Rushlight Message Forum

Seoirse

Jun 10, 08 - 8:02 AM

Volunteer Patricia McKay

Hiya, Joe- Was having an online natter with my old friend Kevin Brennan from Belfast, now living in the San Francisco area. He mentioned that the Provos had mentioned Patricia McKay in a recent issue of AP/RN, and had grudgingly acknowledged her courage.

This got me to thinking...how many songs have been written about women in the struggle in the 6 Co.s? Not all that many I reckon, though there are some good ones.

I remember well when Patricia was killed by the Brits in Sept. of '72, right after Jimmy Quigley was shot. But I must admit that with the passage of years my memory has failed me a bit. I cannot remember too many details about her life and death. I know from what I read on line that she was with Darko only moments before she was killed.

I was hoping you could search your archives, and send me any information you can about Patricia's life and death, so I will have some material to build a song around. I have sent you a few of my songs in the past, so you know I am serious. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Mise le meas, Seoirse MacDomhnaill

Joe Graham

Jun 10th, 2008 - 8:32 AM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

The women of Ireland have never failed to join their men folk in the age old struggle for freedom, women such as Mary Doyle of wexford in 1798...William Rooney has immortalised the memory of Mary Doyle a fearless Wexford insurgent.
"But a figure rose before us,
Twas a girl's fragile frame
And among the fallen soldiers
There she walked with eyes aflame,
And her voice rang o'er the sea:
"Who so dares to die for Ireland
Let him come and follow me!"
Mary Doyle, the heroine of New Ross, County Wexford, so often shouldered her musket.... just as did the heroic Patricia McKay.

Lark

64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:r2oX9GMECosJ:www.phoblacht.net/pmckay.html

Jun 13th, 2008 - 9:33 PM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

Brendan Hughes wrote about her on The Blanket website back in 2003.

Volunteer Patricia McKay

Brendan Hughes • 8 May 2003

Winding back the clock is something we can all do if we want to fool ourselves. Time moves on regardless of the clock. If it was just as simple to change things by fiddling with the hands of a clock who would not have a try? But as many of our comrades learned to their cost the hands of the clock can have fatal consequences. One wrong move when priming a bomb and setting the clock timer and that was it. Time stopped forever.

As I watch the turn political events have taken in recent years I think back to all those who lost their lives trying to move out of the time warp this society existed in. So many dead and so many casualties - for what? The miles I tramped at the funerals of those who died as a result of the war here would claim more than one pair of Horsey Hughes’s boots. Many of them were decent, good, honest boys and girls who knew little of life other than its injustices, which they fought against.

A place, a comment, an event - it does not take much to bring a sad memory back of young people who should be here with us now, but instead lie up the road in their own silent place. Our local culture has it that the only volunteers who died were members of our own organisation, the Provisional IRA. But that is simply not true.

When I think of how myths develop I look back to 1972 when a gun battle took place in what is known as the Lower Falls. We fought the British Army all day - from corner to corner in the tight streets. Provisional IRA volunteers were not alone that day - members of the Official IRA were there too. One of those involved was a young Official IRA female volunteer. During the fighting I ended up in the same small house as her. The Brits had us pinned down with heavy gunfire from the direction of Conway Mill. She insisted on moving out and making a break for it. She was only 19 and I tried persuading her to hold on until a better chance presented itself. I knew her mother and father and wanted to do what was best for them and for her. My only regret at her being in the Official IRA was that I could not order her to sit tight. It was a different organisation and I had no control over its volunteers.

She walked out the door and the British Army shot her dead. ‘Such is life,’ Ned Kelly would have said. But I think it is more than that. Life should not have to be that way where our young die to resist injustice. She was just a kid - a kid in the Official IRA, like so many who were with me in the Provisional IRA. And so many kids went down the same path as she. A ‘wee Sticky’, she was our comrade. A beautiful kid, Patricia McKay was her name. Although more than 30 years have passed since she lost her life, I have never forgotten her. She deserves to be honoured like every other volunteer from this community who lost their lives fighting the British Army. Whatever benefits we gained from this war, she as much as any other volunteer paid for them with her life’s blood.

