A STATUE of 1916 leader James Connolly is to be unveiled on the Falls Road in west Belfast.

Connolly, an Irishman born in Edinburgh, was commander of the Irish Citizen Army (ICA), formed by members of the Irish Transport & General Workers Union in the winter of 1913 to defend workers from police violence during the Dublin Lockout.

Connolly had close links with Belfast.

From 1911 until his execution he and his family lived at Glenalina Terrace on the Falls Road.

On Easter Monday, April 24 1916, Connolly led more than 220 members of the ICA who took part in the Easter Rising.

During the fighting, 12 ICA members were killed. Connolly and ICA captain Michael Mallin were later executed.

ICA member, Lieutenant Constance Markievicz, was also sentenced to death but this was commuted to penal servitude for life.

The statue will be unveiled by Connolly's great-grandson, James Connolly Heron at 4pm on Friday.