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Seoirse MacDomhnaill
Sep 3, 08 - 5:51 PM |
Martin O'Leary, forgotten Republican Socialist
Nothing to to directly with Belfast, but in keeping wtih my thread of trying to remember those who gave their lives for the freedom of the Irish people, I will mention Martin O'Leary. Martin as an officer of the Cork City Command of the Official IRA. He was mortally wounded by a premature bomb blast while his unit was sabotaging electrical equipment at the Canadian-owned Mogul Mine in Silvermines, Co. Tipperary in July 1971. The miners had been waging a long and bitter strike against the intransigent mine owners, and apparently some of the miners had approached the Official IRA and asked them to take action. Martin died in hospital in Limerick two days later. The 26 County Special Branch displayed their usual crude and cruel behavior, forcing Martin's family to leave his room during his periods of conciousness as they attempted to elicit information from him regarding his comrades. Like many another brave Irish Republican, Martin defied them and took his secrets to his grave. Shortly after this incident representatives of the mine owners flew to Ireland and settled the strike to the miners' satisfaction, so perhaps Martin's sacrifice was not totally in vain. Of course, when the mines began to play out Mogual Mining pulled out of Tipperary leaving the miners redundant. Billy McMillen of Belfast speaking at Martin's funeral said: "Volunteer O'Leary died on active service against the forces which are exploiting our people. Political activist, worker and soldier, he was the prototype of the modern revolutionary." While going through my archives I rediscovered this old song about Martin O'Leary. I don't know who the author was, nor what was the original tune. From the phrasing of the first verse I suspect it was written to the tune of "Tom Williams", but as any Belfast singer can tell you, thats a difficult air to carry well! I like to sing it to the nice, easy little tune of "Go to Sleep my Weary Hobo", popular in Ireland over 30 years ago as "Go to Sleep My Weary Provo". Here's the song. Rest in peace, Martin, soldier of the people! MARTIN O'LEARY As time goes by and years roll onward Still in memory fresh I keep Of a dark, drear July morning When all Cork City was asleep. A band of valiant Irish soldiers To Mogul Mines they made their way To strike a blow against the bosses Who rob the wealth beneath our clay. So rally, all you Irish Workers The wealth of Ireland is your right The foreign interests will exploit us Unless like Martin we all fight. The miners up in Tipperary A hard and bitter strike did wage Against the foreign Mogul owners And the wrath of native slaves. "Solidarity" it was their slogan Determination was their mood While poverty and deprivation O'er their homes and families loomed. A member of that raiding party Before the dawn fought for his life For Martin was injured while in action Defending Irish Workers' rights. The Free State vultures hovered o'er him Information, it was their one concern But Martin died as Martin had lived Their threats and bribes he proudly spurned. So sleep in peace you Irish soldier Beneath the Starry Plough on high While workers struggle for their freedom We'll remember how brave O'Leary died. |
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