22/03/2026
Today, all the members and supporters of the Vol. Logue/ Marley Sinn Féin cumann, Cromghlinn remember with immense pride Óglach Gerard Logue, Provisional IRA Derry Brigade.
In March, 1987, IRA Volunteer, Gerard Logue from the Waterside area of Derry, was accidentally shot while on active service. He died some days later in Altnagelvin Hospital.
As was the Republican tradition, Oglach na hEireann soldiers were given a Republican military funeral. The coffin of the Volunteer covered with the National flag was escorted by comrades in IRA military uniform to the Church and later to the final resting place in the cemetery. As was the custom a volley of shots was fired over the coffin of the volunteer.
The Catholic Church had long banned coffins draped in the National flag from entry into the Church for Requiem Mass. The RUC were determined to stamp out the military tradition and in that year(1987). they had attacked many funerals including that of Larry Marley in Belfast. The RUC tried to prevent the coffin containing the remains of Larry Marley leaving the family home draped in the Tricolour. The family resisted and a three day stand- off developed between the Marley family, mourners and the RUC before the funeral was permitted to proceed. This received a lot of media coverage internationally. With tacit support from the Catholic hierarchy the attacks on Republican funerals continued.
This was clearly demonstrated when hundreds of RUC jeeps accompanied the remains of Gerard Logue along the route to St. Columba’s Church, Long Tower.
An IRA Guard of Honour accompanied the coffin into the grounds of the Church where a volley of shots were fired over the coffin. The Tricolour was removed and the coffin was then carried into the Church for Requiem Mass.
With the Requiem Mass over the remains of Gerard began its journey to the cemetery accompanied by a heavy RUC presence.
Bishop Edward Daly was outraged at the firing of shots within Church grounds. He issued a statement banning all paramilitary coffins and all Republican military funerals from Church grounds. It seemed that in effect it was a ban on traditional Republican funerals and IRA volunteers being accorded a requiem Mass.
Óglach Gerard Logue Provisional IRA, Derry Brigade, always remembered with great pride! 🇮🇪
Fuair siad bás ar son saoirse na hÉireann 🇮🇪
