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Caoimhin O’Muraile ⚑ In Memory of Jim Marron.

Jim Marron

It was on the evening of Saturday 8th March I received the sad and tragic news of the death of an old friend and comrade Jim Marron of Belfast. I had known Jim for nearly forty years from my days in the IRSP and beyond. Jim had very strong socialist and republican political views and is a sad loss to those ideologies and causes. I had many happy times debating issues of the day with him the most recent being the Ukrainian-Russian war where Jim took a pro-Russian stance. Though his arguments for this position were well founded and valid, particularly Ukraine’s past and present connections with Nazi and neo-Nazi groups, I maintained a neutral position and still do. That said I respected Jim’s position which he stuck to until his tragic death. We had many a debate over the situation, neither of us shifting. I respect his view as I believe he did mine. Like myself he was a follower of the Irish Marxist James Connolly’s political theories and beliefs and we often debated the former union and rebel leader of 1913/14 Dublin Lockout and 1916 Easter Rising fame. We also discussed the policies of IRSP founder, Seamus Costello who was tragically gunned down in 1977.

The last time I met Jim was back in 2021, or thereabouts, during the Covid crisis when we met for a few pints on the Glen Road in Belfast. He was in great form back then and little did he or I know or suspect what the future held, take nothing for granted in this world that’s for sure. Back in the day Jim was easily recognised by the characteristic green cap he always wore. When we met during Covid he had abandoned the trademark cap as I had adopted a Stetson hat and I remember going to the off licence for a half bottle of Vodka for the train journey back to Dublin, easy to hide from the ‘Hector’ (Ticket Inspector), “will you drink all that on the train?” he asked. We had arranged to meet again either in Dublin or Belfast in the near future for another get together. That meeting will sadly not happen.

Back in the late eighties Jim was a representative of the Irish Republican Socialist Party attending a rally in London where he was the guest speaker invited over by Red Action. Jim was billeted in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, on what he comically described as an “old Dentist chair” referring to the recliner chair he slept on. I recall him singing the Irish national anthem, Amhran na bhFiann (the Soldiers Song in English) in fluent Gaelic after delivering a great oration about the need for socialism as part of Ireland's national liberation struggle. The following day it was off to what was then the Hilltop pub in Hatfield for refreshments. Jim was a supporter of the Palestinian cause and an opponent of the Israeli genocide in Gaza as are most people who I know, socialists and otherwise, even liberals.

Other memories which stand out for me, little things, was the setting up of the IRSP public address system at Milltown Cemetery in Belfast. He was recognisable from a distance by the trademark green cap and he had a hell of a job getting the system to work. Another memorable occasion was when we had arranged to go to Donegal for a few pints and I had double booked, letting Jim down badly. I still regret not going to Donegal but I clean forgot and attended a Miriam Daly commemoration in Swords, Dublin. We laughed about it afterwards but I still felt guilty letting a friend and comrade down. Happy days and even happier memories of which there are many. We had some great nights out in various republican clubs in West Belfast and such memories will stay with me and, I’m sure, others forever. We lost touch for a number of years when suddenly Jim appeared on Facebook when once again contact was made and our meet in Belfast arranged.

My major regret is not being able to attend Jim’s funeral due to severe mobility restrictions of my own. I knew he had been suffering from cancer for some time and finally lost the fight. His partner of many years, Liz, texted me with the news on Saturday evening informing me of his death on the morning of Friday the 7th March. My sincere condolences go to the family and friends of Jim Marron, socialist and republican stalwart, sadly missed I’m sure by all who knew him, and my own regrets and apologies not being in attendance at the funeral but I’m there in spirit. Rest in Peace comrade and wherever you are even in spirit keep the Red Flag and Starry Plough flying.

Caoimhin O’Muraile is Independent Socialist Republican and Marxist.

Jim Marron

Caoimhin O’Muraile ⚑ In Memory of Jim Marron.