Seoirse MacDomhnaill

Jun 14th, 2008 - 4:48 AM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

To Lark- From the name Lark and the content of yer posting I am assuming I am addressing Anthony McIntyre. If so, let me say that it is an honour to do so. I have been a longtime reader of "The Blanket", and am indeed devastated that it is no longer up On Line. Probably the best thing out there is now gone.
Well, now, I reckon you and I are from similar, yet in some ways different, backgrounds. I was raised in a "traditional" Republican family, yet mine were on the Left end of the spectrum....associates, comrades, and even relatives of such people as Plant, George Gilmore and Peadar O'Donnell. To make a long story short, I am an old Stick, and I make no apologies for it. At the time I firmly believed in the programme of the ORM at that time. In fact, perhaps had things developed differently, the ORM policy of a National Liberation Front would have borne fruit. I daresay it would have borne better fruit than the Good Friday Agreement has produced, at any rate. But that is neither here nor there at this late date. We had our so called "feuds", and for what?...Many good Provies and Sticks where killed, and who was the benefactor? Well none other than British Imperialism itself. In the end we were sold down the road by our leadership, as were the Provos in the end. For me, the breaking point came when we were ordered to condemn the Hunger Strikers. (Note I say the Strikers, not the Strike) I never agreed with that tactic, but who would not support the Strikers themselves, the bravest of the brave?
Well, now the time has come again that we are all sold down the road. Collins did it, De Valera did it, the Official leadership did it and now the Provisional leadership has done it. I really don't believe any of them set out to do it, but the outcome was inevitable once they had accepted even the smallest crumb from the table of Imperialsm.
I will be honest in saying that I do not know which way to turn any more. I am totally lost. My main concern these days is that due justice is paid to all those who fought and / or died for what they believed was right. I fear the new wave of revisionism will sweep them all under the carpet in time. Hence my posting regarding Patricia McKay.
Any details regarding her life and death will be of use to me in composing a song in her honour. As I mentioned, with the passing of time, my memory of the details has failed me. Too many sad memories from those days for all of us. Good to hear from you.
Slan go foill.

james kelly

Jun 22nd, 2008 - 6:37 PM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

I AM A NEPHEW OF PATRICIA MC KAY (nee, KELLY). I DID NOT KNOW HER PERSONALY AS I WAS NOT BORN UNTO 1973 BUT I HAVE STRONG BOND TO THE AUNT I NEVER GOT TO KNOW AS SHE WAS THE FIRST TO KNOW THAT I WAS ON MY WAY, ANYWAY I HAVE A FEW POSESSIONS OF PATRICIAS WHICH WOULD GIVE A LITTLE INSIGHT INTO THE MENTAL CHARACTER OF SUCH A BRAVE YOUNG WOMAN ,
A FEW BOOKS ON WORLD REVELOUTIONS ONE ABOUT CHE ; THE CORNERS OF THE PAGES ON THE BOOK FOLDED OVER ALONG WITH HOW LOSE THE PAGES IN THE BOOK ARE CAN TELL YOU THAT IT WAS A PRIZED POSESSON THAT HAD BEEN READ AND READ AGAIN.
SMALL REPUBLICAN LITERATURE MAINLY OF WHAT ARE CALLED CAMPFIRE SONGS WHICH INCLUDE THE SASH
WHAT I THINK OF PATRICIA COULD BE PERCEIVED TO BE OF ROMANTIC HEROISM BUT I FEEL WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY ARISES THE NEED TO DEFEND PATRICIA,S NAME AS I AM SO PROUD OF THE WOMAN I NEVER KNEW , THAT I FEEL A COMMUNITY HAS ALMOST FORGOTTEN.
LAST YEAR I WAS AT D COMPANYS 35 YEAR COMMEMERATION FOR THE SAKE OF PATRICIA ALTHOUGH I KNEW HER NAME WASN,T GOING TO BE ON THE LONG LIST OF VOLUNTEERS LIKE MANY OF HER FRIENDS NAMES .
TO ME PATRICIA WAS A SOCIAL REVOLUTIONIST WITH A PASSION ON HOW HER COMMUNITY WAS BEING MISTREATED AND A PERSON OF HIGH MORALS AND VALUES WHICH MUST OF HELPED HER IN THE DEFENCE OF HER COMMUNITY AND FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
I HAD WROTE A LETTER REGARDING PATRICA TO THE LETTERS PAGE OF THE ANDERSONSTOWN NEWS WHICH WAS PRINTED THE WEEK AFTER THE D COMPANY COMMEMORATION .
I KNOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE A HIGH REGAURD FOR PATRICIA AFEW HAVE WROTE ABOUT HER AND NOT ALL OF WHOM CONNECTED TO THE STRUGGLE.
SO FOR A YOUNG WOMAN TO BE THOUGHT OF LIKE THIS BY SO MANY PEOPLE AND SO MANY YEARS AFTER HER KILLING PATRICIA HAD TO HAVE MADE AN IMPACT ON PEOPLES LIVES BE IT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF BRAVERY ,COURAGE ,VISION ,LOVE ,LAUGHTER OR MAYBE EVEN THE INNOCENCE OF IT ALL.

