Sammy McDevitt remembered as kind-hearted man

TRIBUTES have been paid to justice campaigner Sammy McDevitt, who passed away at Altnagelvin Hospital last weekend.

Sammy was the brother of Eamon McDevitt who was shot dead at an anti-internment march by the British Army at just 28 years old in 1971. Eamon was deaf and could not speak, and was killed on Fountain Street.

After his brother’s death, Sammy became a passionate justice campaigner. He spent most of his life fighting for the British Government to apologise for the wrongful killing of his brother.

Speaking at the 50th anniversary of his brother’s death in 2021 Sammy said, “I have spent 50 years fighting for justice and an apology for my brother Eamon. We want an apology for what happened to Eamon. A British soldier shot and killed an unarmed man here on this street.

“That devastated my family, the people of Strabane, and the deaf community across Ireland”.

West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan said Sammy was a ‘tireless’ campaigner for justice and the truth.

Mr McCrossan said, “Strabane mourns the passing of Sammy McDevitt this week, leaving our wee town reflecting on a truly special man.

“He dedicated his life to seeking truth and justice for his late brother, Eamon.

“For 43 years, Sammy and his family fought tirelessly to clear Eamon’s name and uncover the truth surrounding his tragic death. I vividly remember listening to Sammy share his story on Radio Foyle, highlighting the irreversible damage done over the years, shattering his family’s hopes and dreams, all while his parents passed away without receiving an apology or justice.”

He added, “Strabane takes immense pride in Sammy McDevitt. He was a genuinely decent, kind-hearted individual who deeply cared for his community and cherished his hometown. His warm smile, backpack always in tow, and the signature wave of his tweed cap will forever hold a special place in our hearts.”

Sinn Féin MP Órfhlaith Begley added, “I wish to extend my condolences to the McDevitt family circle on Sammy’s sad passing.

“The killing of Sammy’s brother Eamon… devastated the family, a devastation further compounded by lies from the British state that he had been armed. From that day Sammy fought to clear his brother’s name and was joined in this battle by the Pat Finucance Centre who discovered irrefutable evidence establishing Eamon’s innocence at the time of the 50th Anniversary of his death. This was of great comfort to Sammy but he never lived to see anyone being held accountable for his brother’s killing and like so many other families, had to plough a lonely furrow for decades trying to secure truth and justice.”

Sammy McDevitt’s funeral took place on Monday at St Mary`s Church, Melmount.