Matt Devlin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Matt Devlin (Irish language: Máta Ó Dobhailein[1][2][3]) (b. Ardboe, County Tyrone 30 April 1950 d. County Westmeath 28 December 2005) was an Irish member (volunteer) of the Provisional Irish Republican Army who took part in the 1981 Irish Hunger Strike and was later a leading member of Sinn Féin in County Westmeath.
Contents |
[edit] Background
Devlin was arrested in 1977, and was taken to Cookstown and Omagh Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) barracks and interrogated for four days.[4] He was charged with the attempted murder of members of the security forces.
[edit] Prison
In October 1977 he was sentenced to seven years for the attempted murder of RUC officers.
Devlin became the 15th republican prisoner to join the Hunger Strike in HMP Maze when he replaced Martin Hurson who died after 44 days on hunger-strike on 13 July 1981. He had been involved in the prison protests right through from the blanket protest right through until the hunger strikes ended when families began to take their sons off the protest.[5][6][7]
[edit] Electoral politics
In 2004, despite serious illness he stood in local elections in Ireland and although failing to get elected is credited for building up the Sinn Féin party in County Westmeath.[8]
Senior Sinn Féin member, Martin McGuinness said: "It was a testament to Matt’s determination and courage that even when seriously ill he still put himself forward to stand for Sinn Féin in the last Southern elections. Matt continued to play a key role organising and building the party in Westmeath right up until his untimely death a few days ago."[9]
He was buried on 31 December 2005 in his hometown of Ardboe.[10] A monument and tombstone to commemorate him were unveiled on 1 April 2007. The ceremony was attended by thousands.
[edit] References
- ^ Surnames in Ireland, Seán E. Quinn, Irish Genealogy Press, Dublin, 2000, ISBN 1 871509 39 4, pg. 76
- ^ Putting Irish on English Names, "Matthew = Máta"
- ^ Devlin coat of arms and family history, araltas.com
- ^ Remembering 1981 Devlin replaces Hurson. Riot at British embassy. An Phoblacht (20 July 2006). Retrieved on 2007-07-22.
- ^ Unknown. "Maskey discharged after heart attack", UTV, December 30, 2005. Retrieved on 2007-02-04.
- ^ Unknown. "Fógraí bháis: Matt Devlin", An Phoblacht, January 5, 2006. Retrieved on 2007-02-04.
- ^ Irish Hunger Strikes Chapter 45
- ^ Matt Devlin - Electoral History
- ^ Unknown. "Martin McGuinness Pays Tribute To Former IRA Hunger Striker Matt Devlin", Sinn Féin, December 31, 2005. Retrieved on 2007-02-04.
- ^ Unknown. "Mitchel McLaughlin expresses regret at death of former hunger striker Matt Devlin", Sinn Féin, December 29, 2005. Retrieved on 2007-02-04.
|
||||||||||||||
This biographical article related to a paramilitary organization is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
