Twenty five years remembered
One of the most respected volunteers in the history of the
struggle in South Armagh will be remembered this month with a
series of commemorative events.
Twenty-five years ago - at 3.00pm on 15 November - Captain
Michael McVerry, OC 1st Battalion South Armagh Brigade Oglaigh na
hEireann, was shot dead while on active service in an attack on
Keady British/RUC Base.
For a young man of twenty one years he achieved much and was
afforded great respect among those in his command.
Hailing from the quiet little townland of Cargie, Skerriff,
Michael McVerry is a legend in the Cullyhanna and South Armagh
area. He is remembered as being very serious and conscientious in
his fight for Irish freedom, but also having a jovial nature.
He was interested in the promotion of Irish culture and although
a busy man he made time to take part in local plays and football
games. From listening to those who knew him, he seemed to be
enthusiastic and always in form for talk and debate. One of his
comrades tells that he was very aware of the need for the war but
that ``we need a strong political party because when the war is
over we will need to sit down and talk with the other side - we
don't want our hard work to fall into the hands of others. We
don't want a thirty-two county Free State, we want a Republic''.
In his short life Michael suffered at the hands of the
authorities on both sides of the border. He was held on remand in
Mountjoy Prison where he went on hunger-strike and became so weak
that he had to be transferred to the Curragh Military Hospital.
When he regained his strength he was incarcerated in the prison
at the Curragh, and a short time later he and six others escaped
from captivity by tunnelling through the walls.
A few months before he died he lost his hand while testing
hand-grenades but this didn't deter him. Soon after he was out on
active service carrying on the fight.
Once again the people of the area come together in preparation
for the anniversary. The majestic monument in his honour -
erected twelve months after his death - has been redeveloped in
recent weeks and the local people with the help of his comrades
have organised a weekend of events in and around the area.
See Imeachtaí for details of commemorative events
cap
Michael McVerry
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