Republican News · Thursday 11 April 2002

Easter Commemorations 2002

Officers of Clonakilty Sinn Féin Cumann at the annual Easter Commemoration held at the Tadhg an Astna 1798 Monument in the town on Easter Sunday. (From left) Paul Hayes (Rúnaí), who read the 1916 Proclamation, local Town Councillor Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin, a general election Candidate for Cork South West, who delivered the oration and Noel Finn (Cisteóir), who laid the wreath

Derry

The republican parades which took place over the Easter holidays passed off without any trouble.

On Easter Sunday, the Loup was the venue for the commemoration of Brigadier Sean Larkin and on Sunday afternoon the South Derry Martyrs Flute Band paraded through Magherafelt town without any incident.

The Easter Monday commemoration was held in Swatragh, where there was a parade from the Diamond to the chapel. On Monday afternoon the controversial parade through the nationalist town of Maghera took place. I would like to give a word of prise to the Tom Williams flute band from Scotland, the Strabane flute band and the South Derry Martyrs flute band and also the organisers and stewards that helped make this day a success without any major trouble. The RUC/PSNI held up the commemoration by half an hour by sending the Tom Williams republican flute band through the prominently loyalist area of Upperlands.

Leitrim

A large crowd gathered at Selton Hill on Easter Sunday. Led by the Kiltubrid Pipe Band, they marched to the grave of Jack McLaughlin in Fenagh. In driving rain, the crowd listened to former republican prisoner Ella O'Dwyer, who congratulated them on braving the elements to pay homage to Ireland's dead. "I am proud and privileged to be in the county which produced Sean MacDermott and John Joe McGirl", she said.

A lively social followed in Flynn's Bar, Fenagh.

Waterford

A crowd in excess of 600 attended the Easter commemoration in Ring, where Jim McAllister from Armagh delivered the oration. In his address he stressed the need to implement all elements of the Good Friday Agreement and especially the immediate removal of the British Army from South Armagh, who are more visible now on the ground than ever, despite the so-called peaceful climate. He also queried the unnecessary numbers of Special Branch men attending the day's event.

Wexford

Five Easter commemorations were held in County Wexford. On Easter Sunday, republicans held ceremonies in Wexford Town, Murrintown and in Ballymore, where hunger striker Joseph Whitty is buried. Easter Monday's parade in Duncormick was followed by the weekend's main event in Enniscorthy, where over 200 people, including three colour parties and the Youghal Republican Band, marched to the grave of George Keegan. Pat Doherty MP and candidate John Dwyer gave the orations. Dwyer slammed "garda inaction" over an attack by a criminal gang on himself and two party colleagues, one party activist having three teeth broken, which he said was "in stark contrast to their harassment of a parade steward on the way to the cemetery". Sinn Féin Vice President Pat Doherty encouraged those present to do all in their power to ensure Wexford elects a Sinn Féin TD.