Kevin McCracken(22/07/56-14/03/88) Kevin McCracken was born on 22nd June 1956 and was the eldest of five children.In 1962 the family moved to Turf Lodge.Childhood friends remember Kevin as someone who was easy going and always up for a laugh.He was a talented footballer and played for many teams in the area. In 1972 Kevin joined the Fianna.He was always eager to learn and was too the forefront of the Turf Lodge youth resistance.In 1975 Kevin was accepted into the ranks of the IRA.Once again Kevin showed his eagerness too learn and was always willing to engage the enemy,one comrade recalls When the raiding parties came in youd hear the bin lids banging,we would scatter and try to organise an operation,many many times before we were ready shots rang out and we knew it was Kevin.The British army had noticed Kevin as well and in 1977 he was arrested and interned for thirteen years. On his arrival Kevin had no hesitation in joining the blanket protest,which came as no surprise too any one who knew him.Kevin played his part in the the Great Escape of83 when 38 men took their freedom.The O.C of the escape later recalled that without Kevin and others staying behind to secure the block the escape would not have been a success. Kevin was released in 1985 and went straight back too the movement.He played a vital role in the wider aspects of the movement.He was involved in promoting the Irish language and was on the local commeration committee.His time in prison had done nothing to quell his spirit and he remained an active volunteer still showing the same eagerness he was renowed for. On 6th March 1988 Vols. Danny McCann,Sean Savage and Mairead Farrell were murdered by an undercover SAS unit.As the families began to mourn their lost loved ones the British army and RUC decided upon a policy of harrassment.On the night of the 14th March 1988,Kevin along with other commrades set out to defend the Savage family home.As Kevin took up his posistion he was shot in the back by an army sniper.He lay mortally wounded for fifteen minutes after an ambulance had been called.According to witnesses,he was beaten while lying wounded by members of the security services. Vol Kevin McCracken was laid too rest on st Patricks day 1988 in Milltown Cemetery.He is remembered with pride by his family and comrades.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 21:02:24 +0000
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