Republican News · Thursday 12 June 2003

Rosses Martyrs honoured

Up to 200 people commemorated the Rosses martyrs last Saturday night at Kincasslagh Cemetery in Donegal. The event, chaired by Pearse Doherty, was the first of its kind in 20 years. Addressing the crowd, Sinn Féin national chairperson Mitchel McLaughlin said: "This is a place made forever significant because it marks the spot where lies yet another hero of the Irish people's struggle for Nationhood, a patriot who gave his life that others might live in Freedom, Justice and Peace.

"We come here to honour IRA Volunteer Neil Plunket Boyle, from Lackenagh Burtonport who died on 15 May 1923. We are here also to remember his comrades, Owen Boyle, who was born and reared at Milltown, Burtonport, Con Boyle, who was born at Meenatottan, Dungloe, and Mary McBride of Dungloe, a member of Cumann Na mBan.

"We are also here to demonstrate that no amount of cynicism, revisionism or collaboration will suppress the truth for which the Rosses Martyrs fought and died. This commemoration will reinforce in the minds of many the continuing negative effect that British interference and the denial of democracy to the people of Ireland has had on every generation since Partition.

"I appeal to all those who hold to the principles of the Rosses Martyrs to pledge themselves this day to resolve once and for all the divisions that have plagued our country."