West Tyrone ÓSF to hold 'Slán Abhaile' weekend

West Tyrone Ógra Shinn Féin has announced plans to host the 6th Annual Demilitarisation Weekend in Omagh in August. The weekend will take place on the 3-5 August and is to coincide with the British Army camp in the town being officially closed.
The first demilitarisation weekend in Omagh was held in 2002 and was disrupted by the discovery of a hoax bomb in premises used by Ógra Shinn Féin during the demilitarisation weekend. At the time Ógra members accused members of the British Army, operating out of Omagh British army camp of planting the device.
Included in this years events are ‘A history of the British Army camp in Omagh’ tracing events such as the raid in the 1950s by the IRA and also with particular reference to the campaign for its demilitarisation. The 2nd annual Dermot Crowley memorial lecture will also take place on the issue of ‘From occupation to liberation’, the unveiling of an Ógra Shinn Féin mural and a youth debate on the issue ‘A New Ireland-Your Vision’
Announcing the plans to hold the demilitarisation event, West Tyrone Ógra Shinn Féin chairperson Barry McNally said:
“The issue of British demilitarisation has been brought to the fore through events such as this annual demilitarisation weekend. Ógra were responsible for raising this issue and through our annual weekends we have reached the point in which we can see the fruits of our campaign being reaped. While we played our part in the closure of the British Army camp this will also be the victory for the Omagh Residents Demilitarisation Committee, Sinn Féin and of course the local community who have demanded its immediate closure.
“This weekend will serve as a way for Ógra to conclude a successful local campaign. We will be welcoming Ógra activists from across Ireland and also a number of international comrades, who have joined us at previous weekends.
“As we bid Slán Abhaile to the British Army in Omagh we are reminded that the British presence in Ireland is still here and we will strive to remove the remaining British military presence from Ireland like we have done in Omagh.”

• If you are interested in attending the weekend or have any further enquires we can be contacted on 02882253040