Northern Ireland

Francie McCloskey remembered in Dungiven

Francis McCloskey died 50 years ago
Francis McCloskey died 50 years ago Francis McCloskey died 50 years ago

THE first victim of the Troubles has been remembered 50 years after his death.

Francis ‘Pól Beag’ McCloskey died a day after he was caught up in an RUC baton charge on July 13 1969 in Dungiven, Co Derry.

The 66-year-old retired farmer, who lived with his unmarried sister on the outskirts of the mountain town, was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry with serious head injuries but did not survive.

Hundreds of people turned out yesterday to mark the anniversary of his death.

Read more: 

  • Brothers told of Francie McCloskey's last hours
  • Events to remember 50th anniversary of first person killed in Troubles in 1969

The crowd, which included former friends and neighbours, made its way from his old home at Benedy to a monument where a wreath was laid.

Those taking part then made their way to his graveside where a second tribute was placed.

A short presentation on his life was due to take place in Dungiven last night followed by a discussion on the civil rights movement and a candle-lit procession to a memorial stone dedicated to Mr McCloskey.

An inquest in 1970 heard that he died from a fractured skull and torn artery.

Two witnesses said they saw police hitting a man in the doorway of a shop where the victim was later found.

The RUC claimed he was already lying on the ground before the baton charge and may have been hit by a stone.

Although some consider the first of more than 3,500 killings of what became known as ‘the Troubles’ to be the UVF murder of John Scullion in west Belfast in 1966, Mr McCloskey was the first victim of the violence that erupted across the north in 1969.