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.
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
