin Meehan passed away and was buried in his native Belfast. Throughout his life, Martin was famous for his dedication to Irish Republicanism and his local community in Ardoyne. At the time of his sudden death in 2007, Dad was one of the longest-serving IRA members' in Belfast, having volunteered in 1965. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he achieved legendary status as a fearless Soldier. A Socialist, he was also a life-long Activist with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU).
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| Martin pictured after his escape from Crumlin Road Gaol in 1971 |
From 1968 onwards, Martin defended Ardoyne against the RUC, British Army and Unionist Death Squads who murdered and terrorised our community in the name of the English Crown. Martin was a legendary Volunteer who paid dearly for his activism. He spent over eighteen years behind bars in a variety of Gaols across Ireland. He successfully escaped from Crumlin Road Prison in December, 1971 and became one of the Most Wanted men in Ireland. Martin operated throughout Belfast, South Armagh, Louth and Derry City where he convinced many men and women to join the fight against imperialism. He also embarked on two separate Hunger-Strikes, one to achieve better conditions for his fellow POWs' in Long Kesh and the second to prove his innocence in 1980. After he was framed by the British Authorities with help from an Informer. His health was badly affected by both Strikes and he suffered health complications for the remainder of his life. Inside Dad was committed to keeping up the morale of his imprisoned comrades and as with other aspects of his life, he did so with gusto.
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| Martin Commemorating Fallen Republicans |
Since 2007, many within Ardoyne had approached the Meehan Clann wishing to organise a Commemoration for my Dad. Provisional Sinn Fein did hold one the year after his untimely death and the family were fine with that, after all he was a Party member at the time of his death. Although, there was a burning issue of brutality committed by his wife Briege against our sister, Mary back in 1979 and 1980. At the time, Briege was an elected Councillor in Newtownabbey for Sinn Fein. Therefore, our family decided to focus our attention on Mary, rather than any commemorations. She had just returned from England where she had been living for a number of years with her children and was in the process of having Briege charged with serious crimes against her. As everyone now knows, Briege was expelled from the Party and after lengthy legal proceedings, admitted in a Belfast Court of brutalising Mary as a ten year-old girl. With Court Briege exposed as a Child-Abuser. The Meehan's are now in a better position to organise a decent Commemoration for our Dad with help from a number of friends and comrades.
Over the past fifteen years, many changes have occurred within Irish Republicanism that has led to serious differences in ideology. Ardoyne has always been an important part of the struggle to achieve a 32 County Democratic Socialist Republic. Hence organisers of next month's commemoration have in conjunction with the Meehan Family announce that on Sunday 3rd November, an Independent Commemoration will take place in Ardoyne to honour Volunteer. Martin Meehan. Attendees are asked to assemble at 2pm that afternoon in Ardoyne Avenue outside the Shamrock Social Club. We wish to make the tribute as inclusive as possible and ensure everyone can pay their respects to one of Ireland's greatest Soldiers.
