10 January 2008 Edition
Doherty slams Lisbon Treaty at Seán Sabhat commemoration
HUNDREDS of people attended the annual commemoration in Limerick City on Sunday, 6 January, of the death in 1957 of Seán Sabhat.
Led by a republican colour party and the Smith/Harford/Doherty/Bell Republican Flute Band from Dublin, it proceeded through heavy rain from Bedford Row to Sabhat’s grave in Mount St Laurence Cemetery.
The ceremonies were chaired by Padraig Malone, Chairperson of Limerick City Sinn Féin. A wreath on behalf of the Republican Movement was laid by John Costelloe. A minute’s silence was observed in memory of all those who died in the cause of Irish freedom. A poem about Seán Sabhat was read by Eamon Clancy.
The main address was delivered by Sinn Féin Senator Pearse Doherty. The Donegal senator said that the political background and motivation of the IRA’s 1950s campaign was clear to all.
“Across the spectrum, politicians had been denouncing partition for three decades but little had been done to end it. And many in these same parties remain rhetorical republicans today. They are only catching up with the changes of the Good Friday Agreement and the huge opportunities that have opened up with the re-establishment of the Executive in the North and the All-Ireland Ministerial Council.
“This is the time for imagination and innovation. The potential of an all-Ireland economy is still in its infancy and if we look beyond artificial borders we can help ensure that the economy continues to grow in the decade ahead.
“In a changing economic climate it does not make sense for one small island to try and sustain two competing systems, to have two sets of job-creation agencies, to have different currencies. There is an opportunity for change and Sinn Féin will be working to ensure that the opportunity is grasped.”
The Donegal senator said that Sinn Féin will launch its campaign against the Lisbon Treaty within the next few weeks.
“The Dublin Government is right to be worried about the outcome of this referendum because the people of Ireland won’t be sold a pup and they won’t be cajoled into giving this government a dig out.
“The simple fact is that the Lisbon Treaty is a bad deal for Ireland. It is bad for our economy, it is bad for our reputation internationally and it is bad for democracy. It gives the EU too much power.”
Led by a republican colour party and the Smith/Harford/Doherty/Bell Republican Flute Band from Dublin, it proceeded through heavy rain from Bedford Row to Sabhat’s grave in Mount St Laurence Cemetery.
The ceremonies were chaired by Padraig Malone, Chairperson of Limerick City Sinn Féin. A wreath on behalf of the Republican Movement was laid by John Costelloe. A minute’s silence was observed in memory of all those who died in the cause of Irish freedom. A poem about Seán Sabhat was read by Eamon Clancy.
The main address was delivered by Sinn Féin Senator Pearse Doherty. The Donegal senator said that the political background and motivation of the IRA’s 1950s campaign was clear to all.
“Across the spectrum, politicians had been denouncing partition for three decades but little had been done to end it. And many in these same parties remain rhetorical republicans today. They are only catching up with the changes of the Good Friday Agreement and the huge opportunities that have opened up with the re-establishment of the Executive in the North and the All-Ireland Ministerial Council.
“This is the time for imagination and innovation. The potential of an all-Ireland economy is still in its infancy and if we look beyond artificial borders we can help ensure that the economy continues to grow in the decade ahead.
“In a changing economic climate it does not make sense for one small island to try and sustain two competing systems, to have two sets of job-creation agencies, to have different currencies. There is an opportunity for change and Sinn Féin will be working to ensure that the opportunity is grasped.”
The Donegal senator said that Sinn Féin will launch its campaign against the Lisbon Treaty within the next few weeks.
“The Dublin Government is right to be worried about the outcome of this referendum because the people of Ireland won’t be sold a pup and they won’t be cajoled into giving this government a dig out.
“The simple fact is that the Lisbon Treaty is a bad deal for Ireland. It is bad for our economy, it is bad for our reputation internationally and it is bad for democracy. It gives the EU too much power.”