A booklet has been compiled to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of two IRA volunteers, Patrick McManus and James Crossan, who each died in the Fermanagh border areas in the summer months of 1958.

The booklet will be launched next Saturday at 8pm when expert historian Ruan O'Donnell will speak about the 50's Campaign. This will take place in Mountview, Derrylin, at 8pm.

A Commemoration event, due to be attended by MP, and Assembly Member, Michelle Gildernew, is scheduled for Sunday 6 July in Swanlinbar ay 3pm.

This well compiled booklet looks back on the life of one of Fermanagh most famous volunteers, Patrick McManus.

It details his childhood in Kinawley, and his initial activity with the IRA in later life, during the border campaign of the 1950's.

It explains how Mr McManus went across the border, allowing only limited contact with his family. The booklet details: "Living life 'On the Run', Patrick was the Officer Commanding the IRA in South Fermanagh. In the Spring 1958 he was appointed to the Army Council. Sean Cronin, then IRA chief of staff, would later write, 'he must have escaped death or capture a score of times.

:"And, it is ironic that when death came in the end, it should come in the way it did to a man so wise, so cautious, so experienced. There was iron in his soul as well as in his body, and he passed it on to those who came in contact with him..."

Mr McManus died on an isolated country road in the townland of Derryealt about two miles outside of Swanlinbar on 15 July 1958. It was around 9.45pm when a gelignite mine, which he had constructed, prematurely exploded as he was handing it over to colleagues.

Mr McManus's family provided a great deal of information contained in the booklet.

And, his brother Frank, who was elected MP as the Unity candidate for Fermanagh/South Tyrone from 1970- 1974 explained that compiling the memories was a 'bitter-sweet' experience for the family.

He explained: "We welcome any commemoration of Patrick's death as long as it properly organised. The family supplied a lot of the details for this booklet, and we feel it is a good record of his life."

Mr McManus recalled the death of his brother: "He died the same day as my sister got married. So we came from a very happy day, to be greeted by this news the following morning."

Also commemorated in this booklet is James Crossan, who was born in County Leitrim. He worked as an IRA intelligence officer, was active in Cavan, Leitrim and South Fermanagh.

Mr Crossan was shot by the RUC in August 1958. Following his death the Irish Republican Publicity Bureau issued a statement on the day of Mr Crossan inquest. It refuted the claim that Mr Crossan or Ben McHugh, who was injured in the attack, were involved in any way in an attempt to blow up Mullan Customs Hut.

The statement pointed out both men were unarmed and claimed Mr Crossan was shot within the 26 County area.