“In memory of Brigadier Billy Wright (King Rat). ‘Greater love hath no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ – John Ch15v13. Gone but not forgotten.” Loyalist Volunteer Force memorial Craighill in Ballycraigy, Antrim.
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
M05203 [M05202]
“End British policing in Ireland: intimidation, sectarianism, 28 day detention, corruption, child assaults, evidence tampering –www.32csm.info” 32 County Sovereignty Movement board on Durrow Park, Derry.
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
M05200 [M05199]
“Don’t listen 2 S[ınn] F[éın] traiters [sic] – RIRA”.
Fountain Street, Strabane
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
M05189
The river Mourne flows through Strabane town, home to 20 IRA volunteers and Sinn Féin activists who died during the Troubles: Fian Tobias Molloy, Vol. Eugene Devlin, Vol. Seamus Harvey, Vol. Gerard McGlynn, Vol. Jim McGinn, Vol. Neil Lafferty, Vol. Patrick Cannon, Vol. Peter McElchar, Hugh Devine, Vol. Michael Devine, Vol. David Devine, Vol. Charles Breslin, Vol. Josie Connolly, Vol. Danny McCauley, Patrick Shanaghan, Vol Damian Brolloy, Jim McAleer, Ivan Barr, Charlie McHugh.
“You’ve come to know the winds that blow, the glory that surrounds you. You hills that flow from Knockavoe, to wrap their warmth around you; on Irish streets in August heat, thro’ dusky dark December, you lost your lives but will never die, as long as we remember.” The author of the poem is unknown.
Fountain Street, Strabane
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
M05188
2009 was the fortieth anniversary of the beginning of the Troubles and of the “first person to be killed in the Troubles – murdered by the RUC at this spot [Main Street, Dungiven] on 14th July 1969”: Francie (Pól Beag) McCloskey. McCloskey was a 67 year-old farmer standing in a shop doorway on the 12th (BelTel) or 13th (An Phoblacht) when the RUC charged nationalist rioters attacking the Orange lodge. He would die of a brain haemorrhage on the 14th. “Ar dheıs Dé go raıbh a anam.”
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
M05196
Sınn Féın leader Gerry Adams said of the IRA in 1995 “They haven’t gone away, you know” (youtube). The phrase is here used against him, with the British Army in place of the IRA: “Those who administer British rule are traitors – they haven’t gone away you know – Afghanistan, Iraq, Ireland.” 32CSM (32 County Sovereignty Movement) board at the top of Westland Row, Derry.
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
M05176 [M05175]
Three suspected IRA car bombs exploded on Main Street, Claudy, on July 31st, 1972, killing nine people and injuring 30. This memorial on Church Street was designed by Elizabeth McLoughlin and unveiled in 2000. The plaque also acknowledges “the suffering and loss of many others in the Claudy region over the years.”
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
M05164 [M05165] M05166
“I ndıl cuimhne [chuimhne] Óglach Jim McKernan executed by the British Army near this spot 14th September 1986. Fuaır sé bás ar son saoırse na hÉıreann. [He died for the cause of Ireland’s freedom]” McKernan was killed in a gun battle between an IRA unit and a British Army foot patrol. Andersonstown Road at Ballyowen.
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
M05160
The main plaque (shown first above) is new; like its predecessor (see M02186) list of the local dead of the IRA 1st battalion, Belfast brigade and related members of the republican movement. (A shorter list is on the plaque to the left, shown second.) There is also a 200th anniversary plaque for the 1798 rebellion: “1798-1998 Who Fears To Speak Of 98. This plaque was erected to the memory of the United Irishmen who gave their lives for Irish freedom also those who died as a result of the Great Hunger. ‘These are the times that try mens’ souls.’ [- Thomas Paine] The rich always betray the poor.’ – Henry Joy McCracken.” The memorial garden is next to the Andersonstown Social Club (a.k.a. the PD or “People’s Democracy”).
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
M05152 [M05153] [M05156] M05157 M05154 [M05155]
2010 [M05793] [M05792] [M05791]
Óglach Caoımhín Mac Brádaıgh was killed by the UDA’s Michael Stone during the latter’s attack on mourners in Milltown cemetery at the funerals of the Gibraltar 3 in March 1988. The board was originally on the main Andersonstown Road (see M04031).
South Link, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
M05147 [M05151]
Peter Moloney Collection 