West Tyrone Sinn Fein Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Tyrone Volunteers Day 2010 launched

Published: 2 July, 2010

The 4 chairs of Tyrone's Council's: Cllr John Mc Namee (Cookstown DC); Cllr Declan Mc Aleer (Omagh DC); Cllr Michelle O Neill (Dungannon Borough Council); Cllr Micheala Boyle (Strabane DC).

The 4 chairs of Tyrone's Council's: Cllr John Mc Namee (Cookstown DC); Cllr Declan Mc Aleer (Omagh DC); Cllr Michelle O Neill (Dungannon Borough Council); Cllr Micheala Boyle (Strabane DC).

The 2010 Tyrone Volunteers Day was officially launched on Friday 2nd July. The launch, which took place at the Republican monument on Cappaghs Main Street was performing by the Sinn Féin chairpersons of the four District Councils in Tyrone.

In a historical first for the O'Neill County all positions of first citizens of the four district councils are held by Sinn Féin elected representatives. Declan McAleer, (Omagh) Michelle O'Neill, (Dungannon) John McNamee, (Cookstown) and Michaela Boyle (Strabane) said they were proud to launch the important date in the calendar for Tyrone Republicans.

Cavan / Monaghan T.D. Caoimhin O'Caolain is set to address the Annual commemoration, which will take place on Tuesday 13th July at the Republican monument in Cappagh village. The day is designated by local Republicans to remember all Tyrone's patriot dead who died in the struggle for Irish freedom. The date also marks the 29th anniversary of Tyrone Hunger striker Martin Hurson, who was the sixth person to die in the 1981 Hunger Strike. Martin died in the early hours of July 13th 1981.

The commemoration, organised by the local Sinn Féin cumann, in partnership with the Tyrone Sinn Féin Commemoration Committee will commence at Galbally Community Centre at 6.00pm on Tuesday July 13th with a parade to the Republican monument on Cappagh Main Street where the main proceedings will take place.

The commemoration will be preceded by the final of the Volunteer Martin Hurson Cup. The ladies final will take place at 2:00pm with the final of the men scheduled for 4:00pm.

The commemoration will have the added dimension this year of the launch the Volunteer Dwayne O'Donnell Ogra Shinn Féin cumann. The formal launch will take place at an event following this years commemoration. The Ógra cumann have organised a function in Boyles bar following the commemoration where they will formally launch. Music will be provided by popular folk group 'Blaisin.'

Speaking ahead of the event the chairperson of the Fergal O'Hanlon / Martin Hurson Sinn Féin cumann, Paul Kelly said:

"I call upon Republicans to mobilise for what is a very significant date in the Republican calendar in Tyrone. Each year we gather to pay sacrifice to the volunteers named on the Tyrone Roll of Honour who died in their pursuit of Irish freedom. The Tyrone Roll of Honour demonstrates the huge role played by the Tyrone Brigade and the huge sacrifice paid for their dedication to the cause of Irish freedom. We will be reflecting upon their dedication and once again recommit ourselves to the struggle for which they died when we gather on the 13th July. We ask all Republicans in Tyrone and throughout Ireland to join with us. Bígi linn. CRÍOCH