Ardoyne Republican includes a full report on the Inaugural Óglach. Martin Meehan Memorial Lecture. That was held in the Crumlin Star Social Club, Ardoyne on Friday November 21st, 2014. The event was organised by the Republican Network For Unity in conjunction with the Meehan Family.
An introduction was given by Former Blanketman and RNU National Chairperson, Gary McNally from Strabane, County Tyrone. McNally clarified that although Martin was not an RNU Activist at the time of his sudden death in 2007. His Party's Ard Chomhirle had wanted to commemorate the legendary IRA Volunteer and asked his son, Martin Óg who is also RNU's General Secretary.
The Republican Network for Unity's Executive asked the Meehan Family for their permission in organising a fitting event in their father's memory. After consulting with the immediate and wider Clann, the Meehans agreed. Finally, Gary also stressed that the family had wanted Representatives of Political Prisoners held in Maghaberry to speak at the Lecture. As well as, the Justice for the Craigavon Two Campaign. Given their late father's dedication to POW issues throughout his life. Particularly those suffering wrongful imprisonment. Therefore, Cogús, IRPWA and Cabhair were invited. Sadly, the IRPWA like Cabhair were not able to attend. The RNU National Chairperson then introduced the first Speaker, Martin Óg Meehan.
Martin Óg began gave the well-attended audience an emotional and education speech about his late father, from his birth until his death. He detailed his childhood, growing-up in relative poverty, where discrimination and bigotry were a daily occurrence for everyone in the Ardoyne area. How, as a ten year-old boy Martin was beaten, arrested and his Dad threatened by the RUC, After he took a sandbag that was being used to protect Rosebank Mill in Flax Street and brought it his home in Crumlin Street after it was flooded by heavy rainfall.
He said that his father had endured over eighteen years imprisonment from Mounjoy, Crumlin Road, Long Kesh and the H-Blocks during nearly two decades behind bars. Suffered two torturous Hunger-Strikes, fifty days in 1972 and sixty-six days in 1980. How he had been refused to attend his mother's funeral in 1980 and that of his granddaughter in 1991. About him and Martin Óg spending three years behind bars together in the Blocks in the Nineties. His countless beatings by the British army and RUC over the years. Martin was anointed on four separate occasions by Priests after these beatings. His long battles with serious illness including, numerous heart attacks, one of which ended his life.
Martin Óg expressed his and his family's pride in their father and grandfather. About how he had not only defended his small community against oppression. He had also kept the republican flame burning in his spirit throughout his life through a series of important roles. Like the National Graves Association, an Elected Councillor and a prominent IRA Volunteer. That his Dad never overlooked nor sidelined Ex-POWs' no matter where they were. He attended visits in hospitals, funerals despite receiving huge criticism from elitists in the Provisional Leadership for doing so. He also did not condemn fellow Republicans for engaging in Armed Actions. That he had not right to do, given the continuation of British occupation. Martin also kept in contact with Political Prisoners as it was the right thing to do. He often said he would never be a hypocrite and that a new Armed Republican Campaign was inevitable if the Good Friday Agreement did not achieve social, national and political freedom.
Martin Óg finished his speech by stating how and when his Dad had passed away. How his late father had always felt that National Irish Sovereignty was a prize worth struggling for. That the tradition of dedicating oneself to Irish freedom was costly but noble. He then asked everyone to stand for a minutes silence for all those patriots who died in pursuit of Irish freedom.
Gary McNally called on Ex-POW, Martin Rafferty from the Justice for the Craigavon Two Campaign to speak....
Rafferty spoke of his own friendship with Martin Meehan and how holding differing opinions did not end the respect both men had for one another. He detailed the wrongful imprisonment of Brendan McConville and J.P. Wotten. From their arrests, remand, trial and appeals. At the behest of the British and Stormont governments. The miscarriage of justice against John-Paul Wootton & Brendan McConnville began when the British State in Ireland needed political scapegoats for the Continuity IRA killing of an RUC/PSNI member in Craigavon on March 9th, 2009.
At the time, JP Wootton was but seventeen years-old, still a teenager. While, Brendan McConnville, a former Sinn Fein Councillor were both arrested within hours of the shooting and held for almost two under special legislation in Antrim Barracks. Remanded to Maghaberry Gaol for nearly three years before being tried in a Non-Jury (Diplock) Court, before being tried in a Non-Jury (Diplock) Court.
With no physical DNA, Fibres nor fingerprints found against the men. The British Public Prosecution Service (PPS) linked both men to the killing through a process of speculation and hypothesis. Several witnesses were also granted anonymity, which prevented Defence Teams from properly Cross-Examining them. One of who has been described by his own family as a compulsive liar and walter-mitty type individual. In spite of these facts, Wootton and McConnville were 'convicted' and ordered to serve Life behind bars.
The Justice for the Craigavon Two Campaign Committee member, went onto explain about the so-called Appeal process. As well as, the State's recent Court case to increase JP Wootton's life sentence Tariff from 14 to 18 years. The PPS Chief, Barra McGrory brought the new case because he believed the Court had been; 'unduly leniet'. Even though, the Six Countie's Top Judge admitted that he had 'played no identifiable role' in the CIRA killing. McConnville's 25 year sentence was not changed.
Finally, Martin Rafferty called on the people of Ardoyne to join the fight to have both men freed from gaol and do all they could to further the campaign. He received loud and sustained applause for his articulate contribution by the audience.
