Commemoration tonight to mark 50th anniversary of 'unarmed' Derry IRA men shot dead by British troops

Two Derry IRA men shot dead in controversial circumstances by British troops in the city will be remembered tonight at a special commemoration making the 50th anniversary of their deaths.

Colm Keenan (19) and Eugene McGillan (18) were killed in the Dove Gardens area of the Bogside on March 14, 1972.

According to local people, both men were unarmed when they were killed following a gun battle with a British Army patrol.

Colm Keenan, a son of veteran Derry republican, Sean Keenan, was described as a lieutenant in the Derry Brigade of the IRA at the time of his killing.

Their killings took place on the last day of the Widgery Tribunal into the events of Bloody Sunday with the IRA claiming three British soldiers were wound during 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 by the British that they were.

The funerals of both IRA men were held under what was described at the time as 'one of the strictest security operations mounted in Derry since the Troubles began.'

Colm Keenan was buried with full military honours and his funeral was attended by more than 8,000 people while Eugene McGillan’s funeral was private.

Despite the increased security, which included a ring of RUC and military checkpoints being thrown up around the Bogside and Creggan, IRA chief of staff, Sean MacStiofan, and leading Belfast provisional Martin Meehan, managed to get into Derry for the funeral of Colm Keenan.

In his oration, Mr MacStiofan, at the time one of the most wanted men in Ireland, paid tribute to the two Derry teenagers.
He said: “Two more revolutionary soldiers have given their lives for their people. Just a few weeks ago 13 sons of Derry were shot dead and this week we mourn the deaths of two more. Next week, maybe next month, who knows who will be next?” he said.

A representative of the Derry Command of the Provisional IRA also delivered an oration.

Speaking to reporters in the City Cemetery, Mr MacStiofan said the pair were two fine young men who were an outstanding example to all revolutionaries for their dedication to the cause of Irish freedom. Their death does not surprise me, as the best and the bravest are the first to fall.”

Colm Keenan’s coffin was flanked by an IRA guard of honour made of up men wearing black berets and green combat jackets.

Thirty members of Cumann na mBan, dressed in uniform, and 15 members of Na Fianna Eireann also took part in the guard of honour. A volley of shots was fired over the coffin in the cemetery.

Following the deaths of the two men, the Provisional IRA in Derry released a statement paying tribute to them.

“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 organisation said.

The Derry comhairle ceantair of Sinn Féin said; “After sustaining heavy losses the British chose to take their revenge on two unarmed men.

Tonight's commemoration will take place at the refurbished republican monument on the Lecky Road in the Bogside.

“We in Sinn Féin share in the grief and sorrow of their loved ones and friends and yet we feel proud, proud that we were associated with these true patriots of Ireland and proud that they, at such an early age, were regarded as so great a threat to the might of the British army that they were shot down in cold blood on the streets of their beloved Derry.

“Never as long as we have men of the calibre of Colm and Eugene will England ever conquer the Gaels.”

Speaking ahead of tonight's commemoration, taking place at the republican monument on Lecky Road at 6.00pm, a spokesperson for the organisers, the Bogside and Brandywell Monument Committee, said, “These commemorations are very important indeed.

"We will be gathering to remember with dignity and pride the memory of Colm and Eugene and stand  in solidarity with their family and friends.

“To coincide with a large number of commemorations taking place this year to honour our patriot dead the local committee set about the task of doing a major refurbishment of the local  monument.

“We want to ensure that we leave something in place for future generations to remember the sacrifice of our patriot dead. And we would like to thank everyone who supported a number of fundraisers over the past  year to make it all possible.”

The spokesperson concluded: “We would encourage as many people as possible to attend.”