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El chulito (talk | contribs) link to Kevin McKenna deleted--that is a very different Kevin McKenna, not the PIRA man; category People killed by security forced rv--Fleming drowned |
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'''Kieran''' |
'''Kieran''' Fleming''' (([[Irish language|Irish]] '''Ciarán Ó Pléamonn'''; b. [[25 October]] [[1959]] – d. [[2 December]] [[1984]]) was a member of the Derry Brigade of the [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]] from the predominantly Protestant and [[Loyalist]] [[Waterside]] area, [[Derry]], [[Northern Ireland]].<ref>[http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/issues/segregat/temple/hem2.htm CAIN The Gobnascale Interviews]</ref> He died while attempting to escape after a confrontation with British troops in 1984.<ref>[http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/sutton/chron/1984.html CAIN Index of Deaths]</ref><ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,3858,3967742-99819,00.html She said too much]</ref><ref>[http://www.anphoblacht.com/notices/2004-12-02 I nDíl Chuimhne]</ref> |
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==Background== |
==Background== |
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Fleming was the youngest son of Paddy and Maud Fleming. Fleming grew up |
Fleming was the youngest son of Paddy and Maud Fleming. Fleming grew up in the predominantly Protestant Waterside estate to the east of [[Derry City]].<ref>[http://www.anphoblacht.com/news/detail/7677 Four Derry Volunteers killed in action]</ref><ref>[''Tírghrá'', National Commemoration Centre, 2002. PB) ISBN 0-9542946-0-2 p.264] p.264</ref> |
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==Paramilitary career== |
==Paramilitary career== |
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===Maze Escape=== |
===Maze Escape=== |
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On [[ |
On [[23 September]] [[1983]], Fleming was involved in the largest break-out of prisoners in Europe since the [[World War II]] and in British prison history. Fleming, along with 37 other republican prisoners, armed with 6 hand-guns, hijacked a prison meals lorry and smashed their way out of [[HMP Maze]] past 40 prison wardens and 28 alarm systems. During the escape [[Gerry Kelly]] shot and injured a prison warden as the officer attempted to foil the escape<ref>[http://observer.guardian.co.uk/nireland/story/0,,1046621,00.html Maze party with jelly and ice cream] by Nicola Byrne, The Observer Special Reports, 21 September 2003</ref><ref>[''Tírghrá'', National Commemoration Centre, 2002. PB) ISBN 0-9542946-0-2 p.264] p.264</ref><ref>[http://www.anphoblacht.com/news/detail/10596 The IRA's greatest escape]</ref> |
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===Tactical outlook=== |
===Tactical outlook=== |
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Fleming, according to IRA sources quoted by journalist [[Ed Moloney]] was noted for his hard line militarist republicanism.<ref>[A Secret History of the IRA'', [[Ed Moloney]], 2002. 9PB) ISBN 0-393-32502-4 (HB) ISBN 0-71-399665-X]</ref> He is reputed to have backed a plan to form full time guerrilla units or "flying columns" based in the Republic, which would carry out four or five large scale attacks in the north a year. This approach was espoused by the militant [[Provisional IRA East Tyrone Brigade]] led by [[Padraig McKearney]] and [[Jim Lynagh]], who wanted an escalation of the conflict to what they termed "total war". They were opposed by |
Fleming, according to IRA sources quoted by journalist [[Ed Moloney]] was noted for his hard line militarist republicanism.<ref>[A Secret History of the IRA'', [[Ed Moloney]], 2002. 9PB) ISBN 0-393-32502-4 (HB) ISBN 0-71-399665-X]</ref> He is reputed to have backed a plan to form full time guerrilla units or "flying columns" based in the Republic, which would carry out four or five large scale attacks in the north a year. This approach was espoused by the militant [[Provisional IRA East Tyrone Brigade]] led by [[Padraig McKearney]] and [[Jim Lynagh]], who wanted an escalation of the conflict to what they termed "total war". They were opposed by Kevin McKenna, the IRA Chief of Staff and by the republican leadership based around [[Gerry Adams]], on the grounds that actions on that scale were too big a risk and unsustainable. The IRA leadership wanted a smaller scale campaign of attrition, supplemented by politcal campaigning by [[Sinn Fein]].<ref>Ed Moloney, The Secret History of the IRA, p313-314</ref><ref>[''The I.R.A.'', [[Tim Pat Coogan]], 1995. PB) ISBN 0-00-638401-3 p.530] p.530</ref> |
