Vol. Raymond McCreesh 25th February 1957 21 st May 1981

Volunteer Raymond McCreesh was born on 25th February 1957. He was an ordinary, hard-working and well-liked young member of his community. Although a young man, Raymond had no doubts that the future for all the people of Ireland lay in a united 32 County Republic. He took his own step on this journey towards the Republic when as a young man of 17 he joined the IRA.

In 1976 Raymond was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment following his capture on active service near his home village in Camlough in South Armagh. In the H-Blocks he immediately joined the blanket protest demanding political status for himself and his comrades. So strong was Raymond's commitment that for almost 4 years he took no visits, until informing his family in February 1981 of his intention of going on hunger strike.

Raymond died on 21 st May after 61 days on hunger strike. His own lifetime's journey ended with his death in a prison hospital cell, but he remains an inspiration for others to see the journey completed.

He was buried with full military honours.

Ar dheis De go raibh a anam