Pat Beag remembered
150 Belfast republicans attended a commemoration for Sinn Féin
councillor Pat Beag McGeown who died last year.
McGeown, who spent 47 days on hunger strike during the 1981
hunger strike in Long Kesh and never fully regained his health,
was buried in the republican plot at Milltown cemetery and it was
there that Sunday's commemoration was held.
Veteran Sinn Fein councillor from North Belfast Paddy McManus,
carrying the national flag, headed the republicans as they
marched from the gates of Milltown to McGeown's graveside.
Marie Moore, a close friend of Pat Beag and colleague on Belfast
City Council, chaired the proceedings and spoke for everyone when
she talked of the heartbreak she felt when Pat died.
Michael Browne, another of Sinn Fein's Belfast council
representatives, delivered the main oration. Browne, who worked
with Pat Beag in the Prisoner of War Department, recounted the
fond memories of Pat which were shared by those who worked with
him.
Browne commended Pat for his ``courage and his vision.'' He said,
``To Sinn Fein Pat was an asset in every sense. The most fitting
tribute we could pay Pat is to continue the work which he wasn't
able to complete himself, to ensure that this struggle is
completed to the advantage of republicans in the way Pat McGeown
would have wished''.
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