A candlelight ceremony will take place in Derry this evening to remember republicans from the Brandywell and Bogside areas of the city who have died.
Organised by the Bogside and Brandywell Monument Committee, the first ever “Solas Cuimhneacháin” (Light of Remembrance) will take place at the republican monument on Lecky Road at 7.00pm.
Main speaker at the event will be Derry Sinn Fein MLA Raymond McCartney.
The commemoration is taking place on the anniversary of the deaths of IRA men John Brady (20) and Jimmy Carr (19) who were killed on 28 November 1972.
It is believed they were involved in the assembly of a bomb when it exploded prematurely in a house in Meenan Square in the Bogside.
A spokesperson for the Bogside and Brandywell Monument Committee said it was important to remember the past with respect.
“In recent months there have been attempts to denigrate the memories of our friends and comrades. This has left a lot of families very upset. In all the commentary they conveniently forget that they were someone’s father, brother, mother, sister. They are talking about the friends of people they grew up with and went to school with.
“The lighting of the candle is a poignant act of solidarity that has happened throughout Irish history. The ‘Solas Cuimhneacháin’ ceremony is our small way of standing in solidarity with their family and friends.
“The people we remember day and daily are the guiding lights that are leading us in a new future. A positive future where civility, respect and equality must be absolutely central to our peace and political processes. There is no alternative to equality and reconciliation.”
