Profile of Volunteer Eddie "Starchy" Grant

Charles Edward Grant, or Eddie as most people knew him, was born on 16th August 1956 in Newry. He had six sisters and four brothers. His father Dominic and the rest of the family experienced personal grief when at the young age of 43, his wife Kitty suddenly died. This event put immense pressure on the whole family. Eddie’s sister Margie stepped into the “mother’s role”.

Eddie or Starchy as he was known to his mates lived at Main Avenue, Derrybeg Park. He attended St Patrick’s primary school in the Meadow and then went on to Newry High School on the Ashgrove Road. When Eddie left school he worked at the local meat processing plant (FMC) on the Warrenpoint Road. Eddie used this employment as a stop gap while waiting to join the Merchant Navy. Prior to the outbreak of the “Troubles” Eddie, like any others at that time joined the T.A. Cadets, which had its base on the Downshire Road in Newry and here he gained valuable military experience. Starchy was known in the Derrybeg area as a mixer and a messer always getting up to devilment of some sort. Eddie grew up with a group of friends who also took the same decision to join the ranks of Óglaigh na hÉireann. They became a very effective Active Service Unit within the IRA. Eddie enjoyed all types of outdoor activities especially camping. He also joined St Catherine’s Band in Newry where he played he symbals.

Eddie came from a staunch Republican family. His cousin Paul Smith died at Edentubber in 1957 and his uncle John McEnerney was a Vice Commandant of the 4th Northern Division IRA. When Eddie first decided to offer his services to the Republican cause, he attended several meetings in the Republican Club with his friends, but he quickly decided that his loyalty lay with the Provisional IRA. No task was too great for Eddie and he always to the fore when volunteering for active service.

On December 24th 1973, Eddie and his comrade Brendan Quinn were killed in an accidental explosion at Clarke’s Bar, Monaghan Street Newry (now the Armaghdown Bar). Unfortunately a civilian also died alongside the two volunteers.

Volunteer Eddie Grant will forever be remembered with pride by his family, friends and comrades in the Republican Movement.

Profile of Volunteer Michael "Sticky" Hughes

Michael was born in Banbridge, County Down on 28th June 1958. He was the oldest of seven children born to Patrick and Teresa. He had one brother called John and five sisters, Kate, Elizabeth, Angela, Lorraine and Patricia. Michael began his school life at St Peter’s primary school Cloughreagh. He did well at school and moved on to the Abbey CBS Newry and then to St Joseph’s on the Armagh Road Newry. His teenage were thrown into turmoil when he had to come to terms with the death of his father Patsy (also an IRA volunteer), who was tragically killed in an accidental explosion on the Dublin Road Newry. His father’s death had a huge impact on the young Michael.

From an early age Michael was active on the streets against the Crown forces and it was then that he decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and join the ranks of Óglaigh na hÉireann. He became heavily involved in armed actions in the Derrybeg area and his leadership qualities soon impressed his comrades around him. He was a close friend and comrade of Volunteer Eddie “Starchy” Grant who also died in action as a result of an accidental explosion on Christmas Eve 1973.

As well as being an active volunteer with the IRA, Michael or “Sticky” as he was known to friends, also enjoyed his social life. He was a frequent visitor to the local community centre. His distinctive ginger hair made him easily recognizable to all. He enjoyed football and was also interested in reading books about Irish history. Being the oldest child Michael quickly realized that he would have to seek employment to assist his mother in the upbringing of the family. He secured a full time job in the near-by Nylon factory on the Armagh Road, but sadly had only completed two full weeks work when he was killed.

On Friday 18th October 1974, Volunteer Michael Hughes, while on active service for the IRA, was shot dead on a commandeered Ulsterbus, by members of the British Army. He was only 16 years of age. On the day of his funeral, his comrades marched along Main Avenue, Derrybeg Park in military formation in a fitting tribute to a soldier of the Irish Republican Army.

Volunteer Michael Hughes will forever be remembered with pride by his loving family, friends and comrades in the Republican Movement.