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===Kesh Ambush and death=== |
===Kesh Ambush and death=== |
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On Sunday morning, [[2 December]] [[1984]], Fleming and MacGiolla Bhrighde stole a Toyota van in [[Pettigo]], [[County Donegal]], the van was then loads with 9 beer kegs, each containing 100lbs of explosives. They then crossed the border and travelled to [[Kesh, County Fermanagh]]. At the Drumrush Lodge Restaurant just outside of Kesh they then planted a landmine in a lane leading to the restaurant and wired up a device which was connected to an observation point. From there a hoax call was was made in order to lure the British Army to the restaurant on the pretence that there was a firebomb planted within the restaurant. |
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MacGiolla Bhrighde observed a RUC patrol car approaching the restaurant and gave the detonation code word "one", however, the mine failed to explode. MacGiolla Bhrighde and British soldier Alistair Slater were both killed during the operation.<ref>[''Tírghrá'', National Commemoration Centre, 2002. PB) ISBN 0-9542946-0-2 p.264] p.264</ref><ref>[Baptism of Fire: The Astonishing True Story of a Man of God, Frank Collins PB) ISBN 0-5521458-2-3, 0-385409-168]</ref><ref> http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/sutton/chron/1984.html </ref>. Fleming and the remainder of the [[ASU]] then came under fire from the SAS unit and retreated. Fleming became trapped between the SAS units and the swollen River Bannagh, Fleming, a non-swimmer, was swept away and drowned. |
MacGiolla Bhrighde observed a RUC patrol car approaching the restaurant and gave the detonation code word "one", however, the mine failed to explode. MacGiolla Bhrighde and British soldier Alistair Slater were both killed during the operation.<ref>[''Tírghrá'', National Commemoration Centre, 2002. PB) ISBN 0-9542946-0-2 p.264] p.264</ref><ref>[Baptism of Fire: The Astonishing True Story of a Man of God, Frank Collins PB) ISBN 0-5521458-2-3, 0-385409-168]</ref><ref> http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/sutton/chron/1984.html </ref>. Fleming and the remainder of the [[ASU]] then came under fire from the SAS unit and retreated. Fleming became trapped between the SAS units and the swollen River Bannagh, Fleming, a non-swimmer, was swept away and drowned. |
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*[[The Troubles in Kesh]] |
*[[The Troubles in Kesh]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:1959 births|Fleming, Kieran]] |
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[[Category:1984 deaths|Fleming, Kieran]] |
[[Category:1984 deaths|Fleming, Kieran]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Northern Irish Roman Catholics|Fleming, Kieran]] |
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[[Category:People from Derry|Fleming, Kieran]] |
[[Category:People from Derry|Fleming, Kieran]] |
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[[Category:Provisional Irish Republican Army members|Fleming, Kieran]] |
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{{NI-bio-stub}} |
{{NI-bio-stub}} |
Revision as of 17:15, 28 January 2007
Kieran Fleming ((Irish Ciarán Ó Pléamonn; b. 25 October 1959 – d. 2 December 1984) was a member of the Derry Brigade of the Provisional Irish Republican Army from the predominantly Protestant and Loyalist Waterside area, Derry, Northern Ireland.[1] He died while attempting to escape after a confrontation with British troops in 1984.[2][3][4]
Background
Fleming was the youngest son of Paddy and Maud Fleming. Fleming grew up in the predominantly Protestant Waterside estate to the east of Derry City.[5][6]
Paramilitary career
Fleming became involved in the republican movement from a early age and spent most of his formative years imprisioned in the republican H-Blocks of HMP Maze.
