THE family of Official IRA commander Joe McCann will gather today to mark the 50th anniversary of his death.
Mr McCann (24) was shot in disputed circumstances in the Market area of Belfast on April 15 1972.
At the time he was one of the Official IRA's most active members and had been attempting to evade arrest when British troops opened fire at Joy Street, close to Belfast city centre.
Last year, the trial of two former British army soldiers accused of his murder collapsed after key prosecution evidence was ruled inadmissible.
Mr McCann's involvement in the republican movement dated back to his teenage years when as a 14 year old he joined Na Fianna Éireann before becoming an member of the IRA in the early 1960s. He later became a senior Official IRA figure in Belfast and his unit is said to have been responsible for killing the first British soldier claimed by the Official IRA in May 1971.
On the introduction of internment in August the same year he was among a group of Official IRA men who took over the Inglis Bakery in the Market area of south Belfast and was involved in an all-night gun battle with British troops.
During the engagement Mr McCann was pictured in the silhouette of a burning building holding an M1 carbine as a Starry Plough flag hung overhead. The iconic Troubles image continues to be widely used to this day.
In February the following year he was linked to an attempt to kill former Stormont Home Affairs Minister John Taylor in Armagh. Although badly injured, Mr Taylor survived.
Relatives and friends of Mr McCann are due to gather in Belfast today for a commemoration at the spot where he was shot dead.
His son Feargal McCann last night said that a short procession will be followed by speeches and a wreath laying ceremony.
Mr McCann said it was important for his family to remember his father.
"It's of huge significance for us," he said.
"Fifty years is quiet a milestone and given the current events that have happened since the failure of the PPS (Public Prosecution Service) to prosecute, it's the first public chance for us to comment on the case as well and how we felt it went.
"It's significant for us and for a lot of people, republicans themselves, but even the ordinary people of the Market who remember him."
Mr McCann said his family is expecting a "pretty decent turn out" for an exhibition and commemoration at Joy Street at 2pm today.
He added that his family continues to feel the loss of his father.
"There's not a day that goes past we don't think about him," he said.
"And despite the passing of years it's going to be a hugely emotional day for us and indeed Joe's extended family and our grandchildren.
"I am a grandfather myself and actually Joe has great grandchildren now, he's a great grandfather, so despite the passing of years it never fades, it's always there. It's the same for every family that suffered a loss, and particularly a violent loss as well."
Mr McCann said the Pat Finucane Centre is also expected to put on show its "In Their Footsteps" exhibition, which includes shoes worn by people killed and injured during the Troubles.
A panel discussion will also take place on Saturday morning at First Presbyterian Church at Rosemary Street in Belfast focusing on the years between 1962-1972, a period during which Mr McCann was an active republican.
Brian Hanley, co-author of The Lost Revolution: The Story of the Official IRA and the Workers is expected to take part.
