Jimmy McElduff, Tommy McNamee, Patsy McGarvey and Sean Harte are well known names throughout Tyrone and farther a field.
Each of them has played a significant role in the republican struggle, enduring many sacrifices along the way, but always remaining resilient and steadfast, providing four pillars for the republican people of Tyrone.
It was in testimony to the men's dedication and commitment down through the years that they were the honourees.
Hundreds of republicans came together at the Mellon Country Inn last Saturday (20th November) to pay tribute to the honourees, to join with the men and their families in saying thanks for their hard work throughout the years.
Following tributes being read on each of the men, they where called forward to accept a presentation from Pat Doherty MP and Guest Speaker on the night Martin Ferris TD. (Tommy McNamee's presentation was accepted by his eldest son Emmett, as Tommy was in hospital. We wish him a speedy recovery.)
The tributes were followed by a deeply inspiring speech by Martin Ferris TD who paid tribute not only to the honourees but to the republican people of Tyrone in particular all the men on the roll of honour, in their resilience in facing down a foreign oppressor.
He laid it on hard too to Fianna Fáil, the gombeens, property developers and bankers who he lambasted for selling Irish sovereignty down the drain, by inviting the IMF in with open arms.
The crowd gave the Kerry republican a standing ovation such was the enthusiasm in the room.
Ógra activist Liam Lappin sang 'The Drumnakilly Martyrs' in tribute to Geread and Martin Harte and Brian Mullin killed by the SAS on the 30th August 1988. The song was particularly apt and moving as the brother of Geread and Martin, Sean Harte was an honouree on the night and other members of the Harte family were present.
Speaking on a successful night, Tyrone Ógra activist Sean Gillespie said,
"It was a great privilege for the many Ógra activists at the event to pay tribute to the honourees for their dedication and commitment which has ensured a vibrant and growing republican confidence in the O'Neill County today."
"It is a very comradely initiative to honour activists who have given so much, to give something back, a small token of our appreciation for all the years of sacrifice each man give to the struggle. The event was about the men, but it was also about today and where we find ourselves, and the combined stories of the men's exploits and Martin Ferris' electrifying speech inspired hundreds in the room to continue on the struggle with confidence and vigour."
"It was a great privilege for the many Ógra activists at the event to pay tribute to the honourees for their dedication and commitment which has ensured a vibrant and growing republican confidence in the O'Neill County today."
"It is a very comradely initiative to honour activists who have given so much, to give something back, a small token of our appreciation for all the years of sacrifice each man give to the struggle. The event was about the men, but it was also about today and where we find ourselves, and the combined stories of the men's exploits and Martin Ferris' electrifying speech inspired hundreds in the room to continue on the struggle with confidence and vigour."
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