Vol. John Joe Ruane

John Joe Ruane

(Obit from Saoirse, May 14, 1998. Ruane was a membeer of Teeling Column and took part in the attack on Derrylin Barracks.)

Republicans in Galway and throughout Connacht were saddened to learn of the death on Saturday, April 11 of John Joe Ruane from Athenry.
Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, President of Republican Sinn Féin, delivered the oration on Easter Tuesday, April 14 at the graveside following a Republican funeral at which John Joe was given last honours by his comrades in Republican Sinn Féin in Galway.

“John Joe Ruane’s part in the Republican Movement over his lifetime came in direct succession to that of Liam Mellows, the Loughnane Brothers, the IRA Volunteers executed in Athlone and Tuam and Tony D’Arcy who died on hunger-strike in Arbour Hill, Dublin , in 1940,” Ruairí Ó Brádaigh said.

“He followed fearlessly in the path of his comrades, Seán Sabhat, Fearghal Ó hAnluain and Pat McManus, who gave their lives in the late 1950s. Ten days before his death on Easter Saturday, John Joe insisted on attending a Comhairle Ceanntair meeting of Republican Sinn Féin in Athenry. He was faithful to the very end.

Described by a South Armagh Republican as a ‘a most civil man’, he was a political activist and an agitator for social and economic rights for the Irish people.

He put his life on the line with his comrades in 1956-62, worked in elections for Paddy Ruane, Frank Glynn, Murt Qualter and most recently for Tomás Ó Curraoin in Co. Council and Údarás na Gaeltachta elections.

“He was prominent in the fish-ins at the Salmon-Weir Bridge in Galway and at the bridge in Spiddal in the late 1960s. John Joe sought to break the power of the river-lords, just as landlordism was brought down by a previous generation.”

“As a hurler and later an administrator of the GAA, as a consistent Republican, he won peoples’ affections. Known throughout Ireland at demonstrations and comemorations, he was always to the fore with zeal and without fear, physically and morally. We salute your life’s work for Ireland and her people, John Joe.”

“Ar dheis Dé go raibh d’anam uasal”