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2 May 2017

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‘Stop fighting a war which is now over’ – Michelle O’Neill’s message to unionists

EVERYONE has a legitimate right to remember their dead, Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill has said, challenging critics not to forget the past but “to stop fighting a war which is now over”.

“We now have a unique opportunity to be the authors of a new, peaceful, and democratic future,” the leader of Sinn Féin in the North said.

The Tyrone MLA was responding to a manufactured media outrage by unionist newspapers and parties over the past week, parties whose leaders have happily stood alongside former members of unionist death squads or British military commanders and political leaders who controlled the UDA and UVF paramilitaries during their sectarian murder campaigns.

Speaking on Sunday at the Loughgall Martyrs Commemoration, Michelle O’Neill said that while much of our history has been marked by sadness and tragedy, we now have a unique opportunity to be the authors of a new, peaceful, and democratic future.

“This does not mean we forget our past,” she said.

“It means that we address the causes and the aftermath of conflict and division in a mature, sensitive and political manner as a society.”

She continued:

“Everyone has a legitimate right to remember their dead, tell their side of the story and share their experiences, and hurt of that time without being demonised.

 “I challenge our opponents to stop fighting a war which is now over.”

2017 Loughgall Commemoration – Portraits

Michelle O’Neill was speaking on Sunday at the 30th anniversary commemorative parade to honour eight republican fighters – Óglaigh Patrick Kelly, Jim Lynagh, Pádraig McKearney, Declan Arthurs, Seamus Donnelly, Eugene Kelly, Gerard O’Callaghan and Tony Gormley – who were killed in an ambush by the British Army’s SAS.

An uninvolved civilian, Anthony Hughes, was also cut down in the murderous onslaught by the SAS.

Addressing a large crowd, Michelle O’Neill reminded commentators about the type of society that Westminster ‘Mother of Parliaments’ created in the gerrymandered six-county statelet and stood by during decades of unionist misrule:

“They were born into a narrow-minded, sectarian Orange state and experienced at first-hand the discrimination, inequality, brutality and harassment suffered by the nationalist community at that time.”

They were, she said, Irish patriots who selflessly dedicated their lives to the fight against British oppression in Ireland – laying down their lives in the just cause for peace and Irish freedom.

“They joined the national liberation struggle as young men because they consciously decided to not only reject but also confront the political discrimination, inequality and injustice which was brutally inflicted by the British/unionist state and their forces upon the nationalist/republican people here in my own community of County Tyrone and across the Six Counties at that time.

“They were loved and they are sorely missed.

“They were sons, devoted husbands, fathers, brothers and caring uncles and respected members of their communities.

“The pain of their massive loss continues to be felt today, not least by their families, community and the Republican Movement.”

2017 Loughgall Commemoration – Patrick Kelly's grandson

Volunteer Patrick Kelly’s grandson, Fionn, honouring his grandfather

Noting the media reaction, she said:

“I have been criticised by unionists and the media for commemorating IRA Volunteers.

“Let me be clear. I am an Irish republican.

“Make no mistake about it – I will always remember and commemorate our patriot dead and each of our fallen comrades who gave their lives for Irish freedom.

“I see no contradiction whatsoever in commemorating our republican dead while reaching out to our unionist neighbours to build the future – Orange and Green together on the basis of full equality and mutual respect.”

For those up to this challenge, she said, they will not be found wanting:

“We in Sinn Féin are up for that challenge.”

◼︎ Loughgall Martyrs 30th Anniversary Commemoration picture gallery here

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