A TRAINING and Employment Bursary has been launched in memory of Kevin Mulgrew.
The lifelong republican and former IRA prisoner passed away in September 2021.
Last week, Tar Anall, Tar Isteach and Coiste na nIarchimí launched the Kevin Mulgrew Training and Employment Bursary. The bursary has provided 15 recipients with the opportunity to undertake skills-based training designed to improve their employment prospects, enhance their confidence and open pathways towards meaningful careers.
By investing in accredited training and professional development, the initiative aims to address some of the barrier’s political ex-prisoners and their family members can face when seeking to enter or return to the workforce.
Tommy Quigley from Tar Isteach said: “Through his work as Chair of Coiste na nIarchimí and with Fáilte Abhaile in Dundalk, Kevin campaigned tirelessly on behalf of republican ex-prisoners and their families. He demonstrated a deep commitment to improving opportunities and outcomes for a community that has often been denied full equality and rights.
"For decades, he stood at the forefront of the campaign to challenge the systemic inequality and discrimination faced by republican ex-prisoners and their families. In the face of political hostility, social exclusion, and institutional barriers, Kevin never wavered. His voice was clear, his principles unshakeable, and his commitment total.
"Kevin was a firm believer in the power of education, training, and personal development. As a political ex-prisoner whose own circumstances denied him the opportunity to fulfill his own potential, Kevin understood that the denial of equality was not just a political issue, but a deeply personal one.
"He channelled that experience into a constructive, lifelong mission to support and empower the republican community. He found profound fulfilment in ensuring others would not face the same injustices he did, transforming his own missed opportunities into a roadmap for others' success.”
John O’Hagan, from Tar Anall, added: “The vision for establishing the bursary was clearly reflected in Kevin’s tireless advocacy; he empowered republican ex-prisoners and their families to access the resources needed to reach their full potential, achieve better life outcomes, and foster greater social inclusion.
"By acting as a champion for change, his dedication served as a vital link, connecting the republican community to a brighter, more inclusive future.
"It is an honour for Tar Anall, Tar Isteach and Coiste na nIarchimí to launch this Employment Training Bursary in Kevin’s name, carrying forward his vision and honouring the powerful, enduring legacy he left behind."
Speaking at the launch Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ni Chuilían said: “This evening's launch also highlights the continuing importance of community-based initiatives in tackling disadvantage and promoting social and economic inclusion.
"Ultimately, the Kevin Mulgrew Training and Employment Bursary is about more than training alone. It is about creating opportunities, removing barriers and ensuring that individuals and families have a fairer chance to build secure futures through meaningful, long-term employment.”
