PSNI clash with hurlers opposed by young republicans

MLA Pat Sheehan spoke to the crowd of ‘hurling as part of our cultural heritage’

AN UPSWING in PSNI patrols stopping young people carrying hurling sticks led to a rally in west Belfast at the weekend by scores of young republicans.

Under the banner of ‘Hurling is Our Heritage’, the protest came after a 14-year-old girl was stopped by the PSNI in Ballymurphy on 26 February for carrying a hurl.

Many people brought their hurleys and organised an impromptu match, demonstrating skill and courage.

The event was organised to send out a message to the PSNI that they won’t criminalise hurling or hurlers.

Those who turned out to lend their support to the young hurlers was 84-year-old Eilish McCabe. Eilish was jailed in Armagh women’s prison in the early 1970s for her part in a protest against the arrest of Martin Meehan, who was charged with possessing a hurl. Despite being in poor health, Eilish insisted in turning out for the youth protest.

One young Antrim minor hurler told An Phoblacht that he had been threatened with arrest because he was in possession of ‘a dangerous weapon’ – namely his hurley stick!

MLA Pat Sheehan spoke to the crowd of “hurling as part of our cultural heritage”.

West Belfast MP Paul Maskey said he will be raising the controversy with the PSNI.

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