A SHORT POST IT FOR THE WOMAN WHO HAD AN IMPACT ON MY LIFE WHOM I NEVER KNEW AUNTIE PATRICIA R.I.P.

Seoirse MacDomhnaill

Jun 25th, 2008 - 1:41 AM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

James, mo chara- Many thanks for your lovely post in honour of your Aunt Patricia. I cannot relate to you properly my feelings about those days. The emotions were too intense. Suffice it to say that people like your Aunt, Joe McCann, Billy Reid, etc, filled our hearts with love and pride. The intense bitterness that came a few years later between the Provies and Sticks had not yet manifested itself. Tesnsion, yes, but at the end of the day we still felt we were all on the same side. And we were, but blast us for fools, we fell into the old trap of British Imperialism and let them "divide and conquer" once again. Well, I reckon we may still "best them at the game". Our old saying "Beir Bua" ("until victory") has no time limit attatched!
I would love to hear from you again, particularly I would like to read the letter you sent to the Andytown News re Patricia. If you could post it here, or e mail it to me, that would be grand.
I would like to offer you the wee song I wrote about your aunt. I will put it in a separate posting to this forum in a few minutes. Please feel free to treat it as your own...if you can find anyone who wants to sing or record it, feel free. I wrote it to the tune of Sean McCarthy's lovely ballad "Shanagolden". If you don't know the tune, just "Google" "Shanagolden Youtube" and you will find a few good versions. Slan - Seoirse

Seoirse MacDomhnaill

Jun 25th, 2008 - 2:20 AM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

Ballad of Patricia McKay
(Air: Shanagolden)

The gray clouds over Milltown are calling soft to me
The smoke from burning fires brings bitter memories
The people and the traffic, they quickly hurry by
All through the streets of Belfast where young
Patricia died.

Patricia as a girl was Belfast born and raised
And often in our stories she heard our heroes praised
Yet no thought of death or bloodshed did cloud her
youthful brain
Til England sent her monsters to help maintain her
reign.

Do you remember, Patricia, in the Springtime of your
years
The hatred and the bigotry that filled our hearts with
fears?
We only asked for equal rights, but that was soon
denied
All on the streets of Belfast where you bravely fought
and died.

Then in the year of '69 our homes they were aflame
Down from their haunts on Shankhill the Orange
butchers came.
But you'd read of Pearse and Connolly, Fidel and
fearless Che
And to defend your people you joined the I.R.A.

You were a Stickie Volunteer, your young heart knew no
dread
You stood up for the Starry Plough and the workers'
flag of Red
The English sent their soldiers, they said to keep the
peace
But on the streets of Belfast their terror was
unleashed.

Then came that dark September when the British Huns
came on
They thought they could subdue us with the baton and
the gun
But the Stickies and the Provos, they made their stand
that day
All on the s***** of Belfast to counter England's sway

You fought them, lovely Patricia, all through that
Autumn day
We could hear the rifles firing, and the Thompson's
deadly spray
But a bullet found your proud young heart from the
rifles of the foe
And on the streets of Belfast they laid Patricia low.

But that was long ago, my girl, and things are better
now,
Because of all your sacrifice our heads we will not
bow.
But the cruel flag of England, up in the somber sky,
Still flies o'er the s***** of Belfast where young
Patricia died.

Madge McCann

Jul 26th, 2008 - 11:08 PM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

I am too young to remember anything of the early troubles and had not even heard of Patricia McKay,and so I do feel reading the tributes here to her that such sites as Rushlight are so needed, we should never forget our history and never ever allow it to be 'buried'.

