The First Blanketman

IRA volunteer Kieran (here Cıarán) Nugent spent nine months in Long Kesh as a Special Category prisoner in 1975. When he was arrested again in 1976 and sent to the H Blocks, the status no longer existed and he could no longer wear his own clothes. He refused to wear a prison uniform and spent his first night naked. On the next day he was given a blanket and so became the first blanket man.

Rockville Street, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2005 Peter Moloney
M02550 [M02551]

Doyle – McParland – Carson

This is a Whiterock Road, Belfast, mural to three IRA volunteers and six other local activists. Clockwise from bottom left: Annie Adams, Rosaleen Russell, Liam Mulholland, Billy Carson (also shown kneeling; killed by the UDA in 1979), Liam McParland (also standing, right; leader of the (pre-split) IRA in Ballymurphy, died in a car crash on 6 November 1969), Sean Doyle (also standing, left; perhaps from 1944 despite the assault rifle), Frankie Toner, Kathleen Moore, Gerry Campbell. There are Christmas lights in the centre of the wall.

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Copyright © 2005 Peter Moloney
M02547

The Rossport 5

“St James community demands the release of the Rossport 5 – boycott Shell’. The Rossport Five were Willie Corduff, brothers Philip and Vincent McGrath, Mıcheál Ó Seıghın, and James Philbin. They were imprisoned in June 2005 for demonstrating contempt of court by interfering with work by Shell on their land in Rossport, Co Mayo. The served 94 days before being released. The ‘green ribbon’, in the top corners, was used in previous years to denote republican prisoners.

Rockmount Street, Belfast

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Copyright © 2005 Peter Moloney
M02549

Pray For Us And Erin

“Dedicated to Vols Bobby McCrudden, Mundo O’Rawe, Pearse Jordan. In passing this mural pause a little while, pray for us and erin, then smile.” Ballymurphy mural to three local PIRA volunteers. O’Rawe’s pose (in the centre) perhaps owes something to the poster for the 1996 film Michael Collins. The plaque reads “I ndíl [sic] chuímhne [sic] Oglach [sic] Edward ‘Mundo’ O’Rawe, Oglach [sic] Robert McCrudden, Oglach [sic] Pearse Jordan Who gave their lives for Ireland’s freedom.”

Divismore Crescent, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2005 Peter Moloney
M02546

Volunteers From The Greater New Barnsley Area

“In memory of the volunteers from Greater New Barnsley area who gave their lives in the fight for Irish freedom: Martin Forsythe, Bobby McCrudden, Eddie O’Rawe, Martin Skillen, Gerard Fennell, Sean McDermott, Terence O’Neill, James Murphy, Tom Magill, Sean Savage, Kevin McCracken, Pearse Jordan, Liam Mulholland, Fıan Cathy McGartland, Fıan John Dempsey, Sınn Féın Paul Best, Sınn Féın Eddie Brophy.”

Moyard Parade, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2005 Peter Moloney
M02542

Our Fallen Comrades

“In proud memory of our fallen comrades Vol. Michael “Mickey” Kearney, killed in action 18th February 1987, Vol. Patrick “Paddy Bo” Campbell, killed in action 10th October 1999. Irish National Liberation Army. They shall live in the hearts and minds of our people. Erected by the Irish Republican Socialist Ex-Prisoners Memorial Committee.” (Sutton entries at CAIN)

New Barnsley Parade, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2005 Peter Moloney
M02541 [M05261]