Ned Bailey
It was with great sadness that we buried our long time friend and
comrade Ned Bailey. Ned, who was 72 years of age, came from Emo,
Co Laois, where he was well known and loved in the area. He was a
founder member of Emo GAA Club and Boxing Club. Ned was active in
the Republican Movement from the 50s right up to the time of his
death.
He was jailed in the 60s in Mountjoy Jail and jailed again in the
70s in Portlaoise Jail for Republican activities. Ned and Beth's
home was open anytime of the day or night to his comrades. A huge
crowd was present on the evening of 9 September at his removal
from the funeral home in Portarlington where his Tri-coloured
raped coffin was flanked by a Republican guard of honour.
The massive numbers who attended his funeral on the morning of 10
September was testimony to Ned's popularity. Republicans came
from every corner of Ireland.
Proceedings were chaired by Sinn Féin Councilor Mossy Reilly from
Athy, Co Kildare, who strongly condemned the presence of plain
clothes member of the Garda Síochana, who were in the graveyard
and were video-taping mourners at the funeral. The oration was
given by Councillor Joe O'Reilly from Navan who also had served a
term of imprisonment with Ned. Wreaths were laid on behalf of the
Republican Movement.
The following is a quote from Pearse, a favourite of Ned's:
``In every generation we have renewed the struggle, and so it
shall be to the end. When England thinks she has trampled out our
blood in Battle, some brave man rises and rallies us again; when
England thinks she has purchased us with a bribe, some good man
redeems us with a sacrifice.''
The Republican Movement extends its deepest sympathies to his
wife Beth, daughter Margie, sons PJ and Edward and his extended
family.
Alex Murphy
by Christy Mac an Bhaird
The men in Long Kesh and their supporters in the US lost one of
their guiding lights on Saturday 8 November when Alexander ``Alex''
Murphy died at the age of 85.
Alex, who was from Sevastopol Street off the Falls Road in
Belfast, came to the US in 1954. Settling in Chicago, he worked
as a painter and decorator, and was the vice president of the
Tiffiney Painting and Decorating Company.
Alex died in the arms of his wife Kitty, to whom he was married
for more than 50 years, and was surrounded by his family when he
passed away. A colour guard fired a volley over his grave as he
was buried at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery.
In his later years, Alex's sight was impaired, causing him to
travel less, but he remained a strong supporter of freedom for
Ireland.
Paul Doris, national chairperson for Irish Northern Aid said, ``We
regret the passing of Alex Murphy, a staunch republican and
long-time supporter of Irish Northern Aid. He will be missed not
only by his family and friends in America, but by those he helped
over the years in Ireland.''
Throughout his life, Alex's commitment to Irish freedom never
wavered. He travelled to Ireland nearly every year and was a
frequent guest at the Bodenstown commemorations.
He became an active supporter of the Republican Movement in 1969,
and was affiliated with Irish Northern Aid since the beginning.
Alex was a former member of the Central Board of Chicago and
former chairperson of the South Side Chicago Unit of INA.
In 1981, Alex was one of many members who participated in
sympathy hunger strikes in front of the Chicago Civic Center to
draw attention to the hunger strikes in Long Kesh.
Alex married Kitty Ward, also from Belfast, in 1935, at St Mary's
Church in Belfast. Together they had nine children, 23
grandchildren and one great grandchild.
``He was one hundred percent behind the boys in Long Kesh,'' said
his daughter Sally.
``He was with them until the very end. He was one hundred percent
`England Out,''' she said.
Alex often wrote to POWs in the Kesh and visited them when he was
in Ireland. A nephew, Alex Murphy, from Andersontown, is
currently serving life in Long Kesh.
When Gerry Adams visited Chicago in 1994, he made certain he had
a special audience with Alex.
``Gerry made his way through a crowd of people to where (Alex) was
sitting and kneeled down to speak to him,'' Sally said.
Alex's wife Kitty said her husband tried to make it back to
Ireland every year, but that his sight was failing and his
month-long trips home became fewer and fewer. Alex was last in
Ireland in May of 1994.
Kitty also said Alex had requested people make donations to their
favourite charity in his memory, adding, ``the only charity he
knew was the boys.''
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