Hugh Hehir was born on 21st November 1950, the third eldest of seven children. A plumber by trade he was ploiticised during the Civil Rights period in 1968 and joined the IRA in the aftermath of the August pogroms of 1969.
Hughie operated in many parts of the border area and knew other Volunteers from the 26 Counties who had also none north, such as Tony Ahern and Dermot Crowley from Cork.
In early 1974 he was arrested in Belfast's New Lodge Road area along with Joe Doherty and charged with possession of explosives and IRA membership. While in Crumlin Road jail on remand, he and Joe attempted escape but were caught. He served his sentence in the cages of Long Kesh where he made many friends and when he was released in November 1979 he immediately reported back to the IRA.
Hughie lived in Clarecastle, Co. Clare with his wife Anne and their three children, Hugh, Seán and Fiona. Their other daughter Tara died in a car accident four years before Hugh was killed at 3 years of age.
On Friday 6th May 1988 Hugh was shot by a member of the Gardaí while on Active Service. He was taken to Ennis General Hospital before being transferred to Cork General Hospital where he died. Hughie is buried in Cnoc an Claire cemetary, Co. Clare
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