Ballymurphy remembers Criostóir de Baroid
Criostóir de Baróid died two weeks ago,
surrounded by his family in Marymount Hospice in Cork where his wife Máire had
died in February. About 20 people from Ballymurphy travelled to Cork by car and
train to participate in Criostóir’s funeral. They were there to pay their
respects to a man, who in the 1970’s along with his son Ciaran became a part of
the extended Ballymurphy family.
I met Ciaran after I was released from internment
in the summer of 1972. He had arrived in the area in March to take up the job
of ‘warden’ for the Ballymurphy Tenants Association centre on the Whiterock
Road. Pat McCarthy who had previously held the post had been killed during the
Ballymurphy Massacre in 1971.
Ciaran worked closely with Frank Cahill who he
describes as the “unofficial mayor of Ballymurphy, a man of enormous
standing in the community.” Later in 1972 Criostóir came to visit his son.
He was no stranger to Belfast. He was part of a voluntary group – the
Association for Human Rights in the North – and was already at work here. In
the summer of ’72 Criostóir’s group had provided financial and material support
for camp for young people from Ballymurphy in Glaslough, County Monaghan.
Criostóir met Frank Cahill and many of those who
were deeply involved in community work in the area. As a result the Cahill’s
and the de Baróid’s worked closely together over many years. Criostóir helped
establish BETWEEN. Initially his aim was to help those families deeply
traumatised by the introduction of internment. Some had loved ones killed.
Others had been forced to leave their homes as refugees and others had one or
more family members interned.
He became so embedded in the Ballymurphy area and
in his efforts to help people Criostóir took early retirement to work
voluntarily. BETWEEN challenged the British State on its use of internment
without trial, extra-judicial killings, the supergrass system, strip-searching
in the prisons, the hunger strikes or the brutality of the British army. But
its work also went beyond these issues.
Speaking at his father’s funeral Ciaran de Baróid
explained the work of his father and of BETWEEN. He said: “Although
best known as the scheme that provided respite for the families of republican
and loyalist prisoners, and others under extreme stress, BETWEEN was much more
than that. It was essentially an organisation that confronted oppression and
injustice throughout the span of the Troubles.”
Criostóir lived campaigned tirelessly against
injustice. He was a champion for those oppressed by the British state in the
North.
Ciaran Cahill put it well in a letter he wrote to
Criostóir last year: “through your work people were given hope in the
darkest of times. The holiday camp provided much needed respite, joy and happiness
when people were at their lowest, and re-energised them for whatever lay ahead.
Not to mention your tireless efforts to highlight human rights abuses and
injustices far and wide, many times falling on deaf ears, but you were never
deterred, and forged ahead.
I’ve lost count of the number of people who still
talk about the time they spent in Cork as children and how they were treated by
the good people of Cork. This will remain with them forever…”
On behalf of all of those from Ballymurphy and
beyond who benefited over many decades from Criostóir’s compassion and humanity
I want to extend by deepest condolences to Ciaran, Niall, Fionnuala, Emer,
Cahil and Neasa and to Criostóir’s sisters Joan and Kay.
Theresa McArdle
The suddenness of Theresa McArdle’s death last week
was a shock to all of us who knew and loved her. On Thursday she texted and
emailed out a wee note to everyone who works in and around the Sevastopol St
office where she looked after us all. Her note was a reminder that Cónall was
leaving us to work elsewhere. It said:
“Hi All,
The card for Cónall is under the notebook on my
desk please sign it and leave your contribution inside … Only a few have signed
it so far, thank you, ye know who you are.
Go raibh maith agaibh
Theresa”
After we heard the news of her death I tweeted:
“Sweet, kind, pleasant, staunch Treasa. I went 2
the office 2day becos she texted me 2 remind me to sign Cónall’s card. She left
it below her notebook. I signed my name beside her’s in wonderment and sorrow
that she had died since then. Grma T. U made the difference xo”
Time for Change – Time for Unity
Apart from those years when I was imprisoned I have
attended every Sinn Fein Ard Fheis since 1967. That is until last
Saturday.
However through the marvels of modern technology I
was only missing in body not in spirit. I watched the days debates live online.
I don’t know if it was the consistently good
opinion poll results over recent months that had people in good form or the
fact that they were getting together under one roof for the first time in two
years, but the Ard Fheis was buzzing. There were smiles everywhere. Everyone
who got up to speak was applauded – some of the older hands looked seriously
embarrassed by this while the younger speakers took it all in their stride.
Well done to everyone involved in the planning of
the Ard Fheis. I know from long experience how much effort goes into making it
all come together on the day and how many comrades are a part of the team and
the success. So comhgairdheas to everyone involved.
A united Ireland and change were the two big themes
of the Ard Fheis and Mary Lou didn’t mince her words. She said it loud and
clear: “I
want to lead as Taoiseach if you give us that chance … we can unite our
country. To make this happen we need a government that shows-up for you. A
government for the people and a Taoiseach that puts you and your family first -
now and always. So, to those who told me – again and again – to make sure we
run enough candidates at the next Dáil election. I hear you loud and
clear because – friends – the time for change is now.”
Housing, Health, Climate Change and the
Environment, Law and Order, the Courts were among the many positive, radical
motions debated and passed. It was an all-island, all-Ireland Ard Fheis. It was
international with speakers representing the Palestinian people and the people
of Cuba.
Declan Kearney, the Party Chairperson and then Mary
Lou also referenced a new initiative from the party that will see ‘Peoples
Assemblies’ held in key locations across the island and among the diaspora.
Under the theme of “The New Ireland is for Everyone – Have your Say” the
initiative will be island-wide and global. It will be an ambitious, 18
month long public and private consultation, open to everyone. It is due to
begin in January 2022.
Everyone should have their say on the political and
constitutional future of the island of Ireland. It makes sense. The unity
referendum and the possibility of a united Ireland are a central part of
the mainstream political discourse at this time. Barely a week passes with two
of more significant contributions from academia, the media, and individuals
writing about, talking about Irish Unity.
For those old enough to remember the ‘Peoples
Assemblies’ idea has its roots in the Peace Commission
established by Sinn Féin in January 1994 that helped contribute to the IRA
cessation announced in August of that year. On that occasion five major conferences were
held – one in each province – Derry, Galway, Cork and Dublin and a fifth
meeting in Belfast. 228 submissions were received from a broad range of
community activists, religious groups, Trade Unions, women’s rights activists,
Irish language and cultural rights activists, campaign groups, politicians and
individuals.
So, keep an eye open for the posters and leaflets,
the social media messaging, the tweets and Facebook promotions letting you know
when and where these meetings will occur. And if you belong to a community
group, a women’s organisaiton, a youth group, a business organisation, a
farming organisaiton – in fact if you have an opinion on the future of the
island of Ireland – Have Your Say. Make a submission. Come to the conferences
and tell us about your vision for the future.
Crann na Saoirse
Last week I joined Aisling Reilly MLA in planting a
tree in the memorial garden in Ballymurphy. Our Unity tree symbolizes our
commitment to achieving a united Ireland. I look forward to watching it grow
tall in a free United Ireland.
So why don’t you join us and plant your Crann na
Saoirse. Plant your own Unity tree. Native broadleaf species are
best.
This initiative will benefit the environment. It
also provides families and communities the opportunity to plant a Unity Tree in
memory of a loved one, for a new born baby, your local club, association
or community group.
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