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Wednesday 1 October 2014


On the 18th October 2014 we will commemorate the life of a young, courageous IRA volunteer from Newry who gave his life for the freedom of his country. Óglach Michael Hughes who lived and died in Derrybeg was shot dead at the entrance to Derrybeg while on active service. Michael was just 16 years of age at the time of his death. At age 14 young Michael had to come to terms with the tragic death of his father who was also an IRA volunteer and who also died on active service in Newry. 


1974 seen a major increase in the number of deaths as a result of the conflict across the north and protests for better conditions in the cages of Long Kesh were ongoing. IRA units were applying pressure on the outside and it was part of this operation that young Michael was taking part in when he was cut down by a British soldier. Michael and his comrades had hijacked an Ulsterbus at the entrance of the estate when unknown to them an undercover British army unit who were lying in bushes across from the entrance opened fire. Michael fell close to the spot where Republicans have erected a monument to remember this brave lad. 

Original Commemorative Stone
At the time the local Sinn Féin cumann (Hughes Grant Watters) began a project to erect this monument and with the help of the local community this plan quickly became a reality. The monument has stood proud for nearly 10 years and wreaths were laid by republicans from the estate at the time of his anniversary and Christmas. In 2013 the local cumann decided to re-brand itself in terms of remembering all the IRA volunteers from the Derrybeg area and it was renamed the Derrybeg Martyrs. An event took place in the estate and a new cumann banner was unveiled.

The Derrybeg Martyrs cumann decided as a major project to refurbish the monument and commemorate the life of Michael on this the 40th year of his anniversary. Work has been going on now for several weeks and is at an advanced stage. 

On Sunday 19th October we are unveiling the new refurbished monument which will prove to be a lasting and fitting tribute to our hero Michael. On this day we will also relive Michael's life growing up in Derrybeg at this time. We hope that the people of the area will come out and share this experience with us and show the Hughes family that the sacrifice that their father and brother made will not be forgotten.

Tuesday 23 September 2014

Letter to Irish Times from Peter Bunting ICTU

Sir, – In the past fortnight, leadership figures in both Fine Gael and Labour have used the impasse in Stormont over welfare reform as a stick to beat Sinn Féin (“SF control of economy like handing keys back to troika, says Burton”, September 15th).
Not only are Charlie Flanagan and Joan Burton declaiming from positions of ignorance on the policy matter, they are undermining the functioning the NI Assembly in order to score points in Leinster House.
I was alarmed to hear the leader of the Irish Labour Party accept the spin of the Tories and their enablers that those opposed to welfare reform in the UK “seem relentlessly opposed to any measures to help people back to work”.
The trade union movement in Northern Ireland has been relentlessly opposed to these these flawed and vindictive proposals, especially since their disastrous enforcement in England, Wales and Scotland. We have led a major civil society campaign highlighting the injustice and unworkablility of the Tory vision of the welfare state. Alongside allies in the churches, academia, and the community and voluntary sectors, we have lobbied, leafleted, picketed and protested at these pernicious “reforms” – at least some of which will be abandoned after next year’s general election, unless the Conservatives pull off a most surprising win in the current political environment.
Every political party in Stormont has been on the receiving end of our campaign work, which has resulted in support from Sinn Féin, the SDLP, the Green Party and individual MLAs from the UUP and DUP.
The ICTU in Northern Ireland has never supported any particular political party. Trade unions that support working people are relentlessly opposed to policies that affect and afflict the working poor. That is our function.
It is a sad day when our work is undermined by politicians in the Republic of Ireland desperate for a cheap soundbite. – Yours, etc,
PETER BUNTING,
Assistant General Secretary,
Irish Congress
of Trade Unions,
Northern Ireland,
Carlin House,
Donegall Street Place,
Belfast.

Monday 22 September 2014

Statement from Barry McElduff on levy placed on hauliers

McElduff criticises levy on cross border hauliers

Sinn Féin MLA Barry McElduff has criticised the environment minister for supporting a controversial levy on hauliers crossing the border. 
Speaking after the environment committee voted to introduce a levy on hauliers crossing the border and a financial penalty for non-compliance, the West Tyrone MLA said; 
“The Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) Levy, which was imposed by Westminster and now backed by the environment minister, is a barrier to north/south mobility and trade. 
“This legislation does not take into account the particular circumstances of the island of Ireland. 
“It penalises hauliers from the 26 counties who come to do business in the North. 
“I and my Sinn Féin colleagues on the environment committee voted against the introduction of this unfair legislation. It was disappointing to see SDLP MLAs backing legislation which is in violation of the spirit of north/south co-operation. 
“We will now be faced with the situation where hauliers will face border patrols, enforced and implemented by Mark H Durkan’s department. 
“The development of the all-Ireland economy is key to our growing the economy across the island. 
“We should be seeking to remove barriers to assist the all-Ireland economy, not adding more. 
“We will be using the legislative process to prevent this unfair and unnecessary legislation being passed by the Assembly.”

