Óglach Brendan Watters 30th Anniversary 8th August 2014.
On Friday evening last I was privileged to be asked to chair a fitting tribute to local hero Brendan Watters whose 30th anniversary occurred on that date. Brendan who lived in Second Avenue Derrybeg Park was tragically killed when a grenade that he was handling exploded prematurely at a house in the staunchly Republican Barcroft Park. Brendan died a short time later in Hospital.
On Friday 8th August 2014 a large and dignified crowd gathered at the entrance of "The Barley Field" in Barcroft to listen to Brendan's story and reflect on his short life. I outlined briefly the events of that time and spoke about the strong feelings that were running deep within the Nationalist and Republican community.
In the early hours of 9th August 1971 The British Army and RUC launched one of the largest military operations ever seen in the north. Internment had begun under the orders of the British Government in a clear attempt to crush a resurgent people who were no longer prepared to sit back and be treated as second class citizens. On that morning thousands of homes were raided across the north resulting in hundreds of people being arrested and taken from their families. What followed can only be described as systematic torture by the British State.
In Newry similar events were occurring. Sean McKenna senior and his son also called Sean were among the many Newry people who were arrested. Sean senior was one of a group of men who were tortured by a secret British Army unit and this group of 14 became known as the hooded men; they were subjected to days of brutal, inhuman torture at the hands of this unit. Meanwhile events were unfolding on the streets, the RUC and British Army fired thousands of rubber bullets and in some cases used live rounds against the risen Nationalist people. During this period the parachute regiment were responsible for the butchering of 11 civilians in Ballymurphy over three days, this included a priest and a mother of eight children.
At this time Brendan was 11 years of age and this was the reality that Brendan and other children of his age were growing up in. Things were not "normal" here in the north and people were determined to resist this brutality.
Just one year later on 9th August 1972 Newry man Óglach Colm Murtagh was killed on active service on the Dublin Road. He was just 18 years old and came from Drumalane Park. Colm was the first Newry IRA volunteer to die on active service since 1957.
Colm would have been 60 this year and Brendan would have been 54. Most people of this age are enjoying their children and grandchildren growing up. Unfortunately Colm and Brendan didn't experience any of this as their young lives were cut short.
Jim McGivern then spoke eloquently about Brendan and his journey from childhood to adulthood and his gradual rise through the ranks of the Republican Movement. He spoke about Brendan being very security conscious in terms of the enemy not suspecting him of being involved in armed actions. This allowed Brendan to move about safely and carry out his duties as a soldier of Ireland without coming under suspicion by Crown forces.
Brendan's death came as a huge surprise to many within the Newry area and the huge crowd of mourners at his wake (where he was afforded a full military guard of honour and his comrades fired a volley of shots over his tricolour draped coffin) and funeral were testament to his popularity. On two occasions the RUC attempted to hijack the funeral but the resilience of local people ensured that this was not going to happen.
Brendan was buried in St Mary's cemetery in the family grave and he left behind a huge void for his family, friends and comrades. His sacrifice will never be forgotten.
