Paul Stanley
REPUBLICANS in Co Kildare and indeed throughout Ireland were saddened to learn of the death of Paul Stanley, of Straffan, Co Kildare on September 17
Paul Stanley joined the Republican Movement in 1956 and gave a lifetime of unbroken service and loyalty to the All-Ireland Republic.
Paul played his part in history and involved in fulfilling the wishes of Mayo hunger striker Frank Stagg to be buried in the Republican Plot of Leigue Cemetery, Ballina alongside his comrade Michael Gaughan.
Frank Stagg had endured four hunger strikes in British prisons resisting the criminalisation of Republican prisoners. On February 12, 1976 he died in Wakefield prison in England on his 62nd day of hunger strike. In an episode that will forever live in infamy the 26-County State stole the body from his family and comrades and under military guard buried Frank Stagg under concrete in a grave purchased by the 26-County administration.
Paul Stanley was determined that the wishes of the hunger striker to be buried with his comrade would be honoured. On the night of November 5, 1977 Paul and a close band of friends and comrades of Frank Stagg removed his body from beneath the Free State concrete and placed it alongside his fellow Mayo hunger striker Michael Gaughan in the Republican Plot.
To the end Paul Stanley was an unbroken and unbreakable Republican. His other passions are greyhounds and the GAA. He played for Straffan for many years, winning Junior A and B championships with them. He also wore the lilywhite of Kildare playing Junior football. He is a grandnephew of the famous athlete and Kildare All-Ireland winning footballer Larry Stanley.
On September 20 Paul Stanley’s coffin covered in the National Flag and his beret and gloves, led by a man in uniform carrying the Tricolour furled and by a piper and flanked by a guard of honour of his comrades was brought to the church in Straffan for his funeral Mass. At the church a large contingent from the local GAA club flanked the coffin into the church.
His comrade and friend, George Stagg, from Longwood, Co Meath, brother of hunger striker Frank Stagg, paid a warm tribute to Paul following the Requiem Mass.
He was carried to his resting-place in the adjoining cemetery by family, comrades and friends, again led by the furled Tricolour and flanked by a guard of honour.
At the graveside Matt Conway introduced President of Republican Sinn Féin, Des Dalton, who gave the oration at Paul’s request. He said:
“We come to mourn the passing of Paul Stanley but also to celebrate his life and the principles which guided him throughout that life. Paul Stanley gave a lifetime of loyal, committed and dedicated service to the Republican Movement and the cause of the All-Ireland Republic of Easter Week.
“Loyalty is a word which can be used to sum up Paul Stanley. Loyalty to his family, his club and community, his county and his country. He took great pride in all that is native to Ireland and expressed this in his membership of the Republican Movement and the GAA.
“Paul devoted his adult life to the cause of the full freedom of Ireland. Legendary Kildare Republicans such as Frank Driver were an inspiration to Paul in joining the struggle against British Rule in Ireland. Throughout his 54 years of active service Paul never deviated or wavered in his commitment to the historic Irish nation and its right to national independence. Paul was a Fenian in the truest mean of all that name represents.
“On the two occasions during Paul’s life when elements attempted to steer the Republican Movement off the straight path and down the cul-de-sac of reformism Paul Stanley was never in any doubt as to what was right. Paul Stanley was an Irish Republican and like the great Liam Lynch he had declared for a Republic and would not “live under any other law.”
“Paul Stanley was one of those unassuming people who have always provided the backbone of Republican Movement, the quiet people who just get on with the work and for whom no task is too big or small. It is because of people like Paul Stanley that the Republican Movement has endured throughout the centuries and is passed on to another generation today. Pearse said: “Our patriotism is measured not by the formula in which we declare it, but by the service which we render.”
“Other names may be emblazoned across the pages of history but standing shoulder to shoulder with them is men and women like Paul Stanley. Paul was associated with many leading Republicans but was particularly proud to number among these the late Dáithi Ó Conaill.
“Paul Stanley was not content to merely witness history but was always ready for the call to duty and played his part in shaping that history.
