Pádraig was involved in an accident outside Derry City in the early hours of Sunday morning (6th June) and tragically passed away in Altnagelvin Hospital on Monday 7th June.
Pádraig was a well known, extremely dedicated and likable Ógra activist, who will be fondly and proudly remembered by the many who met him, whether on their travels to the annual Bloody Sunday weekend, at the Hunger strike Republican Youth Weekend two years ago in Derry, or the many national Ógra Shinn Féin events which he attended.
He will be particularly remembered by the close knit, Na Fianna Martyrs Ógra cumann in Derry city whose activists are stricken with grief at the loss of such a great young fella in the prime of his life.
Pádraig, came from a family steeped in republican politics, his grandfather was republican stalwart Séan Keenan, his uncle Óglach Colm Keenan was killed unarmed with his comrade Óglach Eugene Mc Gillan, he has had relatives imprisoned for their role in the struggle and his family has endured the harassment and degradation wrought by the British state during the most recent phase of the conflict.
Therefore it was no surprise that Pádraig would become a republican activist, at just 13 years of age Pádraig was one of the founding members of the Derry Republican Youth group ‘Toirsire’ which later became Na Fianna Martyrs Ógra Shinn Féin Cumann, he showed himself to be particularly able and dedicated, always being a man of his word and participating and playing as active a role as he could. A quality which didn't go unnoticed by the Republican Movement in Derry when in 2008 Pádraig was chosen as one of the honorees at the annual Derry Volunteers Commemorative Dinner Dance where he was acknowledged for his contribution to the struggle.
Although quiet and reserved in nature, he always left a strong impression on those around him by his strong work ethic and his well mannered approach to life endeared him to everyone.
Pádraig lived for many things, his friends and family, his beloved Stoke City FC, and republicanism, which he embraced through his activism in Ógra Shinn Féin.
He was an easy going, positive young person who was a constant and a pillar to all; because you could always rely on him.
Pádraig was also very intelligent and academically astute having just completed his A Levels in St Columb’s Derry, and was set for going to University.
He had so much more to contribute in life, so much more to achieve, all of which makes his sudden death more heartbreakingly tragic.
On the day of his funeral, Pádraig’s remains left his beloved Brandywell home, the Irish national flag draping his coffin and his Ógra Shinn Féin comrades providing a guard of honour, accompanying him on his final journey through the streets of Derry.
It is hard to describe our collective sense of regret, sorrow and loss at the death of Pádraig, and we want to extend the deepest and most heartfelt condolences and sympathies to his family and friends in this difficult time.
We are buoyed on by his memory, we are extremely proud and honoured to have worked with and known such an inspirational and gifted young man, and we will do all in our utmost to keep his memory alive and to achieve all that he strived for in his short yet full life.
3 comments:
Remembered always with pride, by your loving comrades in Ógra Shinn Féin.
great wee man,loved by all and certainly missed big time
Always remembered by the Republican Movement Cork
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