A short biography of the late IRA hero by Republican Sinn Féin.
Billy McKee was born in Belfast in 1921 and joined Na Fianna Éireann in
1936. He was first arrested by British Crown Forces in 1938 for
membership of that organisation. On his release he joined Óglaigh na
Eireann (the Irish Republican Army).
In 1940 he was again arrested and spent a seven-year sentence in ‘A’
Wing of Crumlin Road Jail. He was not released until 1946. During the
Resistance Campaign of 1956-62 he was interned in 1947 and spent
three-and-a-half years in Crumlin Road with his fellow internees in ‘D’
Wing.
In August 1969 Billy McKee took over the defence of the Clonard area of
Belfast which was under constant attack at the time by the B-Specials,
RUC and loyalist mobs.
During the split in the Republican Movement later that year he remained
on the Republican path and gave his allegiance to the All-Ireland
Republic proclaimed in 1916 and established by the First Dáil Éireann in
1919. He led the opposition to the reformist ‘Stickies’ in Belfast and
in 1970 he was appointed OC of the IRA in the city.
He reorganised the IRA in Belfast and under his leadership three
Battalions were formed into a Brigade there for the first time since
1921. The Belfast Brigade (which included over 1,000 Volunteers early in
1971) was described at the time as the “scourge of the British army”.
On the night of June 27, 1970 he was seriously wounded while leading the
IRA defence of St Matthew’s Church in the isolated Short Strand area in
east Belfast which was attacked by loyalists while Crown Forces looked
on.
The battle began at about 10pm and continued for the next five hours.
Loyalists began attacking the church and surrounding property with
petrol bombs. A nearby nationalist pub was also looted and burnt.
A small group of IRA members and members of the Citizens’ Defence
Committee took up positions in the church grounds and in adjoining
streets. The IRA members were armed with M1 carbines and were led by
Billy McKee, commander of the IRA’s Belfast Brigade.
The loyalists withdrew after about five hours, as dawn broke. IRA leader
Billy McKee stated that his unit had fired 800 rounds during the battle.
Major-General Farrar-Hockley, then British commander of Land Forces in
the Occupied Six Counties, named Billy McKee among the five leading IRA
members in Belfast. Two months later an undercover British army unit
holed up in the Lower Falls arrested Billy and he was brought to court
on an arms charge. He refused to recognise the court and was sentenced
to five years in jail.
In Long Kesh Billy was elected OC of the sentenced prisoners and led the
successful 1972 hunger strike which forced the British to concede
political status to the Republican prisoners. “Special Category Status”
as the British termed it, lasted until 1976 when its withdrawal
triggered the blanket protest which eventually culminated in the 1981
hunger strike in which 10 Volunteers died.
Released in 1974 Billy became OC of Belfast again until 1977. He took
part in secret peace talks involving the British government in Derry and
in County Clare alongside Sinn Féin leader Ruairí Ó Brádaigh.
A faction led by Adams managed to get McKee voted off the IRA Army
Council, effectively forcing him out of the leadership of the
organisation.
In November 1986 when the Sinn Féin Ard-Fheis voted to recognise the
26-County State, Billy McKee joined the delegates and visitors who left
the Mansion House, Dublin. He attended the first press conference of the
reorganising Republican Sinn Féin later that evening in the West County
Hotel.
In 1993 he was the Honoree at the annual CABHAIR (Irish Republican
Prisoners’ Dependants Fund) Testimonial Dinner.
Billy McKee believed strongly in the abstentionist policy of the
Republican Movement. Throughout his life he remained an advocate of
armed struggle.
Speaking later in life Billy said he had no regrets about his IRA past.
“From I was 15 until 65 I was in some way involved. I have had plenty of
time since to think if I was right or I was wrong. I regret nothing.”
The funeral of veteran republican Billy McKee was held at St Peter’s Cathedral on Saturday morning June 15, 2019. Mr Mc Kee died on Tuesday aged 97.
The funeral of Billy McKee, one of the founding members of the Provisional IRA, has taken place in Belfast.
Thousands lined the streets of west Belfast as republicans from across Ireland descended on the city for the service at St Peter’s Cathedral.
Draped in a flag Mr McKee’s coffin was carried from the church in a gun carriage, with men wearing the military-style black berets associated with the IRA part of the procession.
The veteran republican who opposed the peace process died “unrepentant”, mourners were told.advertisement
A eulogy was read at a memorial garden on the Falls Road, a short distance from the church.
