New Barnsley memorial restored

Republicans Eddie Duffy, Seamy Martin, John Brady and Anton O'Neill from the Upper Springfield area working on the new monument

REPUBLICANS from the New Barnsley area of West Belfast have shown their determination to honour the area’s republican dead by rebuilding the commemoration plaque destroyed last year.
The plaque, which stood in the New Barnsley Garden of Remembrance, was smashed by anti-social elements in October last year but, with hard work, the republican people from the area have restored the monument.
The new memorial will be rededicated this Easter at the New Barnsley commemoration which will be held on Easter Tuesday, 25 March, at 3pm.
The main speaker at the event is Sinn Féin North Belfast Assembly member Carál Ní Chuilín.
Speaking to An Phoblacht, Sinn Féin’s Maire Cush commended the republican people from the area for their hard work in ensuring that the memorial would be ready for this year’s Easter commemoration.
“The anti-community elements who destroyed this memorial in the first place carried out an act which was an affront to the good people of this area. By their hard work the republicans from the Upper Springfield showed that the spirit that sustained them through years of conflict is still there.
“I would especially like to thank Johnny Doc, Paddy Fegan and Paddy A for the huge effort they put into making sure the memorial would be completed in time for Easter.
“The families of our patriot dead will also be proud that the memorial honours their loved ones in a fitting manner.”