Wexford recalls the vision of Liam Mellows

A LARGE CROWD attended the annual Liam Mellows commemoration in Castletown, County Wexford, on Sunday last.
The parade was led by a colour party and the Ed O’Brien Republican Flute Band from the assembly point at The Golden Anchor to the graveyard where Liam Mellows is laid to rest.  
Steve McCann, chairperson of the Ed O’Brien Sinn Féin Cumann, Gorey, introduced the main speaker, Councillor John Dwyer, whom he said proved himself to be a tremendous support during difficulties endured in the past few months.
Dwyer said Liam Mellows would not have been happy to see the Irish landlord class take up where the British left off.
“Despite some of the ruling elite describing themselves as republicans, they prioritise the powerful and wealthy over the sick and infirm. These same people divert public resources into the bank accounts of their cronies. Who amongst us would argue that this was the vision of Mellows?”  
Dwyer wondered if there was anyone who would seriously argue that the failure of this state to provide adequate and proper mental healthcare to our nation’s people has not led to avoidable deaths.
While RTÉ has recently discovered rezoning scandals, Sinn Féin has long been aware of how a greedy clique has abused the system.
“We see how our political opponents rezone the lands of supporters and party members, making themselves and their friend’s millionaires at the expense of hundreds of thousands of young people who have been forced to take out massive mortgages to purchase modest family homes.
He said the giving away of publicly-owned lands in Wexford at the expense of the housing programme is “an immoral and despicable act” which “condemns many families to live in the lucrative private rented sector – the same sector owned and controlled by the friends of the same politicians”.  
Dwyer said that Sinn Féin members and supporters need to rededicate themselves to achieving an Ireland Liam Mellows and his comrades would be proud of – a 32-County socialist republic.
Wreaths were laid on the graves of Liam Mellows and Volunteers Denis and Jack Kavanagh, followed by the lowering of the flags and Seamie Davitt playing The Last Post.