Seoirse MacDomhnaill

Jul 27th, 2008 - 2:11 AM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

Madge, a chara- Your wee posting makes me feel like what I am doing is worth my poor efforts. Good to hear from you younger folks. Some would say I am only "dredging up the past" by posting bits about Patricia, Hugh Hehir, etc. Those of us who were there and involved in those days, and were lucky enough to escape with nothing more than broken dreams and broken hearts, must speak up. There are so many names. Young women and men, some Official IRA, some Provisional IRA, some INLA...some no organisation at all. But all must be remembered. I won't "gild the lilly"... too often we were enemies, and even at times were guilty of killing each other. My God!...how foolish were we! When I think of the good people lost...Billy McMillan, Seamus McCusker, Seamus Costello...what a horrible thing. I feel guilt to this day, not for being in the struggle against Imperialism, but for being duped by Imperialism into supporting positions that weakened the Irish People. Today we can see some of this happening again. Yet, we are wiser now. Come what may, let us never forget those who died to give us whatever opportunities there are now. They may not be much, be there were bugger all in 1969. In the words of a great song recorded by the Irish Brigade "A song can't bring them back again, or heal the wound or soothe the pain; a song can only keep alive the names..." Slan, Seoirse

Seoirse

Aug 30th, 2008 - 1:58 AM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

Lets move Patricia upfront again since Joe posted the photo advertising "read of heroic Irishwomen on the Rushlight Forum" I have been blown away by all the response I have gotten regarding Patricia. I have rec'd numerous personal e-mails and enquiries, plus all the readers on the Forum. I feel sure Patricia would have been happy that so many people are interested in her story so many years on.
Good on ye Joe for posting the Betsy Gray story. Back in the early '70s we would frequently talk about her, and her heroic death. God, she actually fought the Yeos hand to hand until her arm was cut off! It is a shame that no lasting memorial to her stands, not to my knowledge, at least. Apparently there was one at one time, but it was obliterated by those who objected to Betsy being honoured as a Republican heroine. Peace to her and her ashes, wherever they lie.

gerry mc kay

Sep 18th, 2008 - 4:06 AM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

I read the tributes to my wife Patricia ( or Tricia ) with pride and sadness as not a day passes for me without thinking of her, even though i have moved on in my own life, I still remember the day she was shot like it was yesterday, and no matter what organization she belonged to, she was a dedicated Irish Republican Socialist, who gave her life defending the people of the Falls and Ireland, she loved and respected Joe Mc Cann, Official IRA, killed in the Markets, just as much as she loved and respected Jimmy Quigley P I R A, who was shot the same day she was, they were both good friends and comrades to her. I hope the people of the Falls and beyond will remember all those who died in the war regardless of their politics. Thank you once again and God Bless to all who paid tribute to my dearly beloved and sadl'y missed wife. Please don't remember how Tricia died,but how she lived and the cause she died for.

Kevin Donleavy

Sep 18th, 2008 - 4:33 AM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

Gerry, a chara,
Good to hear your voice about Patricia. Tons of people know about her and respect her dedication to the struggle in the Wee Six. May she rest in peace always.

Seoirse MacDomhnaill

Sep 18th, 2008 - 4:46 AM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

Gerry, mo chara- Many thanks for your post. What can I say...you said it all. Your message means a great deal to me. I still remember those days, and how our hearts were torn out by every death and tragedy. We loved our comrades, even those we had never met. You are right...too often we remember only the final, tragic moments of a hero's life. But that is not what makes them heroes or heroines, it is how they lived. Che Guevara expressed it best when he said:
"The Revolutionary is motivated by strong feelings of love. It is impossible to concieve of a true Revolutionary who lacks this quality."
All the best- Seoirse

gerry mc kay

Sep 18th, 2008 - 11:02 PM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

Thank you Kevin and Seoirse for your kind words and I,m so grateful to you both for helping to keep Tricia,s memory alive, she was a wonderful beautiful young Irish woman who captivated my heart with her lovely smile and beautiful sparkling eyes from the first time we met. She was full of joy, love and fun and lit up my life for such a short but wonderful time.
She loved the people of the Falls and Ireland, and stood up for the oppressed with courage and dedication and though she wanted to live for an Irish Socialist Republic she willingly gave her all for that noble cause, even if it meant losing her own life to further that cause with a bravery that is enshrined in the noble name of Braveheart, her heroes where, Che Guevara,James Connolly and Constance Markeivecth. Anyway thank you all once again for remembering her, and hopefully I will live long enough to see her dream of an Ireland Gaelic and Free,
God Bless, you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Gerry.

