Paddy McManus
Following the recent death of veteran republican
Belfast Sinn Fein Councillor Paddy McManus, a great
many tributes were paid for his lifelong commitment to
his community and his pursuit of an end to conflict
with the achievement of united Ireland.
All political parties in Belfast City Council, with the
exception of the DUP, paid glowing tributes to Paddy
for his hard work as a councillor, good humour and
courtesy, his pleasant nature and his obvious
commitment to his political beliefs which he pursued
with vigour and dignity.
At his funeral in his native Maguiresbridge, Co
Fermanagh, Councillor Alex Maskey delivered the
oration. ``This afternoon we are gathered in comradeship
and love as we say farewell to Paddy. We offer our
sympathy to Vera his sister, his aunt and uncle Maggie
and Albert and remaining family here in Fermanagh. Our
sympathy also goes to his best friend for many years,
Pat McGivern.
``The Irish News, in a most fitting tribute to Paddy,
referred to him as the ``quiet man who worked tirelessy''
and that certainly is true but he also very definitely
left his mark. Paddy Mac was a safe pair of hands, he
was a father figure and he served his people well.
``My first encounter with Paddy occurred around 1969
when throughout the sectarian attacks against
nationalist areas he was one of those few who rose to
the occasion and stood shoulder to shoulder with
Catholic familes like my own to defend lives, homes and
districts. Without people like Paddy the New Lodge for
one would be very different today. There are many of us
who owe a great debt of gratitude to Paddy McManus.
``Paddy was a well read man, passionately interested in
Irish history and culture, whilst very aware of broader
world events and history. An intelligent and
politically educated man he could debate with anyone on
a host of subjects. No doubt his knowledge and yearning
for justice brought him to the republican cause. Paddy
first joined the republican movement in the mid 1960s,
a lean period for republicanism. And be in no doubt
that he was key to rebuilding the movement when Belfast
nationalists found themselves defenceless in the face
of loyalist pogroms and an increasingly hostile British
army. Paddy was also keenly associated with all things
Irish, particularly the GAA, while defending Catholic
homes, rebuilding the movement, reforming the PDF and
setting up relief committes.
``Paddy was arrested and interned for four years. While
in prison Paddy showed his many qualities of
determination, gentleness, and humour, never
complaining and always there to give you a helping
hand. After release he continued his work as a
republican and was a unstinting supporter of the
prisoners through the dark days of the blanket protests
and hunger strikes.
``Paddy Mac was a leader in the changing world of
republicanism at the beginning of the 1980s. From a
position of leadership within Sinn Fein he helped
transform our party into an effective political force.
Little did Paddy know that he would become a city
councillor in 1989 until he died on 9 February 1998.
Another 9 years of hard work, never ending work on
behalf of his constituents, his people and his country.
Unfortunately many of those years were marred by the
sectarian abuse he received as a committed republican
elected representative. Abused by those who regrettably
never realised that he should have been a friend. Paddy
worked for all the people of Belfast. This Paddy
McManus was acknowledged by parties and staff across
the political spectrum in Belfast council.
``Ingrained in Paddy was his dry wit and Belfast humour.
Every one of us have a multitude of funny stories and
yarns to tell of his legendary sharp wit.
``Vera, the McManus clan and Pat, you have lost a loved
one and friend. We all have and the republican struggle
has lost an incredible activist and ambassador. On
behalf of Pat and Vera I want to pay special thanks to
young Liam, Hannibal and Dominic - with all the others
- for the loving care and attention they gave to Paddy
in the last few weeks of his life. The shock of his
tragic death is tempered only by the affection shown
him and the knowledge he did not suffer long.
``It was an honour to know Paddy Mac, we are saddened by
his passing, he will never be replaced in our hearts
and in our struggle.''
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