An Independent commemoration will take place in Derry on Monday-14-March-2022 to observe the 50th anniversary of the deaths of two IRA volunteers, Colm Keenan & Eugene McGillan.
It was subsequently claimed at the Saville Inquiry, by a former British Army Intelligence Officer, that a group of military lawyers joined the troops on patrol in the Bogside that night and were involved in the gun battle.
The two young IRA men were taken into houses in the area after they had been shot. Local residents who attempted to assist the wounded teenagers insisted that neither was armed, despite claims of the British that they had been.
Following their killing, the IRA released a statement saying:
The two young IRA men were taken into houses in the area after they had been shot. Local residents who attempted to assist the wounded teenagers insisted that neither was armed, despite claims of the British that they had been.
Following their killing, the IRA released a statement saying:
they were two of the finest members of the Provisional IRA in the Derry area. They were close comrades, and their deaths are deeply regretted by all those who are now proud to say they once served with them. They were brutally gunned down in cold blood.
The commemoration will be led by Gerry McGillan, with friends and comrades of Eugene and Colm. Announcing the event, Gerry said:
my brother Eugene was a great fella, who had a love for his people, and he was courageous. His last words were, “how’s Goodly?” (a nickname he had given Colm Keenan). This typified him — loyal and thinking of others, to the end.
I would encourage anyone who knew Eugene and Colm, and those who wish to show solidarity with us to remember their killings, to come along and join us to remember them, fifty years after they were shot dead in their own community by occupying British forces.
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