Saoirse demand increases
WHILE THE REPERCUSSIONS OF Martin McGuinness's Coalisland speech
centred on his declaration that Sinn Féin would be entering the
Stormont talks determined to ``smash the union'', the reason for
the march and rally at which the speech was made went largely
unheeded.
The several thousand republicans who travelled to the County
Tyrone town on Sunday 5 October went there to support the demands
of Saoirse, the prisoners support organisation, for the release
of all political prisoners.
Support for the POWs in English prisons, in Long Kesh, in
Maghaberry, in the United States and in Portlaoise was evident in
the warm welcome extended by Sunday's crowd to the relatives of
the POWs who addressed the rally. These included Frances McHugh
whose brother Brian McHugh is at present in Belmarsh jail in
South London on 23 hour lock up.
d the applause which greeted Deirdre McAliskey as she called
for the immediate release of her sister Roisin and baby Loinir
spoke volumes for the concern republicans have over this latest
attempt by the British to punish one family for their beliefs.
Earlier the parade had left three departure points at Gorgonis,
Brackaville and Annagher and, accompanied by flute bands from
across the North, marched to Coalisland RUC barracks where
Saoirse activists tied green ribbons and placards on the wire
surround of a sangar that dominates the town square.
Speaking to An Phoblacht after Sunday's rally Saoirse's
chairperson Martin Meehan expressed his ``delight at such a
turnout'', and urged nationalists ``throughout Ireland to support
any future protest organised by Saoirse. In the coming months it
is crucial people show their support for the POWs,'' he said.
![[An Phoblacht]](http://republican-news.org/graphics/title_gifs/aprn.gif)