25 February 1999 Edition
Garvaghy Road residents visit Dublin
BY CAITLIN DOHERTY
A delegation representing the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition (GRRC) arrived in Dublin On Tuesday, 23 February for a day of high-profile activities organised by Dublin Sinn Fein.
Following a press conference Breandan MacCionnaith, spokesperson for the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition and Joe Duffy, met a numberof TDs. They included Sinn Féin TD for Cavan/Monaghan Caoimhghìn O'Caolàin, Fine Gael's Jimmy Deenihan and Cecilia Keaveney, Tom Kitt and Martin Brady of Fianna Faíl. A representative from Marian Magennis's office also spoke to the delegation.
Many of the TDs expressed their surprise at the extent and intensity of intimidation and harassment ongoing in the town. The lack of political support from the major parties was highlighted during the meetings. Since this summer, only one TD has visited the area. ``There is a need for more TDs to come into Portadown and see what it is really like to be living there as a Catholic'', said Breandan MacCionnaith. The idea of an all-party delegation visit was put forward.
Dublin Sinn Fein Councillor Christy Burke then accompanied the Garvaghy Road representatives to the Mansion House were they held a meeting with Lord Mayor Joe Doyle.
The aim of the day's activities was to inform the people of Dublin and political representatives in the 26 Counties of the ongoing siege in Portadown and the consequences which the heightened tension, ongoing harassment and daily attacks is having in social terms for the 7,000 nationalist residents of the town.
``Little media or political attention has so far been focused on the situation in Portadown since July. If such an organised campaign of violent intimidation had been waged in Britain, mainland Europe or the United States in the same manner as that directed against Portadown's Catholic and nationalist community, an international outcry would have ensued'', said Breandán MacCionnaith.
So far, the British and Irish governments have failed to fulfil their duty and committment under the Good Friday Agreement to ensure freedom from sectarian harassment. In Portadown, over 150 illegal Orange marches have witnessed repeated violations of the Parade Commission's directives. Yet no action has been taken.
At a time of so-called peace, families living on the interfaces have been forced out of houses they have been born in. Catholic schoolchildren continue to be harassed and targeted in the town centre. Catholic houses and businesses are bombed, attacked and burnt. As the marching season dawns closer, the tension is rising. The youth of the Garvaghy Road, despite the campaign of targeted provocation and growing frustration have managed to avoid retaliating.
This reign of sectarian terror and intimidation is set to remain unchallenged as more so-called Orange protest marches are planned. One has already been held in the Corcrain Orange Hall, situated in a nationalist area. Others are planned for this Saturday, March 6th and 13th. Members of the Portadown Orange Lodge have also signalled their intention to ``strike'' on March 10th, the date set for devolution of powers from London to the Stormont Assembly.
The Dublin visit was also designed to broaden the network of cooperation the GRRC is building across the island. A solid link-up with community activists from Belfast has already been established and this week-end, Garvaghy Road community activists will meet with counterparts from Derry in Portadown. The aim is to engage in a series of projects on an all-Ireland basis with which skills, facilities and information can be shared.
In the afternoon, the delegation met with the Ringsend & District response to Drugs community activists of which Teresa Weafer, Paul Meleady, Teresa Rooney and Gabriel Weafer. The delegation was impressed with the work, commitment and the positive energy of the working group. Experiences relating to drugs awareness, social reintegration and different ways to tackle the growing problem were highlighted. A further meeting was held with activists in the Ringsend community centre.
``People here can easily identify with the feeling of siege of the Garvaghy Road residents as we have been described as a marginalised and isolated community for years, said Vincent Doherty, coordinator of the South Inner City anti-drugs task force. We have very common experiences.'' The idea of a drugs awareness week-end, during which activists from Belfast, Dublin and Derry would link-up with youth and families in Portadown was suggested. The delegation then headed to the northside of the city to meet with another community group in the Hardwicke Street area.
A meeting took place later in the day with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
The day was rounded off with a packed public meeting in Dublin's ATGWU Hall which was also addressed by Sinn Fein's Barry McElduff and Seán Crowe.
