“Joe McCann Staff Capt. [Official] IRA. Murdered by British paratroopers 15th April 1972.” Joe McCann was (Official) IRA OC in the Markets area of south Belfast, where he was shot by paratroopers in 1972. The graven image to the left reproduces a famous photograph which shows McCann, with MI, during the occupation of the Inglis bakery in the Markets on August 9th, 1971 – Internment Day (see RN).
Joy Street, Belfast
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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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A tarp with portraits of members of the IRA’s Clonard company is added to the Memorial Garden/Gaırdín Cuımhneacháın in Bombay Street, Belfast. Included are Sean Gaynor (whose portrait is missing), Tom Williams, Gerald McAuley, Finbarr McKenna, and Dan McCann & Seán Savage. The full list can be found in Clonard Martyrs.
“Dedicated to the memory of local Republican, Billy Davidson.”
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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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“In loving memory of Vol. Tom Williams “C. Coy” 2nd Battalion Belfast Brigade IRA who lived here [46 Bombay Street, where Williams lived with his grandmother Fay] and was executed in Belfast Gaol [Crumlin Road] 2nd Sept 1942, aged 19 years. Ar dheıs Dé go ra[ı]bh a anam. Erected by National Graves Association, Belfast 1992.”
Williams, the unit’s leader, took sole responsibility for the killing of RUC Constable Patrick Murphy, hoping that it would save the lives of the other seven (including two women) who had taken part in the ambush. The six men were jointly convicted of the killing but only Williams was ultimately hanged, after appeals from Ireland (not yet officially ‘The Republic Of’), the Vatican, and the US State Department (RN).
There is a portrait of Williams at the bottom of Clonard Street, and a mural in Kashmir Street in the 1990s.
Bombay Street, Belfast
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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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“In memory of Fıan Gerald McAuley (aged 15) killed while defending the people of Clonard on the 15th August 1969. Erected by the Greater Clonard Ex-Prisoners Association.” McAuley was killed during the riots in August 1969 that mark the start of “the Troubles” (An Phoblacht). The plaque is near the spot where he was killed. His portrait was above the No Decommision mural and then in the Never Again mural in Bombay Street.
Waterville Street, Belfast
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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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A second plaque has been added to the mural of Patrick Mulvenna and Jim Bryson and the mural itself has been refreshed: the lark in the apex has been replaced by funeral trappings and the knot-work frame has been painted over.
“In proud and loving memory of Óglach Patrick Mulvenna, shot dead by British crown forces near this spot while an active service, 31st August 1973, and of his comrade Óglach Jim Bryson, also shot and died of his wounds, 22nd September 1973. Belfast Brigade Óglaigh na hÉıreann. I measc laoachra na nGael go raıbh sıad.”
Ballymurphy Road, Belfast
For the other, original, plaque and the original mural, see Bryson-Mulvenna.
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Copyright © 2013/2011 Peter Moloney
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Dorothy Maguire and her sister Maura Meehan were killed in their car by the British Army near Cape Street in the lower Falls in the early hours of October 23rd, 1917. They were both members of Cumann na mBan (Choosing The Green).
Whiterock Road, Belfast
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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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The Ballymurphy Massacre took place at the introduction of internment on August 9th, 1971. 11 people were killed by British Army paratroopers over the course of three days. For more background see Ballymurphy Massacre. 2011 is the 30th anniversary and the campaign for truth and justice continues with a ‘march for truth’. The board in the first image was painted by Mo Chara Kelly. The play advertised in the second image is Ballymurphy – The Aftermath, written by Brenda Murphy, directed by Pam Brighton and playing at Conway Mill.
Springfield Road and Whiterock Road, Belfast
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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Flames have been added to the phoenixes on the gates of the New Barnsley memorial garden, previously seen in 2008.
Moyard Parade, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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“In memory of Topper Thompson, murdered by British death squads, 27th April 1994, aged 25. Deeply missed but never forgotten. Erected by his friends.” Paul ‘Topper’ Thompson was killed by the UDA on April 27th, 1994. Collusion is alleged – see Relatives For Justice.
Springfield Park, Belfast
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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Two Brendan Lillis boards at the former site of the Andersonstown RUC barracks. The first is below No Bail For Murderers; the second is on top of On The One Road.
The accusation of “medical neglect” an appeal for compassionate release due to Lillis’s suffering from the arthritic condition, ankylosing spondylitis. For political background, see Release Brendan Lillis.
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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Peter Moloney Collection 