Niall Vallely - Civil Rights leader
(first published 'Irish Times' January 3rd 2015)
Niall Vallely – born August 13th 1942, died
December 14th 2014
Niall Vallely from Armagh City,
who has died suddenly, was a significant figure in the early years of the
North’s Civil Rights Movement. He was one of the most militant and uncompromising
leaders of revolutionary socialist organisation People’s Democracy, the most
militant and uncompromising wing of the movement. He was a fierce opponent both
of the Unionist regime in Stormont and of the ‘Green Tories’ of the old
Nationalist Party. In every speech, he made sure to attack them as well as
Unionism.
He was part of historic events. As a leader of People’s
Democracy, he was present at Burntollet
Bridge in January 1969
when police failed to protect Civil Rights’ marchers from a fierce attack by
Loyalists, leading to many injuries.
The first man shot dead in the ‘Troubles’ was killed after a
meeting he addressed in Armagh
City. That was on August 15th 1969.
Shortly after the meeting members of the Protestant ‘B Special’ police reserve
force shot dead John Gallagher, a Catholic civilian. Vallely had been on
crutches at the meeting, having earlier been attacked by Loyalists.
Vallely led the Armagh Branch of People’s Democracy, the
organisation’s most active, and which had support in the City. It regularly
picketed meetings of the Unionist-controlled
City Council. It was
about economic as well as civil rights. Housing conditions in Armagh
were appalling in the late 60s, with one street suffering regular typhoid
outbreaks during the summer. A number of councillors were landlords: they
opposed building social housing, because they wanted to keep rental income from
their tenants.
Vallely was imprisoned twice in the early days of the
Troubles. A reflection of his socialism was that one term was for picketing in
support of strikers during the big Irish Cement strike of 1970.
Vallely avoided being caught in the internment swoop on
August 9th 1969. Minutes before soldiers arrived he was tipped off
internment was underway, and fled.
People’s Democracy subsequently suffered division and
decline, and Vallely moved to Newry and joined Sinn Féin. He was active at a
local level. In more recent years, he helped write speeches for prominent party
members. He also used his abilities to argue for policies, such as support for
the police, which many Republican supporters doubted.
Vallely was involved in building links with the Protestant
and Loyalist communities. His witty personality was a great advantage. As well
as being a negotiator, he could take the edge out of a situation with a joke
all could laugh at.
Niall Vallely was born in August 1942, second of five
children to John Vallely, a primary teacher and native of Armagh:
and his wife Mary (née Eaton), also a teacher and native of Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo.
The family was steeped in all things Irish. John Vallely was manager of the
Armagh Gaelic football team. Mary Vallely was an Irish speaker and musician.
He was educated at Blundell’s Grange
Primary School; the Christian
Brothers’ Grammar School in Armagh; then at Queen’s University, Belfast, where he
graduated in Celtic Studies and Economics. After a brief stint in the Civil
Service, he entered teaching, and taught in Banbridge till retirement.
Politics was only part of his life. He was an excellent
bodhrán player, playing it in the traditional way, and a fine singer of
traditional song with a love for the Gaelic poets of South
Armagh.
Niall Vallely is survived by his daughter Eimear: sons Niall
and Ruairí: grandchildren Saoirse, Maebh and Roisin: sisters Lorraine and Máire: and brothers Brian and
Dara. He was predeceased by his wife Una.
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