Remembering gentleman Jim, a true Derry hero

ONE of my first heroes, Jim McGuigan, died on Saturday.

The Derry county treasurer for 32 years, a selfless servant to Watty Graham’s Glen for more than half a century, and an officer with the Ulster Council, Jim’s devotion to the GAA had no bearing on why I considered him a man apart.

Jim captured my imagination because he was a fireman. Our house was situated directly opposite the fire station in Maghera. The front room provided a bird eye’s view of the race that took place between the firemen when the siren announced the latest emergency.