31st anniversary commemoration of IRA Volunteer John Francis Green

Several hundred people and four marching bands turned out on Sunday last in Castleblayney for the 31st anniversary commemoration of the death of IRA Volunteer John Francis Green.

A native of Lurgan in County Armagh, John Francis was brutally slain at Mullyash, County Monaghan, on 10 January 1975 by a British Army undercover unit reportedly led by the infamous Captain Nairac.

Among the large turn-out were his two daughters Ursula and Frances. Brothers and sisters of John Francis, including Tom, who resides with his family at Clontibret, were also present.

The main oration was delivered by Sinn Féin Kerry North TD Martin Ferris.

In the course of his address Ferris drew a vivid picture of the conflict in the 1970s and the backdrop to the death of John Francis Green.

Describing a recent Sunday newspaper article that sought to sully the good name and reputation of Cavan/Monaghan TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin as a "ludicrous and pathetic effort", Ferris pledged his and the wider organisation's complete confidence and trust in Ó Caoláin's role and leadership.

"The black propagandists are out to divide and to destroy by planting seeds of distrust. For decades Britain has tried to defeat republicans by every means possible.

"But they have failed and they will always fail for we will not be knocked off our course," declared Deputy Ferris.

Ferris also addressed efforts to restore the political institutions. "We are told that the two governments intend to make a big push to see the political institutions restored. We are prepared to play our part in such an effort. However, we are not prepared to let those responsible for collapsing the political institutions and subverting the political and democratic process succeed.

"Sinn Féin and republicans have answered all of the big questions regarding future intentions. It is now time for the British Government to answer the questions about their intentions. They need to declare that their war against republicans is at an end and that the days of political policing are over.

"Political policing continues to be a huge impediment to political progress. Since the inception of the northern statelet from the RIC, the RUC and still today with the PSNI, policing has been used as a political weapon.

"From the involvement in sectarian murder campaigns, through collusion in arming, training and directing loyalist murder gangs, to the direct political interventions of the PSNI that have been exposed in recent weeks, it is clear that there is an agenda that is anti-republican, anti-change and anti-Peace Process," said the Kerry North TD.

Concluding Ferris said: "I have every confidence that you will keep your eyes firmly on the prize. And I have every trust in your ability to see this through to the end."

At a packed function afterwards in Hope Castle a presentation of a specially commissioned plaque was made to Martin Ferris by Fintan Smyth on behalf of Castleblayney Sinn Féin.