“Loyalty was Paul Stanley’s watchword and was the measure of the man. It was such loyalty that led Paul to play his part ensuring the wishes of a Hunger Striker were honoured. Paul only broke his silence of thirty three years about his role this year when he was the Lenister Honouree of the Irish Republican Prisoners Dependants CABHAIR. Paul took immense pride in his role in fulfilling the dying wish of Mayo Hunger Striker Frank Stagg to be buried in the Republican Plot of Leigue Cemetery, Ballina alongside his comrade Michael Gaughan.
“Frank Stagg had endured four hunger strikes in British prisons resisting the criminalisation of Republican prisoners. On February 12 1976 he died in Wakefield prison in England on his 62nd day of hunger strike. In an episode that will forever live in infamy the 26-County state stole the body from his family and comrades and under military guard buried Frank Stagg under concrete in a grave purchased by the 26-County administration.
“Paul Stanley was determined that the wishes of the hunger striker to be buried with his comrade would be honoured. On the night of November 5, 1977 Paul and a close band of friends and comrades of Frank Stagg removed his body from beneath the Free State concrete and placed it alongside his fellow Mayo hunger striker Michael Gaughan in the Republican Plot.
Exhumed in glory A November moon was drifting
And freedom’s light aglow
When some IRA had gathered in a graveyard in Mayo.
Those brave Irish Freedom fighters.
Who came together in the West.
Had come to fill the promise to lay Frank Stagg at rest.
“I too am proud to have known Paul Stanley and to have regarded him as a comrade over the past 21 years. When I joined the Republican Movement in Co Kildare it was people like Paul Stanley who for me set the standard for devotion and loyalty to the cause of Irish freedom and a New Ireland. Paul Stanley was an unbroken and unbreakable Republican
“On behalf of Republican Sinn Féin I extend deepest sympathy to Paul’s wife Alice-who was no less loyal or devoted in supporting the same cause and the same principles - his children and grandchildren.
“May the soil of your beloved Co Kildare rest lightly on you Paul. It can truly be said you were a faithful soldier of the All-Ireland Republic. When we march to the dawn light of freedom the spirit of Paul Stanley will march with us.
“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis.”
Final honours were paid to Paul Stanley on September 29 when a firing party fired a volley of shots over his grave.
Paul Stanley joined the Republican Movement in 1956 and gave a lifetime of unbroken service and loyalty to the All-Ireland Republic.
Paul played his part in history and involved in fulfilling the wishes of Mayo hunger striker Frank Stagg to be buried in the Republican Plot of Leigue Cemetery, Ballina alongside his comrade Michael Gaughan.
Frank Stagg had endured four hunger strikes in British prisons resisting the criminalisation of Republican prisoners. On February 12, 1976 he died in Wakefield prison in England on his 62nd day of hunger strike. In an episode that will forever live in infamy the 26-County State stole the body from his family and comrades and under military guard buried Frank Stagg under concrete in a grave purchased by the 26-County administration.
Paul Stanley was determined that the wishes of the hunger striker to be buried with his comrade would be honoured. On the night of November 5, 1977 Paul and a close band of friends and comrades of Frank Stagg removed his body from beneath the Free State concrete and placed it alongside his fellow Mayo hunger striker Michael Gaughan in the Republican Plot.
To the end Paul Stanley was an unbroken and unbreakable Republican. His other passions are greyhounds and the GAA. He played for Straffan for many years, winning Junior A and B championships with them. He also wore the lilywhite of Kildare playing Junior football. He is a grandnephew of the famous athlete and Kildare All-Ireland winning footballer Larry Stanley.
On September 20 Paul Stanley’s coffin covered in the National Flag and his beret and gloves, led by a man in uniform carrying the Tricolour furled and by a piper and flanked by a guard of honour of his comrades was brought to the church in Straffan for his funeral Mass. At the church a large contingent from the local GAA club flanked the coffin into the church.
His comrade and friend, George Stagg, from Longwood, Co Meath, brother of hunger striker Frank Stagg, paid a warm tribute to Paul following the Requiem Mass.
He was carried to his resting-place in the adjoining cemetery by family, comrades and friends, again led by the furled Tricolour and flanked by a guard of honour.
