Shannon anti- war protester dies

by Fintan Lane - IAWM and Cork Anti-War Campaign Sat Nov 01, 2003 01:59

Shocking. A terrible tragedy.

by pasionaria Sat Nov 01, 2003 02:28

please feature this item as a main headline in this website, as a mark of repect. he seemed to be a man who enjoyed drawing attention to himself.

very tragic,

by pasionaria Sat Nov 01, 2003 02:29

excuse typo error

by Damien Moran Sat Nov 01, 2003 05:09

The Murphy family will be held close to the hearts of those who attend this years AFRI Hedge School @ The Mill outside Naas, Co. Kildare (Nov.1st).Respect to a colourful and peace-loving character.

Bondye avek nou

by Random Input Sat Nov 01, 2003 05:34

don't know the guy. but respect. terrible.

BTW its the OLD MILL, and maybe i'll see you there.

by iosaf Sat Nov 01, 2003 10:54

to all his, unexpected or accidental death is always a tragedy and difficult for family and friends.
Perhaps out of respect for them the comments could be edited more closely.

by binned Sat Nov 01, 2003 11:19

i would also like to add my mark of respect to all his family and friends.

its unfortunate that people like Lachrymosa have the freedom to speak their minds in such an ingnorant and insensitive way, I would delete it if I could.

by David Sat Nov 01, 2003 13:41

I wish i could offer any consolation to his family and friends who must be suffering terribly.

by LonE gunman Sat Nov 01, 2003 14:03

All due respects to the man and his family.But there has been a few rumours goinig the rounds in limerick that there was more to his death.

by ec Sat Nov 01, 2003 14:23

.

by Anonymous Sat Nov 01, 2003 15:16

Judging by the story which Eoin kindly provided, and which I had read before, the guy sounded class. He and his family have my prayers.

http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=47422

by Ray McInerney Sat Nov 01, 2003 18:51

I don't think its the same Eamonn. The guy with the red hair and goatee is called Eamonn McCarthy.

My prayers go out for a fellow parishioner.

by conor Sat Nov 01, 2003 21:43

goodbye Eamon.you stood up, you were counted and you took no shit from the state.
"The law is an ass"
thank you.

by Tim Hourigan Sat Nov 01, 2003 22:02

I only found out this morning about Eamonn's death.
I made it to Eamonn's funeral mass today (with Ed Horgan).

The place was packed. Eamonn's children and family were there, and lots of friends.
His brother gave a great eulogy, and Eamonn was given a standing ovation at the end of the mass.
(I have NEVER seen that happen at a mass)
Judge Mangan and the Shannon Police should have been there to hear more about this guy.

This gentle, witty, likeable man had a masters in microbiology from Trinity college.
He also developed a laboratory test now used worldwide. (what do protestors ever do for the country eh?)
He was a playwright and the author of books about Limerick architecture and local history.
During the summer he had even set up his own political party.

Eamonn was also very committed to the anti-war cause, and to say he was 'dedicated' to stopping the military use of our country, is putting it mildly.

I only met him after he got arrested on March 1st, but I bumped into him several times in Limerick, and he always had time to talk, and something interesting to say.

Eamonn made the TV for his part in the March 1st demo, and was shown on RTE colliding with a riot cops shield next to the fence!

I was at most of his court attendances.
And, fair play to Eamonn's indominitable spirit, he gave as good as he got in his exchanges with Mangan.

When representing himself in court in Ennis (actually the Eire Og GAA club).
Instead of asking if he wanted a copy of statements from the prosecution (which he normally asks defence solicitors) Judge Mangan asked him if he wanted a "Garry Doyle" order, Mangan deliberately using a lawyers' slang term (quasi technical) to try catch him out.

Unfazed by Mangan's attitude, Mr. Murphy said,
"I will consult with my learned colleagues."
He turned calmly to the table full of lawyers who were all nodding.

"Yes, Judge, I would like a Garry Doyle order"
he said - with great class, provoking a row of smiles from the watching solicitors and journalists.

Eamonn's case was repeatedly adjourned and the number of appearances dragged into double figures, which annoyed him, but never seemed to grind him down. He was even in good form when I met him the day he got out of Limerick jail for contempt (yes, Mangan's court again!)

At one stage the judge complained that Mr. Murphy did not have his probation report in court. It was pointed out that it hadn't been finished or produced by the prosecution yet! that saga dragged on for a while.

Eamonn's last court appearance was in Shannon some weeks back, when he expected the final sentence. Eamonn decided to be well behaved and not rattle the Judge's ego...
but then his solicitor went and called the judge a clown, and that case got adjourned yet again!

He was due to re-appear on Friday 13th November for what would have been his 13th appearance for the same charge. The court won't be as interesting without him.

God, rest you Eamonn, there's not many like you.

by Des - Socialist Party Sat Nov 01, 2003 23:34

I did not know the man personnally, but anyone who protested against the brutal aggression against the Iraqi people has my respect.
BTW mr. gunman I doubt very much if the man ever murdered any innocent people unlike Bush and Blair!!!!

by Righteous Pragmatist Sun Nov 02, 2003 00:24

Lord Rest His Soul.
The first of Novemeber is all souls day.
I'll light a candle that his soul will not long be detained in purgatory.
Sorry for your trouble.

by Lone gunman Sun Nov 02, 2003 00:50

Maybe you should try reading what I wrote again or has over reading the Commie manifesto and Das Kapital prevented you from comprehending anything else?

by gregarious non-armed civilian Sun Nov 02, 2003 01:14

Well I read what you wrote Gunman .... and it was far less coherent that the Communist Manifesto for all the faults that particular polemic might have .......

