The death in August 2017 of Seán Hales of Knocknacurra, near Bandon in Co Cork, has severed another link with the War of Independence and marked the loss of a good friend of the Workers’ Party and a firm supporter of revolutionary Cuba.
Seán Hales was born into a family steeped in history. His father Tom was one of five brothers active in the War of Independence and was viciously tortured by British forces. Yet Tom was a strong opponent of racism and sectarianism. When a number of Protestants were murdered near Dunmanway in 1922, Tom, as commander of the Cork No.3 IRA Brigade, made it clear that such actions would not be tolerated and moved to prevent further sectarian attacks. Tragically Tom and his brother Seán (senior) took opposite sides in the Civil War and Seán, a pro-Treaty TD and government minister, was shot dead outside the Dáil in 1922. The Hales family united at the time to make a call for no retaliation for Seán’s death but it was to no avail as the Free State Government executed four leading republicans in response. Tom continued to play a leading role in the anti-Treaty forces and was subsequently elected as a TD for Cork South West.
Seán, like his father and uncles, was a capable hurler in his younger days and represented his local team Courcey Rovers at junior and senior levels. He also excelled at athletics and was anall-round sportsman who encompassed everything from running to the hammer throw.
The Hales family operated a family farm at Knocknacurra and Seán played an active role in the foundation of the National Farmers Association in the 1950s at a time when the voice of the farming community was much less voluble than it is today.
Seán stood for local elections to Cork County Council in 1960, polling almost 600 first preference votes but was not elected. When the Republican Movement split Seán instinctively supported the leadership of Cathal Goulding and rejected the narrow sectarianism of the Provisionals. He remained active in what was to become the Workers’ Party throughout the 1970s and 80s and was a member of the party’s Munster Executive in the mid 1980s.
Seán was a longtime supporter of the Cuban revolutionary movement led by Fidel Castro, Ché Guevara and their comrades. When the US blockade of Cuba tightened in the 1990s with the passing of the Helms-Burton Act, Seán actively took part in the Cuba Support Group’s campaign to collect surplus medicines and equipment in Ireland and pass it on to the Cuba Support Group for conveyance to Cuba. The material collected saved many lives in Cuba which was being denied access to lifesaving drugs and equipment by the US blockade.
Workers’ Party National Treasurer Seán Garland paid tribute to Seán Hales who he had known for more than 50 years. “Seán was an unassuming man who never allowed his point of view or his principles to be ignored or pushed aside. He thought deeply and seriously about the problems confronting his country and class”. He offered sincere condolences on behalf of the Ard Chomhairle and members of the Workers’ Party to Seán’s wife Mary, his sons and daughters and extended family.
