LIAM LYNCH/ARMAGH MARTYRS AND THE VOLUNTEER EDDIE DYNES

EASTER COMMEMORATION ARMAGH CITY 2008

The Liam Lynch / Armagh Martyrs Cumann of Republican Sinn fein held its annual Easter Commemoration , on Easter Sunday. A crowd of at less 150 formed up at the bottom of the cemetery. Lead by a 8 strong colour party marched to the Republican Memorial , which was watched and filmed by a heavy psni/ruc presence .

The Commemoration was chaired by Cait Trainor of Republican Sinn Fein Keady. Niall Ward read the Proclamation, followed by the reading of the North and South Armagh Brigades roll of Honour. Three wreaths were then laid, the first by Joe Tierney on behalf of Republican Sinn Fein Armagh / Keady Cumanns . The second wreath was laid on behalf of the Republican P.O.W’s in Roe 3/ 4 Maghaberry Jail by James Carrol . The third wreath was laid on behalf of the Continuity Irish Republican Armagh, Armagh / Keady Units.

The Rosary in Irish was then recited by Shane Hughes . A statement on behalf of the C.I.R.A Brigade, Armagh / Keady Units, which was well received well by the crowd. Next John Kelly read the statement from the Leadership of the Republican Movement. A minute silence was then observed by the crowd in memory of all those who fought and died for Ireland.

The main Oration was delivered by Michael Og Lavelle, an inspirational and witty speech from the Fermanagh man which was well received by the crowd. Finial the Commemoration was bought to a close by Cait Trainor , who asked people to redouble their effort in helping the true Republican Movement in Armagh.

Republican Sinn Fein in Armagh and Keady would like to thank everyone who helped make this years Commemorations a great success for the Republican Movement in the Armagh and Keady areas.

For full text and speeches\ go to www.freewebs.com/rsfarmaghkeady

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE ARMAGH BRIGADE CONTINUITY

IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY

Keady RSF Easter Commemoration 2008

The newly formed Eddie Dynes Cumann, held its 1^st commemoration on Easter Sunday in St Patrick’s Cemetery Keady.The commemoration was attended by a fervent crowd of 70 supporters. The 7 strong colour party led the crowd to the grave of Volunteer Eddie Dynes, amongst those in attendance were Mrs Dynes her sons and daughters and grandchildren. The Commemoration was chaired by Shane Hughes the chair of Keady RSF.The commemoration continued with the Proclamation being read by Niall Ward the chair of Armagh Cumann followed by the Roll of Honour for the North/ and South Armagh Brigades which was delivered by Nora Nugent.

The laying of the wreaths saw Eamonn Sheehan lay a wreath on behalf of RSF Keady/Armagh Cumanns and a wreath was also put on the grave on behalf of the Continuity IRA Keady/Armagh units. The rosary was led by Shane Hughes before a masked and uniformed member of the C.I.R.A emerged to a rapturous applause from the crowd, he read a statement on behalf of the O.C of the Armagh brigade of the C.I.R.A, the applause he received on leaving the grave portrayed the crowds pleasure in his appearance.

A minutes silence was then observed by the crowd who took time to remember the heroes who gave their lives for Irelands Freedom in 1916.The commemoration then came to a close with the chair thanking the Dynes family for their support and attendance on such a cold day, he also thanked the supporters for attending and said he looked forward to seeing them all next year. The proceedings ended with the colour party leading those in attendance to the gates of the cemetery

Oration in Armagh 2008

It is a great honour and privilege to be invited to Armagh today to speak of our fallen comrades on this the 92nd anniversary of the historic 1916 rising.  I am proud to be in the company of true republicans, men and women, who have not deviated from their traditional republican values. When I think of Armagh and of Republicans some great people come to mind. People such as Máire Drumm from Kileen, former Vice President of Sinn Féin, murdered by state sponsored loyalist assassins as she lay in a hospital bed in Belfast . Volunteer Raymond Mc Creesh from Camlough, who died in May 1981 following 61 days on hunger strike. Vol Eddie Dynes from Keady who died in a car accident while on active service in March 1983.

We stand here today not only to commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their Country, but to reflect the challenging times which we face ahead.  The Ireland of today did not come from the Easter Rising of 1916 nor does it represent the spirit of that insurrection.  It arose from the defeat of the independence movement of 1916-1923 when the Brits divided our country and forced the present set-up upon the Irish people.  Down through the years we have saw people come and go masquerading as the true voice of Republicanism, people such as Fianna Fail, the Democratic left and the Provos.  All claim this mantle but comrades the only people who can truly lay claim to this are those in front of me today and those gathered around the country and further afield, who will never accept anything less than total British removal from our Country.

The Provos have now disbanded their military organization and have handed over all their arms entrusted to them by the Irish people.  This was the price demanded of them by their pay masters in the British Government and that of the pro-Brit Free State Government along with their new Unionist colleagues.  In return they received the reward of administering British Rule in Ireland , a far cry from Brits Out!  As I stand here today remembering our fallen dead, I ask myself, what was it all for?  I particularly think of Vol Peadar Mc Elvanna who was murdered by the British Army in June 1979 and is buried in this cemetery we are in today. None of us can answer this for sure, however at the time these men and women fought I doubt the lure of Government Office at Stormont or unequivocal support for the RUC was the motivation to risk their lives.

