Republican News · Thursday 11 April 2002

New West Belfast cumann

For the first time in over 20 years, a Sinn Féin cumann has been formed in the St James area of West Belfast.

The newly formed Greater St James Cumann replaces the Robert Emmet/Francis Liggett cumann, which has been defunct since the 1980s. The new cumann has expanded to take the Rock and Hugo Street area off the Falls Road into its working area.

Since its formation just over a month ago, the cumann has been organising pickets along the Falls Road and increasing sales of An Phoblacht.

Said Sean Osborne, a spokesperson for the cumann: "The Greater St James area has a strong republican tradition and there have always been plenty of people on the ground doing the work. We thought it was about time we reformed a cumann to get more out of the district and to make sure the party has a visible presence on the ground."