Tuesday 16 September 2014

Newry & Mourne Council rejects Tory Cuts – Casey


Speaking after Newry Council passed a Sinn Féin motion opposing Tory welfare cuts, Councillor Charlie Casey said;

"Some of the commentary in the debate on Tory Cuts by the DUP and others demonstrates how far removed from the lives of the poor and those in need these politicians are.

"They appear to believe that those on benefits and in need of support are there out of choice.

“The majority of those on benefits would rather be gainfully employed. However, because of the collapse of the economy caused by the failure of government and the greed of speculators and bankers, opportunities are few and far between.

“Many working people dependent on benefits such as child benefit, tax credits and housing benefit as well as people with disabilities are among those who stand to lose most in cuts.

"Attempts by local cheerleaders for Tory cuts to stigmatise those in receipt of benefits are an absolute disgrace.

"In their rush to do the bidding of their Tory millionaire masters, the reaction of DUP, UUP and Alliance ministers is to rubber stamp devastating cuts to the living standards of the poor, the sick and low paid.

"People in communities are very concerned about the impact these Tory cuts will have not just directly on the lives of those whose income is cut but also the effect the reduction in disposable income will have on the local economy.

“Sinn Féin makes no apologies for bringing this issue into the local political arena by seeking council support for our opposition to the cuts agenda." 


Cllr Charlie Casey is available to discuss the issue at 07764 320312

Keynote speech from Martin McGuinness MLA

Bring welfare legislation to the floor of the Assembly - McGuinness

Martin McGuinness, delivering a keynote address at the Sinn Féin National Strategy session in Termonfeckin this morning, said; 

