Northern Ireland

Tributes paid to Flo O'Riordan, mother of 13-year-old Fianna member shot dead in 1972

Colin Davidson's portrait of Flo O'Riordan
Colin Davidson's portrait of Flo O'Riordan

THE mother of a teenage Fianna member killed almost 50 years ago has been remembered as a "brave and kind woman".

Belfast woman Flo O’Riordan, whose 13-year-old son Sean was shot dead by the British Army in March 1972, will be buried today in Milltown Cemetery following Requiem Mass at St Paul’s Church on the Falls Road.

Mrs O'Riordan died peacefully at her home on Saturday.

Her son Sean was the second of six children and died after being shot in the back of the head on Cawnpore Street in west Belfast.

Acclaimed artist Colin Davidson, who painted Mrs O'Riordan as part of his Silent Testimony series, was among those who sent condolences.

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of Flo O’Riordan,” he said.

“I painted Flo as part of my Silent Testimony exhibition. Flo’s son, Sean, was 13 years old when he was shot dead in Belfast in 1972. Flo spent her lifetime seeking truth and justice for Sean.”

The Wave Trauma Centre also posted a tribute online, commenting: “Flo was a giant of a woman despite her small frame.

“A brave and kind woman. A mother to the end. May you rest in peace Flo.”

The late Mrs O'Riordan wrote to The Irish News in 2013 criticising the National Graves Association for changing the wording of her son’s headstone without her knowledge.

She wrote that her son’s “active role” in the republican movement had ultimately brought his life to an end.

After visiting her son’s grave in a republican plot, she said she was angered that the words “killed on active service” had been removed.

Requiem Mass for Mrs O'Riordan is at 11am today.