Hunger Strike plaque unveiled in Inniskeen

Addressing several hundred people at a 1981 Hunger Strike plaque unveiling in Inniskeen, County Monaghan, on Sunday last, Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin criticised remarks by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who ruled out Sinn Féin participation in government until the IRA had "folded up its tent". Ó Caoláin said that Sinn Féin's electorate should not be discriminated against. He said:

"The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern ruled out Sinn Féin participation in government in this State until the IRA decided to end as an organisation. I remind the Taoiseach that Sinn Féin is a legal political party with an electoral mandate. This TD is no less entitled to represent the people in the Dáil, in opposition or in government, than the Deputy for Dublin Central, Mr. Bertie Ahern. If this is an attempt by the Taoiseach to create more hurdles and preconditions which discriminate against our electorate then we utterly reject it. The question, Mr. Ahern, is not whether Fianna Fáil could or should go into government with Sinn Féin but would we in Sinn Féin want to be in government with Fianna Fáil."

Sunday's commemorative event was organised by the Inniskeen and South Monaghan 1981 Committees. Republicans from all over Counties Monaghan, Louth and Armagh were in attendance. An all-women republican colour party and the Cullyhanna Youth Band led the parade from the GAA grounds to the village square. The ceremony was chaired by local community activist John Kirk, assisted by Monaghan Sinn Féin County Councillor Noel Keelan.

The plaque was unveiled by former H-Block hunger strikers John Pickering and Patsy Quinn. Pickering addressed the large gathering in the village square on behalf of the former prisoners, the hunger strikers and their families. He thanked the people of Cavan, Monaghan and Louth for their support during the 1981 Hunger Strike.

In his address, Ó Caoláin stressed that the struggle for Irish freedom was not over:

"Until Partition is ended, until the unity of our country is restored and until justice and peace in a national democracy are ours, the struggle for freedom will not and cannot be over. Our struggle today takes the form of political organisation and campaigning, electoral representation of the people throughout the 32 Counties and continuing engagement and negotiation with our opponents. It is no less a struggle than it ever was and every day of our political lives republicans are working towards our ultimate goal of freedom. In the words of Bobby Sands we all have a part to play and no part is too great or too small for each and every republican involved in struggle.

"I know that many republicans are today experiencing political and emotional difficulties over the most recent development in the peace process. I share those concerns. Once again republicans have stretched themselves in order to save this peace process and to ensure that the full promise of the Good Friday Agreement can be fulfilled. The men and women of the IRA, not for the first time in this process, have shown courage in taking another very difficult and unprecedented initiative."

Ó Caoláin also referred to the many events commemorating the Hunger Strike which had taken place during the past year.