Republican News · Thursday 25 April 2002

Caoimhghín Mac Cathmhaoil

Caoimhghín Mac Cathmhaoil, "lifelong republican, social activist, people's lawyer and true friend to many", died peacefully aged 81 just over a week ago.

Caoimhghín was from Swinford, Co Mayo, and practised as a solicitor in Galway City for the last three decades of his life. He became a committed social activist, campaigning for proper local authority housing in Swinford, for Travellers' rights, decent roads and for the rights of small fishermen in north Mayo.

He was an active republican from the 1920s right the way through the decades until his death. As a member of Sinn Féin, he stood unsuccessfully for local authority and Údarás na Gaeltachta elections in the 1960s. He helped set up a pirate radio station which eventually led to the foundation of Raidió na Gaeltachta.

Caoimhghín had friends right across the political spectrum and even after the 1986 split, he was a good friend to all who would be called republican.

He was a republican in every sense of the word.