Family members of the first IRA volunteer killed in Derry almost 100 years ago have paid an emotional visit to his grave this week.
Dan McGandy was just 19-years-old when he went missing on January 20, 1919.
His body was found a month later on February 28.
He had been working as a postman and was a member of the Ten Foot Pikers, the IRA’s active service unit in the city at the time.
In the wake of his death, a theory emerged that hehad been thrown into the River Foyle after being intercepted by British troops, who then placed his coat, bag and weapon on the quay to make it appear he had committed suicide.
He was given a full military funeral and is recorded as the first IRA volunteer to die while on active service during the War of Independence.
McGandy had lived at Barnewall Place off Spencer Road in the Waterside and is remembered through a plaque at Annie’s Bar on Strabane Old Road in the Top of the Hill area..
Marion Melaugh, Dorothy Breslin and Terry Lafferty visited their great uncle’s final resting place in the City Cemetery after Marion came across a story about him in the Derry News.
Marion explained their granny Gerty Doherty often shared her memories of Dan.
“We knew about Dan, but without the article in the Derry News we would not have known his full story. Our Granny was while found of Dan and she was only eight-years-old when he died so it had a big impact on her.”
“I just couldn’t believe it when I saw it featured in the paper. There he was the Dan Granny always talked about. When I saw they were looking for more information I had to get in contact.”
Dorothy said that seeing the story was ‘very emotional’ for the family.
“Our granny lived to be 101 in 2012 and would have loved to have seen Dan be remembered like this. She often talked of him and showed his photos, she never forgot him throughout her life.”
Dan’s story will also be featured in an upcoming book from local councillor and historian Mickey Cooper.
Photo shows Terry and Marion at the graveside of their great-uncle in the City Cemetery.
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