Francie Brolly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Francie Brolly
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Brolly in 2012
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Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for East Londonderry |
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In office 26 November 2003 – 12 January 2010 |
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Preceded by | Michael Coyle |
Succeeded by | Billy Leonard |
Personal details | |
Born | 13 January 1938 Dungiven, Northern Ireland |
Died | 6 February 2020 | (aged 82)
Nationality | Irish |
Political party | Aontu (2018–2020) |
Other political affiliations |
Sinn Féin (until 2018) |
Spouse | Anne Brolly |
Children | Joe, Proinnsías, Conal, Áine & Nodlaig |
Occupation | Musician, teacher, politician |
Francis Brolly (13 January 1938 – 6 February 2020) was an Irish musician, teacher and Irish republican politician from Dungiven, Northern Ireland. Brolly was a Sinn Féin Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for East Londonderry from 2003 to 2010, when he stood down.
His wife, Anne Brolly was the first Sinn Féin mayor and the first female Mayor of Limavady between 2003 and 2004, the council to which she was elected in 2001.
In 2005, he was arrested by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and questioned about a bombing incident in the village of Claudy in 1972. An official complaint was lodged with the Police Ombudsman regarding the lawfulness of the arrest and this investigation was ongoing. Brolly initiated a legal action in relation to the arrest, against the PSNI but he did not proceed with the matter. The case was 'stayed', which means Francie Brolly didn't pursue the matter and there was no out of court settlement, agreement, acceptance of liability or payment of compensation by the police.
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Interests
Brolly was an Irish culture enthusiast. A lyricist and musician, he wrote many well-known Irish republican songs, most famously The H-Block Song. His daughter, Nodlaig, is also a well-known singer and Celtic harpist. He served as the Assembly spokesperson for Sinn Féin on Culture, Arts and Leisure, sitting on that department's oversight committee. He was also an Irish language enthusiast and a fluent speaker of the language.
He was a long-standing member of the GAA and played football for the Derry county team. He was an Executive Committee Member of St Canice's GAC Dungiven. His son Joe was part of Derry's 1993 All-Ireland Championship winning side and won two All Stars.
Death
Francie Brolly died on 6 February 2020.