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Stars of Sport and Politics
(Part 2)


Catapulted on to the international stage, the young South Armagh teacher, along with his colleagues, was involved in discussions with British Prime Minster, Harold Wilson and the Taoiseach, Jack Lynch. They were courted by the media, as well as by U.S., British and Irish politicians. But from those heady days of fame came a steady decline into the political wilderness, omitted from the Power-sharing Executive, and twice rejected at the polls.

Still loyal to the SDLP, Paddy devoted his energy and diverse talents to the post of Youth Leader with the SELB. And he also concentrated on a voluntary, pioneering role in providing training for the young unemployed, as a founder of the Clanrye Community Workshops and the Abbey Development Project.

Paddy O’Hanlon’s involvement in the civil rights movement came when he was appointed Press Officer to Peoples’ Democracy in the frontier town, with Tommy Keane from Lislea as chairman. A march was planned through the town, in the wake of the famous Derry demonstration, which ended with an RUC baton charge in Duke Street.

However, a section of the Newry march along Merchants Quay was banned. So, when the demonstrators reached the Savoy Cinema corner, despite pleas from politicians, a riot ensured. The RUC Riot Squad retreated, abandoning police lorries, which were set on fire and pushed into the nearby Canal. Perched on the roof of one, I felt it move and jumped off, just in time! The violence caused a re-think by the C.R movement, which decide to organise no more public demonstrations.

Since Stormont elections were upcoming, the Civil Rights leadership in the Newry region decided to put forward their own candidates. They selected Paddy O’Hanlon to contest the South Armagh seat against the sitting nationalist MP, Eddie Richardson. One organiser recalled that the first move was to secure a new suit and a haircut for their candidate.

The charismatic and articulate young leader romped home. And the expectations were for radical political change, with a new deal for disadvantaged areas like Newry and South Armagh. However, the election of a Tory Government was followed by draconian security measures, the imposition of Internment, and the establishment of military bases at Forkhill, Crossmaglen and Bessbrook.

Paddy O’Hanlon was deeply involved in the anti-Internment campaign and, along with Sean Hollywood and Rory McShane, master-minded the massive Civil Rights March in Newry after Bloody Sunday. This indirectly led to the downfall of Stormont.

In more recent years, he has emerged as an author and dramatist, including a book of short stories and two plays, “the Resurrection Man”, and “Donatis.” Also he has just produced a work of fiction, based on the Crossmaglen area.

Meanwhile, that amiable social worker, Pat Toner, was in the hot-seat as Chairman of Newry and Mourne district council, when Sinn Fein members were first elected, leading to acrimony and a walk-out by the Unionists.

On receiving the chain-of-office he stated: “Any member or group elected to this council has equal rights and responsibilities in this chamber, and they must be recognised as representatives of the people.”

However, the harmony was short-lived, with an immediate clash between Sinn Fein councillor Jim McAllister and George Graham of the DUP. And when the BBC camera crew entered the chamber, the Unionists walked out. They staged a three-month boycott of the Council.

However, there were good days, as when the council chairman announced a multi-million pound series of recreation schemes, including Forkhill; and also officially opened Newry Museum, Lislea Community Centre, the Ring of Cullion CCE, and took possession of Newry Canal, on behalf of the people.

On an official visit to Washington, Pat Toner met senior Irish/American politicians, including Senator Edward Kennedy. He was told by the Speaker of the U.S. Congress, `Tip` O’Neill: “If you guys can come up with a settlement over there, I can guarantee that billions of dollars will be available in aid.”

But Pat’s term of office was short-lived, as Independent councillor Eugene Markey staged his famous coup, uniting Sinn Fein and the Unionists behind his bid for the chairmanship.

Incidentally, Paddy O’Hanlon is still involved in sport, as Captain of Warrenpoint Golf Club, a position previously held by his former civil rights colleague, Rory McShane. One might say that, in their radical youth, such a position would have been anathema!

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© Fabian Boyle 2001-2008