A delegation representing the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition (GRRC) arrived in Dublin On Tuesday, 23 February for a day of high-profile activities organised by Dublin Sinn Fein.
Following a press conference Breandan MacCionnaith, spokesperson for the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition and Joe Duffy, met a numberof TDs. They included Sinn Féin TD for Cavan/Monaghan Caoimhghìn O'Caolàin, Fine Gael's Jimmy Deenihan and Cecilia Keaveney, Tom Kitt and Martin Brady of Fianna Faíl. A representative from Marian Magennis's office also spoke to the delegation.
Many of the TDs expressed their surprise at the extent and intensity of intimidation and harassment ongoing in the town. The lack of political support from the major parties was highlighted during the meetings. Since this summer, only one TD has visited the area. ``There is a need for more TDs to come into Portadown and see what it is really like to be living there as a Catholic'', said Breandan MacCionnaith. The idea of an all-party delegation visit was put forward.
Dublin Sinn Fein Councillor Christy Burke then accompanied the Garvaghy Road representatives to the Mansion House were they held a meeting with Lord Mayor Joe Doyle.
The aim of the day's activities was to inform the people of Dublin and political representatives in the 26 Counties of the ongoing siege in Portadown and the consequences which the heightened tension, ongoing harassment and daily attacks is having in social terms for the 7,000 nationalist residents of the town.
``Little media or political attention has so far been focused on the situation in Portadown since July. If such an organised campaign of violent intimidation had been waged in Britain, mainland Europe or the United States in the same manner as that directed against Portadown's Catholic and nationalist community, an international outcry would have ensued'', said Breandán MacCionnaith.
So far, the British and Irish governments have failed to fulfil their duty and committment under the Good Friday Agreement to ensure freedom from sectarian harassment. In Portadown, over 150 illegal Orange marches have witnessed repeated violations of the Parade Commission's directives. Yet no action has been taken.
At a time of so-called peace, families living on the interfaces have been forced out of houses they have been born in. Catholic schoolchildren continue to be harassed and targeted in the town centre. Catholic houses and businesses are bombed, attacked and burnt. As the marching season dawns closer, the tension is rising. The youth of the Garvaghy Road, despite the campaign of targeted provocation and growing frustration have managed to avoid retaliating.
This reign of sectarian terror and intimidation is set to remain unchallenged as more so-called Orange protest marches are planned. One has already been held in the Corcrain Orange Hall, situated in a nationalist area. Others are planned for this Saturday, March 6th and 13th. Members of the Portadown Orange Lodge have also signalled their intention to ``strike'' on March 10th, the date set for devolution of powers from London to the Stormont Assembly.
The Dublin visit was also designed to broaden the network of cooperation the GRRC is building across the island. A solid link-up with community activists from Belfast has already been established and this week-end, Garvaghy Road community activists will meet with counterparts from Derry in Portadown. The aim is to engage in a series of projects on an all-Ireland basis with which skills, facilities and information can be shared.
In the afternoon, the delegation met with the Ringsend & District response to Drugs community activists of which Teresa Weafer, Paul Meleady, Teresa Rooney and Gabriel Weafer. The delegation was impressed with the work, commitment and the positive energy of the working group. Experiences relating to drugs awareness, social reintegration and different ways to tackle the growing problem were highlighted. A further meeting was held with activists in the Ringsend community centre.
``People here can easily identify with the feeling of siege of the Garvaghy Road residents as we have been described as a marginalised and isolated community for years, said Vincent Doherty, coordinator of the South Inner City anti-drugs task force. We have very common experiences.'' The idea of a drugs awareness week-end, during which activists from Belfast, Dublin and Derry would link-up with youth and families in Portadown was suggested. The delegation then headed to the northside of the city to meet with another community group in the Hardwicke Street area.
A meeting took place later in the day with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
The day was rounded off with a packed public meeting in Dublin's ATGWU Hall which was also addressed by Sinn Fein's Barry McElduff and Seán Crowe.