Winnie Harte – The Loss of a Republican Stalwart

Barry McColgan
Dermot Crowley Ógra Shinn Féin
West Tyrone

Tyrone lost a republican stalwart and a pillar of the wider republican family, with the recent death of Winnie Harte on Friday 20 November.

Hundreds turned out for her funeral, including West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP Pat Doherty, and Joint First Minister Martin McGuinness. Pat delivered a heartfelt graveside oration on behalf of the republican movement.

Winnie was the mother of IRA Volunteers Geread and Martin Harte, who where killed on active service on the 30th August 1988 in the Drumnakilly ambush, alongside their comrade in arms Óglach Brian Mullin.

Unimaginable how it must be for anyone to lose a child, having to deal with the loss of two sons which she loved dearly must have been a devastating blow.

However the massive regard and pride in which Geread and Martin were held in their community and in the republican movement, as evidenced by the massive turnout at their funerals, kept Winnie and her family steadfast, and must have been at least some comfort, knowing that their struggle was not in vain, and their memory and legacy would live on.

The Loughmacrory community, extremely tight knit and deeply republican in nature rallied around the Harte family following the deaths of Geread and Martin, and were of constant support to Winnie up until her death.

She was a highly respected member of the community, and the loss of her sons was softened by the shared sense of loss, and the huge pride which the local community always placed on the memory of these brothers in arms.

It was with great honour that Winnie would unveil a plaque to her sons at the family home on the 15th Anniversary of their deaths, and witness a massive weekend of events to mark the 20th Anniversary of their death which saw thousands of people from across Ireland descend on Loughmacrory, filled her heart with pride.

Although reserved in nature, and still mourning the loss of her adored sons, she was evidently brimming with pride, by the huge out pouring of solidarity from all the people who travelled to honour the selflessness, and courage of Geread and Martin.

Winnie was to endure more hardship, and loss in recent times, she cared for her husband John for many years until his death in 2005, her daughter Kathleen passed away in July 2009, and her sister Patsy who died just a month before her death.

Despite all the hardship and suffering she was always a pillar, always upbeat and positive, renowned for her sharp sense of humour, her door was always open, and her generosity was immense.

She always had time for young republicans, and was proud to see young people follow in the footsteps of her sons, inspired by their sacrifice to continue the struggle for Irish freedom.

In October 2006, West Tyrone Ógra Shinn Féin organised a Demilitarisation Weekend, and to coincide with the weekend, of events there was a talk on the Drumnakilly martyrs and a visit to the site of the ambush.

On hearing of this, Winnie invited all 80 of the young republicans too her house for lunch, and catered for the lot. That was typical Winnie.

Demonstrating her generosity and deep sense of community that is evident in all republicans.

It didn’t spare her a thought about the cost of feeding 80 hungry teenagers, or the mess they’d make, she was just proud to host these young republicans and knew they would appreciate being present in the house in which Geread and Martin grew up.

She got her hair done that day, and chatted about it the whole week, and was in her element as many queued to get her signature for a Drumnakilly poster and everyone was keen to shake her hand, in appreciation of her kindness, and expressing their ongoing solidarity for her loss.

West Tyrone Ógra Shinn Féin also presented Winnie with a special painting of the Drumnakilly Martyrs on the 19th Anniversary, and again she was deeply appreciative of this.


Winnie Harte was and will always be an inspiration, she has suffered and endured more than most, yet she continued resolutely, she would not be intimidated or bowed by anyone, she was proud of her sons, proud that they were Irish, proud that they were Republicans, proud that they where IRA volunteers.

She was a constant, and from her strength, Tyrone republicans derived confidence and belief, Winnie was an inspiration.

Her death is a huge loss to the wider republican family, the community of Loughmacrory, and her children, Séan, Neshey, and Teresa, and her wider family.

The young republicans that were fortunate enough to have met Winnie consider themselves lucky to have met a modern day Republican giant, and on behalf of Ógra Shinn Féin we would like to extend our heartfelt sympathy to her loved ones.