Sean McIlvenna
Sean "Maxi" McIlvenna (born Belfast, Northern Ireland, 4 April 1951 – 17 December 1984 in County Armagh, Northern Ireland) was a volunteer in the 2nd Battalion, North Armagh Brigade of the Provisional Irish Republican Army.[1][2][3]
Background
McIlvenna was born in the Docks area of Belfast and grew up in Fortwilliam Park before settling on the Antrim Road. In 1970, he married his childhood sweetheart, Patricia "Pat" Burns, whom he had met at a local youth club. The couple moved to the Dundalk area of County Louth and together had seven children: Cathy, Sinead, Ciara, Sarah, Patricia, Fiona and Sean Óg.[4][5] He was a Gaelic football enthusiast.
Attack at Blackwatertown
Seán McIlvenna, then 33, was the O.C. of the 2nd Batt. North Armagh Brigade of the Provisional IRA. He was killed during a gun battle with members of the RUC on 17 December 1984 near Blackwatertown, County Armagh. McIlvenna had undertaken a landmine attack on a Ulster Defence Regiment patrol vehicle. As he and other members of his unit retreated from the scene across a field they were spotted by an RUC unit who opened fire on them killing McIlvenna.[6][7]
Memorials
McIlvenna is commemorated by the Vol. Sean McIlvenna Republican Flute Band (VSMRFB) in Calton, Glasgow, Scotland. The band, formerly named Sons of Ireland RFB has been in existence since the late 1990s. The band has a close relationship with the McIlvenna family. In 2014 the band will attend a commemoration at Blackwatertown (County Armagh) to remember Seán on the 30th Anniversary of his death. There is also a Celtic Supporters Club (CSC) in Dundalk named after Seán.[8]
References
- ↑ Volunteer Sean McIlvenna R.F.B.
- ↑ Victims of State Killings
- ↑ Easter 2003
- ↑ Tírghrá, National Commemoration Centre, 2002. PB) ISBN 0-9542946-0-2 p.268
- ↑ McIlvenna Family
- ↑ 20th Anniversary Commemoration
- ↑ CAIN: Sutton Index of Deaths
- ↑ Cairde Na hEireann