PRESS RELEASE

19/12/2004

New Cork Airport should honour Terence Mac Swiney

The €140 million terminal at Cork Airport should be named in honour of Lord Mayor Terence Mac Swiney, who died while on hunger strike in Brixton Prison, according to the Deputy Government Chief Whip, Billy Kelleher TD.

“The re-development project will provide Cork with 21 st century travel facilities that can rival those in any country, it also comes at a time when the airport is enjoying unprecedented growth.”

“I believe this new chapter in the history of local aviation offers an ideal opportunity to honour a Cork hero whose contribution to our struggle for independence has gone largely unrecognised.”

“Terence Mac Swiney died after 74 days on hunger strike after being imprisoned for making a ‘seditious' speech for being in possession of a police code and a Cork Corporation resolution recognising Dáil Éireann.”

“Following his death MacSwiney's body lay in state in Southwark Cathedral before removal by sea to Dublin and then by train to Cork . To this day his funeral remains one of the largest ever seen in Cork City .”

“In Cork every school child knows of the contribution made by the late Lord Mayor, but I believe the naming of MacSwiney International Airport would bring a wider recognition of the sacrifice made.”

“Through major infrastructure investment our city is undergoing unprecedented change, but it is important that we always remember our proud history and I believe honouring Terence MacSwiney would provide an important link with our past,” concluded Deputy Kelleher.