Republican News · Thursday 14 August 2003

Jack Lawlor honoured at Ballyheigue

Ar an 4ú lá de Mhí Lúnasa i mBaile Uí Thaidhg i gCiarraí, thuaidh rinne comóradh bliantúil ar an mbás Sheáin Ó Leathlobhair, a fuair bás sa bhlíain 1922.

The manner of Jack Lawlor's death was brutal in the extreme. He and two comrades were stopped by a Free State patrol on their home from Ballyheigue to their homes in the townland of Gleann Daithleann. They somehow managed to overpower their captors. However, Jack became separated from his comrades and took a different route, which regrettably led to his recapture. He was held in Ballyheigue village until the following morning. He was then taken to the old graveyard. Sensing his fate, he grabbed the graveyard gate and refused to go any further. However, his captors were intent on murder and repeatedly smashed his fingers with rifle butts to prise his fingers from the gate. He was then taken to an area adjacent to the graveyard and his body was riddled by the Free State death squad.

In brilliant sunshine, the marchers assembled at the Roger Casement Memorial overlooking the Atlantic at the top of Ballyheigue village. Led by the Ballyseedy Martyrs' Republican Band, they made their way to the Jack Lawlor Memorial in the old graveyard. The commemoration was chaired by Ballyheigue Sinn Féin's John Nolan, who said the large gathering was a testament to the esteem in which Jack Lawlor is still held.

Guest speaker Martin Ferris TD paid tribute to the courage of Lawlor who, at the tender age of 18, joined the Irish Republican Army to play his part in the struggle for Irish freedom. He had refused to accept the flawed Anglo-Irish Treaty and resumed the struggle to which he had committed himself. Ferris paid tribute to the countless republicans who down the years have engaged in that same struggle for democracy, independence and freedom.

"It is incumbent on everyone, young and old, male and female, to continue that struggle until the aims and objectives of republicans like Jack Lawlor have been achieved," he said. "The next major challenge that will face us will be the Local Election campaign in 2004. This will be an opportunity for us to consolidate our vote and build on the growth that we have achieved in recent years."

Nolan congratulated Toiréasa Ní Fhearaíosa on her recent co-option onto Kerry County Council and said he was sure he spoke for everyone when he said he was confident that she would be a fantastic ambassador for her party and an excellent constituency representative.