CPI Remembers Bob Doyle

It was with great sadness that we learnt of the death in London of Bob Doyle, who was an active participant in the Spanish Anti-Fascist War, 1936–39, and the last surviving member of the Connolly Column of the International Brigade.

Bob was born in North King Street, Dublin, where he grew up in a family of five children. In his adult life his commitment to world peace and social justice was an example to all. Right up to his death Bob travelled throughout Ireland and Europe, speaking at many meetings so as to inform and inspire the younger generation to honour the International Brigaders and to stand up for social justice and world peace. He remained a committed anti-fascist, peace activist and communist to the end and was active in politics up to a very short time before his death. He lived his long life without regrets. He recorded his life’s work in a wonderful autobiography, Brigadista: An Irishman’s Fight Against Fascism.

We offer our sympathy to his family, and we salute his memory.

Ba faoi bhrón a chualamar faoi bhás Bob Doyle i Londain, rannpháirteach gníomhach i gCogadh Frithfhaisisteach na Spáinne, 1936–39, agus marthanóir deireanach de Cholún Uí Chonghaile sa Bhriogáid Idirnáisiúnta.

Rugadh Bob i Sráid an Rí Thuaidh, Baile Átha Cliath, áir ar fhás sé suas i dteaghlach de chúigear clainne. Ina shaol mar dhuine fásta b’eiseamláir do chách a dhúthracht do shíocháin dhomhanda agus do chóir shóisialta. Go dtí a bhás thaistil Bob ar fud na hÉireann agus na hEorpa, ag labhairt ag an iliomad cruinnithe chun an t‐aos óg a chur ar an eolas agus a spreagadh chun na Briogáidithe Idirnáisiúnta a onórú agus chun seasamh ar son na córa sóisialta agus na síochána domhanda. Ba fhrithfhaisistí, ghníomhaí síochána agus chumannaí dúthrachtach é go dtí an deireadh, an‐ghníomhach sa pholaitíocht go dtí tréimhse ghearr roimh a bhás. Chaith sé a shaol fada gan aon aiféala. Rinne sé taifead d’obair a shaoil i ndírbheathaisnéis iontach, Brigadista: An Irishman’s Fight Against Fascism.

Déanaimid comhbhrón lena chlann, agus beannaímid a chuimhne.

Communist Party of Ireland