Republican News · Thursday 22 May 2003

Mark Hannigan

The community in the Strabane area and further afield were stunned on hearing the news that Mark Hannigan and a friend Charles 'Gabby' Foley has been killed in a car accident at Stranamuck, near Castlefin Monday.

Mark, a native of Clady, spent much of his youth in prison because of his republican views. He was to endure four terms of imprisonment and throughout those long years he took part in every protest that republican prisoners were forced to initiate. He was in Long Kesh at the time of the blanket protest and although in ill health at the time he endured the hardships with his protesting comrades.

Mark was one who would never surrender his right to be a political prisoner; he was a strong -minded person but one who, when the need arose, could be relied upon to do his bit.

Mark, as one of the first blanket men released, didn't forget those he left behind, he spoke at H-Block rallies, attended marches and continued with all his heart in the campaign to secure political status for his comrades in prison.

Mark was a Gaelgeoir and on his final release from prison he took Irish classes in Clady on behalf of Conradh na Gaeilge.

As Mark's coffin, draped with the national flag, was removed from his mother's home in Clady on the journey to Doneyloop Chapel, it was flanked by a colour party of ex-prisoners.

Everyone who knew Mark in prison grew to respect his strong attitude and this was borne out by the scores of ex-prisoners from near and afar who attended his funeral.

Mark's tragic death is a devastating loss to his wife Sinead, to his family and to the republican community. Go ndéanaí Dia mhaith ar a anam uasal.

BY JOHN KELLY