Republican News · Thursday 9 January 1996
![[An Phoblacht]](http://republican-news.org/graphics/title_gifs/aprn.gif)
Sean Sabhat and Fergal O'Hanlon remembered
The fortieth anniversary of the deaths of Volunteers Sean Sabhat from Limerick and Fergal O'Hanlon from Monaghan was marked by commemorations in Limerick, Monaghan and Fermanagh over the New Year holiday.
The men died in the closing hours of 1956 following an IRA attack on Brookeborough Barracks in Fermanagh. Both men were severely wounded in the attack and died from their wounds in a stone barn at nearby Attawark crossroads between Roslea and Brookeborough..
At the commemoration in Fermanagh on New Year's Day, held at the site of the barn where the two men died, a memorial was unveiled before a crowd of 350 people. The memorial was constructed from stones from the barn which was destroyed in May 1985 in an act of vandalism by British soldiers using an armoured vehicle.
The monument was unveiled by Mick Kelly (Galway) and Paddy O'Regan (Dublin), both of whom were members of the Pearse Column which carried out the attack on Brookeborough Barracks. Also in attendance was Monaghan Sinn Féin Councillor Páidraigín Ní Mhurchadha, a sister of Fergal O'Hanlon.
The main oration was given by Pat Treanor and the proceedings were chaired by Pat Cox from Enniskillen.
In Monaghan 200 people gathered on New Year's Day at Fergal O'Hanlon's graveside in Latlurcan cemetery.
The proceedings were chaired by Monaghan Sinn Féin Councillor Owen Smyth and the main oration was given by Councillor and Ard Comhairle member Caoimhghín O Caoláin. In it he described the attack and the political situation at the time which prompted the IRA campaign. ``They sought to finally break Britain's resolve to hold any part of Ireland. They sought, as we seek today, for an end to British rule in Ireland, an end to partition and a new beginning for all who call this island `home','' he said.
O Caoláin spoke warmly of Fergal OHanlon's family and concluded by asking everyone to ``remember fergal in all our deeds and utterances that one day we will gather once more at this graveside having created the only fitting memorial to his memory and to the memory of all those who have given their lives in the cause of freedom, justice and peace for all the people of our land.''
In Limerick City five hundred republicans gathered on Sunday 5 January at the graveside of Sean Sabhat watched by a heavy presence of Garda Special Branch.
Proceedings were chaired by Jenny Shapland, Cathaoirleach of Limerick Sinn Féin, and the main oration was given by Sinn Féin National Chairperson, Mitchel McLaughlin.
McLaughlin said that Sean Sabhat and Fergal O'Hanlon continue to inspire people throughout Ireland. In giving their lives for the ideal of Irish freedom, they ``sowed the seed in a new generation of republicans,'' he said.
Referring to the events of the past few years, he said, ``Would any honest and clear-thinking person now deny the obvious truth, that it has been the British government and the Unionist political leadership which has been afraid of negotiation?''
He said that until the issue of self-determination is resolved satisfactorily there will realistically be no permanent peace.
McLaughlin told Unionists that they have no future in depending on British governments. ``Come and negotiate with fellow Irish people,'' he urged them. He told John bruton to ``stop blaming Sinn Féin for the failure which you contributed to.''
He said that 1997 would be an important year for Sinn Féin and the prospects for peace. ``There is an opportunity beckoning and the current crisis calls for wisdom, understanding, statesmanship and vision of the highest order,'' he concluded.
Also in Limerick on Sunday was a commemoration for Volunteer Patrick Sheehy who died on 2 January 1991. Next week we will carry a full report and picture.
Contents Page for this Issue
Reply to: Republican News