Paper Trail marks the untimely passing of its Chair and our great friend, Niall Ó Murchú, today, the 26th November 2024.
Niall was a Gael from Ardoyne in North Belfast. He loved his country and its people. He immersed himself throughout his life in our Gaelic language, culture and sports. At the heart of this community for him and his family was Ciceam Ard Eoin (Ardoyne Kickhams GAA Club) although his spoken Gaeilge had a distinct Donegal twang as the Murphys have long had roots in that county.
Niall applied himself to different career paths including law and teaching, although he was rarely happier than when he had tools in his hands plumbing, building or stripping an engine.
History, politics and people remained his other great passions. These drove his community and charity work and are the foundations of the work we do at Paper Trail.
When we founded the charity Paper Trail just over 10 years ago, he guaranteed its charitable ethos applied to every section of the community regardless of their background or creed. He ensured our doors were open to any victims and survivors who needed support.
He had the gift of the gab with a dash of wicked humour and loved helping people in whatever way he could.
As well as being the Chair of Paper Trail since its foundation, he gave up many days a year as a volunteer to support its charitable work. This included helping to organise protests, speaking at events across Ireland and retrieving thousands of files of information from archives in Britain.
He also volunteered on the Victims Forum for many years where he fought for the rights of all victims and their families.
He was only 4 weeks old when his teenage uncle, Ciarán, was murdered by British extremists but he believed that truth and justice belonged to all victims and survivors equally.
He will be sorely missed by many campaigning families, but especially the families of the McGurk’s Bar Massacre as Niall devoted every waking minute to supporting our fight for truth and justice.
Many will remember him in the thick of every protest or up a ladder repainting our mural.
Over the last two decades, he did even more for our families than people realise. His crowning glory, though, was helping to secure new inquests for those murdered in the McGurk’s Bar Massacre just weeks before he was diagnosed with cancer this year.
He met that battle as he did his activism – head-on, fearless.
Niall was only 50 years of age and had so much more life to live. He leaves behind 4 wonderful sons, his partner, Rosie, and a loving family. His loss is immeasurable.
Paper Trail too is poorer for his passing but he was adamant we continue as we have done for a decade. We will.
Niall Ó Murchú (left) and Ciarán MacAirt at a commemoration in Scotland
