Wreath laying ceremony to remember dead IRA man

The family of an IRA man killed almost 40 years ago will lay a wreath in his memory this weekend.

George McBrearty (23) died along with fellow republican Charles Maguire (21) during a gun battle with the British army in Derry on May 28, 1981.

Each year his family organises an independent commemoration which is attended by republicans from all backgrounds.

However, due to the coronavirus crisis this year's event will be limited to a wreath laying ceremony to be attended by a small number of close friends and relatives, including Mr McBrearty's 90-year-old mother Bridie.

In 2017 a new mural in memory of McBrearty was unveiled on the gable of his niece's house in the Creggan estate.

Mr McBrearty's brother Danny said that due to the current health crisis the commemoration has been cancelled for “groups , organisations and the general public who have supported us in past years.

“The cancellation is for obvious reasons and we are sure you all understand,” he said.

The wreath will be laid at Rathkeale Way at 3pm on Sunday.