Billy McKee
Billy McKee (Irish: Liam Mac Aoidh;[1] 12 November 1921 – 11 June 2019) was an Irish republican. He was a founding member and leader of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA).[2] McKee became the first OC of the Provisional IRA Belfast Brigade.
Billy McKee | |
|---|---|
| Born | 12 November 1921 Belfast |
| Died | 11 June 2019 (aged 97) |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Known for | Founder of the PIRA |
On 15 April 1971 McKee, along with Proinsias MacAirt, was arrested by the British Army when found in possession of a hand gun.[3] He was charged and convicted for possession of the weapon and imprisoned in Crumlin Road Prison. McKee was released on 4 September 1974 and resumed his position as OC of the Belfast Brigade.
McKee died on 11 June 2019, aged 97. [4][5] His funeral took place on 15 June 2019 in west Belfast.[6]
References
- ↑ Irish Republican Felons Association 1964–2004, p. 10.
- ↑ Keefe, Patrick Radden (16 March 2015). "Where the Bodies Are Buried". The New Yorker. http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/03/16/where-the-bodies-are-buried.
- ↑ Moloney, Ed (2002). A Secret History of the IRA. Penguin Books. p. 98. ISBN 0-14-101041-X.
- ↑ "Funeral of former IRA leader Billy McKee to be held on Saturday" (in en-GB). BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. . https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/funeral-of-former-ira-leader-billy-mckee-to-be-held-on-saturday-38215692.html. Retrieved 2019-06-13.
- ↑ "Billy McKee, Provisional IRA founding member dies". BBC News (Northern Ireland). 2019-06-12. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-48606844. Retrieved 2019-06-12.
- ↑ (in en-GB) Hundreds attend IRA founder's funeral. 2019-06-15. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-48647651. Retrieved 2019-06-15.