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'''Kieran''' or '''Ciaran Fleming''' ((] Óglach '''Ciarán Ó Pléamonn'''), born ] ] &ndash; ] ]), was a Volunteer in the Derry Brigade of the ] from the predominantly Protestant and ] ] area, ], ].<ref></ref> He died while attempting to escape after a confrontation with British troops in 1984.<ref></ref><ref></ref><ref></ref> '''Kieran''' Fleming''' ((] '''Ciarán Ó Pléamonn'''; b. ] ] &ndash; d. ] ]) was a member of the Derry Brigade of the ] from the predominantly Protestant and ] ] area, ], ].<ref></ref> He died while attempting to escape after a confrontation with British troops in 1984.<ref></ref><ref></ref><ref></ref>


==Background== ==Background==
Fleming was the youngest son of Paddy and Maud Fleming. Fleming grew up near the centre of Derry in the predominantly Protestant and ] Waterside estate to the east of the city.<ref></ref><ref> p.264</ref> Fleming was the youngest son of Paddy and Maud Fleming. Fleming grew up in the predominantly Protestant Waterside estate to the east of ].<ref></ref><ref> p.264</ref>


==Paramilitary career== ==Paramilitary career==
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===Maze Escape=== ===Maze Escape===
On ], ], Fleming was involved in the largest break-out of prisoners in Europe since the ] and in British prison history. Fleming, along with 37 other republican prisoners, armed with 6 hand-guns, hijacked a prison meals lorry and smashed their way out of ] past 40 prison wardens and 28 alarm systems. During the escape ] shot and injured a prison warden as the officer attempted to foil the escape<ref> by Nicola Byrne, The Observer Special Reports, 21 September 2003</ref><ref> p.264</ref><ref></ref> On ] ], Fleming was involved in the largest break-out of prisoners in Europe since the ] and in British prison history. Fleming, along with 37 other republican prisoners, armed with 6 hand-guns, hijacked a prison meals lorry and smashed their way out of ] past 40 prison wardens and 28 alarm systems. During the escape ] shot and injured a prison warden as the officer attempted to foil the escape<ref> by Nicola Byrne, The Observer Special Reports, 21 September 2003</ref><ref> p.264</ref><ref></ref>


===Tactical outlook=== ===Tactical outlook===
Fleming, according to IRA sources quoted by journalist ] was noted for his hard line militarist republicanism.<ref>], 2002. 9PB) ISBN 0-393-32502-4 (HB) ISBN 0-71-399665-X]</ref> He is reputed to have backed a plan to form full time guerrilla units or "flying columns" based in the Republic, which would carry out four or five large scale attacks in the north a year. This approach was espoused by the militant ] led by ] and ], who wanted an escalation of the conflict to what they termed "total war". They were opposed by ], the IRA Chief of Staff and by the republican leadership based around ], on the grounds that actions on that scale were too big a risk and unsustainable. The IRA leadership wanted a smaller scale campaign of attrition, supplemented by politcal campaigning by ].<ref>Ed Moloney, The Secret History of the IRA, p313-314</ref><ref>], 1995. PB) ISBN 0-00-638401-3 p.530] p.530</ref> Fleming, according to IRA sources quoted by journalist ] was noted for his hard line militarist republicanism.<ref>], 2002. 9PB) ISBN 0-393-32502-4 (HB) ISBN 0-71-399665-X]</ref> He is reputed to have backed a plan to form full time guerrilla units or "flying columns" based in the Republic, which would carry out four or five large scale attacks in the north a year. This approach was espoused by the militant ] led by ] and ], who wanted an escalation of the conflict to what they termed "total war". They were opposed by Kevin McKenna, the IRA Chief of Staff and by the republican leadership based around ], on the grounds that actions on that scale were too big a risk and unsustainable. The IRA leadership wanted a smaller scale campaign of attrition, supplemented by politcal campaigning by ].<ref>Ed Moloney, The Secret History of the IRA, p313-314</ref><ref>], 1995. PB) ISBN 0-00-638401-3 p.530] p.530</ref>


===Kesh Ambush and death=== ===Kesh Ambush and death===
In the early hours of Sunday morning on ], ] in cold sleety conditions, Fleming and MacGiolla Bhrighde stole a Toyota van in ], ], the van was then loads with 9 beer kegs, each containing 100lbs of explosives. They then crossed the border and travelled to ]. At the Drumrush Lodge Restaurant just outside of Kesh they then planted a landmine in a lane leading to the restaurant and wired up a device which was connected to an observation point. From there a hoax call was was made in order to lure the British Army to the restaurant on the pretence that there was a firebomb planted within the restaurant. On Sunday morning, ] ], Fleming and MacGiolla Bhrighde stole a Toyota van in ], ], the van was then loads with 9 beer kegs, each containing 100lbs of explosives. They then crossed the border and travelled to ]. At the Drumrush Lodge Restaurant just outside of Kesh they then planted a landmine in a lane leading to the restaurant and wired up a device which was connected to an observation point. From there a hoax call was was made in order to lure the British Army to the restaurant on the pretence that there was a firebomb planted within the restaurant.


