Kevin Lynch, the seventh of the 1981 hunger strikers to die, is buried in Dungiven Cemetery. He is commemorated annually in the town. These images were taken on the day of the 30th anniversary commemoration.
The ten deceased 1981 hunger strikers are shown, each “murdered by Britain”, plus Michael Gaughan (“died on hungerstrike in Parkhurst Prison June 3rd 1974”) and Prıonsıas Stagg (usually Frank Stagg) (“died on hunger-strike February 12th 1976 Wakefield Prison”).
Republican Sınn Féın (web | old web | tw) board Chapel Road, Dungiven.
This is a board above the advertising hoarding commemorating the 200th anniversary of the 1798 Rebellion. “Erin go bragh” on the bottom scroll; it’s not clear that anything at all was written in the top scroll.
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.
Relatives for justice (web) youth project holds an annual vigil for victims of plastic bullets and their families. This display places cut-out figures on the railings of the City Cemetery at the distances at which they were hit by a rubber or plastic bullet, between 1972 and 1989. (Previously done in mural form on Divis Street: Ban Plastic Bullets.)
From left to right, the victims are Keith White, Norah McCabe, John Downes, Tobias Molloy, Peter McGuinness, Stephen McConomy, Paul Whitters, Francis Rowntree, Julie Livingstone, Carol Ann Kelly, Seamus Duffy, Brian Stewart, Henry Duffy, Michael Donnelly, Thomas Friel, Peter Doherty.
The board on the far right contains an acrostic for “Plastic Bullets”: “Panic – Lethal – Age – Sorrow – Terror – Innocence – Children. Ban them – Unnecessary – Loss – Life – Extreme use – Transgenerational trauma – Stop using them”.
With support from Pobal, An tAontas Eorpach, and the Community Relations Council.
A permanent ‘show of strength’ on the Newtownards Road, depicting hooded gunmen firing into the air at Dee Street. Purple and orange are the colours of the UVF (and the Orange Order).
“Release Brendan Lillis – don’t let him die” on the walls of Derry and Free Derry Corner. Originally convicted in 1977 on explosives charges, Lillis’s license was revoked in 2009 on charges of plotting a kidnapping and bank heist (BBC). He would be released in August on compassionate grounds (BBC | BelTel).
“In memory of the men and women who served in the ranks of the Ulster Defence Regiment 1970-1992”. The statue is by sculptor John Sherlock and was unveiled on June 17th, 2011 (NI World).