The late Martin Calligan from Kilmurray-MacMahon was a dedicated Republican
who was to the forefront of a picket on Shannon Airport during the first Gulf War in 1991 because he saw the use of a civilian airport by American armed forces compromised Irish neutrality, writes Des Long

"Martin was part of living Republican history and his writing about his part in the struggle is an inspiration to all those nationally minded people who put patriotism above profit. His well researched writings were published in three booklets, "James Connolly Prophecy", "Freedom and Traitors" and "The Unbroken Link in the Republican Chain,"
that inspired a younger generation of political activists.

In fact during the Fine Gael/Labour coalition of the 1970's his letter writing to the Irish Press aroused the indignation of Minister for Posts and Telegraphs Conor Cruise O'Brien who kept a file on the Clareman and his contributions to the newspaper.

The contribution of Martin Calligan was not only confined to letter-writing and as a young man he played a central role in the struggle for the Republic and he met and soldiered with all the great figures of that time.

His life long experience in the Republican Movement led to his being honoured by CABHAIR in 1987 when he was the Munster Honouree at the annual awards ceremony where he voiced his opposition to the sell out and surrender policies of the Provisionals in the mid-1980's. Even back then he could clearly see the political cul de sac that Adams was leading the Movement and he voiced his concern and opposition to former comrades taking the Queen's shilling in a forthright and forceful manner.

As a young man Martin was present at the huge Republican meetings addressed by Mary MacSwiney and Maud Gonne MacBride in County Clare in the 1920's and his own involvement with the Republican Movement began in 1924. Martin was one of the early recruits to the West Clare Battalion of the IRA organised by T.J. Ryan from Sixcrosses, Cranny who was released from internment and set about re-organising the Movement in Clare.

The revitalised IRA in West Clare led Cosgrave regime to send dozens of Special Branch into the area and Martin was one of their particular targets: in fact he was offered a free passage to the USA if he would give information to the police. When he refused armed police kidnapped Martin from his home.

"I was stripped naked, put in the back of a car and driven over five miles into a lonely side road where I was questioned and threatened," he later recalled. "I had to travel two miles, naked and barefoot until I came to the late Mick Huxley's house where I got clothes and shoes."

After the 1931 Cosgrove Coercion Act Martin was detained in Arbour Hill Military prison. Other Republicans imprisoned there were George and Charlie Gilmore, Frank Ryan, and his old comrade T.J. Ryan. When the de Valera Administration took over in Leinster House Martin was charged with refusing to answer questions and appeared before the Military Tribunal. He refused to recognise the court and had to be lifted to his feet for the hearing. He was sentenced to five years and returned to Arbour Hill to join Tommy Grogan, Mick O'Leary, Fitz Langsdorf, Dick MacCarthy and many others.

After three months in solitary confinement they were removed to the Glasshouse Military prison in the Curragh in 1936. There he met Joe Clarke of Mount Street Bridge 116 fame, Moss Twomey, then IRA Chief of Staff and Tom Kelleher of Tom Barry's Flying column.

Released in 1938 Martin took part in the England campaign and after the war in Europe broke out he was again imprisoned in Arbour Hill. After a legal challenge in December 1939 he was released and went on the run in County Clare as de Valera amended the Offences Against the State Act to curb legal challenges.

In 1940 Martin was again arrested and sentenced to six months by the Military Tribunal and then interned in the Curragh. He was present in December 1940 when Barney Casey from Longford was shot dead by the military. For taking part in the burning of the camp as a protest he was sentenced to two years and met both George Plant and Joe O'Connor in Arbour Hill. The Free State had offered George Plant a deal to save his life by pleading insanity and Martin recalled: "George told his solicitor Sean MacBride that the good name of the Republican Movement meant more to him than saving his own life - death before dishonour was more acceptable to him..George Plant was shot by firing squad solely on de Valera's manufactured evidence- no appeal was allowed in 1922 fashion."

We mourn a great Clareman - a true Republican who always articulated the Republican position - even his letters to the Irish Press in the 1970's were filed away by Minister Conor Cruise O'Brien - and Martin's passing will be mourned throughout Clare and in Ireland and any place where men and women who hold dear to the ideal of a new and united Ireland are gathered. Let us remember him - and re-dedicate our selves to the great task of achieving the Irish Republic.

Des Long