C

Sep 23rd, 2008 - 3:41 PM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

I remember Trica well as I hung around with her sister Lillian. I also was guard of honour at her wake in Rosies house in Divis. I remember that Friday well when Jimmy and Tricia were both killed. One in Albert Street and one in Cape Street. I can remember her in the Girls Fianna in Divis in the early days as second in command. I also remember her working in Woolworths in Cornmarket. Gerry if I remember right you had bad injuries at that time as well. I remember you but I doubt if you would remember me but if I said Tom Wiliams in Divis Flats it might give you an idea. Slan

Gerry

Sep 24th, 2008 - 5:46 AM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

thank you for your message, and all your information is right except we were gunned down outside our home in Frere Street, I think I know who you are, so as I said nice to hear from you,

God Bless, Gerry

Joe Graham

Sep 24th, 2008 - 8:29 AM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

I would appreciate a photograph for the site of the Late Patricia please from any reader.

Seoirse

Sep 24th, 2008 - 3:41 PM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

I'll try e-mailing one to you in a few minutes Joe.

gerry

Sep 26th, 2008 - 1:47 AM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

Hi Joe,
When I moved to Dublin in the mid 80,s and England 7yrs ago a lot of my personal stuff got lost or people I had asked to mind things for me moved on and I lost contact with them, my darling younger sister Rosie who died 6yrs ago after a short illness, had lots of stuff belonging to me including a beautiful oil painting of Tricia and other items relating to her was lost or went missing, which I'm still trying to locate, I'm sure Joe if you ask around someone on the Falls will have one of the 500 memory cards I had printed, which has the best picture of Tricia, I'm sure they will lend it to you to copy, I'm sorry I can't be of more help but I lost contact with a lot of my mates also a lot of them where killed in the war, I will try to get you something, I don't know if you know but her Anniversary is on the 30th of this month, she was shot on Friday the 29th of Sept; and died in the early hours of Saturday morning the 30th, despite the brilliant Surgeons of the RVH who battled for hours to save her life, she was hit 6 times in the back by a British Army Covert Sniper of the 3rd Battalion the Green Jackets, who broke the Geneva convention and the Emergency Laws of the 6 Co; State on the Rules of Engagement which clearly states a warning must be issued before opening fire, he didn't and I know this because I was there.
Anyway Joe thank you for keeping my beloved Tricia's memory alive, you and all the people in this forum are in my thoughts and prayers,

God Bless, Gerry

C

Sep 27th, 2008 - 12:25 PM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

Gerry there was a photo of Trica in this weeks Andersontown news. That was a black Friday indeed as was the next couple of weeks as well. As a young man I remember leading a colour party at a march around the district to where Trica died, I think it was her anniversary, a long time ago

gerry mc kay

Sep 27th, 2008 - 7:22 PM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

Hi C,

yes you are right, 1972/3 were among the worst years, shortly after Tricia and Jimmy were killed if I remember my good friends, Daniel McAreavy, Joe Mc Kinney and John Donaghy also died as a result of the war and many many more, I hope I remembered that correctly, I don,t have a great memory sometimes as I am disabled now due to my many war wounds with heart problems as well as a result I am on loads of tablets which make my brain and memory a bit fuzzy. The Brave, The Good and The Valiant died, the rest of us just Fade Away.
One thing I never forget is the Falls and the wonderful people who live there and those who died over the period of the war.
The Beatles song " The Long And Winding Road" always reminds me of the Falls.

God Bless,

Gerry.

God

gerry mc kay

Sep 27th, 2008 - 7:27 PM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

sorry last bit of that reply was meant to read, God Bless the people of the Falls and Ireland but it didn't all go in,

Gerry.

