Phil O'Donnell

Phil O'Donnell (3 June 1932 – 24 December 1982), was a volunteer in the 2nd Battalion, Derry Brigade of the Provisional Irish Republican Army and a founding member of Saor Uladh from the Bogside area of Derry, Northern Ireland.

Background O'Donnell, originally from Derry, had been a member of the British Army and joined the republican movement in 1969 after the Battle of the Bogside.

Donegal training camps He utilised his training in the British Army by organising and running training camps in County Donegal, Republic of Ireland. During one training camp O'Donnell, and a number of other volunteers were captured by the Irish Army outside of Fahan. The group were remanded in Mountjoy Prison before their trial. During the trial O'Donnell stated that they were the "Defenders of the Bogside" and following their acquittal he quipped "if we are innocent can we please have our guns back".

Internment O'Donnell was interned on 9 August 1971 at the beginning of Operation Demetrius. O'Donnell was at first taken to Magilligan prison before being moved to Maidstone prison ship which was harboured in Belfast Lough. He was finally transferred to Long Kesh and was released after eight months.

Following his release he returned to active service and was arrested in the Republic of Ireland and charged with IRA membership and possession of weapons. O'Donnell spent several years in Portlaoise Prison and upon his release was again active in the republican movement.

Death O'Donnell contracted cancer and died at the age of 50 on Christmas Eve 1982.