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.

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.

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.”

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."

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.

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.

High Profile Visit to Daisy Hill Hospital

Martina Anderson MEP Conor Murphy MP & Mickey Brady MLA

Thursday 28th August 2014 seen a high profile visit to Daisy Hill Hospital by Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson who was accompanied by her party colleagues Conor Murphy MP and Mickey Brady MLA.

The visit was a chance to profile the positive work that is carried out by staff in the hospital. For too long there has been negative soundings around the future of the hospital but by all accounts the Sinn Féin team were presented with a working hospital which is continuing to lead the way in the care of people from this district and further afield.

Speaking about the visit Mickey Brady praised the staff and said;

"I visited Daisy Hill hospital on Thursday past alongside Martina Anderson MEP and Conor Murphy MP and met with hospital management and staff. 

"We saw the new theatres and the accident and emergency unit at the hospital and were very impressed by the quality of the facilities. 

"We were also very impressed by the commitment and dedication of the hospital staff to the people of the Newry and Armagh area."

It is important that all aspects of work in the local hospital are protected and highlighted by all users. Sinn Féin supports the health care workers and will continue to champion their work.

Newry to Host Emergency Health Care Inquiry Public Hearing

Newry & Mourne Councillor Liz Kimmins has  urged anyone with an interest in the Inquiry into Emergency Health Care by the Human Rights Commission to attend the Public Hearing which is taking place in the Arts Centre Newry on Wednesday the 10th of September from 12-30pm to 6.30pm.

The Sinn Féin Councillor said "As part of the Inquiry into Emergency Health Care, the Human Rights Commission will be holding public hearings during September and October 2014. One will take place in the Arts Centre Newry on Wednesday the 10th of September 12-30 to 6-30pm. At the Public Hearing, patients, family members, carers, government and medical officials will talk about their experiences.  Everyone is welcome to go along and observe the hearings and I would encourage anyone with an interest in this issue to attend" and she concluded  "Those wishing to observe this hearing please register with:

atinvestigations@nihrc.org

or call on 0800 028 6066"

Mickey and local activist Vince Meaney

Meeting your Elected Representative in Newry

Meeting with citizens throughout the Newry district has become an essential part of work for Sinn Féin. We have been able to cover every area within the Newry area throughout the year. For example, with the cooperation of local community associations we have been able to host what has become known as "elected reps clinics" in community centres in Barcroft, Meadow Armagh Road, Greater Linen Hall, Carnagat, St Mary's Youth Centre, Martin's Lane, Three Ways and the church hall at Dromalane Chapel. The feedback for this has been fantastic. By offering this essential service our elected reps are able to assist people from all strands of life. The clinics are made up of Mickey Brady MLA for Newry Armagh along with the Councillor for that particular area. The meetings are serviced by local activists who meet and greet people and ensure that they are seen by the relevant representative.

These initiatives are vital for communities as they offer people the chance to talk to their elected Sinn Féin rep on a range of issues. The community associations also recognize the importance of these meetings because it also gives the committee members a chance to discuss issues that are dealing with locally. 

Sinn Féin are different from other political parties whereby as well as hosting a daily service through our advice centres which are open five days per week, we also ensure that our Reps are working on the ground with people and offering their services. No other Party can match this!

All sorts of issues are discussed and dealt with by our reps including welfare issues, council issues, policing issues, anti social problems, form filling which includes benefit forms, passport applications, driver license forms and a range of other similar items. 

We are facing into another winter of British Tory led welfare cuts which are affecting not only those on benefits but also the low paid and the most vulnerable in our society so it is important that you avail of these types of service that Sinn Féin are offering.

As the summer months draw to a close these meetings will be beginning again. In the weeks prior to a clinic taking place our activists will deliver an advert around all the homes in the area to notify residents of the event coming up. Please feel free to avail of this service and get to know your elected representative. 

We look forward to helping you in whatever way we can.

St Patrick's PS Newry

In recent weeks we were all sad to hear of a senseless attack on St Patrick's Primary School in Newry. In the attack upwards of fourteen large windows were smashed by youths in what can only be described as wanton vandalism. At the request of the school principle myself and my colleague councillor Charlie Casey (who also sits on the Board of Governors) visited the scene of the destruction. It was very disheartening to see the scale of the attack. Large double glazed windows were totally destroyed and at the time it was estimated that £4 - £5 thousand worth of damage was caused, money that the school does not have.The vigilance of people living in and around the school has no doubt limited the damage as people where quickly on the scene and disturbed the attackers who were believed to be children in their early teens.



What is even more annoying was the fact that security grills that once donned the windows but which had been removed by the school two years ago may now have to be erected again, a sad but necessary step. St Patrick's is the hub of the Meadow community and the people who live in the vicinity of the school will no doubt redouble their attention to ensure that the school and the school grounds are safe and free from vandalism. The staff must be commended for their hard work both within and outside the school. They are determined to put this issue to one side and continue to work with the children of this area and their parents to ensure that the children receive the highest standard of education.

Several days after the initial attack a second attack took place again resulting in windows being smashed. Due to the quick reaction of residents and staff people were on the scene within minutes and police apprehended a youth nearby. Thankfully the attacks have stopped and hopefully there is no re occurrence of such attacks. Everyone must step up to the plate to ensure that places like St Patrick's are safeguarded from any form of attack in the future but more importantly parents need to know the whereabouts of their children at all times.

Working In and For Communities

Over the past number of years I have been centrally involved in helping people from all parts of Newry with a range of issues. Having a direct link to and working with the large number of elected representatives that Sinn Féin in Newry has to offer enables quick and decisive action to help those in need.

