Garvaghy Road residents visit Dublin
BY CAITLIN DOHERTY
A delegation representing the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition
(GRRC) arrived in Dublin On Tuesday, 23 February for a day of
high-profile activities organised by Dublin Sinn Fein.
Following a press conference Breandan MacCionnaith, spokesperson for
the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition and Joe Duffy, met a numberof
TDs. They included Sinn Féin TD for Cavan/Monaghan Caoimhghìn
O'Caolàin, Fine Gael's Jimmy Deenihan and Cecilia Keaveney, Tom Kitt
and Martin Brady of Fianna Faíl. A representative from Marian
Magennis's office also spoke to the delegation.
Many of the TDs expressed their surprise at the extent and intensity
of intimidation and harassment ongoing in the town. The lack of
political support from the major parties was highlighted during the
meetings. Since this summer, only one TD has visited the area. ``There
is a need for more TDs to come into Portadown and see what it is
really like to be living there as a Catholic'', said Breandan
MacCionnaith. The idea of an all-party delegation visit was put
forward.
Dublin Sinn Fein Councillor Christy Burke then accompanied the
Garvaghy Road representatives to the Mansion House were they held a
meeting with Lord Mayor Joe Doyle.
The aim of the day's activities was to inform the people of Dublin
and political representatives in the 26 Counties of the ongoing siege
in Portadown and the consequences which the heightened tension,
ongoing harassment and daily attacks is having in social terms for
the 7,000 nationalist residents of the town.
``Little media or political attention has so far been focused on the
situation in Portadown since July. If such an organised campaign of
violent intimidation had been waged in Britain, mainland Europe or
the United States in the same manner as that directed against
Portadown's Catholic and nationalist community, an international
outcry would have ensued'', said Breandán MacCionnaith.
So far, the British and Irish governments have failed to fulfil their
duty and committment under the Good Friday Agreement to ensure
freedom from sectarian harassment. In Portadown, over 150 illegal
Orange marches have witnessed repeated violations of the Parade
Commission's directives. Yet no action has been taken.
At a time of so-called peace, families living on the interfaces have
been forced out of houses they have been born in. Catholic
schoolchildren continue to be harassed and targeted in the town
centre. Catholic houses and businesses are bombed, attacked and
burnt. As the marching season dawns closer, the tension is rising.
The youth of the Garvaghy Road, despite the campaign of targeted
provocation and growing frustration have managed to avoid
retaliating.
This reign of sectarian terror and intimidation is set to remain
unchallenged as more so-called Orange protest marches are planned.
One has already been held in the Corcrain Orange Hall, situated in a
nationalist area. Others are planned for this Saturday, March 6th and
13th. Members of the Portadown Orange Lodge have also signalled their
intention to ``strike'' on March 10th, the date set for devolution of
powers from London to the Stormont Assembly.
The Dublin visit was also designed to broaden the network of
cooperation the GRRC is building across the island. A solid link-up
with community activists from Belfast has already been established
and this week-end, Garvaghy Road community activists will meet with
counterparts from Derry in Portadown. The aim is to engage in a
series of projects on an all-Ireland basis with which skills,
facilities and information can be shared.
In the afternoon, the delegation met with the Ringsend & District
response to Drugs community activists of which Teresa Weafer, Paul
Meleady, Teresa Rooney and Gabriel Weafer. The delegation was
impressed with the work, commitment and the positive energy of the
working group. Experiences relating to drugs awareness, social
reintegration and different ways to tackle the growing problem were
highlighted. A further meeting was held with activists in the
Ringsend community centre.
``People here can easily identify with the feeling of siege of the
Garvaghy Road residents as we have been described as a marginalised
and isolated community for years, said Vincent Doherty, coordinator
of the South Inner City anti-drugs task force. We have very common
experiences.'' The idea of a drugs awareness week-end, during which
activists from Belfast, Dublin and Derry would link-up with youth and
families in Portadown was suggested. The delegation then headed to
the northside of the city to meet with another community group in the
Hardwicke Street area.
A meeting took place later in the day with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
The day was rounded off with a packed public meeting in Dublin's
ATGWU Hall which was also addressed by Sinn Fein's Barry McElduff and
Seán Crowe.
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