Eilish Mateer, a lifelong republican and former Cumann na mBan member, died on March 24 at Our Lady’s Care Home in Belfast. She passed peacefully surrounded by family.

Mateer supported Independent Republican candidate Billy McMillen in 1964. She witnessed an RUC attack on election offices in Divis Street that year. Police removed a tricolour from the window and served McMillen a notice under the Flags and Emblems Act for displaying the flag.

Later in 1964, the UVF threw two hand grenades at the Grosvenor Road home Mateer shared with her husband Seán, another lifelong republican.

Mateer backed the Civil Rights movement. She took part in the Curfew of the Falls Road, when women broke through British Army barbed wire barricades to aid residents tear-gassed and assaulted over three days.

She leaves children Seán, Gerard, Kathy, Eamonn, Maura and Úna, along with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.