Profile of Volunteer Patrick "Patsy" Hughes

Patrick (better known as Patsy) was born on the Quarter Road, Camloch, on 1st October 1937 and was reared on the Derramore Road, Bessbrook. His parents Michael and Elizabeth had five other children: Michael, William, Richard, Lilian and Philomena.

At sixteen, Patsy joined the British Army. He met his wife to be, Theresa Halligan, originally from Caledon in county Tyrone, at a dance in Armagh and a year later were married. Patsy and his young wife then spent time in postings around the world including Germany, North Africa and Kenya. They had seven children: Michael (IRA Volunteer), Kate, Elizabeth, John, Angela, Lorraine and Patricia. After nine long years in the British army, Patsy decided to leave for the sake of his young family. They lived in the pre-fabs on the Derramore Road for seven years before moving to Main Avenue, Derrybeg Park. As the troubles flared up, Patsy got involved in the local vigilante group for the protection of his family and local community. As an ex- British soldier, Patsy was disgusted by the actions of the British Army who were now occupying his beloved country. Patsy joined the ranks of Óglaigh na hÉireann to fight for his countries freedom. His love of animals, gardening and DIY was his cover for involvement in the Irish Republican Army. His military knowledge and experience proved invaluable to his comrades.

In an action all too typical of Patsy’s character, on Tuesday 22nd August 1972, Patsy volunteered to take the place of another volunteer and was tragically killed in an accidental explosion on the Dublin Road Newry. Two other IRA volunteers, Oliver Rowntree and Noel Madden, were killed alongside Patsy. The community was shocked not only at Patsy’s death but to learn of his involvement with Óglaigh na hÉireann. Patsy never once aroused the suspicion of anyone in regards to him being an active volunteer of the IRA. Patsy was a dedicated and committed member of Óglaigh na hÉireann and shared his Republican beliefs between a few of his comrades. His memory has instilled confidence and courage in IRA units ever since.

Volunteer Patsy Hughes is remembered with pride by his beloved family, friends and comrades in the Republican Movement.

Profile of Volunteer Brendan "Cindy" Watters

Kevin Brendan Watters was born in Daisy Hill Hospital, on 8th May 1960. His parents Eddie and Lily moved into the newly built Derrybeg Park Estate in the early 60’s and had another two children, Mary and Michael, both younger than Brendan. Cindy as he was known to his many friends attended St Patrick’s primary school in the Meadow and then St Joseph’s secondary school on the Armagh Road. Brendan was employed at the near by Nylon factory. From an early age Brendan was aware of the unjust way that nationalists were treated in the six counties. He understood the reasons why armed actions were needed to confront the root causes of the conflict he experienced as a child.

As a teenager, he joined and played in the Wolfe Tone Accordian Band and around the same time he joined Na Fianna Éireann. The Hunger Strikes of 1980 and 1981 had a huge impact on Brendan and from that time onwards he knew he would take on a greater role in the Freedom Struggle. In 1983, he made his thoughts known to a senior member of the Irish Republican Army and he joined the ranks of Óglaigh na hÉireann.

Brendan had a happy go lucky nature and a keen sense of humour but there was another side to his personality, and he took his role as an IRA volunteer very seriously. He was always conscious of the need to protect his own security and that of his comrades. He earned the respect of his comrades for his coolness and efficiency while on active service. Lily, his mother, was the six county Ladies Dart Champion, and in his spare time, Brendan played and watched darts. He also enjoyed his social life and could be seen at many local dances. Brendan also had a love of motorbikes and could often be seen cruising around the area. On Wednesday 8th August 1984, Brendan was tragically killed when a hand grenade he was carrying exploded accidentally. Several of Brendan’s comrades fired a volley of shots over the coffin in a final tribute to him. His remains were hijacked by the hated RUC at Craigavon and on the day of his funeral as expected, the RUC attacked mourners in an attempt to remove Brendan’s Gloves and Beret from the coffin.

Volunteer Brendan Watters will be forever remembered with pride by his loving family, friends and comrades in the Republican Movement.