PRC-UTE
6th December 2004, 00:16
Fallen Comrade of the Irish Republican Socialist Movement
Joe Craven
Volunteer - Irish National Liberation Army
Assassinated on 5 December 1983
Aged 26, Craven was assassinated by an Ulster Volunteer Force gunman
(using the cover name Protestant Action Force) who opened fire from a
motorcycle, killing him and wounding his two brothers as they walked
home from the Department of Health and Social Services office in
Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim.
At his funeral, the priest refused to accompany the coffin to
Milltown Cemetery in West Belfast, where the INLA were to provide
military honours.
The Royal Ulster Constabulary moved in, trying to prevent the display
of a black beret and gloves atop the coffin outside the Craven home,
and clashes occurred between the mourners and the RUC. The family
refused to bring the coffin out until the security forces moved back.
When they finally did move away, the coffin was brought back out, but
the RUC immediately moved in again. Two men were arrested in the
subsequent scuffle.
The coffin was eventually carried away by mourners with the beret,
gloves, and Starry Plough flag on top.
A memorial to Craven was unveiled in the Bawnmore area of North
Belfast on 9 December 2002.
He died as he lived: a Republican Socialist. Remember him with honour
and pride.
http://www.irsm.org/fallen/craven/
Article about the memorial unveiling:
http://www.teachnafailte.org/craven.htm
Joe Craven
Volunteer - Irish National Liberation Army
Assassinated on 5 December 1983
Aged 26, Craven was assassinated by an Ulster Volunteer Force gunman
(using the cover name Protestant Action Force) who opened fire from a
motorcycle, killing him and wounding his two brothers as they walked
home from the Department of Health and Social Services office in
Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim.
At his funeral, the priest refused to accompany the coffin to
Milltown Cemetery in West Belfast, where the INLA were to provide
military honours.
The Royal Ulster Constabulary moved in, trying to prevent the display
of a black beret and gloves atop the coffin outside the Craven home,
and clashes occurred between the mourners and the RUC. The family
refused to bring the coffin out until the security forces moved back.
When they finally did move away, the coffin was brought back out, but
the RUC immediately moved in again. Two men were arrested in the
subsequent scuffle.
The coffin was eventually carried away by mourners with the beret,
gloves, and Starry Plough flag on top.
A memorial to Craven was unveiled in the Bawnmore area of North
Belfast on 9 December 2002.
He died as he lived: a Republican Socialist. Remember him with honour
and pride.
http://www.irsm.org/fallen/craven/
Article about the memorial unveiling:
http://www.teachnafailte.org/craven.htm