Northern Ireland

Co Tyrone GAA club criticised for unveiling plaque in memory of three IRA members and former players

Clonoe O’Rahilly’s GAC in Clonoe in Co Tyrone has been criticised after it unveiled a plaque in memory of three IRA members and former players
Clonoe O’Rahilly’s GAC in Clonoe in Co Tyrone has been criticised after it unveiled a plaque in memory of three IRA members and former players Clonoe O’Rahilly’s GAC in Clonoe in Co Tyrone has been criticised after it unveiled a plaque in memory of three IRA members and former players

A GAA club in Co Tyrone has been criticised after it unveiled a plaque in memory of three IRA members and former players.

A victims' group also questioned how Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O'Neill could serve as first minister following May's election.

The memorial at Clonoe O’Rahilly’s GAC was held at the weekend in memory of Peter Clancy, Hugh Gerard Coney and Brian Campbell.

The memorial plaque read: "In proud memory of our fallen Gaels. Never Forgotten".

East Tyrone Ógra Shinn Féin tweeted photographs, which included Ms O’Neill at the unveiling.

“Today the Clonoe O’Rahilly’s erected a monument dedicated to their club members Óglach Peter Clancy, Óglach Hugh Gerard Coney and Óglach Brian Campbell who lost their lives while on active service in the struggle for freedom,” the party's youth wing said.

Peter Clancy (21) was shot dead by the SAS - along with three other men - in the grounds of St Patrick's Church in Clonoe in February 1992.

The group were ambushed minutes after taking part in a gun attack on Coalisland RUC station.

Hugh Gerard Coney (24) was shot in the back by a British soldier as he and other internees tried to escape from Long Kesh in 1974.

Brian Campbell (19) was shot dead by the SAS in 1983 in a field on Cloghog Road near Clonoe alongside Colm McGirr (23).

Kenny Donaldson from victims group, Innocent Victims United, questioned the message being sent out by the event.

"We try to encourage the broad Protestant and unionist community to look at GAA in its widest context and what it means for many people participating, ie sport and identity," he said.

"However, events like this don’t help in challenging perceptions.

“Once again sport and politics has become entangled, what message is being sent out to today’s generation?"

Mr Donaldson also questioned Michelle O’Neill's presence at the event.

“The presence of Michelle O’Neill at the unveiling of this memorial will also again raise the question for many; how could she ever perform the role of first minister – Northern Ireland’s symbolic head of state?"

A Sinn Féin spokesman said: "Under the Good Friday Agreement, everyone has the right to remember their dead with dignity and respect."

Clonoe O’Rahilly’s GAC were contacted.