Alan Latimer still farms the land with his brother Malcolm, owned by his forefathers since 1840. He explains that Teemore was virtually closed off during the Troubles, because of the bombing of local bridges and roads. Many atrocities took place in the area in tit-for-tat circumstances he says, and recalls being present at the Earl of Erne Primary School when his schoolmaster, George Saunderson, was shot dead there in April 1974. His cousin, Richard Latimer, who was murdered in his business premises in Newtownbutler in June 1981, is also remembered. Alan explains that some of his neighbours were “the eyes and ears of the terrorists” which rendered impossible any meaningful interaction with the local community. He regrets not having joined the security forces but knew he would have been a prime target for the IRA, and he expresses the hope that never again will there be a generation which will have to suffer so much within their own communities.
Recordings available via Cavan Co. Library Service
