Vol. Malachy Watters 8th April 1974 8th August 1996

Malachy Watters was the eldest of a family of five children and grew up with his two brothers and two sisters in a small village called Culloville, just south of Crossmaglen. He attended Clonalig Primary School and St. Joseph's High School, Crossmaglen. Like most young lads his age he was full of craic and was fond of the odd bit of slagging. He was also a keen footballer and played for his local Gaelic Club right up until the time of his death.

Malachy also had a serious side and often spoke of his love for his country and expressed his anger at the effects of British oppression in Ireland. Throughout his life he had heard, read and indeed witnessed at first hand the results of British misrule. He was a strong and determined character, the type of person to stand up for himself and what he believed in.

At the early age of 17, he joined the 2nd battalion of the South Armagh brigade of Óglaigh Na hÉireann, playing an active role in some of the most successful operations carried out by his unit. He was a committed volunteer and was well liked by all who knew him.

The news of his tragic death on the 8th August 1996 shocked the entire parish of Crossmaglen, where he was buried with full military honours after a service in St Patrick's Church. The previous night his comrades delivered their final salute when they fired a volley of shots over his tricolour draped coffin.

Malachy's death was a huge loss not only to his family and his comrades in the Republican Movement but the entire community in South Armagh.