Song about Joe McCann, a volunteer in the Official IRA (OIRA) from Turf Lodge, West Belfast who was killed in the Markets area of Belfast in 1972 while unarmed by the Parachute Regiment in cooperation with the RUC Special Branch.
McCann was a militant republican and a socialist, which some view as contrasting of the OIRA's stance on armed struggle following his death - with some even alleging he was set up by the OIRA leadership, with his personal weapon being confiscated by them.

The Historical Enquires Team determined his killing to be unlawful.
Gusty Spence, a staunch loyalist, even offered his sympathies to Joe's widow - having a high opinion of the republican and socialist.

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