Thomas Dixie Elliot on the latest tragic event to strike the O'Hagan family in Tyrone.

 I was stunned when I read a post by Seán Ó Brosnacháin earlier today about the death of Patrick, the third of five of the sons of the late Paddy and Kathleen O'Hagan to die. 

I knew Paddy in jail. He had been on the Blanket Protest and was one of life's gentlemen who was liked by everyone. Paddy lived with his family in Creggan, near Carrickmore in County Tyrone.

On August 7th 1994, Paddy's 38 year old wife Kathleen, who was seven months pregnant, was murdered by the UVF while Paddy was out. Her children witnessed the killing of their mother and clung together in terror until their father returned to see the horror which these cold-hearted bastards had visited upon their family. 

The children had heard their mother pleading for her life but the killers opened fire without mercy and riddled the bedroom with bullets. Some lodged in the wall above the cot where the youngest son, Tomas, was lying. 

The family believe that the murder was ordered by Billy Wright.

Tragically Tomas died, after he was badly burned in a fire in a shed beside their house, three years to the month after the murder of his mother. Tomas was four years old when he died on 19th August 1997.
Paddy was 49 when he died of a heart attack on 11th March 2002. 

Their son Niall was 19 when he died as a result of a motor cycle accident on 12th July 2008.

Today another member of that tragic family, Patrick died. His two brothers, Damian and Raymond, who both live in Australia, will have been told the terrible news of his death. 

We cannot begin to imagine the pain they must feel.

Weary on ye, sad waves!
Still scourging the lonely shore.
Oh, I am far from my father's door,
And my kindred's graves!

〰️ Ethna Carbery


Thomas Dixie Elliot is a Derry artist and a former H Block Blanketman.

Follow Dixie Elliot on Twitter @IsMise_Dixie

O'Hagan Family Tragedy

Thomas Dixie Elliot on the latest tragic event to strike the O'Hagan family in Tyrone.

 I was stunned when I read a post by Seán Ó Brosnacháin earlier today about the death of Patrick, the third of five of the sons of the late Paddy and Kathleen O'Hagan to die. 

I knew Paddy in jail. He had been on the Blanket Protest and was one of life's gentlemen who was liked by everyone. Paddy lived with his family in Creggan, near Carrickmore in County Tyrone.

On August 7th 1994, Paddy's 38 year old wife Kathleen, who was seven months pregnant, was murdered by the UVF while Paddy was out. Her children witnessed the killing of their mother and clung together in terror until their father returned to see the horror which these cold-hearted bastards had visited upon their family. 

The children had heard their mother pleading for her life but the killers opened fire without mercy and riddled the bedroom with bullets. Some lodged in the wall above the cot where the youngest son, Tomas, was lying. 

The family believe that the murder was ordered by Billy Wright.

Tragically Tomas died, after he was badly burned in a fire in a shed beside their house, three years to the month after the murder of his mother. Tomas was four years old when he died on 19th August 1997.
Paddy was 49 when he died of a heart attack on 11th March 2002. 

Their son Niall was 19 when he died as a result of a motor cycle accident on 12th July 2008.

Today another member of that tragic family, Patrick died. His two brothers, Damian and Raymond, who both live in Australia, will have been told the terrible news of his death. 

We cannot begin to imagine the pain they must feel.

Weary on ye, sad waves!
Still scourging the lonely shore.
Oh, I am far from my father's door,
And my kindred's graves!

〰️ Ethna Carbery


Thomas Dixie Elliot is a Derry artist and a former H Block Blanketman.

Follow Dixie Elliot on Twitter @IsMise_Dixie

6 comments:

  1. Deepest sympathies to Damian and Raymond. Losses on such a scale are unimaginable.

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  2. So sad and hard for words to describe or explain how I feel

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    Replies
    1. Please use a handle when posting as Unknown

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  3. Was on the wing with Paddy O for a while after the Blanket protest. One tragic event after another in that family.

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  4. Was up at the wake last night. Very sad to see him lying there. I would have lifted him from up at the home house and taken him into Omagh. One of his younger brothers lived with us for a while when working in Dublin back in the day. Everyone in this area had a soft spot for Patrick, and his brothers, after the brutal life they’ve had. You couldn’t make it up what all has happened them. After all young Patrick has endured, I hope he’s now at peace. A very kindhearted and civil wee fella, as were his parents. May God be good to his soul.

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  5. 1st time I met Paddy was at Kathleens wake. Half way up the hallway I raised my head to meet his eye I told him how sorry I was for his loss. Paddy being Paddy started to talk about other peoples suffering and that it might not have been good to come to the house. A quick embrace and we now stood at the door at the bottom room the strike marks just above the cot. The tragedy this family endured goes beyond what any 1 family should have to go through. These young lads lost to a world of grief and despair. Paddy would have called to our Pauls a good few years ago before his death the children with him barely more than a child myself I would have spoke with them nothing much only soft words and a little advice. Its only when you hear news like this you are reminded how lucky you are. One can only hope the two remaining lads can find some peace in their lives.

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