C

Sep 28th, 2008 - 12:08 AM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

Yes Gerry I remember those following Fridays well. I think it was Maguire who was blown up in that house with John Donaghy and Joe Mc Kinney in Balken Street. Alas the streets have gone and even Divis Flats where Jimmy Quigly was shot from have gone also. The housing is better but the community spirit seems to have gone although there are plenty of good people still there, Slan, C

Cathal Brugha Irish Republican Cumann

Sep 28th, 2008 - 3:36 AM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

I nDil Chuimne

In proud and loving memory of Volunteer Patricia McKay
died 30 September 1972 of wounds recieved in action against the enemies of the Irish People and Volunteers Rose Curry and Gerard O'Hare, died 23 September 1971 of injuries incurred while on active service.
Also our deceased members Edward Boyle and Joseph Gahagan, PhD, Republican Socialists.
Always remembered by Cathal Brugha Irish Republican Cumann, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

Joe Graham

Sep 30th, 2008 - 8:18 AM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

There is a little picture of Patricia in the Falls album of the Rushlight Albums page

gerry

Oct 1st, 2008 - 3:28 AM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

Thank You, Joe,

God Bless you and thank you for caring and to all the people in this forum thanks for keeping Tricia's memory alive, she is forever in my heart and you are always in my prayers,

Gerry.

Seoirse

Oct 3rd, 2008 - 3:01 AM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

It is interesting to note that Sister Genevieve, the formidable Principal of St. Louise's on the Falls, dismissed an entire class to attend Patricia's funeral, as Patricia's younger sister was still a pupil there. Sister Genevieve was certainly no friend of the Republican Movement. By this I mean no disrespect to her, as she was certainly a remarkable woman, yet it is true that she did all in her power to disuade her students from becoming involved in Republican affairs. She must have agonised long and hard over this decision, yet she made it in the end because she respected Patricia (who the United Irishman described as "...a serious, dedicated Revolutionary") and respected the feelings of Patricia's relatives and friends. She made a principled and courageous decision, which I am sure was frowned upon by her superiors. We need more of this kind of conscientous decision-making on the part of the Catholic leaders. They need not actively support the Republican Movement if they do not feel they can do so in good conscience, yet they must be sensitive to the feelings of the people they claim as their own, something the Church, as an institution, has seldom done.

JOE

Oct 17th, 2008 - 7:42 PM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

,We lived in the same street my sisters where good friends of her,s and still speak of her lovingly as anyone would if you had been fortunate to know her or her family

Joe Graham

Oct 17th, 2008 - 8:54 PM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

Just to say the last poster "Joe" is not me, thanks for posting Joe.

Seoirse

Oct 18th, 2008 - 4:29 AM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

Hiya, Joe #2- What about ye? Glad to see your wee posting. It is amazing how many people have been moved to respond regarding Patricia, not only here on the Forum, but also in personal e-mails to me. Hows about asking your sister to share some of her memories about Trisha with us? That would be grand.
One thing Trisha's husband and nephew shared with us was her deep admiration for Ernesto "Che" Guevara.
In Trisha's memory, and in honour of El Che himself,whose anniversary has just passed as well, here is a little appreciation of him:
Ernesto "Che" Guevara de la Serna was born in Argentina in 1928, a son of Ernesto Guevara Lynch. His Lynch ancestors were Wild Geese emigrees from Galway, and after his death his father stated: "...my son carried in his veins the blood of Irish Rebels..."
As a young medical student Che (so called because "Che" is a common nickname in Latin America for Argentinians, rather like "Paddy" is for Irishmen in the UK) travelled throughout South America, and was greatly affected by the poverty and inustice he witnessed. He worked as a volunteer at a leper colony. During these years he became convinced that only a Pan Latin American Revolution could free the Spanish-speaking people of the Americas from the hegemony of the United States and International Capitalist systems.
Later he travelled to Guatemala where he became involved with the Leftist reform government of the democratically elected President Ardbenz, who was later overthrown in a CIA inspired and backed Coup. Che attempted to fight the invaders, but was forced to flee to Mexico, where he met Fidel Castro and joined his revolutinary invasion of Cuba. His skill, courage and tenacity as a fighter in the Cuban Revolution is well known, and it is doubtful the Revolution would have succeeded without Che. Less known is his skill and dedication as a physician to the wounded, be they fellow Revolutionary, civilian or even enemy. Che was criticised by the Capitalist Press as a harsh judge after the Revolution, and it is true that several hundred exploiters and war-criminals of the Battista Regime were executed during this period. Che was determined not to let these people spread their poison and influence to defeat the newly victorious and heavily persecuted Revolution.
After several years Che became restless and, not content with "building Socialism in one country", pursued his dream of world revolution by fighting against colonial powers in Africa. Unsuccessful, he returned to Cuba for a brief time, and then moved on to Bolivia to pursue the revolution there. In October of 1967 he was wounded and captured by the Bolivian Army and operatives of the CIA. On 9 October 1967 an order came from President Barrientos of Bolivia that Che be killed, and his death made to look as though he had been killed in action.
To this end Sergeant Mario Teran was sent to kill Che in the school where he was held prisoner. Che stood to attention. Teran angrilly told him to sit down. Che said "No! I will remain standing for this.
I know that you have come to kill me!" Che noticed that Teran was trembling and shoulted "Shoot, you coward, but know this: you are only going to kill a man!" In other words "you can kill a revolutinary, but not the Revolution". Teran opened fire, carefully shooting Che in the arms and legs to make it appear as though he had been killed in fierce combat. Che fell to the floor biting his own thumb nearly off to prevent the shame of crying out in pain. Teran then fired the deadly shots into Che's chest.
Che fell beneath a hail of lead while held prisoner. In this he shared the fate of many Irish Republican soldiers, and for the same reason. They were viewed by the "establishment" as so dangerous that they could not be allowed to live. What greater tribute could be paid to any Revolutionary?
In a bizarre twist of fate in 2006 Mario Teran, the man who killed Che, now a blind old man, had Surgery performed on his cataracts which restored his sight.
Who performed this surgery? A team of Cuban Surgeons
on a mission of mercy to Bolivia. Teran can now once again see the sky, the mountains and his grandchildren thanks to the benevolence of Revolutionary Cuba. Somehow I know that Che Guevara is very pleased.
The murderers of Che made the same mistake as the murderers of the men of 1916. They turned great men into greater legends and rallying points who will in the end lead to their downfall, no matter how long it takes. Viva Che, Viva Trisha McKay, Viva Bobby Sands y Vivan todos los Revolutionarios del Mundo! Hasta la Victoria siempre! Beir Bua!