A mourner said: “Billy remained steadfast to the end and had no regrets, despite all the hardship that he endured for his republicanism.
“For him it was not for a new Ireland or an agreed Ireland, it was for a 32-county independent republic that was declared at the front of the General Post Office in 1916.”
He was a former “Officer Commanding” of the IRA and involved with D Company of the organisation, the spokesman added.
Mr McKee was also a devout Catholic who went to Mass every day, and whose deafness meant his prayers were audible to other worshippers.
The address said: “We will remember you with pride.
Billy McKee passed away at his Belfast home on Tuesday
“You were one in a million and a true republican to the end – unbowed, unbroken, and most of all – unrepentant.”
Mr McKee passed away at his Belfast home on Tuesday at the age of 97.
The lifelong republican first joined the IRA in the 1930s and was imprisoned for IRA activity numerous times over the years.
When the Troubles broke out in the late 1960s he became the OC (Officer Commanding) of the IRA’s Belfast Brigade.
He was involved in a gun battle at St Matthew’s Church in the Short Strand during which two Protestants were killed alongside a Catholic civilian. Mr McKee was shot five times during the fighting but survived.
While imprisoned in Crumlin Road in the early 1970s, the veteran republican led a hunger strike in a bid to win political status for paramilitary prisoners.
Mr McKee was forced out of the IRA in 1977 and spent his remaining years as a fierce critic of Sinn Fein’s move towards peace.
18TH ANNUAL CHIEF BARBARA NIGHT WITH THE STATEN ISLAND YANKEES
Come watch the Staten Island Yankees play on Saturday, June 15, 2019, at 7:00 PM at the Richmond County
Ballpark. Join us for this night, celebrating the life and legacy of Chief Jerry Barbara. All members, their families and friends are invited to attend. For ticket information visit www.siyanks.com. Admission is $20 and includes hot dog, chips and soda. The night will also include a ceremonial first-pitch by Chief Barbara’s daughter and son and a spectacular pre-game fireboat water display & post-game fireworks show.
FDNY MARINE CORPS ASSOCIATION FISHING OUTING
The FDNY Marine Corps Association’s 6th Annual LCpl Buckley Memorial Fishing Outing will be held on Monday, June 17, from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Participants will board the Captree Star III (Captree Boat Basin) and depart at 9:00 AM sharp. Space is limited, so it will be on a first come, first serve basis. Cost is $100 for adults, and $65 for kids under 16. For reservations, contact Joe Bachert at 631-605-1444 or John Newman at 631-291-3499.
NYC FIRE MUSEUM PLAQUE DEDICATION
On Wednesday, June 19, 2019, the New York City Fire Museum will dedicate a seedling from the World Trade Center Survivor Tree in memory of FDNY members, other First Responders and New Yorkers who have died from illnesses attributed to their work at the World Trade Center after September 11, 2001. The plaque dedication ceremony will begin promptly at 0900 hours at the Museum, located at 278 Spring Street, Manhattan. Off-duty members are invited to attend in dress uniform.
HAPPY HOUR FOR FRIENDS OF FIREFIGHTERS AT LT. JOHN SIERP’S HOME BASE BISTRO
The staff and board of Friends of Firefighters invite all FDNY members to join them on Friday, June 21, for the happiest of happy hours at Lt. John Sierp’s Home Base Bistro, 416 3rd Avenue, New York, NY 10016. From 5:30-10:00 PM, enjoy food and drink specials with 20% of the evening’s sales being donated to Friends of Firefighters. Learn more by visiting www.friendsoffirefighters.org. Register in advance at friendsoffirefighters.eventbee.com.
LT. JOSEPH GULLICKSON MEMORIAL PICNIC
On Saturday, June 22, 2019, the annual Lt. Joseph Gullickson Memorial Picnic will be held at Nansen Park, 3465 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY, from 12:00 – 6:00 PM. Admission is $40 for adults, $10 for children ages 6-14, children 5 and under are free. Admission price includes all-day BBQ, unlimited beverages, DJ, games and prizes. For tickets and information, call Robert Gullickson at 732-580-4215 or visit www.themaverickfoundation.com.