Jim Marron

It was on the evening of Saturday 8th March I received the sad and tragic news of the death of an old friend and comrade Jim Marron of Belfast. I had known Jim for nearly forty years from my days in the IRSP and beyond. Jim had very strong socialist and republican political views and is a sad loss to those ideologies and causes. I had many happy times debating issues of the day with him the most recent being the Ukrainian-Russian war where Jim took a pro-Russian stance. Though his arguments for this position were well founded and valid, particularly Ukraine’s past and present connections with Nazi and neo-Nazi groups, I maintained a neutral position and still do. That said I respected Jim’s position which he stuck to until his tragic death. We had many a debate over the situation, neither of us shifting. I respect his view as I believe he did mine. Like myself he was a follower of the Irish Marxist James Connolly’s political theories and beliefs and we often debated the former union and rebel leader of 1913/14 Dublin Lockout and 1916 Easter Rising fame. We also discussed the policies of IRSP founder, Seamus Costello who was tragically gunned down in 1977.

The last time I met Jim was back in 2021, or thereabouts, during the Covid crisis when we met for a few pints on the Glen Road in Belfast. He was in great form back then and little did he or I know or suspect what the future held, take nothing for granted in this world that’s for sure. Back in the day Jim was easily recognised by the characteristic green cap he always wore. When we met during Covid he had abandoned the trademark cap as I had adopted a Stetson hat and I remember going to the off licence for a half bottle of Vodka for the train journey back to Dublin, easy to hide from the ‘Hector’ (Ticket Inspector), “will you drink all that on the train?” he asked. We had arranged to meet again either in Dublin or Belfast in the near future for another get together. That meeting will sadly not happen.

Back in the late eighties Jim was a representative of the Irish Republican Socialist Party attending a rally in London where he was the guest speaker invited over by Red Action. Jim was billeted in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, on what he comically described as an “old Dentist chair” referring to the recliner chair he slept on. I recall him singing the Irish national anthem, Amhran na bhFiann (the Soldiers Song in English) in fluent Gaelic after delivering a great oration about the need for socialism as part of Ireland's national liberation struggle. The following day it was off to what was then the Hilltop pub in Hatfield for refreshments. Jim was a supporter of the Palestinian cause and an opponent of the Israeli genocide in Gaza as are most people who I know, socialists and otherwise, even liberals.

Other memories which stand out for me, little things, was the setting up of the IRSP public address system at Milltown Cemetery in Belfast. He was recognisable from a distance by the trademark green cap and he had a hell of a job getting the system to work. Another memorable occasion was when we had arranged to go to Donegal for a few pints and I had double booked, letting Jim down badly. I still regret not going to Donegal but I clean forgot and attended a Miriam Daly commemoration in Swords, Dublin. We laughed about it afterwards but I still felt guilty letting a friend and comrade down. Happy days and even happier memories of which there are many. We had some great nights out in various republican clubs in West Belfast and such memories will stay with me and, I’m sure, others forever. We lost touch for a number of years when suddenly Jim appeared on Facebook when once again contact was made and our meet in Belfast arranged.

My major regret is not being able to attend Jim’s funeral due to severe mobility restrictions of my own. I knew he had been suffering from cancer for some time and finally lost the fight. His partner of many years, Liz, texted me with the news on Saturday evening informing me of his death on the morning of Friday the 7th March. My sincere condolences go to the family and friends of Jim Marron, socialist and republican stalwart, sadly missed I’m sure by all who knew him, and my own regrets and apologies not being in attendance at the funeral but I’m there in spirit. Rest in Peace comrade and wherever you are even in spirit keep the Red Flag and Starry Plough flying.

Caoimhin O’Muraile is Independent Socialist Republican and Marxist.
Caoimhin O’Muraile Obituary

1 comment:

  1. AM8:31 AM, March 14, 2025

    Fine tribute Caoimhin.
    A solid activist.
    Eternal Dreamless Sleep to Jim.

    ReplyDelete

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