Commemoration to mark 30th anniversary of death of Derry IRA man who died ‘on the run’ after jail escape

A commemoration will be held in Derry tonight to mark the 30th anniversary of the death an IRA man from the city who died while “on the run.” Following “Operation Motorman” on 31 July 1972, Patrick “Pudger” O’Hagan (pictured), from Rinmore Drive in Creggan, remained an active IRA volunteer when he moved across the border into Co Donegal. Following his arrest on the Derry-Donegal border, he was imprisoned in Magilligan Prison in Co Derry from where he escaped a short time later. After setting up home at Marian Park in Buncrana with his wife, Evelyn, and their young family, he continued to stay active in the Republican Movement. However, while building a new home in the seaside town he suddenly became ill and died on 9 August 1986. He was aged 32. He was laid to rest in Cockhill Cemetery in Buncrana. Tonight’s commemoration will take at 7.00pm at Republican Monument on Central Drive in Creggan. Encouraging members of the public to attend, Cll Kevin Campbell said: “These local commemorations are very important indeed . “We will be gathering to remember Patrick with dignity and pride and stand in solidarity with his family and friends.” .