RIP Patsy McMahon - Lifelong Republican

Patsy McMahon (Shovel in Hand) helps Jimmy McElduff Plant Liberty Tree. Carrickmore '05

Ógra Shinn Féin extends our sympathy to the family and friends of Pasty McMahon of Carrickmore, Co. Tyrone who died Friday 26th January afrter a period of illness.

It was with shock and sadness that republican activists from Tyrone and indeed Ireland learned of the death of Patsy.

Patsy was a Sinn Fein councillor from 1989 until his retirement from electoral politics in 2001. He represented Carrickmore and the wider Mid Tyrone Area on Omagh District council. He was also a long standing member of the Tyrone National Graves Association (NGA), holding the position of Chairperson for many years. In later years he had become the honorary president of the Tyrone NGA.

In 1981 Patsy was given the task of being chief stewart at the funeral of Tyrone Hunger Stiker Martin Hurson.

Throughout his years as Coucillor Patsy helped everyone in their various requests. No task was too big or too small and if contacted Patsy would be promptly with the revelvant constituent in minutes. He was highly thought of by his constituents due to his efficency and effectiveness at representing their views. His dedication and hardworking nature were two prominent features of Patsy.

Indeed this was recognised in 2001, when, as he stood down as coucnillor the people of Carrickmore came together in the Patrician Hall for a night to say thank you for his 12 years service to the people. That was Patsy - he was a peoples person.

In 2005 Patsy, at the request of Ógra Shinn Féin, alongside Tyrone Republican, Jimmy McElduff planted a liberty tree in the Tyrone Garden of Rememberance. The event, organised by Ogra was reminisent of scenes in France leading up to the 1789 Revolution.

The huge turnout at the wake and funeral was a testamont to the character of Pasty McMahon. On the day of his funeral his tri-colour drapped coffin was given a Republican guard of honour until he was brought to his final resting place at the foot of An Charraig Mhor. (the Big Rock)

In his graveside oration Vice President of Sinn Féin, Pat Doherty said,

"Patsy was a father, a brother, a grandfather, an uncle, he was a Sinn Fein councillor, he was a member of the Republican movment but most of all he was a family man. He was proud of his family and likewise his family were proud of him."

Pat recalled how in 1997 whilst canvassing alongside Patsy in Carrickmore both men came across a British Army foot patrol. Upon seeing the Sinn Fein activists the intimidation known by many republican throughout the north began. Pat recalled how Patsy told the british army that it was illegal to harrass politcal activists on the electional trail, upon naively believing this tale the British Army backed off. However five minutes later the RUC backed up by the same squad of British Army that minutes earler had stoopped Pat and Patsy pulled the politcal activists up alongside the road once again. Patsy's fib that this was ‘illegal’ didn’t work a second time around and both men werent getting away easy this time.

We in Ógra Shinn Féin are proud to have known Patsy and extend out condolences to the family at this time.

Patsy kneeling at roadside (Chief Steward during Martin Hurson Funeral, July '81)