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

MP tells public meeting 'keep your eye focused on the ultimate prize - freedom and unity'

Published: 30 April, 2009

Newry and Armagh MP Conor Murphy told a public meeting in Keady, South Armagh yesterday to keep focused on the ultimate prize for Irish republicans - freedom and unity. The Sinn Féin Regional Development Minister addressed a 250 strong crowd, during one of a series of public engagements organised by his Party across Ireland before two major conferences in the USA and a conference in Britain.

Also speaking at the event was Junior Minister Gerry Kelly MLA and Bairbre de Brún MEP.

Speaking after the meeting Mr. Murphy said,

"This event was part of our commitment to engage with the people of Ireland, about the future of our country. It was an important opportunity for the public to speak directly to the Sinn Fein leadership about their hopes for the future and about how we can meet the economic challenges head on.

"Democracy requires the active participation of citizens and demands that we go out and engage directly with local communities. These meetings underline our commitment to a future based on a democracy of the people, by the people and for the people.

"Sinn Féin is the only Party in Ireland to engage with the public in this manner."

The meeting began with the introduction of the panel by local Assembly member Cathal Boylan, following which Gerry Kelly gave an update on how Sinn Féin is advancing the republican struggle across Ireland. Bairbre de Brún then outlined the work of Sinn Féin in Europe.

The meeting was then opened to the floor for questions from the public.

The various questions from the public included subjects such as tax raising powers in the assembly, transfer of policing and justice to the North, how the EU works for the rights of the disabled, and rural development grants.

Comments from the floor also noted how far unionism had moved on in recent years, with one speaker stating that the DUP who had been set up to oppose civil rights and 'smash Sinn Féin' are now working with republicans daily in an assembly based on power sharing and equality.

Conor Murphy then closed the event by calling on the public to "keep your eye focused on the ultimate prize for Irish republicans - freedom and unity."

"Irish republicans are constantly building momentum to move us closer to our republican objectives. There are more republicans on this island now than there have been in 90 years. It is our duty as republicans to keep building upon this momentum until we achieve our ultimate goal of the Irish Republic."