Vol. Dermot Crowley's 40th Anniversary Commemoration

On Sunday 16^th of June Republicans from Cork and further afield braved the horrific weather to commemorate the 40^th anniversary of Cork Brigade Volunteer Dermot Crowley, who alongside his comrades Volunteers Paddy Carthy and Seán Loughran were killed when a bomb they were transporting on the Goirtín Road outside Omagh, Co. Tyrone exploded prematurely.

The crowd assembled at Rathcooney Fruit Farm for the commemoration march and were led by the MacCurtain/MacSwiney Republican Flute Band to Rathcooney cemetery where Dermot is buried. Once there local Sinn Féin Representative for Cork North East, Pat Coughlan, welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming along. From there wreaths were laid on behalf of the Republican Movement by Arnie O’Connell, on behalf of Ex-POWs by Leo Mullins, on behalf of the Ahern/Crowley cumann by Jim O’Donovan and on behalf of Sinn Féin Óige Phoblachtach Chorcaí by local activist Chris Kelleher. A short lament was played by the piper and the colour party lowered their flags in memory of Volunteer Dermot Crowley and all those who gave their lives in the cause of Irish freedom.

 

The main speaker on the day was Tyrone MLA Francie Molloy who made the long journey to Cork for the commemoration. Francie spoke of the importance to remember the sacrifices the Volunteers of Óglaigh na h-Éireann made during the course of the struggle and how we would not be where we are today if it was not for them, he also spoke of the importance to commemorate those who gave their lives in the cause of Ireland’s freedom and to continue that same struggle today which they fought and died for. The tactics may have changed but the overall goal remains the exact same. The subject of the recent arrest and charging of Donegal Republican John Downey was mentioned in Francie’s oration and he condemned the British Government for going against what is enshrined in both the Good Friday Agreement and Weston Park Agreement.

 

The ceremony then concluded with the MacCurtain/MacSwiney RFB playing with Amhrán na bhFiann.

 

Speaking on the day’s events local Óige Phoblachtach activist Dave Barry had this to say,

“It’s fantastic to see so many people turn out today despite the bad weather to honour and commemorate Volunteer Dermot Crowley. I’m glad to see such a strong youth presence here today also as Dermot was only 18 years old when he was killed on active service in Tyrone. He was just an ordinary young person who stepped forward when his country needed him the most to play his part, and unfortunately lost his life in the process. The month previous Dermot’s death his friend and comrade Tony Ahern had been killed while on active service in Fermanagh fighting the British forces of occupation. Both Dermot and Tony remain a big influence on all Óige Phoblachtach activists here in Cork today, and no better tribute can be paid to them by continuing on to achieve that same goal which they gave their lives for.”