Forgive me for saying it but your previous contribution sounds like typical Irish pub prattle: "a few rumours going the rounds in Limerick" ....

Why don't you enlighten us all - especially those of us not privileged to be able to tune into the various rumours doing the rounds in Limerick - as to what these rumours might be ?

Just to help you here's a check list:
A. Rumour of foul play by agents of the State
B. Rumour of foul play by local gangsters
C. Rumour of dispute with persons unknown - with or without suspicion that alcohol may have been involved
D. None of the above (please elaborate on a separate sheet).

Whatever you decide on, don't forget to include a disclaimer that it's only a wild rumour based on unsubstantiated heresay to avoid any unpleasant legal consequences (especially if the rumour was that agents of the State might have been involved).

by Ciaron - Dublin Catholic Worker Sun Nov 02, 2003 12:04

I received a letter from Eamonn,a couple of months ago, while he was in Limerick Prison for breaking bail conditions. Great spirit, a sad loss for us. Will remember him and family in prayers at CW liturgy this afternoon and aon the way to court tomorrow.

by karen fallon Sun Nov 02, 2003 16:01

just heard the news.
i will miss eamon very much, he was a good guy!
respect to you eamon.

by Lone gunman Sun Nov 02, 2003 17:36

Rumours A&C of non armed victim..er..civillian.
A due to his "peace activity" C by being financed by A to do so.Needless to say it is rumour .But you know never know.Of course if a few more peacenicks are found dead in intresting circumstances................

by Lonely Loonie Sun Nov 02, 2003 17:48

That there was a conspiracy between Arnold Schwarznegger, Osama Bin Laden and ET to do it. Needless to say I've just made it up.

by unarmed person Sun Nov 02, 2003 18:32

Are there no depths to which 'Lone gunman' will not sink?
However much you may disagree with someone's politics, at least anyone with an ounce of decency would not spread malacious gossip about someone who has just died.

by Des - Socialist Party Sun Nov 02, 2003 19:53

I did read your 'contribution' and your lack of respect speaks for itself. Being a 'gunman' might I suggest that you do not confine yourself to rumours and instead offer your services to dubya, Baghdad is very nice at this time of year.

by gregarious non-armed civilian Sun Nov 02, 2003 20:46

I don't think that Gunman was expressing a wish for more peace activists to die under mysterious circumstances.

As I understood his admittedly rather compressed and cryptic remarks, he was merely responding to my request for more information about the rumours circulating with regard to the death reported in this posting. I interpret his final remark to mean that such rumours would only start to gain substance if there were a few more "incidents" of this nature.

I don't believe he intended to suggest that he would support or welcome such developments, merely stating that if they did occur it would add more credibility to the rumours circulating in the present case.

by Yogi Sun Nov 02, 2003 21:08

I was in the court after the March 1st protest and that was my only encounter with Eamonn Murphy. I was impressed by his attitude to the prick Mangan who couldn't get his head around the fact that Eamonn was addressing him like an ordinary citizen. He narrowly escaped being locked up for contempt on that occasion.
Peace.

by Joe S Mon Nov 03, 2003 12:29

I did not know Eamon all that well,met him a few times he was definitely a character he will be missed.

by Ruairi Mon Nov 03, 2003 13:07

Eamons spirit will be with us all as we struggle on into the lonely adventure.

Thank you Eamon.

Rest in peace.

by Cop On Mon Nov 03, 2003 18:41

Lone Gunman,
People put up with your nonsense because, malicious, stupid or whatever you may be, criticism is allowed if its not inciting violence or racist.
Now, you must be a bit younger than some of us thought. You showed some bit of intelligence in your baiting and trolling (a bit clever, but not very wise or compassionate) but turning someone's obituary column into a space to throw dirt is a sign that you are either immature due to lack of years, or just plain ignorant.

by Cathie Clinton Tue Nov 04, 2003 02:10

Thank's for the chewing gum in the cop shop, for helping us all stay calm, for the advice, the enthusiasm, the confusing but distracting chat in and before court and the challenges you presented; to them and me. You're an inspiration and a great man.
Much love

by Inspired Tue Nov 04, 2003 04:19

We need more people like Eamon. He is an inspiration to all freedom loving people, and his memory will live on in our hearts and minds.

by Fr Jack Wed Nov 05, 2003 04:12

When we remember our loved ones who have passed on we do so with kindness and compassion. Our words reveal what is in our hearts, and those who use harsh words also reveal what is in theirs.

Being kind and compassionate is it's own reward,
and being harsh and unkind is it's own punishment.

We remember this kind man with love, for he too had love in his heart.
We pity those who speak ill of the dead, for they know not love.

by Adam Wed Nov 05, 2003 07:19

I didn't know Eamonn that well, but I met him a couple of times in court and had a letter from him when he was in prison.

Eamonn in court was what court should be about - he stripped out the jargon and the cermony (even, as Tim said, when the Judge added extra jargon to try and confuse him) and told it like he saw it. He kept his head high and refused to be sorry for doing what he believed to be right. He'll be missed by many people, but probably not by a court which couldn't cope with him.