gerry mc kay

Oct 19th, 2008 - 4:53 PM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

Hi Seoirse,
thanks for your last article very informative, a lot of Guerilla Armies world wide used the tactics from the Republican struggle indeed it was the much maligned Michael Collins ( unfairly I believe I know that is not popular but it was Dev who sent him to barter with the Brits ),who changed the way the IRA operated as he was angry at the heavy losses of the Volunteers through taking the enemy full on, he developed the strategy of hit and run which was later described by Che as the War of the Flea, when the enemy is strong hide when they are weak hit them hard.
About Tricia I don't know if you know this she was only 19 when she was killed but she had the maturity and wisdom of a veteran twice her age, and we were only married 5 months I still remember it all like it happened yesterday, once again Seoirse thanks for keeping her memory alive with this forum,

God Bless, Gerry.

Seoirse

Oct 20th, 2008 - 2:12 AM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

Hiya Ger-Thanks for your compliment regarding my wee article about Che. Hope Trish would have been pleased.
True for you, it is not too poopular to speak favourably of Mick Collins these days, for obvious reasons. Yet Collins must be given his due...he certainly was largely instrumental in accomplishing much that never could have been accomplished otherwise. And right you are that DeValera, who set such store on his title of "President", ditched his responsibility because he knew whatever came out of the Treaty talks in London would not serve his purpose.
I believe had Collins lived, the course or Irish History might have taken a different track. I truly think, and what little bit we know suggests,that Collins had a hidden agenda in accepting the Treaty. It is interesting that the IRB largely supported the Treaty, and that some time following Collins' death the IRB element was purged from the Free State Army by the middle class, right wing gombeens who came into power. The capability of the IRB in secretive rebellious manipulations is well known. Witness how they infiltrated and molded the Volunteer movement to their own ends. Not that I support Collins' decision regarding the Treaty, but I think there was much more behind his acceptance than we will ever know. Also, let us remember that the dispicable record of the "Free State" in executing and murdering captured Republicans did not begin until after Collins' death. Let us honour him for his courage and achievements, and forgive him his failings and learn from both. He was only a man, sure.

gerry mc kay

Oct 20th, 2008 - 6:39 PM

Re: Volunteer Patricia McKay

Dev knew what he was doing when he sent "the big fella,"
he knew Lloyd George was a crafty politician and would never give the North back, so he sent a Principled Solider to deal with this arrogant man, and when Mick came back he (Dev) turned on him and accused Collins of selling out and the rest is history, and you are right about the prisoner issue Michael Collins would never have sanctioned their murders, I know these views are not popular with the Republican community but they are the truth,

God Bless, Gerry.

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