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On Sunday 25th June, the Thomas Ashe Society held their fifth annual commemoration in remembrance of The Three Volunteers – IRA Óglaigh Paddy Carty, Sean Loughran and Dermot Crowley – on the Gortin Road in Omagh. Carty, Crowley and Loughran died in a premature explosion, 44 years previous to the day, while preparing to mount a bomb attack on a nearby RUC Barracks in the town. Fuair siad bhás ar son saoirse na hÉireann.
Gathering at the spot where they were killed along the roadside, proceedings began with cumann Chair Sean Bresnahan, who chaired the event, thanking all present for their attendance before inviting Patrick Donohoe of the United Ireland Society Dublin to read The 1916 Proclamation. There then was a minute’s silence, with cumann Secretary Tracie Teague then laying the Society wreath – assisted by her children, Neamh and Ruairi.
Following, Sean Bresnahan then paid a short tribute to the men, telling those assembled that:
we come together this evening to mark the anniversary of IRA Volunteers Paddy Carty, Sean Loughran and Dermot Crowley, who died at this spot while on Active Service for the Republic on 25th June 1973. We salute their courage, pay tribute to their sacrifice and vow to continue our long struggle for the 32-County Irish Republic for which they died. That is the task before us today and we must rise to meet the challenge.
Continuing, he spoke of how:
Carty, Crowley and Loughran have shown us the way, lighting the path towards freedom with their bravery and commitment. We go from here determined to achieve that objective.
He concluded:
That noble objective of Irish Freedom for which they gave their lives. Onward to freedom and the Republic a chairde. We will see that certain day.
Proceedings at the site were then drawn to a close with an impromptu rendition of Amhrán na bhFiann, sung by all present, before the wreath was moved to the Republican Plot in Edendork, where Carty and Crowley lie buried. Sean’s daughter Eimeár and Tracie’s daughter Neamh laid the wreath on their grave (pictured above) to conclude what was a fitting tribute to three of Ireland’s finest soldiers. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anam.
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