‘Desire for unity has never been as strong’ - McGuigan

"The demand for Irish unity and the desire to build a new Ireland, built upon the aspirations contained in the proclamation of 1916, has never been as strong.” - Philip McGuigan MLA

The demand for Irish Unity and the resilience of the people to achieve it has been built on the sacrifice of IRA Volunteers like Malachy Carey, North Antrim Sinn Fein MLA Phillip McGuigan told a commemoration marking the 25th anniversary of his death.

Republicans from throughout North Antrim gathered in Loughgiel to mark the death of the former IRA prisoner and Sinn Féin activist who was shot dead in 1992 by a loyalist death squad in collusion with the British State.

Phillip McGuigan told them the current generation of republicans take inspiration from such sacrifice and are determined to secure the new Ireland for which Malachy Carey died.

He said: “The resilience of this community and the commitment and determination of the members of Republican movement of this generation to see this struggle through to its inevitable conclusion is as strong today as it was in Malachy because of Malachy.

“That desire is there because of the legacy he left and it burns strong in the people of Loughgiel. The people from this parish have built a strong and vibrant and successful community and you quite rightly want to see a society that recognises your right to expect respect for our national games, our dancing, and our language.

“You expect the substantial political mandate which has been giving to Kieran, to Cathal, to Cara and to me to be recognised and respected in the Council and in any future Assembly on the basis of equality. You expect and demand that your Irishness is a legitimate right and that equality for all citizens whether they reside in Loughgiel or Larne is a fundamental basis of any government or society.

“Across this island 500,000 people have voted for Sinn Féin in recent elections. I am confident that that number will grow. I am in no doubt that we will be in government North and South in the near future. The demand for Irish unity and the desire to build a new Ireland, built upon the aspirations contained in the proclamation of 1916, has never been as strong.”