Republican News · Thursday 25 September 2002

McGuinness to speak at St James' function

Sinn Féin Mid Ulster MP Martin McGuinness will be the main speaker at the St James' Martyrs commemoration to be held in the Felons Club Belfast on Friday 20 September. Also speaking at the function will be Cristin McCauley, wife of Martin McCauley, one of the three Irishmen currently held in Colombia.

A booklet commemorating the lives of republican activists from the St James' area will be launched on the night.

This year is oneof anniversaries for the people of the area. It is 30 years since 18-year-old Daniel Rooney was killed by the SAS in St Katherine's Road and ten years since crazed RUC man Allen Moore shot dead Michael O'Dywer in the Sinn Féin offices on the Falls Road.

A spokesperson for the St James' Commemoration Committee told An Phoblacht that the idea for the booklet came about because "we wanted to make people aware of the lives and deaths of the people we commemorate every year.

"Many people have become accustomed to hearing the names mentioned in the booklet, but won't be aware of the details behind their deaths. There is evidence in almost every killing of either negligence on the part of the RUC and British Army or just downright collusion with loyalist murder gangs."

The launch will be followed by a function.

On Sunday 22 September the annual Commemoration March will take place. People will assemble at the top of Rockmore Road at 1pm for the march to the memorial plaque. The main speaker this year is Belfast Mayor Alex Maskey.