Republican News · Thursday 22 August 2002

Matt Maguire

The death occurred on Wednesday last, 14 August, following a period of illness and hospitalisation, of one of Bailieboro's best known and respected citizens.

The passing of Matt Maguire of Beckscourt House, a prominent farmer, keen GAA supporter and political activist of long standing, has cut another link with East Cavan's story of the last century.

The late Matt Maguire was in his 79th year. A keen GAA football player in his heyday, he won a Cavan Junior Championship medal with Mullagh in 1955. He also lined out over these years with Virginia and with Killinkere.

Matt married his late wife Nan (née Conway) in 1953. Having spent a short number of years in England, the couple returned to County Cavan in 1962, when they bought Beckscourt House and farm. Matt loved the land. He was an acknowledged source of good advice for farmers over a wide area of his native Cavan.

Matt Maguire was also a prominent member of Sinn Féin in County Cavan from the 1960s. Through years of turmoil, split, state oppression and the challenges of real change in recent years, Matt remained resolute in his commitment to the Republican ideal. He continued that support right up to his death, having once again given his backing to Cavan/Monaghan Dáil Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin in the recent General Election.

The late Matt Maguire was himself a Sinn Féin candidate in the 1970s, when he narrowly failed to secure election to Cavan County Council.

His Tricolour-draped coffin was flanked by a Sinn Féin guard of honour, which included Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD, Cavan County Council members Charlie Boylan and Pauline Tully, and Cavan Town Councillor Brian McKeown. The guard of honour was led by Bailieboro Sinn Féin Chairperson Paddy Mc Donald.

The deceased is survived by his son Patrick, daughters Ann, Brenda, Maureen and Rosaleen, daughter-in-law Linda, sons-in-law, grandchildren and by his brother James (Mullaghmore, Virginia) and sisters Mary Conway (Virginia) and Anna Cooney (Bailieboro). Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Eugene Wallace

The unexpected death occurred on Saturday 10 August of Eugene Wallace of Cavanmoutry, Clara, County Monaghan. In his 49th year, Eugene's sudden passing came as a great shock to his mother Annie, with whom he lived, to his brother and sisters and indeed to the entire North Monaghan community.

A single man, Eugene was an accomplished furniture polisher, having worked for over 30 years at Woodland Products, formerly McCready's, at Emyvale. Eugene also enjoyed working the family's small holding at Clara.

A jovial character, Eugene had a natural talent to enliven any gathering. A lifelong Republican activist, he was a stalwart member of Sinn Féin. His commitment to the Republican cause was known and highly regarded throughout his native Monaghan and on both sides of the border.

Eugene's Tricolour-draped coffin was borne from the family home to St Patrick's Church at Clara on Tuesday afternoon, 12 August. Flanked by a republican guard of honour and led by a lone piper, the extensive cortège was met by several hundred people on its arrival at the church.

Following Requiem Mass, the local Sinn Féin organisation paid its tribute to their esteemed comrade and party colleague. North Monaghan County Councillor Brian McKenna presided at the graveside. The Sinn Féin councillor, in his address to the packed churchyard, spoke of Eugene's dedication to the Republican ideal, of his easy humour and of his loyalty to his comrades and fellow party activists. Cllr McKenna also referred to Eugene's "fussyness" about being on time and always striving for perfection, traits he had that those who did not know him too well might be surprised to learn.

The main oration was delivered by Sinn Féin Dáil leader, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin.

He recalled, and many present had a vivid picture, how Eugene helped plan and carry out many of the closed cross-border road reopening exercises some years before.

"No matter the task, Eugene was always there, always willing. The Border Roads campaign would never have been the success it was if there was no Eugene Wallace. His energy inspired all others who helped over those years of campaigning. Week in and week out, he led by example," Ó Caoláin stated.

The Sinn Féin TD also spoke of Eugene's natural wit, stating that on many occasions, Eugene broke the tension of internal debate with a priceless quip.

"Eugene's energy was also very much in evidence in the course of election campaigns. He was a backbone member of the Seán McKenna Cumann here in Clara.

His delight with our successes in recent years was something to behold. As nearly everyone here can attest, Eugene knew instinctively how to celebrate. And after the recent General Election result, we know he did just that!" said Ó Caoláin.

"Eugene Wallace gave unselfishly to the cause of Irish Freedom, Justice and Peace. In the words of Pádraig Pearse, "our Patriotism is measured not by the formula in which we declare it, but by the service which we render." The full extent of the service rendered by Eugene Wallace will not be told today. Suffice to say Eugene always gave his best to the cause he held most dear."

Concluding, Ó Caoláin extended the sympathy of the republican family to Eugene's mother Annie, brother Seamus, sisters Mary, Margaret, Alice, Josephine, Kathleen and Bernadette, his sister-in-law Mary, brothers-in-law, nephews and nieces and all his fellow republicans in Sinn Féin in Clara and throughout County Monaghan and the border region.

I measc laochra na hÉireann go raibh a anam dílis.