Republican News · Thursday 17 October 2002

Ferris opens Abhaile Arís in Letterkenny

Prisons... the furnace in which our revolution was tempered and steeled

Martin Ferris, Sinn Féin TD for North Kerry, was given a rapturous welcome by a big crowd when he arrived at Lower Main Street in Letterkenny on Friday afternoon last to open the Party Abhaile Arís Office which is funded by the EU Peace and Reconciliation Fund.

In his speech inside the building, Ferris departed from his script to say that despite the present posturing of unionism, the Sinn Féin party would not be deflected from its ultimate goal of a united Ireland. He also called for the immediate release of all republican prisoners in the state, saying that to continue their detention was in clear breach of the Good Friday Agreement.

Among the many guests were MPs Pat Doherty and Michelle Gildernew and Councillor Ciaran Brogan, the Deputy Mayor of Letterkenny.

The sun shone on the opening and the attendance viewed an exhibtion of the crafts of republican prisoners, among them Hugh Doherty of Carrigart, County Donegal, whose paintings adorn the walls of the new facility.

The Abhaile Arís building will cater for 450 prisoners and their families and others displaced by the troubles of the Six Counties over three decades. Many have spent over 20 years in prisons and detention centres and some have been hounded out of their homes for their convictions.

A staff of three is in charge of the running and administration of Abhaile Arís: Pearse Doherty is project coordinator, Peter Ogle is office administrator and Gerry McMonagle is outreach worker.

A comprehensive plan is now in place to include a series of objectives. These are promotion of education: providing employment through training and development: a facility for interaction: counselling and advice: promotion of self-development: improving public perception. A number of classes in the Irish language: arts and painting along with computer training are due to start in mid-October and the project has already identified from research the needs of their community.

Martin Ferris said it was a fitting occasion to remind ourselves of the fact that the republican former prisoner community, far from being a helpless dependant of the social welfare system, has taken control of its own interests and is an integral part of the ongoing struggle to free our country.

Ferris said that in Donegal, as in many other parts of Ireland, republican former prisoners are playing an active role at all levels. A large proportion of Sinn Fein's elected representatives in both states are part of that community. Many others are active within the party as community activists, he added.

"What this proves is that far from being the breakers yards envisaged by our enemies, the prisons became the furnace in which our revolution was tempered and steeled."