McNally then called on former H-Block POW and recently-released Maghaberry Political Prisoner, Tony Taylor from Derry City to speak on behalf of Cogús....
Tony gave a detailed account of the daily life of a Republican Prisoner in Maghaberry, about the lack of freedom they have. Little or no association between Political Prisoners, even though the POWs' and Prison Administration had negotiated a compromise in August, 2010. That the agreement had not been implemented but that the Screws had immediately began reverting back to draconian treatment of not only POWs' but of their families also.
He told us about the intransigence of Stormont's so-called Justice Department, Prison Administration and Screws had caused the protracted protest by Political Prisoners which culminated in the No-Wash Campaign by Cogús and other POWs' last year. Whereby, Tony and his imprisoned comrades asserted the right of all Irish Republican Prisoners to Political Status.
He also spoke of the brutality of forced Strip-Searches inflicted upon POWs' in Maghaberry and gave a very emotional and moving account about Screws dressed in full riot uniform terrorise defenceless Republicans at the Gaol in what can only be described as sexual assaults. He also stressed the need for this inhuman practise to end inside Maghaberry and also for his female comrades in Hydebank.
After the speeches, the crowd were entertained with an hour or so with a number of Folk, Traditional, Republican and Popular songs by an acclaimed local Singer, The night was a success and RNU Organisers are already planning for next year.
An introduction was given by Former Blanketman and RNU National Chairperson, Gary McNally from Strabane, County Tyrone. McNally clarified that although Martin was not an RNU Activist at the time of his sudden death in 2007. His Party's Ard Chomhirle had wanted to commemorate the legendary IRA Volunteer and asked his son, Martin Óg who is also RNU's General Secretary.
The Republican Network for Unity's Executive asked the Meehan Family for their permission in organising a fitting event in their father's memory. After consulting with the immediate and wider Clann, the Meehans agreed. Finally, Gary also stressed that the family had wanted Representatives of Political Prisoners held in Maghaberry to speak at the Lecture. As well as, the Justice for the Craigavon Two Campaign. Given their late father's dedication to POW issues throughout his life. Particularly those suffering wrongful imprisonment. Therefore, Cogús, IRPWA and Cabhair were invited. Sadly, the IRPWA like Cabhair were not able to attend. The RNU National Chairperson then introduced the first Speaker, Martin Óg Meehan.
Martin Óg began gave the well-attended audience an emotional and education speech about his late father, from his birth until his death. He detailed his childhood, growing-up in relative poverty, where discrimination and bigotry were a daily occurrence for everyone in the Ardoyne area. How, as a ten year-old boy Martin was beaten, arrested and his Dad threatened by the RUC, After he took a sandbag that was being used to protect Rosebank Mill in Flax Street and brought it his home in Crumlin Street after it was flooded by heavy rainfall.
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| Martin in 1965 |
He also confirmed that his father had joined the IRA in 1965, prior to the Civil Rights Movement changed the Six County State and Unionist domination. How Martin a few local Volunteers held a large crowd of bigots from burning the Ardoyne area down with one Shotgun and a battered old-car. Martin Óg explained that the then IRA Leadership had disarmed a number of IRA Units and left Working-Class communities they represented very vunerable to attack. His Dad resigned in protest months before the Provisional IRA was born and how Martin and a fellow Docker commandeered six brand new rifles from inside a British army Ship in Belfast Port to use in defense of Ardoyne.
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| Martin being arrested by the RUC, Derry, 1968 |
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| Martin (centre) honouring PIRA Vol. Michael Kane, 1970 |
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| Martin in 1971 |
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| Martin defending Ardoyne, 1972 |
Rafferty spoke of his own friendship with Martin Meehan and how holding differing opinions did not end the respect both men had for one another. He detailed the wrongful imprisonment of Brendan McConville and J.P. Wotten. From their arrests, remand, trial and appeals. At the behest of the British and Stormont governments. The miscarriage of justice against John-Paul Wootton & Brendan McConnville began when the British State in Ireland needed political scapegoats for the Continuity IRA killing of an RUC/PSNI member in Craigavon on March 9th, 2009.
At the time, JP Wootton was but seventeen years-old, still a teenager. While, Brendan McConnville, a former Sinn Fein Councillor were both arrested within hours of the shooting and held for almost two under special legislation in Antrim Barracks. Remanded to Maghaberry Gaol for nearly three years before being tried in a Non-Jury (Diplock) Court, before being tried in a Non-Jury (Diplock) Court.
Finally, Martin Rafferty called on the people of Ardoyne to join the fight to have both men freed from gaol and do all they could to further the campaign. He received loud and sustained applause for his articulate contribution by the audience.
McNally then called on former H-Block POW and recently-released Maghaberry Political Prisoner, Tony Taylor from Derry City to speak on behalf of Cogús....
He told us about the intransigence of Stormont's so-called Justice Department, Prison Administration and Screws had caused the protracted protest by Political Prisoners which culminated in the No-Wash Campaign by Cogús and other POWs' last year. Whereby, Tony and his imprisoned comrades asserted the right of all Irish Republican Prisoners to Political Status.
After the speeches, the crowd were entertained with an hour or so with a number of Folk, Traditional, Republican and Popular songs by an acclaimed local Singer, The night was a success and RNU Organisers are already planning for next year.