Operation Motorman

Operation Motorman, the British Army’s retaking of ‘Free Derry’, took place on July 31st, 1972. This is the repainted mural (the in-progress shot is from April); for the 2001 original, see M01426. (Part of The People’s Gallery by the Bogside Artists.)

For the installation to Seamus Bradley, who died during the operation, (and for the photo the mural is based upon) see X01130.

The plaque is to Patrick Shiels (M03583).

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
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Thatcher’s Dead

Margaret Thatcher, former UK Prime Minister, died on April 8th. The paste-up on Free Derry Corner – “Let’s bury greed with her” – gives the impression that her primary legacy was neo-liberalism but the more visceral reactions – “Burn in hell” and “Your death made my day” – are inspired by her stance towards the hunger strikers in 1980 and ’81.

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
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McConomy

This is a new plaque to Stephen McConomy in Fahan Street, Derry, which includes the death of his mother, Maria “Mia” McConomy in July 2008 (Find A Grave). (For the previous plaque, see M03363)

“Stephen McConomy (a child of 11 years) Murdered by a plastic bullet aged 11 years on 16th April 1982. Always remembered by his loving brothers, family and late mother. May they both rest in peace.”

See also: Civil Order.

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
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We Haven’t Gone Away

Sınn Féın leader Gerry Adams said of the (Provisional) IRA in 1995 “They haven’t gone away, you know” (youtube). The phrase is used here (“hav’nt”) by post- and anti-Agreement IRA.

The second image shows a BRY board with a traditional spring-time republican message: “Honour Ireland’s patriot dead – wear an Easter lily.”

Both boards are in Iniscarn Crescent outside the City Cemetery, which is shown in the third image bedecked in Tricolours and Starry Ploughs.

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
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