Having been born and raised in the Meadow estate it would be safe to say that I know a lot of the residents and their families and through this friendship I have earned the trust and respect of many of these people and below here are a few examples of this at work.

"Pig Hall Lonan" as we know it or "The Wheel" as other people might know it is a road that runs from the busy Camlough Road down into the Meadow past Helen's Terrace. This old part of The Meadow is a very settled community and the row of red brick terraced houses which faces onto Sandy's Field is a striking feature for anyone travelling into Newry. However, in recent times as Newry city centre has become more congested with traffic and has less free car parking, Pig Hall Lonan offers a short cut into Newry and the temptation to park on the Meadow Road. 

The residents have reported a sharp increase in the volume of cars and the speed of the cars and they have been crying out for traffic calming measures to deal with this. They are rightfully concerned about the safety of their children at play and the fear of them being knocked down. It is very difficult for oncoming traffic to see children such is the closeness of their homes to the road. For our part we have facilitated a number of meetings with all the relevant agencies but to date DOE are reluctant to install speed ramps however the situation remains under review. Newry and Mourne Council has installed signage similar to that at the entrance to Derrybeg, at the top and bottom end of the road making motorists aware that children are playing in the area, and they must be commended for this. But this in itself it not enough, motorists need to be mindful that there are children present on this road and they need to be aware at all times of the possibility of a child running out onto the road, they should also reduce their speed when on the road.

In terms of the general maintenance of the area our elected reps have also been pressing the council and DOE to carry out regular clean ups and hedge cutting to ensure that the area is kept tidy. Again there have been several important site meetings with residents and officials to highlight concerns and issues in the area. We are determined to ensure that all the agencies are held to account in relation to their responsibilities. We continue to talk to the residents on a regular basis to make sure that all their concerns are being dealt with.

Óglach Brendan Watters 30th Anniversary 8th August 2014.

On Friday evening last I was privileged to be asked to chair a fitting tribute to local hero Brendan Watters whose 30th anniversary occurred on that date. Brendan who lived in Second Avenue Derrybeg Park was tragically killed when a grenade that he was handling exploded prematurely at a house in the staunchly Republican Barcroft Park. Brendan died a short time later in Hospital. 

On Friday 8th August 2014 a large and dignified crowd gathered at the entrance of "The Barley Field" in Barcroft to listen to Brendan's story and reflect on his short life. I outlined briefly the events of that time and spoke about the strong feelings that were running deep within the Nationalist and Republican community. 

In the early hours of 9th August 1971 The British Army and RUC launched one of the largest military operations ever seen in the north. Internment had begun under the orders of the British Government in a clear attempt to crush a resurgent people who were no longer prepared to sit back and be treated as second class citizens. On that morning thousands of homes were raided across the north resulting in hundreds of people being arrested and taken from their families. What followed can only be described as systematic torture by the British State.

In Newry similar events were occurring. Sean McKenna senior and his son also called Sean were among the many Newry people who were arrested. Sean senior was one of a group of men who were tortured by a secret British Army unit and this group of 14 became known as the hooded men; they were subjected to days of brutal, inhuman torture at the hands of this unit. Meanwhile events were unfolding on the streets, the RUC and British Army fired thousands of rubber bullets and in some cases used live rounds against the risen Nationalist people. During this period the parachute regiment were responsible for the butchering of 11 civilians in Ballymurphy over three days, this included a priest and a mother of eight children.

At this time Brendan was 11 years of age and this was the reality that Brendan and other children of his age were growing up in. Things were not "normal" here in the north and people were determined to resist this brutality.

Just one year later on 9th August 1972 Newry man Óglach Colm Murtagh was killed on active service on the Dublin Road. He was just 18 years old and came from Drumalane Park. Colm was the first Newry IRA volunteer to die on active service since 1957.

Colm would have been 60 this year and Brendan would have been 54. Most people of this age are enjoying their children and grandchildren growing up. Unfortunately Colm and Brendan didn't experience any of this as their young lives were cut short.

Jim McGivern then spoke eloquently about Brendan and his journey from childhood to adulthood and his gradual rise through the ranks of the Republican Movement. He spoke about Brendan being very security conscious in terms of the enemy not suspecting him of being involved in armed actions. This allowed Brendan to move about safely and carry out his duties as a soldier of Ireland without coming under suspicion by Crown forces.

Brendan's death came as a huge surprise to many within the Newry area and the huge crowd of mourners at his wake (where he was afforded a full military guard of honour and his comrades fired a volley of shots over his tricolour draped coffin) and funeral were testament to his popularity. On two occasions the RUC attempted to hijack the funeral but the resilience of local people ensured that this was not going to happen.

Brendan was buried in St Mary's cemetery in the family grave and he left behind a huge void for his family, friends and comrades. His sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Óglach Patsy McKeown

Óglach Patrick McKeown Killed in Action 27th August 1974

This year marks 40th anniversary of IRA Volunteer Patrick McKeown who was killed in action in Barcroft Park. An explosive device denoted prematurely killing Patsy instantly.

At the time of his death Patsy lived in Violet Hill Avenue Newry with his wife Margaret and young family.

Newry 1916 Easter Commemoration Association will be hosting a ceremony at the Republican Plot in St Mary's cemetery on Wednesday 27th August at 7pm. At this event we will talk about Patsy and his life as a family man and freedom fighter. A number of wreaths will also be laid in memory of him.