At the graveside Matt Conway introduced President of Republican Sinn Féin, Des Dalton, who gave the oration at Paul’s request. He said:
“We come to mourn the passing of Paul Stanley but also to celebrate his life and the principles which guided him throughout that life. Paul Stanley gave a lifetime of loyal, committed and dedicated service to the Republican Movement and the cause of the All-Ireland Republic of Easter Week.
“Loyalty is a word which can be used to sum up Paul Stanley. Loyalty to his family, his club and community, his county and his country. He took great pride in all that is native to Ireland and expressed this in his membership of the Republican Movement and the GAA.
“Paul devoted his adult life to the cause of the full freedom of Ireland. Legendary Kildare Republicans such as Frank Driver were an inspiration to Paul in joining the struggle against British Rule in Ireland. Throughout his 54 years of active service Paul never deviated or wavered in his commitment to the historic Irish nation and its right to national independence. Paul was a Fenian in the truest mean of all that name represents.
“On the two occasions during Paul’s life when elements attempted to steer the Republican Movement off the straight path and down the cul-de-sac of reformism Paul Stanley was never in any doubt as to what was right. Paul Stanley was an Irish Republican and like the great Liam Lynch he had declared for a Republic and would not “live under any other law.”
“Paul Stanley was one of those unassuming people who have always provided the backbone of Republican Movement, the quiet people who just get on with the work and for whom no task is too big or small. It is because of people like Paul Stanley that the Republican Movement has endured throughout the centuries and is passed on to another generation today. Pearse said: “Our patriotism is measured not by the formula in which we declare it, but by the service which we render.”
“Other names may be emblazoned across the pages of history but standing shoulder to shoulder with them is men and women like Paul Stanley. Paul was associated with many leading Republicans but was particularly proud to number among these the late Dáithi Ó Conaill.
“Paul Stanley was not content to merely witness history but was always ready for the call to duty and played his part in shaping that history.
“Loyalty was Paul Stanley’s watchword and was the measure of the man. It was such loyalty that led Paul to play his part ensuring the wishes of a Hunger Striker were honoured. Paul only broke his silence of thirty three years about his role this year when he was the Lenister Honouree of the Irish Republican Prisoners Dependants CABHAIR. Paul took immense pride in his role in fulfilling the dying wish of Mayo Hunger Striker Frank Stagg to be buried in the Republican Plot of Leigue Cemetery, Ballina alongside his comrade Michael Gaughan.
“Frank Stagg had endured four hunger strikes in British prisons resisting the criminalisation of Republican prisoners. On February 12 1976 he died in Wakefield prison in England on his 62nd day of hunger strike. In an episode that will forever live in infamy the 26-County state stole the body from his family and comrades and under military guard buried Frank Stagg under concrete in a grave purchased by the 26-County administration.
“Paul Stanley was determined that the wishes of the hunger striker to be buried with his comrade would be honoured. On the night of November 5, 1977 Paul and a close band of friends and comrades of Frank Stagg removed his body from beneath the Free State concrete and placed it alongside his fellow Mayo hunger striker Michael Gaughan in the Republican Plot.
Exhumed in glory A November moon was drifting
And freedom’s light aglow
When some IRA had gathered in a graveyard in Mayo.
Those brave Irish Freedom fighters.
Who came together in the West.
Had come to fill the promise to lay Frank Stagg at rest.
“I too am proud to have known Paul Stanley and to have regarded him as a comrade over the past 21 years. When I joined the Republican Movement in Co Kildare it was people like Paul Stanley who for me set the standard for devotion and loyalty to the cause of Irish freedom and a New Ireland. Paul Stanley was an unbroken and unbreakable Republican
“On behalf of Republican Sinn Féin I extend deepest sympathy to Paul’s wife Alice-who was no less loyal or devoted in supporting the same cause and the same principles - his children and grandchildren.
“May the soil of your beloved Co Kildare rest lightly on you Paul. It can truly be said you were a faithful soldier of the All-Ireland Republic. When we march to the dawn light of freedom the spirit of Paul Stanley will march with us.
“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis.”
Final honours were paid to Paul Stanley on September 29 when a firing party fired a volley of shots over his grave.
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