'Dedicated republican activist' Tony Hassan laid to rest in Derry City Cemetery

Veteran Republican and former Sinn Féin councillor Tony Hassan has been laid to rest in Derry City Cemetery.

Tony's Requiem Mass, conducted by Fr Seán O'Donnell CC, was held in St Brigid's Church, Carnhill this morning.

Welcoming mourners to the Cemetery, Gerry Ó hEára - former Shantallow Sinn Féin councillor and Mayor of Derry City Council - said they had come to "celebrate the life and political career of Tony Hassan".

Gerry Ó hEára who delivered Tony Hasson's oration at Derry City Cemetery, with Cllr Sandra Duffy.

Beginning his oration, Gerry Ó hEára said: "The size of this crowd is testament to the respect with which Tony Hassan is held in this community.

"Tony was a very warm human being and although he tried to hide it behind a gruff exterior, his recent book gave us a great insight into his warm and thoughtful nature.

"He had strong opinions and could be outspoken and straight talking when necessary, but he always remained a dedicated republican activist.

"Tony was one of the stalwarts of this struggle since the early days of Sinn Féin, when the incident centres were set up during the 1975 and 1976 ceasefires and he staffed the caravan at the shops to monitor breaches of the ceasefires.

"He was there at the beginning of Derry Sinn Féin and has helped it grow into the outstanding organisation that it is today.  

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"He worked tirelessly collecting money for the PDF [Prisoners' Dependents' Fund] and supporting families of prisoners. Tony was relentless and many families of prisoners were very glad that he did it.

"Tony was a Republican activist for over fifty years, 21 of them as an elected councillor for the Shantallow area and was probably one of the best constituency councillors that Sinn Féin ever had anywhere on the island.

"Much has been said about Tony’s outstanding constituency work, and that reputation is richly deserved, but Tony understood the connection between serving your community and achieving political power at a local level and the impact that would have on regional and national levels.

"He took personal responsibility to make sure that there was adequate housing, proper maintenance and good public services from roads to water to electricity. That’s what got him up in the morning.

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"That’s why the president of Sinn Féin, Mary Lou Mc Donald, took the time to acknowledge his contribution in such a warm and generous way.

"Like the loyal and disciplined activist that he was, Tony supported all of the challenging twists and turns of the peace process and played his part in all the changes that came out of that.

"Tony devoted his adult life to the cause of the republic and what is often forgotten is the sacrifice that partners and family make to allow our activists to function as they do. We offer our heartfelt thanks to Christine and his children Ciarán and Áine, for their sacrifices and for the contribution that all of them have made to our struggle. 

"You have lost a husband, a father and a grandfather. We have lost a valuable friend and comrade."