Strabane Ógra Shinn Féin to remember Fian Tobias Molloy

The Tobias Molloy Ógra Shinn Féin Cumann Strabane are planning to remember the young Fian who their cumann is named in memory of, on his 37th Anniversary, Thursday 16th July.

This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the first republican youth movement, Na Fianna Éireann. The republican youth group had a large presence in the Strabane area during the most recent phase of the conflict, and tragically 18 year old Fian Tobias Molloy was killed at the Camel’s Hump checkpoint when a British Soldier fired a plastic bullet to his chest at point blank range.

Ógra Shinn Féin are publicly unveiling a mural to commemorate Fian Tobias Molloy on this the 100th Anniversary of Na Fianna. The mural will be unveiled in Lisnafin, and people are asked to assemble at Lisnafin Community Centre in Strabane at 7.30pm on Thursday 16th July. Ógra Shinn Féin will also be organising a public talk on ‘Republican Youth’ in August and producing and launching a DVD on Tobias, and local republican youth at the West Tyrone Volunteers Weekend in September.


Encouraging people to attend, Strabane Ógra Shinn Féin chairperson Sean Gillespie said,

“2009 is a significant year for young Irish republicans, as it marks the 100th Anniversary of Na Fianna Éireann. Ógra are busy throughout Ireland, planning events to remember this significant date, and locally in Strabane we will be organising a number of events to raise awareness of the crucial role that Na Fianna played in the struggle, and to remember the sacrifice of young people like Tobias Molloy who was indiscriminately and brutally killed by the British Army.”

“We are honoured and proud to be remembering Tobias, and we would encourage everyone to attend the public unveiling. Young people like Tobias Molloy’s activism and sacrifice have ensured constant and endless inspiration to young republican’s and Strabane Ógra Shinn Féin are proud to be actively pursuing the same goals for which he and so many other republicans died.”