It is great to have these two days with colleagues to discuss common approaches to shared problems. It is clear that our economies north and south are interlinked and interdependent.
The economic downturn and recession hit families and businesses across Ireland, North and South. Sinn Féin has a common approach to these problems, we need investment to create jobs and grow the economy and we must safeguard the needs of those most vulnerable in society.
Today families and communities across this island continue to face economic hardship and inequality. These are common problems facing us across the island.
Austerity and cuts to public services are at the heart of many of the problems that we face. Sinn Féin is against austerity north and south and we believe that the policy of attacking the least able to pay is fundamentally wrong. That is why we are against the welfare cuts that the British Tory party want to introduce in the north and so far we have been able to protect citizens from the worst affects of theirt despicable selfish policies.
No one in the north of Ireland voted for these vicious cuts.
No one in the north of Ireland voted for those Tory politicians who are driving this agenda. In this state the social consequences of austerity are evident everywhere – the ongoing destruction of our health services, the imposition of water charges, the family home tax and the removal of protection for working families, senior citizens, cuts to child benefit, carers allowance, the appalling increase of poverty, wholesale unemployment and emigration.
The one thing that should unite the northern Executive is the defence and protection of those who need the support and help of wider society.
Since the Tory-led coalition came to power there has been a sustained and systematic assault on public services and the very concept of the welfare state. The money allocated to the Executive has remained static year on year. In the context of inflation, increasing wages and rising costs this means a real cut in public spending every year. Next year we are facing into a £500 million reduction which will have a devastating effect on our public services.
None of the policies of the Tory-led coalition takes any account of the unique challenges facing the north of Ireland as a society emerging from conflict with higher levels of deprivation, higher livings costs and greater dependence on the public sector.
The Tory-led government in London are demanding we now cut the income of the poorest in our society while their rich backers continue to avoid and evade taxes and the bankers who created the economic crisis continue to enjoy obscenely large bonuses.
Over the summer we have heard a great deal of commentary about the consequences of not legislating for the benefits cuts demanded by this British government agenda. Let’s be clear these proposals will not create one job but will force thousands of families into greater poverty.
The advocates of Tory cuts have been less than vocal when it comes to the consequences for their own constituents, individuals, families and communities who will lose money if these cuts were implemented.
As is the case under Fine Gael and Labour the people who will lose money if the vicious Tory welfare cuts are implemented are the least well-off in our society – people with disabilities, low income workers, the vulnerable and the unemployed. People - already on the poverty line - would lose even further as a result of decisions made by Tory millionaires in government in London.
The DUP are demanding that we implement a British government policy, the sole purpose of which is to save money at the expense of the poor, of people with disabilities and the most vulnerable in our society. Not one vote was cast in the north of Ireland for those who make up the Tory-led coalition in London. We did not vote for welfare cuts. Cuts in welfare payments are not part of our Programme for Government. In fact the Tory cuts came like a hammer blow after our Programme for Government. These cuts would undermine all of the anti-poverty measures that we are committed to in our Programme for Government.
It is a right-wing, conservative agenda. It is a policy designed by millionaires in London who know nothing about surviving on a low income and who care even less for those who do.
It is a policy supported by politicians in the Assembly who also know nothing about surviving on a low income.
These Tory cuts are the antithesis of a caring, modern society which should protect its most vulnerable. In the Tory world, the rich continue to get richer and the poor continue to pay the price. In this Tory world people claiming benefits are targeted while billions of pounds are denied to the public purse through tax avoidance and tax evasion by the rich friends of the Tory party.
The Tory welfare programme is not about reform. It is about saving money at the expense of the poor. It is a Thatcherite agenda designed to dismantle the welfare state and punish the poorest and most disadvantaged in society.
In Britain the welfare system is in disarray and the cause of growing division and dissension within the coalition government.
Recently, in the context of the Scottish referendum debate, Alistair Darling declared his opposition to the welfare cuts.
Any decision by the Assembly on welfare cuts must be informed by the reality that a British general election might fundamentally change the British government’s approach to the welfare state. Or indeed, in advance of the Scottish referendum which will, whatever its outcome, change fundamentally the welfare and fiscal agenda for all of us.
The reality is that in Britain people have died as a result of these cuts. Like many people in this state others have been forced into homelessness, poverty, desperation and in some cases suicide.
The DUP needs to tell people, including many of their own voters, what they are facing into if welfare cuts are implemented. For example, in Britain by 2015, child benefits cuts will affect 7.5 million households who will lose an average of £370 per year. Cuts to child benefit will force more children into poverty.
In Britain, half a million people with disabilities will have their income reduced by an average of £3,000 per year forcing already vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals into greater hardship and suffering. These are the real, human consequences of welfare cuts.  Sinn Féin is totally opposed to this agenda.
We believe that the Assembly and the Executive shuld take our own decisions on these matters. We believe the Assembly and the Executive should have the power and the responsibility; and not just the responsibility.
The DUP, in contrast, have accepted this anti-working class agenda. Indeed, many in that party share the right-wing conservative ideology of the British Tory party.
So, let me be absolutely clear today so that David Cameron and his supporters in the Unionist parties understand fully my position.
Sinn Féin is absolute in our opposition to welfare cuts, north and south of the border.
Sinn Féin have attempted to persuade the other Executive parties to unite against these Tory cuts and to join with us in demanding the right to design a system which meets our needs as is now being promised to the Scottish people.
It is our primary duty to protect the most vulnerable in our society.
This is about choices for all the parties in the Assembly. We do have a choice. In Sinn Féin, we have made our choice. We reject this attack on the poor, people with disabilities and the most vulnerable in our society. We will defend and stand with the working class communities that the Tories are targeting.
If, for ideological reasons or in an attempt to curry favour with the Tories, the DUP wish to inflict these devastating cuts on working class unionists as well as the rest of us, then they can and should bring the legislation onto the floor of the Assembly, explain their support for Tory policies and let the representatives of the people decide. That’s what the Assembly is for, that is the democratic thing to do.
If Nelson McCausland on behalf of the DUP refuses to bring it to the floor of the Assembly, then the only other option is to put it directly to the people in an election. Sinn Féin has no fear of an election.
The DUP have of course thrown this issue up in recent weeks. In reality it is a smokescreen for the real threat to the institutions that results from the anti-agreement axis which emerged as a result of the failure of the DUP to show positive leadership.
This anti-agreement axis is opposed to inclusive, peaceful progress and the requirement for parity of esteem, mutual respect and reconciliation.
Earlier this week, The DUP asserted that we need a new negotiation.
 I agree. Negotiations should be convened immediately by the two governments with the support and assistance of the US administration. The context must and will be the GoodFriday Agreement which the Irish people democratically endorsed. In any negotiations Sinn Féin will defend that agreement and the institutions that flowed from it.
The reality is that political unionism and the DUP have repeatedly walked away from negotiations and from agreements already made. They reneged on the agreement on the development of the Maze/Long Kesh site. Unionists collectively rejected the democratic decision of Belfast city council on the flying of the union flag. When flag protesters took to the streets in violent protests, largely directed at the Alliance Party and the police, unionist leaders refused to stand shoulder to shoulder with me in condemning these loyalist protests and the accompanying violence, as I had done with them in condemning violence by dissident republicans. They rejected the Haass/O’Sullivan proposals and then walked out of party leaders talks because the Orange Order did not get its way in North Belfast.
The DUP refuse to accept the lawful determinations of the Parades Commission, established by the very parliament that they claim loyalty towards. The health minister questions the independence and impartiality of the justice system because he didn’t get the outcome he wants, a ban on gay men donating blood.
All of this demonstrates a dubious and questionable commitment by unionist leaders to negotiations, agreement and to democratic decision making. As I have said previously we are in government with our unionist colleagues because we want to be, they are in government with us not because they want to be but because they have to be.
Republicans have long recognised that negotiations and agreement required compromise in the best interests of all our people. Progress requires reconciliation and a willingness to respect our differing political perspectives and beliefs. I have attempted to reach out to the unionist population not least in my engagements with Queen Elizabeth.
But there has been little reciprocation from the leadership of unionism. Unionist leaders have singularly failed to reach out or to recognise and accept the validity of nationalist and republican perspectives, narratives and aspirations. Unionist politicians routinely excuse and defend racism, sectarianism and homophobia.
Racism, sectarianism and homophobia are totally and wholly unacceptable.
In stark contrast, I can say without any fear of contradiction that Sinn Féin has genuinely engaged in the process of reconciliation. And we have stood by and delivered on all agreements entered into, from Good Friday to the Hillsborough Agreement and the various Programmes for Government agreed by the Executive.
So the difficulties in the institutions arise from the refusal of unionism to engage in dialogue around difficult issues and from the failure to honour agreements reached. But more fundamentally damaging is the totally unrealistic desire of a section of political unionism to turn the clock back, to end power sharing and undermine the evolving equality agenda. This is nothing short of delusional.
There will be no return to the failures of the past.
Unfortunately, negative unionism has been encouraged in this view by a Tory-led government that has itself failed to deliver on commitments and agreements made, including an Acht na Gaeilge and the Bill of Rights and it failed to support the Haass/O’Sullivan proposals. This - and the courting of DUP MPs by the Tory leadership at Westminster - has encouraged and deepened unionist intransigence and moved unionism politically to the right.
It has become apparent that this British government has become part of the problem. This refusal by Downing St to fulfill its obligations highlights the urgent need for the Taoiseach to hold the British Government to account. The Irish government is co-equal guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent agreements. The Taoiseach needs to be a champion for the Good Friday Agreement and the peace process.
The DUP claim that the institutions are not fit for purpose. In reality the DUP are not fit for purpose. Just as unionists were not fit for purpose in 50 years of sectarian, one-party rule.
The days of repression, inequality and discrimination are gone forever.
The picture I paint here may seem to be a bleak one. But it need not be so. Everyone needs to appreciate the distance we have travelled out of conflict. Building peace is a process, the journey is not over.
But I retain great hope for the future. Political unionism may be sleep walking into a crisis but civic unionism, the business sector, the voluntary and community sector value the work that has been done and are focussed on the future.
That is Sinn Féin’s focus also. Whatever the current challenges and problems they can and will be overcome.
Sinn Féin is up for negotiations. We are willing to work with all the parties and the two governments to address outstanding issues and to build a process of reconciliation based on mutual respect.
I firmly believe that all the problems we face are surmountable that given the political will they can be resolved.
There is no going backwards. The way forward for all in our society is inclusion, equality and powersharing."

