The scene at last night’s commemoration ceremony in Shantallow held to mark the 40th anniversary of deaths of IRA members Gerry Craig and Davy Russell.
Two teenage Derry IRA members, killed by their own bomb 40 years ago, had earlier the same day carried out a “successful” bomb attack, a commemoration ceremony to mark the 40th anniversary of their deaths has been told.
Davy Russell (18), a Protestant, and Gerry Craig (17), both from the Shantallow area, died instantly when a bomb they were carrying – intended for the Superfare store on Greenhaw Road – exploded prematurely in the supermarket’s car park on the afternoon of 24 June, 1974.
Several hundred people, who attended a commemoration ceremony at the republican memorial in Shantallow last night, were told both were friends and had joined the IRA because they had “got fed up of the brutality and harassment” meted out to local youngsters and the RUC and British army.
Gerry Craig.
Main speaker at the event, veteran republican Gerry McCartney, said both the teenagers were involved in the second phase of a day-long IRA bombing campaign across the North when they were killed.
Mr McCartney said: “The 24th of June 1974 was a day of action by the IRA which was split into two phases.
“Mid-morning hundreds of volunteers across the north of ireland planted bombs in the towns and cities – the second phase was to happen in the afternoon.
“Gerry Craig and Davy Russell were part of that second phase.
“They were part of a four-man IRA unit from the 3rd Battalion Derry Brigade who left their operational base in the Carnhill area shortly after 2.00pm, their task that day was to plant two bombs.
“One of the bombs they planted successfully in Pennyburn Industrial Estate and as they were in the process of planting the second bomb, it exploded killing the two volunteers.
“It seriously damaged their getaway car as well and the other two volunteers had to make their way on foot back into the Shantallow area.”
Mr McCartney said he could remember the day “as if it were yesterday.”
He added: “I very clearly remember where I was when I heard that bomb. I was sitting 100-150 yards away from here on a wee wall outside the community centre, eating my lunch.
“I can even remember what I had for lunch that day – I had bought it in Patsy Owens’ shop just across the street – a half pound of cheddar cheese and a bottle of milk.
“I had just finished that and was relaxing on a nice, warm sunny evening when I heard that bomb.
“Instinctively, I knew there was something wrong. I looked around to find someone to find out what had exactly gone wrong.
Davy Russell.
“I walked to a house where I knew republicans would gather in.
“There were sveral republicans in the house, all in s state of distress and deep trauma.
“I was informed of the identity of the two volutneers and took responsibility to inform their families.
“I left that house with no clear idea how I was going to set about that task.
“As I walked through the park beside the community centre, making my way to Craig family home, I met one of Gerry’s brothers who had heard the rumours – the ‘Derry rumour mill’ was in full swing.
“I confirmed to him that his brother was, indeed, one of those who had been killed and asked did he want me to go to his family home and inform his father.
“He relieved me of that sad duty and said he would take care of it himself.
“I did had no idea how I was going to contact the Russell family. As we all know, Davy was a young Protestant.
“I was fortunate enough to meet a young Catholic priest who reluctantly agreed to make the family aware.
Gerry McCartney speaking at last night’s commemoration.
“I pressed upon him the urgency as I knew the British would very quickly identify the two volunteers and a house raid would follow and they would not be very kind in announcing the deaths.”
Mr McCartney added “in recent times,” republicans had made “many hard” decisions and called on them to “double their efforts” to “bring about the dream” IRA volunteers had died for.
He said: “As we can see from the turnout tonight, the deaths of our volunteers will always be remembered. `
“Over the last few weeks, from when I was asked and given the honour and privilege to speak here tonight, I began looking in the memorial notices in the local papers and found very few 40th anniversaries – but republicans always remember their dead.”
He added: “Society has changed dramatically since Gerry and Davy went out and lost their lives for the cause of freedom.
“This society has been transformed. It has been transformed beause of the sacrifice of Gerry and Davy, and others.
“Ireland unfree shall never be at peace – and we are not yet at peace. The armed struggle may well be over but the struggle continues.
“Republicans today are not being asked to take the same risks that those young voluneers took but republicasn today also have massive challenges in the road ahead.
“There has, in recent times, been many hard decisions taken – some have been very painful for many of us – but these events need to happen if we are to have an an Ireland that is envisaged in the 1916 Proclamation where Catholic, Protestant and dissenter can live in an Ireland of equals.”
Mr McCartney concluded: “I urge all republicans to double their efforts to bring about the dream our volunteers died for.”
Sinn Fein MEP Martina Anderson making a presentation to the Craig family at last night’s commemoration ceremony in Shantallow.
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