Dundalk anti-collusion weekend

Last weekend, a number of young republicans and some more vintage ones came together in Dundalk in support of the Fírinne campaign to highlight collusion between the British state and loyalist death squads.

On Friday, local ex-prisoners from Fáilte Abhaile, John 'JC' Connelly and Peter 'Skeet' Hamilton talked about their experience of the struggle. They also spoke of their time in the H-Blocks and what Skeet refers to as the 'real' story of the 1983 Great Escape. Other ex-prisoners also contributed to the discussions and assisted Skeet with some of the facts. The young people found the stories gripping. The night ended with a showing of the video of the funeral of Volunteer Larry Marley.

On Saturday, the anti-collusion exhibition was on display and as it was assembled the sheer number of faces along the walls told its own story. Jacqui Russell, chair of Sinn Féin Leinster Cuige and member of the Ard Chomhairle, began the day by talking about displacement, which was very poignant, given the history of Dundalk during the '70s, '80s and '90s.

We then moved on to the business of the day, and Jacqui delivered a memorable speech on collusion, which the young people listened to intently. This was followed by a question and answer session. Afterwards, there was a showing of a DVD on collusion and some more discussion.

The young people were so moved by the day's events that when it came to the end they decided to hold a demonstration at the local Garda barracks in support of the Fullerton family to support their demand or an independent public inquiry into the Sinn Féin councillor's assassination.