Wednesday 10 September 2014

Input into community work from Cumann

During the summer holidays it was pointed out to the local members of the cumann the extent of the poor condition which many roads and junctions are currently in. A survey of the worst of these was drawn up and a request was issued to the minister responsible for roads to actually take time out and see for himself the unacceptable standard of roads and junctions that Newry people face on a daily basis. Having worked in conjunction with the local community association and residents, there was also other issues in the area that needed to be addressed.
Mickey Brady MLA on Slieve Gullion Road

On Thursday 28th August a meeting took place with Danny Kennedy minister responsible for the maintenance of roads and senior DOE staff. Along with Mickey Brady MLA and councillor Charlie Casey, Danny Kennedy was  taken on a walk around the Meadow area and shown the areas which were affected by poor standards of roads, lack of road markings and the blockage of drains which causes serious flooding in parts of the Meadow. The Chairperson of the MARCA (Meadow Armagh Road Community Association) was also invited to take part in the meeting and he was able to explain the problems that residents were facing on a daily basis.

On Monday 1st September work commenced in the area and from the picture above it can be seen that the road markings had been repainted and junctions clearly marked out. As well as this a number of drains which were causing problems were also cleaned. The turn around on this work has happened very quickly and credit has to be passed to DRD for their speedy response in dealing with these issues.

Central to all of this happening is the recognition from residents of the local Derrybeg Martyrs SF cumann and the work that they are involved in within this community and indeed other communities in which we live and work.

Monday 8 September 2014

National Draw 2014


As Sinn Féin membership hits an all time high right across Ireland the National Draw has become essential in helping towards building the Party in every parish and community.

The Sinn Féin National Draw takes place on Saturday 18th October. Year on year the tickets sales have increased greatly. Don't miss out on the opportunity to win the first prize of £15,000/E15,000. Tickets are £10 or E10.


Tickets on sale from Sinn Féin office.