Barnes and McCormick remembered

The presence of the Gardaí and Special Branch at the 65th anniversary of the Barnes/McCormick commemoration in Offaly on Sunday last was an obvious reminder that the Dublin Government are prepared to use every tool disposed to them to try to openly intimidate and frighten republicans.

The small town of Banagher in County Offaly was under siege, where at least seven Branch men and three Garda units patrolled the streets from early morning. Branch men were armed with video cameras and long lens photo cameras. The scene could have been taken straight out of the Six Counties in the early 1980s. This overt act of intimidation and coercion was completely unnecessary; they had one sole purpose, to marginalise and frighten Sinn Féin supporters.

"It's disgusting to witness in this day and age this carry on, especially when young kids are present," said one local republican after the commemoration.

The commemoration itself was well attended, Republicans from all over Ireland came to Banagher to honour and pay tribute to Peter Barnes and James McCormick.

The Ed O'Brien Pipe Band and Colour Party from Wexford and the Colour Party from Longford travelled long distances to participate.

Daithí Regan, chair of the Michael Larkin Cumann, thanked everyone for attending and paid tribute to Volunteers Barnes and McCormick for the courage they showed when they brought the fight against the British to their home soil.

He then called on Peter Barnes, nephew of IRA Volunteer Peter Barnes, to lay a wreath.

Sinn Féin County Councillor for Monaghan, Pat Treanor, was guest speaker on the day. Pat spoke about the importance of the Good Friday Agreement and said that all political prisoners should be released, and that included prisoners in Castlereagh. He also called on the Dublin Government to invite the Colombia three home, instead of ignoring their plight.

Pat was annoyed by the heavy Garda and Special Branch presence and stated that they would be better off putting their resources and time into catching drug pushers, instead of intimidating republicans.

BY JONATHAN O"MEARA