Kevin Coen

Kevin Coen (1947 – 20 January 1975), was a volunteer in the Sligo Brigade of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) who was killed in Northern Ireland by a British soldier. [ [http://www.relativesforjustice.com/?pid=191 Kevin Coen] ] cite web | title = CAIN: Sutton Index of Deaths | author = Malcolm Sutton | url = http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/sutton/chron/1975.html | publisher = CAIN | date = | accessdate = 2007-05-29]

Background

Coen was born and grew up in Rusheen, Riverstown, South County Sligo in the Republic of Ireland. He enjoyed Irish culture and music.cite book | last = | first = | authorlink = | title = Tírghrá | publisher = National Commemoration Centre | date = 2002 | pages = p. 160 | doi = | isbn = 0-9542946-0-2] [ [http://www.troopsoutmovement.com/statemurder.htm Ireland: Families win victory against British terror] ] [ [http://republican-news.org/archive/2000/February10/10caoi.html British indulge unionist intransigence] ]

Paramilitary Activity

Coen joined the IRA and served with the Sligo Brigade and was a member of the Southern Command. In 1971, Coen was imprisoned in Mountjoy Prison, Dublin where he was jailed with fellow republican Dan Hoban. [ [http://homepage.eircom.net/~seanabc/2002/feb02/21.html Kevin Coen commemoration] ]

At the age of 28, Coen was killed by a British Army soldier while on active service at Cassidy's Cross near Kinawley, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland close to the Cavan/Fermanagh border on 20 January 1975. The CAIN Sutton Index lists him as being shot during an attempted bus hijacking. However Republican sources state he was shot on the main Swanlinbar-Enniskillen Road by undercover British troops in an unmarked civilian car, who opened fire at an IRA checkpoint. [ [http://www.iol.ie/~saoirse/2003/feb03/15.html Kevin Coen remembered in his native Sligo] ] [ [http://www.troopsoutmovement.com/statemurder.htm Ireland: Families win victory against British terror] ]

Coen was the first volunteer from the Southern Command to be killed on active service since Tony Ahern died in May 1973.

Memorial

Leitrim Republican, John Joe McGirl, gave the oration at his graveside in Sooey, County Sligo. At the graveside of Coen, McGirl stated; blockquote|"He felt strongly that the nationalist people of the Six Counties should not have to fight the war for freedom on their own... Kevin felt that the people of the North should not be left alone... One thing is clear - republicans are sincere that the Irish people should live and work together as Kevin did with his neighbours - but the intruder in Irish affairs must withdraw so that lasting freedom and peace can be brought about in Ireland."

The East Sligo Cumann of Sinn Féin is named the "Coen/Savage Cumann" and the Sligo Cumann of Republican Sinn Féin is named the "The Noble Six/Kevin Coen Cumann" in honour of Coen and they both hold an annual commemoration at his graveside. [ [http://www.anphoblacht.com/news/detail/12885 Sligo Commemorates Volunteer Kevin Coen] ] [ [http://www.iol.ie/~saoirse/2005/feb05.pdf Kevin Coen remembered] ]

There is an annual lecture given in his name which has been addressed by Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Pat Doherty, Pearse Doherty, Aengus O Snodaigh and Gerry Adams in recent years. [ [http://republican-news.org/archive/2001/February08/08mcma.html Ninth annual Joe McManus/Kevin Coen lecture - Adams slams faceless securocrats] ] [ [http://republican-news.org/archive/1997/February13/13slig.html Peace strategy ``still strong and viable"] ] [ [http://sinnfein.ie/gaelic/news/detail/3339 Irish government must demand answers from British on murder of Irish citizens] ] cite web | author= | title="Kevin Coen anniversary" | work=Sligo Champion | url=http://www.sligochampion.ie/news/kevin-coen-anniversary-1268213.html | accessdate=13 January | accessyear=2008]

ee also

*Joseph MacManus

References