Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Newry Armagh Republicans commemorate the Easter Rising

Published: 12 April, 2009

Republicans gathered in their thousands across Newry and Armagh this weekend to commemorate all those who have died in the struggle for Irish freedom with parades in Mullach Bán, Camloch, Cullyhanna, Drumintee, Belleek, Crossmaglen, Newry, Ballymacnab, Derrymacash and Armagh City.

At the commemorative parade in Mullach Bán, Sinn Féin EU candidate Bairbre de Brún told the crowd how Sinn Féin's strategy is moving us ever closer to a United Ireland.

Ms. de Brún told the crowd,

"The Orange state as we knew it is now gone."

"It is Sinn Féin's strategy that has dismantled the Orange State; our discipline and determination."

"And while it may take time for some unionists to catch up, there is no going back to the old days of sectarian domination and two-tier citizenship. The relationship between the North of Ireland and Britain has been fundamentally altered."

"Republicans continue to take co-ownership of every sphere of public, political and institutional life in the North, all this is part of the journey towards a United Ireland."

"Tá an saol anseo I Éirinn athraithe mar gheall ar próiseas na síochána agus mar gheall ar sár-oibre Poblachtánaithe."

"The Irish Peace Process has transformed life on this island. And importantly for Republicans it has opened up a peaceful and democratic path to a united Ireland."

"Our job is to popularise republicanism, our job is to ensure that the political institutions deliver for all of the people, our job is to build the party - to engage in our local communities."

"People across this island right now are living with the dire economic conditions that our country now faces North and South."

"In 2009 Irish republicans remain guided by the noble ideals of the 1916 leaders. We are more determined than ever to see the realisation of the all-Ireland Republic they envisaged. We have never been closer to the day of freedom. But we face many challenges in the times ahead."

"As we move forward the British Government also needs to acknowledge its role as a protagonist in the conflict and deal with the one thousand victims of collusion and state violence when dealing with victims' issues."

"There are 355 republican activists on the roll of honour. These men and women are victims of the conflict too. Most of them were IRA volunteers who were killed in action. Ordinary people who lived extraordinary lives. People whose commitment to the cause of Irish freedom and their local communities was absolute. We grieve for them and we share that grief and sense of loss with their families and friends. They were decent, selfless and honourable."