Kinawley is the home place of the farming Carron family, and Owen Carron initially explains that he felt that the personalities of his Protestant neighbours changed once they dressed in UDR uniforms. He has always been a supporter of civil rights. He worked as a teacher in Fermanagh and became one of the founder members of the anti H Block committee with Betty Leonard. He was elected to the Westminster Parliament for Fermanagh South Tyrone in 1981 until 1983, though did not take his seat. The home of his brother Seamus at Maguire’s Bridge was blown up during this time. This recording took place on the anniversary of the Enniskillen bombing, and Owen discusses that tragic event. In 1985 he was arrested and charged with possession of a weapon in a car. He says he did not answer the court case and went to live in Ballinamore. He was re-arrested by An Garda Siochána, and extradition was unsuccessfully sought by the RUC. He expresses his hurt at being unable to attend the funeral of his brother in Enniskillen because he would have been arrested.
This collection, carried out by Irish Life and Lore on behalf of Cavan County Library Service, is funded by the EU Special EU Programmes Body Peace IV fund under the objective to build positive relations with people from different backgrounds and communities to support peace and reconciliation.
Download the recording free of charge by adding it to the basket and checking out as normal or listen to it online at this link: CDVOT01-15-Carron
