Memorial events in Spain honour Eddie O’Neill from Derrytresk

OVER 100 relatives and friends of the late Irish Republican and anti-fascist activist Eddie O’Neill from Derrytresk travelled to Spain at the weekend for the unveiling of a plaque and renaming of a plaza in his honour.

Mr O’Neill passed away in Connolly hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin last July.

After spending 14 years in maximum-security English prisons for Republican activities, on his release in 1988 he also embraced internationalism and anti-fascism.

Along with International Brigades veteran Bob Doyle, Harry Owens and a small number of others, he established the ‘Friends of Charlie Donnelly’, in memory of a fellow republican socialist, Co Tyrone native and International Brigader who was killed at the Battle of Jarama in defence of the Spanish Republic in February 1937. In a poignant ceremony on Saturday, Eddie O’Neill’s ashes were scattered on the battle field were Charlie Donnelly was killed.

In 2010 the group evolved into Friends of the International Brigades Ireland (FIBI). Along with other FIBI members, he sought to promote knowledge of the International Brigade. He also completed a cairn (monument) using stones from the 32 counties of Ireland, overlooking where Charlie Donnelly fell at Jarama and was committed to erecting memorials to every individual Irish Brigader who served the anti-fascist cause in Spain. Mr O’Neill also spent countless hours researching and unearthing information on previously ‘lost’ volunteers.

He planned and organised commemorative events across Spain, the Basque Country and Catalunya, where he was a regular visitor.

Gearóid Mackle of FIBI, who was a close friend of Eddie O’Neill, explained, “It was a very powerful and poignant weekend. It was an historic occasion when a monument was unveiled to Eddie beside Charlie Donnelly’s monument overlooking Jarama valley where Charlie Donnelly died fighting for freedom and democracy in Spain. A local plaza in the same area, at Rivas Vaciamadrid, was also named after Eddie.

“He lived and breathed this project. It was his vocation in life and he made friends all over Spain and Catalonia and the Basque Country. Over 30 of his relatives were among the 100 who travelled over for the events. Many of those who went couldn’t believe how well Eddie was known there.

“Eddie’s ashes were scattered by his son Oisin over the battlefield at Jarama where Charlie Donnelly was killed. His sister Peggy made an address. It was a very emotional event and is what Eddie and his family wanted”.

The weekend of events also included a walking tour to important historical sites with two local historians who had brothers killed by Franco’s forces, a ceremony to remember Scottish brigadiers who died in the anti-fascist war which was addressed by FIBI Chairman John Bruen.

Mr Mackle added, “It was a wonderful weekend and very poignant and fitting tribute to Eddie who was dedicated to making sure the International Brigades who fought fascism in Spain are never forgotten.”