The Provisional movement have done a fantastic job at de-militarizing and de-politicizing the mindset of our misguided, erstwhile comrades.  They seek to tell us that it is the peoples will and that we should put up or shut up.   This revisionism has altered many people’s view of the national struggle throughout the years.  It is now official Dublin policy to refer to the 26 Counties as Ireland and to the Six Counties as a separate Country Northern Ireland part of the so-called UK .  There is only one Ireland that is the 32 Counties and we should be, and are proud of the struggle down through the years, and we will never forget what has happened in the past. 

As we have seen in the last year, the GAA has allowed itself to be used to accommodate other sports, resulting in the playing of the British National Anthem in Croke Park on the very spot where the British Army murdered 14 people in 1921. This facilitation of Britishness has replicated itself throughout the country, with Free State/RUC Gaelic football match being played in Newry and the welcoming of an anti Irish Stormont Minister to Park Esler. RSF led the protests at the normalization of relations while Britain retains her military grip in the 6 counties and we must be to the fore in the coming year to prepare for a visit of Elizabeth Windsor to the 26 counties. We saw this week the welcome she got when she came to Armagh and I want to take this opportunity to congratulate those who took part in the protest at the sterling job they did. This normalization is being facilitated by the Provo 's week in and week out. No one should be at all surprised at the haste they rush to condemn young nationalists. Recently in Newry, following the arrest of some of our comrades, young people were condemned for stoning the PSNI/Provos. Now were these young people involved in anti-social behaviour or where they expressing their right to make the British Police force feel unwelcome in Newry??? Again in the Republican heartland of Fermanagh, we had a local Provo Councillor calling for more Police on the streets. I have a few questions for Cllr Coffey. Is this the same police force that was responsible for assaulting an RSF election worker in Enniskillen and kicking in the windows and doors of the home of a former Republican POW in Tyrone? Is this the same police force who continues to harass and intimidate Republicans? Is this the same police force who continues to recruit informers and spy on the Republican community? Is this the same police force that is the armed wing of the British state in part of our country? In Belfast last week, Gerry Adams was critical of his new bedfellows, claiming that the PSNI/RUC were not up to the job and that they are failing the people of West Belfast . Let me tell you Mr Adams that it is you and your party who have failed the people of West Belfast and further afield. You have created this monster that is anti-social behaviour; it is an out-working of the war here and a manifestation of British involvement in Ireland . RSF are not anti good policing, however the name change and uniform change of the PSNI/RUC are not acceptable to Republicans, nor is their presence in Ireland . Until we have intent of British withdrawal from our country we in the Republican movement will resist them by whatever means possible.

We also heard this week from Tony Blair’s chief of staff, Johnathan Powell, who recounted tales of Mc Guinness and Adams skateboarding at Downing Street with the Blair children. He also referred to times when the British government used to regularly write statements for the Provos . This capitulation is yet another example of the complete disregard these people have for Irish republicans. The audacity of them to have the enemy drafting statements on their behalf then in return standing at the gravesides of fallen comrades is an insult to their memory. It seems that nowadays the greatest past time for Republicans is Provo bashing. While this is a sport we all love to indulge in, it is also our duty to match that with action on the ground. I am very sure that the people of Armagh will not be found wanting when it comes to that! True Republicans will never support British rule in Ireland nor will we collaborate through the establishment south of the border.  We have shown that we will not be co-opted, coerced, bribed or bullied. The growth of RSF in the county is a testament to the men and women who are putting in the hard work on the ground and reaping the rewards. It is heartening to see the establishment of two separate cumann in Keady and Armagh . With an additional cumann in Lurgan to the one that is already there and the possibility of a new cumann in Belleeks, it is great to see that Republicanism is alive and well in County Armagh . Throughout the Ulster area interest in true Republicanism could not be greater. In recent weeks we have witnessed new cumann in Coalisland, North Monaghan/Sth Tyrone and West Fermanagh . As the song so eloquently puts it, things can only get better! However we must not forget that a generation has passed since the Provos left the Republican movement and we have those throughout the country interested in getting involved. RSF should be taking the lead and setting example for these people, however we need to ensure that our organisation is not a cold house for those who may have been confused or misguided in the past. We have a duty to the Irish nation, to the memory of Pearse and Tone, to respect everyone and educate them on our position, irrespective of what a previous generation might have done. We cannot hold them to account for what others have done in the past.

It would be remiss of me not to mention the brave Volunteers incarcerated in gaols throughout the country and future afield.  I would like to take this opportunity to wish them well and offer our continued support in every way we can.  The struggle for political status will continue for republican prisoners in Maghaberry Gaol.  This must continue to be highlighted.  Many have been involved in protests up and down the Country and I thank them for their hard work and ask them to continue the good work that they are doing. I agree that this is not an easy task. Irish Republicans are not a popular breed! We continue to be subjected to state harassment and repression, north and south of the border.  Republicans will always refuse to be intimidated. Armagh and its surrounding area has always been a focus for Republican resistance to British occupation, this remains so today.  Long may it continue!

As Republicans we must continue the struggle for a 32 County all Ireland Republic .  This can be done in many ways but we must give a one hundred percent commitment to the cause of the Irish Republic as proclaimed in arms on that momentous day of Easter 1916.  The cause cannot be diluted, there can be no compromise, and we must be strong in our beliefs to insure our future goal.

 An Phoblacht Abu!