MacGiolla Bhrighde observed a RUC patrol car approaching the restaurant and gave the detonation code word "one", however, the mine failed to explode. MacGiolla Bhrighde and British soldier Alistair Slater were both killed during the operation.<ref> p.264</ref><ref></ref><ref> http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/sutton/chron/1984.html </ref>. Fleming and the remainder of the ] then came under fire from the SAS unit and retreated. Fleming became trapped between the SAS units and the swollen River Bannagh, Fleming, a non-swimmer, was swept away and drowned. MacGiolla Bhrighde observed a RUC patrol car approaching the restaurant and gave the detonation code word "one", however, the mine failed to explode. MacGiolla Bhrighde and British soldier Alistair Slater were both killed during the operation.<ref> p.264</ref><ref></ref><ref> http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/sutton/chron/1984.html </ref>. Fleming and the remainder of the ] then came under fire from the SAS unit and retreated. Fleming became trapped between the SAS units and the swollen River Bannagh, Fleming, a non-swimmer, was swept away and drowned.
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{{NI-bio-stub}} {{NI-bio-stub}}

Revision as of 17:15, 28 January 2007

Kieran Fleming ((Irish Ciarán Ó Pléamonn; b. 25 October 1959 – d. 2 December 1984) was a member of the Derry Brigade of the Provisional Irish Republican Army from the predominantly Protestant and Loyalist Waterside area, Derry, Northern Ireland. He died while attempting to escape after a confrontation with British troops in 1984.

Background

Fleming was the youngest son of Paddy and Maud Fleming. Fleming grew up in the predominantly Protestant Waterside estate to the east of Derry City.

Paramilitary career

Fleming became involved in the republican movement from a early age and spent most of his formative years imprisioned in the republican H-Blocks of HMP Maze.

Maze Escape

On 23 September 1983, Fleming was involved in the largest break-out of prisoners in Europe since the World War II and in British prison history. Fleming, along with 37 other republican prisoners, armed with 6 hand-guns, hijacked a prison meals lorry and smashed their way out of HMP Maze past 40 prison wardens and 28 alarm systems. During the escape Gerry Kelly shot and injured a prison warden as the officer attempted to foil the escape

Tactical outlook

Fleming, according to IRA sources quoted by journalist Ed Moloney was noted for his hard line militarist republicanism. He is reputed to have backed a plan to form full time guerrilla units or "flying columns" based in the Republic, which would carry out four or five large scale attacks in the north a year. This approach was espoused by the militant Provisional IRA East Tyrone Brigade led by Padraig McKearney and Jim Lynagh, who wanted an escalation of the conflict to what they termed "total war". They were opposed by Kevin McKenna, the IRA Chief of Staff and by the republican leadership based around Gerry Adams, on the grounds that actions on that scale were too big a risk and unsustainable. The IRA leadership wanted a smaller scale campaign of attrition, supplemented by politcal campaigning by Sinn Fein.

Kesh Ambush and death

On Sunday morning, 2 December 1984, Fleming and MacGiolla Bhrighde stole a Toyota van in Pettigo, County Donegal, the van was then loads with 9 beer kegs, each containing 100lbs of explosives. They then crossed the border and travelled to Kesh, County Fermanagh. At the Drumrush Lodge Restaurant just outside of Kesh they then planted a landmine in a lane leading to the restaurant and wired up a device which was connected to an observation point. From there a hoax call was was made in order to lure the British Army to the restaurant on the pretence that there was a firebomb planted within the restaurant.

MacGiolla Bhrighde observed a RUC patrol car approaching the restaurant and gave the detonation code word "one", however, the mine failed to explode. MacGiolla Bhrighde and British soldier Alistair Slater were both killed during the operation.. Fleming and the remainder of the ASU then came under fire from the SAS unit and retreated. Fleming became trapped between the SAS units and the swollen River Bannagh, Fleming, a non-swimmer, was swept away and drowned.

Funeral

Trouble erupted at the funeral of Fleming..

Monument Issue

In 2002, a row erupted when a monument to Fleming, MacGiolla Bhrighde and Sligo Volunteer Joe MacManus was sited close to the place where Protestant workmen William Hassard and Frederick Love were killed by the IRA in 1988.

References

  1. CAIN The Gobnascale Interviews
  2. CAIN Index of Deaths
  3. She said too much
  4. I nDíl Chuimhne
  5. Four Derry Volunteers killed in action
  6. p.264
  7. Maze party with jelly and ice cream by Nicola Byrne, The Observer Special Reports, 21 September 2003
  8. p.264
  9. The IRA's greatest escape
  11. Ed Moloney, The Secret History of the IRA, p313-314
  12. p.530
  13. p.264
  15. http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/sutton/chron/1984.html
  16. I.R.A. Funeral in Ulster Turns Into a Riot
  17. Northern News
  18. The Impartial Reporter
  19. Republicans make conciliatory move over IRA memorial

See also



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