Republican News · Thursday 1 November 2001

Ógra Shinn Féin weekend in South Armagh

On Saturday 27 October over 100 members of Ógra Shinn Féin travelled from every part of Ireland to attend a full day of workshops in Slieve Gullion Courtyard, South Armagh. The story of the great escape from Long Kesh was told by Bobby Storey. John Pickering held a workshop on Education and Jim Gibney outlined a programme for Campaigns and Mobilisation. Other workshops included Banners and Murals followed by debate on International Politics and Women in Politics. This very successful one-day event was organised by Coiste na nIarchimí in conjunction with the local cumann of Ógra Shinn Féin.

"The "away day" in Slieve Gullion Courtyard was a huge success," said Orla Murphy, spokesperson for Ógra Shinn Féin in South Armagh. "On behalf of the local cumann I would like to thank everyone who took part in this very interesting day of workshops. Not only did we manage to debate a wide range of topical issues but it was also a great opportunity for members from throughout the 32 counties to get to know each other. We look forward to more days like this in other areas."

The following day, Sunday 28 October, members of Ógra Shinn Féin attended a picket at the British Army installation at Glassdrummond. They were met by RUC personnel in riot gear. Within ten minutes of arriving at the base, six helicopters flew in very low and circled the fields continuously during the protest. Local people and members of the South Armagh Farmers and Residents Committee were also present. Toni Carragher, spokesperson for SAFRC said: "We were there to show our support for Ógra Shinn Féin and to show our anger and disgust at the paltry proposals from the British government on demilitarisation."

Some members of Ógra who had never been to the north before were absolutely amazed at the huge numbers of British Army watchtowers and fortifications on every hillside in South Armagh. They went away determined to raise the issue of demilitarisation with councillors and TDs in their own areas.

Commenting on the recent start to demilitarisation by the British government, Newry and Armagh Assembly member Conor Murphy said: "Following the historic initiative taken by the IRA, the time is now opportune for the British government to act decisively on the issue of demilitarisation. The British Secretary of State, John Reid, has said that four military installations will be dismantled throughout the Six Counties.

"There is an air of expectation in South Armagh that at long last we will not have to suffer the invasion of privacy created by the spy-posts on every hilltop in the area. A piecemeal approach to the problem will not be acceptable to people living in this area. The partial dismantling of these installations will not help cut the level of Helicopter activity or British army patrols on the ground.

"The British government should heed the mood of the Nationalist community. The implementation of a rolling programme of demilitarisation should be swift and decisive."