Volunteers honoured on the Border
More than 500 people attended the unveiling of a commemorative plaque at Coragunt Bridge, Knockatallon, on the Monaghan/Fermanagh border on last Sunday evening, 3 June. A short parade led by a colour party and a republican band marched from the Northern side to the bridge where a large body of people had assembled from throughout County Monaghan and from as far away as County Cork.
The memorial commemorates nine Volunteers of Óglaigh na hÉireann who had in their time passed along that route while on active service. The Volunteers concerned were Louis Leonard, Tony Ahern, Dermot Crowley, Seamus McElwain, Jim Lynagh, Pádraig McKearney, Peter Ryan, Lawrence McNally and Kevin Barry O'Donnell, all of whom died in action between 1972 and 1992. The unveiling ceremony was chaired by Monaghan Councillor Owen Smyth. Guest speakers were Eddie Collins, Cork and Brian Keenan, Belfast (pictured above) who jointly unveiled the commemorative plaque.