STREET RENAMING CEREMONYTomorrow, Friday, June 14, 2019, at 1000 hours, a Street Renaming Ceremony will be held honoring the memory of Assistant Chief Ronald R. Spadafora, Chief of Fire Prevention, who died on June 23, 2018. The ceremony will be held at the intersection of 90th Street and Rockaway Blvd., in Queens, NY. All off-duty members and their families are invited to attend. Members are requested to attend in dress uniform. MEMORIAL MASSOn Friday, June 21, 2019, at 1100 hours, a Memorial Mass will be held honoring the memory of Firefighter Daniel F. Pujdak, L-146, who made the supreme sacrifice on June 21, 2007. The mass will take place at St. Cecilia’s Church, 84 Herbert Street, Brooklyn, NY. All off-duty members and their families are invited to attend. Members are requested to attend in dress uniform. FDNY DAY AT SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURESix Flags Great Adventure will host FDNY Appreciation Day on Saturday, June 22, 2019. Special FDNY discount admission of $35.99, (regular admission $81.99), includes Shilelagh Law Band Concert. Other exciting activities include: FDNY-led Parade and fireworks. Proceeds benefit the FDNY Family Transport Foundation. For tickets, visit www.sixflags.com/greatadventure. Be sure to use promotion code FDNY. A percentage of each ticket sold through this link will be donated back to the FDNY Family Transport Unit. FDNY BROOKLYN CYCLONES NIGHTThe 19th Annual FDNY Night will be held at 7:00 PM on Friday, June 28, 2019, at MCU Park in Coney Island. Come out and watch the Brooklyn Cyclones. Pre-game activities begin at 6:30 PM with the Ceremonial Pitch by Chief of EMS Operations Lillian Bonsignore. Post-game fireworks display. $25 package includes: Field Box Seat, $10 Food & Beverage Credit, Limited Edition Hat, Portion of ticket proceeds to benefit EMS FDNY Help Fund, Children can participate in Field of Dreams Program, First 2,000 fans receive a Noah Syndergaard Bobblehead. *Pre and Post game party in Coney Island Brewing Co. (below the stadium). Special FD beers, discounts and music! For tickets, visit https://offer.fevo.com/cyclones-vs-lowell-svdxmue-85c2800?fevoUri=cyclones-vs-lowell-svdxmue-85c2800.
A true legend of the Irish Republican Army, Billy McKee, has passed away at the age of 98. A founding member and former leader of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA), he fought in several eras of the struggle and remained committed to the cause of liberation until his death. Mr McKee was born in Belfast in 1921. At the age of 18, he joined the anti-treaty Irish Republican Army and took part in the IRA’s campaign north of the border, the Northern Campaign, in the early 1940s. He was captured and imprisoned in Crumlin Road Gaol until 1946. On his release, he remained a committed Volunteer and took part in the Border Resistance Campaign in the 1950s, when he was again imprisoned. Upon his release, he became Officer Commanding (OC) of the IRA’s Belfast Brigade. In the 1960s, he became disillusioned with the IRA’s shift towards Marxism, and following the 1969 burning of Bombay Street in Belfast by loyalists with the support of the RUC, he became a founding member of the breakaway Provisional IRA, becoming its first OC in Belfast. In 1970, he led a heroic and legendary action to defend St Matthew’s Church in east Belfast from loyalist attack. Captured and imprisoned once again in April 1971, he led a hunger strike protest to win recognition for IRA prisoners as political prisoners. When McKee was close to death, then Home Secretary William Whitelaw conceded the equivalent Special Category Status. Mr McKee was released in September 1974 and took part in secret peace talks involving the British government in Derry and in County Clare alongside then Sinn Féin leader Ruairi O Bradaigh. In 1977 amid internal upheaval he was voted off the IRA Army Council and ultimately remained with Republican Sinn Féin following their split with Sinn Féin in 1986. He remained an advocate of armed struggle and continued to support the new breakaway IRA groups following the ceasefire and dissolution of the Provisional IRA. He continued to attend republican events and took part in occasional media interviews until recent years. Speaking later in life Mr McKee said he had no regrets about his IRA past. “From I was 15 until 65 I was in some way involved. I have had plenty of time since to think if I was right or I was wrong. I regret nothing,” he said. “If I was the young man today I would be with the group that would be the proper IRA. “I would never condemn them in any way, my heart and soul is with them.” Independent republican Cait Trainor and a friend of Mr McKee said he “was known and loved by many” and “left for us a wonderful legacy that will continue to inspire Republicans for generations to come.” Republican Sinn Féin paid tribute, sending their “deepest sympathy to the family and comrades” of IRA Volunteer Billy McKee. Ar dheis dé go raibha anam dílis.
