Easter 2004 (Late commemoration reports)

Around 2,000 people attended the Drumboe commemoration in Donegal on Easter Sunday

CAVAN

At the annual Easter wreath-laying ceremonies in West Cavan, well attended as usual, wreaths were laid by local election candidate Donal Carlin to honour Kieran Doherty TD, James Crossan, Michael Baxter and Pat McManus.

DONEGAL

Drumboe

A large crowd of around 2,000 attended this year's Drumboe commemoration in Donegal on Easter Sunday. The marchers proceeded to the County Memorial, where Diana Fullerton, widow of the late Eddie Fullerton, was among those who laid wreaths.

Northwest EU candidate, Pearse Doherty, passionately delivered the main oration. In his speech, the 26-year-old Gweedore man confidently predicted major success for Donegal's Sinn Féin candidates in the forthcoming local elections. He also appealed to those assembled to make history on 11 June by helping to elect an all-Ireland team to Europe.

Inishowen

Over 100 people gathered at Cockhill Cemetery, Buncrana, for this year's commemoration on Easter Sunday.

Wreaths were laid on the graves of Councillor Eddie Fullerton, Volunteer Patrick O'Hagan, Volunteer Reamonn Mac Lochlainn, Jimmy Quinn, Dan McLaughlin, and John McFadden.

Local election candidate Darren Lalor, chaired this year's proceedings and Councillor Pádraig Mac Lochlainn delivered the main oration.

Prior to the Buncrana commemoration, a wreath was laid on the grave of Martin Doherty in Clonmany Cemetery.

Carrigart

Around 100 people gathered at Carrigart for the second annual Volunteer Joseph Duffy commemoration on Easter Monday. Local election candidate Donal Cullen delivered this year's main oration.

DOWN

South Down Sinn Féin MLAs Caitríona Ruane and Willie Clark have praised the thousands of people throughout South Down who commemorated the 1916 Rising at a number of venues on Easter Sunday.

Ruane commended the many people who put so much time, energy and effort into planing the events that took place in Newcastle, Castlewellan, Newry and Downpatrick.

Ruane herself was guest speaker at commemorations in Kilkelly and Achill in County Mayo and said she was delighted to see so many people, from all ages and social backgrounds, attending both events.

Willie Clarke was especially delighted at the success of the feeder parade in his home town of Newcastle.

"This was a truly historic occasion for the town that allowed nationalists, for the first time ever, the opportunity to remember the sacrifice of the many Irish men and women who died fighting for Irish freedom," he said.

FERMANAGH

Derrylin

Up to 500 republicans from across Fermanagh gathered in Derrylin on Easter Sunday to commemorate their republican dead and in particular that of local republican Jim Murphy, killed 30 years before.

Sunday was the final day in a weekend of events to mark the 30th Anniversary of Jim Murphy's murder, and local football teams held a tournament on Saturday at Derrylin O'Connells field for a memorial cup.

Michelle Gildernew MP was the main speaker and she pointed out that cases like that of Jim Murphy and Louis Leonard, who were murdered within two miles of each other, are clear examples of British Army collusion in Fermanagh. The families deserve the truth and the people from these areas demand it, she said.

WEXFORD

Enniscorthy

The Fr Murphy/Keegan/Parle SF Cumann of Enniscorthy held its commemoration on Easter Monday. The parade was led by a local colour party and marched to the Republican Plot in St Mary's Cemetery, where local Councillor Noirín Sheridan and EU election candidate John Dwyer gave the main orations.

In her speech councillor Sheriden stated that:

The organising committee was pleased with the large turnout, which seems to increase every year, showing increasing support for Sinn Féin in County Wexford.