Volunteer Sean O Cheallachain (Cork)

This past June saw the death of Border Campaign veteran Vol Sean O Cheallachain (Callahan) of the Cork Brigade. Sean took part in the raid on Omagh Barracks in 1954, but was among group that became separated from the column in the ensuing fray. He was arrested along with 7 others (including 2 other Cork men) and given ten years in Belfast Gaol. During the trial he declared from the dock "God will reward me for service to my country and my place in the IRA will be filled tenfold." After his release in 61 he rose to become the O/c of the IRA in Cork. He died on June 27th 2013. Fellow Omagh prisoner Tom Mitchell gave the oration at his funeral.