South Derry remembers John Davey

Philip McGuigan delivered the main address

Nationalists from throughout South Derry, North Antrim, and further afield came together at a bitterly cold graveyard in Gulladuff on Sunday last to remember Sinn Féin Councillor John Davey, who was assassinated by loyalists in collusion with local crown forces 16 years ago.

The guest speaker at the commemoration was Philip McGuigan, Sinn Féin MLA for North Antrim:

"John, if I recall correctly, was described at last year's commemoration as a giant of a man," said Philip. "He has also been described on many occasions as 'the heart of South Derry'. In truth, John wasn't just a giant of a man — he was a Legendary Giant of Irish Republican history‚ and not just in Gulladuff or South Derry but throughout Ireland.

"Everyone here knows the story of John's death and those behind it. We all know, as with the murder of Pat Finucane the previous day, that ultimately it was Margaret Thatcher and her government's policy of state-sponsored collusion that was responsible.

"South Derry bore a heavy burden as a result of the collusion policy. It allowed unionist paramilitaries unhindered access to information and direction so that they could murder the likes of John Davey, Bernard O'Hagan, Tommy Donaghy and many others in this community.

"Unfortunately for us who want to make progress, there are those within establishment circles whose desire to defeat, humiliate and criminalise this struggle is greater than the desire to bring lasting peace to our country. John Davey was no criminal. He was a man of honour, and integrity and he fought for a noble cause. So did Pádraig Pearse, Liam Mellows, Bobby Sands, Francis Hughes, Mairéad Farrell and hundreds more.

"Neither they, nor any member of Sinn Féin, nor our voters are criminals. Neither they nor we are interested in personal gain or privilege, unlike the brown envelope brigade.

"In response to the rise in popular support for our party, our opponents appear to be setting themselves on a political collision course with Sinn Féin, without any regard for the greater good of the peace process or the unfulfilled potential and opportunity contained in the GFA.

"The seeds of the current crisis were sown in 2001 after the elections in the North and in particular in 2002 with our electoral breakthrough in the Leinster House elections in the 26 Counties.

"You here have all contributed to that success and will make similar contributions again come the elections in May. More Sinn Féin councillors will be sent into Magherafelt Council to carry on the work of John Davey. That is the real crux of the current problems, the juggernaut of Sinn Féin and the arguments we put forward for freedom."