Castlewellan GAC ‘did not approve’ event in memory of late IRA man

Castlewellan GAC ‘did not approve’ event in memory of late IRA man

20 March 2024

A LOCAL GAA club has said it did not approve plans to host a commemoration event in memory of an IRA man.

Castlewellan GAC said the event, which was recently published on social media purporting to take place on August 16, “was posted without the knowledge, agreement, or approval” of the club’s executive committee.

Paul Magorrian (21) was shot dead by the Army in Castlewellan on August 14, 1974. Details of the planned commemoration event posted recently on social media.

DUP councillor Alan Lewis has described plans for the commemoration event entitled ‘The Paul Magorrian story’ as a “sickening eulogy of a terrorist”.

He said residents of Castlewellan, including those who were “displaced by bomb, bullet and intimidation” know only too well the activities of Paul Magorrian.

He continued: “The night he met his end he was on ‘active service’ preparing to attack an army and police foot patrol. 

“Residents haven’t forgotten the mark that he left on the town, the forced displacement of Unionists and targeting of businesses and family homes.”

Cllr Lewis claimed the IRA led by Magorrian embarked on a campaign of “ethnic cleansing” and that no “glossy leaflet or romantic commemoration of his life will whitewash his crimes of terrorism and sectarianism”.

The Slieve Croob councillor said the GAA also “needs to put its money where its mouth is”.

“In recent weeks, the organisation has called for vast sums of public money towards a new stadium in West Belfast. It purports to be a cross-community, one size fits all organisation. However, when we scratch the service, the stain of eulogising terrorism remains rampant and unchanged. 

“It is high time they are held to the same standards as other sporting organisations. No longer can the GAA retreat behind club walls and praise the actions of people like Magorrian who set out to murder and intimidate his protestant neighbours.”

A Sinn Féin spokesperson said everyone had the right to remember their dead with dignity and respect. 

“This event will commemorate the life of Paul Magorrian, a young man who was a valued and highly respected member of the local community,” the spokesperson added.