Merriman
09-21-2008, 10:12 PM
Republican Sinn Féin held its annual Eve of All-Ireland rally in Dublin on Saturday September 20. The rally began with a march from the Garden of Remembrance on Parnell Square at 1.45pm to the GPO in O’Connell St. The rally is held each year to highlight the reality that Ireland is a 32-County nation, which is partitioned and occupied by Britain. The essential unity of the Irish nation is symbolised in the All-Ireland football and hurling finals each year.
Richard Walsh of Derry one of the speakers at the event said:
"Contrary to the aspirations of national unity and freedom, which inspired the All-Ireland hurling and football finals, we are witnessing a rise in the two-state mentality and indeed a two-nation myth. But English rule remains inherently unstable and we must continue to campaign for the reintegration of our national territory under native Irish control.
"Both jurisdictions within our country continue to target Republicans, and particularly within the Occupied Six Counties in recent months we have seen a vast increase in the number of people, including members of Republican Sinn Féin, taken from their homes at gunpoint by the British forces of occupation. But we can also be satisfied that Republican resistance to foreign occupation is on the rise, and long may this continue!
"Hugh Orde may not miss any opportunity to label Republicans “lunatics”, but the reality is that only a lunatic would believe that Republican resistance will cease once so-called “policing and justice” powers are devolved to Stormont by their British masters. The message from Roslea, Lisnaskea and Craigavon was that the British colonial police will never be welcome in our country!
"Recent events in Mayo have demonstrated the willingness of the Dublin Administration to back the interests of multi-nationals against the interests of the Irish people. The attitude of multi-nationals to the Irish people can clearly be seen through the impending relocation of Seagate Technology’s Limavady plant in County Derry to Johor in Malaysia. After eleven years in the country, they wish to enter a lower-wage economy. Likewise Shell wish to selfishly pursue their own self-interest with the construction of the Corrib gas pipeline. Maura Harrington is to be congratulated for her brave stand, embarking upon a hunger strike. Thankfully the withdrawal of the Solitaire to a port in Glasgow has enabled her to end her eleven day fast. However, whilst Shell’s withdrawal from our waters is a positive development, we cannot afford to lower our guard.
"In light of the current recession, which we are ordered to refer to as the “credit crunch”, we are told that employers wish to withhold pay-rises to their employees – including the lowest paid who cannot possibly be expected to weather the current economic storm. Any increase in wages would be below the current rate of inflation, effectively amounting to a pay cut. Of course, many others will be forced out of employment entirely. It is our duty to stand up for the less-privileged in Irish society, and those who the late Celtic Tiger left behind.
"We have also witnessed a relentless campaign to ensure that there is no repeat of the defence of sovereignty expressed by voters in the Free State in the referendum on the EU Constitution under the guise of the ‘Lisbon Treaty’. The rejected Treaty goes a long way towards the creation of an EU Superstate. It appears likely that there might be a second referendum to produce the EU’s desired outcome, and indeed there has been speculation that those in Leinster House may consider ratification without a referendum – expressly ignoring the wishes of the people.
"On the Eve of the All-Ireland football final, let us rededicate ourselves to the restoration of our National territory under the rule of the Irish people. We must resist all attempts to bolster English rule in part of Ireland or to subsume our country into an EU Superstate. True Republicans will continue to seek the restoration of the All-Ireland Republic.
"Go raibh mile maith agaibh.
"An Phoblacht Abú!"
Richard Walsh of Derry one of the speakers at the event said:
"Contrary to the aspirations of national unity and freedom, which inspired the All-Ireland hurling and football finals, we are witnessing a rise in the two-state mentality and indeed a two-nation myth. But English rule remains inherently unstable and we must continue to campaign for the reintegration of our national territory under native Irish control.
"Both jurisdictions within our country continue to target Republicans, and particularly within the Occupied Six Counties in recent months we have seen a vast increase in the number of people, including members of Republican Sinn Féin, taken from their homes at gunpoint by the British forces of occupation. But we can also be satisfied that Republican resistance to foreign occupation is on the rise, and long may this continue!
"Hugh Orde may not miss any opportunity to label Republicans “lunatics”, but the reality is that only a lunatic would believe that Republican resistance will cease once so-called “policing and justice” powers are devolved to Stormont by their British masters. The message from Roslea, Lisnaskea and Craigavon was that the British colonial police will never be welcome in our country!
"Recent events in Mayo have demonstrated the willingness of the Dublin Administration to back the interests of multi-nationals against the interests of the Irish people. The attitude of multi-nationals to the Irish people can clearly be seen through the impending relocation of Seagate Technology’s Limavady plant in County Derry to Johor in Malaysia. After eleven years in the country, they wish to enter a lower-wage economy. Likewise Shell wish to selfishly pursue their own self-interest with the construction of the Corrib gas pipeline. Maura Harrington is to be congratulated for her brave stand, embarking upon a hunger strike. Thankfully the withdrawal of the Solitaire to a port in Glasgow has enabled her to end her eleven day fast. However, whilst Shell’s withdrawal from our waters is a positive development, we cannot afford to lower our guard.
"In light of the current recession, which we are ordered to refer to as the “credit crunch”, we are told that employers wish to withhold pay-rises to their employees – including the lowest paid who cannot possibly be expected to weather the current economic storm. Any increase in wages would be below the current rate of inflation, effectively amounting to a pay cut. Of course, many others will be forced out of employment entirely. It is our duty to stand up for the less-privileged in Irish society, and those who the late Celtic Tiger left behind.
"We have also witnessed a relentless campaign to ensure that there is no repeat of the defence of sovereignty expressed by voters in the Free State in the referendum on the EU Constitution under the guise of the ‘Lisbon Treaty’. The rejected Treaty goes a long way towards the creation of an EU Superstate. It appears likely that there might be a second referendum to produce the EU’s desired outcome, and indeed there has been speculation that those in Leinster House may consider ratification without a referendum – expressly ignoring the wishes of the people.
"On the Eve of the All-Ireland football final, let us rededicate ourselves to the restoration of our National territory under the rule of the Irish people. We must resist all attempts to bolster English rule in part of Ireland or to subsume our country into an EU Superstate. True Republicans will continue to seek the restoration of the All-Ireland Republic.
"Go raibh mile maith agaibh.
"An Phoblacht Abú!"