Fermanagh
Seamus grew up in Knockcullion, County Monaghan and from a very young age was determined to play his part in the struggle for Irish freedom, at the age of 14 Seamus joined Fianna na hÉireann.
At the age of 16 a relative in America offered him the chance to study there but he refused stating that “no one could ever be able to accuse me of running away”, it was at this time he joined the ranks of Óglaigh na hÉireann and by the age of 19 was playing a leading role in the Army in Fermanagh.
His comrades recall his great leadership qualities and yet he was very unassuming to the point of being shy.
In 1981 he was arrested with a group of IRA volunteers in a house near Roslea and was sentenced to life imprisonment, while he was a POW he stood as a candidate in the Monaghan/Cavan constituency receiving 4,000 first preference votes and later went on to play a massive role in the 1983 breakout of 38 republican POWS.
He was one of the only escapees who had experience in the struggle in the country side it was this in-depth knowledge of the country side which led six of the escapees to freedom.
Once Seamus returned back to his homeland he went straight back to the armed struggle and in an IRA Easter message 1985 he stated that those of us who suffered jail and being on the run know that its only a matter of strong organisation that will get the British out.
“The Republican Movement combining Sinn Fein and the IRA is the only organisation that can do this we the active IRA volunteers will take every risk and play our part we ask you to do yours.”
On a fateful Spring night, 26 of April 1986, Seamus was murdered by the SAS in Roslea after his capture on active service he was interrogated for a couple of minutes before the thugs assassinated him with the coup de grace.
He was killed under Britain’s shoot to kill policy in Ireland, his funeral was attended by more than 3,000 people, and he was buried with full military honours
Seamus is highly thought off by all young and old republicans in the Fermanagh Monaghan area.
Currently we are setting up a Republican Youth group in Fermanagh, Seamus McElwains’ life is proof that youth have always and will continue to have a leading part to play in the struggle for Irish freedom.
8 comments:
Great Article!
silim go bhfuil se suimiul...thaitin se go mor liom! comhgairdeas Chrissy!
dea alt!
Sinead Ni Duibh xxx
Fair play Chris, great article from such a young lad.
Keep the articles coming and good luck with the Republican youth initiative.
Barra
RIP Seamus, may you continue to inspire Irish youth. Joe
Hughes and McElwain, 2 bold volunteers, the bravest of the brave. Up the Ra!
Phelim
RIP Seamus.
A true freedom fighter.
True Irish patriots like Seamus who fought fearlessly in the Provisonal IRA for an Irish Republic are the reason why I support the only army who can rightly claim the term Óglaigh na hÉireann.
The right type of people and high calibre of activists have always been directed towards PIRA and Sinn Féin, because regardless of strategy they pursue it vigourously in war and peace, and always stand up for the communities.
No one can deny these facts, and that is why Sinn Féin continue to lead today, because we are not a talking shop but a party of activists.
Seamus, Francis and other fearless and selfless volunteers provide the inspiration and example.
Up the Republic!
Noleen
it breaks my heart that a lot of younf folk now days dont even know who seamus was and what he was all about, i cant understand why a film was never made about seamus i think he deserved that reconition, does any one know if there is video footage of seamus making the easter statment in 1985 that id love to see, instead of sinnfein wrapping yr door to get ur vote they should be educating kids of today about seamus, and the boys from loughgall and others, then they wouldnt see numbers at easter parades dwindling,
whitewell road , north belfast!
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