Maze Escape
On 23 September 1983, Fleming was involved in the largest break-out of prisoners in Europe since the World War II and in British prison history. Fleming, along with 37 other republican prisoners, armed with 6 hand-guns, hijacked a prison meals lorry and smashed their way out of HMP Maze past 40 prison wardens and 28 alarm systems. During the escape Gerry Kelly shot and injured a prison warden as the officer attempted to foil the escape[7][8][9]
Tactical outlook
Fleming, according to IRA sources quoted by journalist Ed Moloney was noted for his hard line militarist republicanism.[10] He is reputed to have backed a plan to form full time guerrilla units or "flying columns" based in the Republic, which would carry out four or five large scale attacks in the north a year. This approach was espoused by the militant Provisional IRA East Tyrone Brigade led by Padraig McKearney and Jim Lynagh, who wanted an escalation of the conflict to what they termed "total war". They were opposed by Kevin McKenna, the IRA Chief of Staff and by the republican leadership based around Gerry Adams, on the grounds that actions on that scale were too big a risk and unsustainable. The IRA leadership wanted a smaller scale campaign of attrition, supplemented by politcal campaigning by Sinn Fein.[11][12]
Kesh Ambush and death
On Sunday morning, 2 December 1984, Fleming and MacGiolla Bhrighde stole a Toyota van in Pettigo, County Donegal, the van was then loads with 9 beer kegs, each containing 100lbs of explosives. They then crossed the border and travelled to Kesh, County Fermanagh. At the Drumrush Lodge Restaurant just outside of Kesh they then planted a landmine in a lane leading to the restaurant and wired up a device which was connected to an observation point. From there a hoax call was was made in order to lure the British Army to the restaurant on the pretence that there was a firebomb planted within the restaurant.
MacGiolla Bhrighde observed a RUC patrol car approaching the restaurant and gave the detonation code word "one", however, the mine failed to explode. MacGiolla Bhrighde and British soldier Alistair Slater were both killed during the operation.[13][14][15]. Fleming and the remainder of the ASU then came under fire from the SAS unit and retreated. Fleming became trapped between the SAS units and the swollen River Bannagh, Fleming, a non-swimmer, was swept away and drowned.
Funeral
Trouble erupted at the funeral of Fleming.[16].
Monument Issue
In 2002, a row erupted when a monument to Fleming, MacGiolla Bhrighde and Sligo Volunteer Joe MacManus was sited close to the place where Protestant workmen William Hassard and Frederick Love were killed by the IRA in 1988.[17][18][19]
References
- ^ CAIN The Gobnascale Interviews
- ^ CAIN Index of Deaths
- ^ She said too much
- ^ I nDíl Chuimhne
- ^ Four Derry Volunteers killed in action
- ^ [Tírghrá, National Commemoration Centre, 2002. PB) ISBN 0-9542946-0-2 p.264] p.264
- ^ Maze party with jelly and ice cream by Nicola Byrne, The Observer Special Reports, 21 September 2003
- ^ [Tírghrá, National Commemoration Centre, 2002. PB) ISBN 0-9542946-0-2 p.264] p.264
- ^ The IRA's greatest escape
- ^ [A Secret History of the IRA, Ed Moloney, 2002. 9PB) ISBN 0-393-32502-4 (HB) ISBN 0-71-399665-X]
- ^ Ed Moloney, The Secret History of the IRA, p313-314
- ^ [The I.R.A., Tim Pat Coogan, 1995. PB) ISBN 0-00-638401-3 p.530] p.530
- ^ [Tírghrá, National Commemoration Centre, 2002. PB) ISBN 0-9542946-0-2 p.264] p.264
- ^ [Baptism of Fire: The Astonishing True Story of a Man of God, Frank Collins PB) ISBN 0-5521458-2-3, 0-385409-168]
- ^ http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/sutton/chron/1984.html
- ^ I.R.A. Funeral in Ulster Turns Into a Riot
- ^ Northern News
- ^ The Impartial Reporter
- ^ Republicans make conciliatory move over IRA memorial
See also