‘Man of Peace’ Sen Fox remembered

The “shockwaves” caused by the “senseless” murder of Senator Billy Fox reverberated through the rural communities of Cavan and Monaghan like darkening thunder in a serene sky.

Faces clouded with disbelief discussed what little was known in hushed tones, by milk churns at the back of creameries, over wooden counters in country shops, at crossroads, and in quiet church alcoves. Everywhere, the echoes of the tragedy lingered, a haunting reminder of the fragility of life on the border, and a sombre reminder of the violence that arises from political turmoil.

Sen Fox’s murder by the IRA, while carrying out a raid on his fiancée Marjorie Coulson’s house at Tircooney on March 12, 1974, happened during a period of intense conflict in Northern Ireland. It preceded the Dublin and Monaghan bombings by months but came fresh in the memory of attacks in Belturbet, Clones, and the callous killings of Thomas Bullock and his wife, Emily, as well as Louis Leonard in Derrylin.

Minister Heather Humphreys remembers the prevailing sense of heavy sorrow, as well as the uncertainty his killing caused.

She was just aged 11 years at the time. A Presbyterian born in the village of Drum, Minister Humphreys’ late father Freddie Stewart knew Sen Fox, an Irish Fine Gael politician who served as Senator for the Cultural and Educational Panel (1973-74) and as TD for Monaghan (1969-73).

An only child and a farmer who came from a Protestant background, the Cortubber native was more than just a local politician. For many, Sen Fox was a beacon of promise, campaigning against British Army incursion and a reasoned voice for peace and reconciliation.

He was popular across all fronts. Elected with the support of the County Monaghan Protestant Association, he made no secret of his Republican views.

Sen Fox captured frontpage headlines few years earlier when forcibly removed from the Dáil chamber after displaying two rubber bullets and a spent CS canister he claimed were fired across the border by British forces. He did so while berating the Jack Lynch-led Fianna Fáil Government for what he said were failed policies on Northern Ireland.

His murder happened on a school night. He was only 34 years’ old.

“It was spoken about in every family across this county,” remembers Minister Humphreys, who spoke to the Celt while attending the 50th anniversary commemoration of Sen Fox’s death last Sunday, April 28, alongside An Taoiseach, Simon Harris. President Michael D. Higgins was represented by his aide-de-camp, Colonel Stephen Howard.

A wreath laying at the Sen Fox Memorial Park near Bawn was followed by a memorial service in a church nearby.

“It did bring shockwaves into families, right across the communities here,” says Minister Humphreys. “It was felt that people were scared. People were worried. People were concerned. Could this happen to them? That’s what happened at the time.”

Sen Fox was murdered in “cold blood”.

“Left to die,” is how former Senator Francis O’Brien describes it. A native of Latton, near Ballybay, he knew Sen Fox through their shared agricultural interests.

He says Sen Fox’s murder was “senseless”.

“He was a very good man, a hard worker. He was a man of the community, both sides. He didn’t deserve what happened to him.”

Of the 13-strong gang found raiding the Coulson home, only five ever saw justice.

Sen Fox was shot twice, his body located in the early hours of the following day. As he died, the raiders set fire to the Coulson house - their reasons based on rumour that UVF arms were secretly being stored at the farmhouse.

Sen Fox remains the only member of the Oireachtas to be assassinated during the conflict in Northern Ireland.

Ms Coulson, who was also present at the commemoration, said the late Sen Fox “wanted justice for everyone”.

To his family meanwhile, ‘Uncle Billy’ was “fun loving” with a penchant for new fancy cars, and an unwavering love for his family.

Cousins Sandra Kilburn and her brother Perry Semple travelled down from Limavady with other Fox family members to attend the commemoration.

Sandra was in her teens, and Perry had just turned 18.

“I remember coming home from school and being told about it,” says Sandra. “I just couldn’t believe it because he was just a fun-loving, good person.

At the age we were, we probably didn’t think much about what he was doing, politics or anything like that, but looking back, knowing now what we know, he definitely was a forward thinking person, and people just wouldn’t accept his ideas.”

Perry becomes emotional when reflecting on the impact Sen Fox’s murder had on his mother Helen ‘Helly’ (McCreery).

“She really took it bad. We’d never have been aware of anything like that before, it was really sore on her. She was always very soft on Billy. He was younger than her, the only boy in the family. Maybe they were protective of him, looking back now they probably were.”

In his address to those in attendance at the memorial park, the Taoiseach paid tribute to “a man of peace, to a man who gave his life in the service of our country”. He said his killing had been an attack on the very democracy he stived to uphold.

“Billy served with distinction, in the Dáil and the Seanad. He served the people of this community, the people of Monaghan, and the people on all of our island regardless of their religion, or background, or political beliefs. He was a good man, a gentle man, he was a man of courage and conviction.”