The socialist republican party éirígí have strongly condemned those responsible for a cowardly attack on a republican memorial in Newry.
The memorial, situated at the site of the iconic Egyptian Arch ambush, was erected by éirígí in 2010 tocommemorate the 90th anniversary of the heroic operation which saw three IRA volunteers lose their lives.
The perpetrators sprayed the initials of a sinister British counter gang, the UVF, onto the plaque in the early hours of Tuesday morning [June 30].
Slamming those responsible éirígí’s Newry spokesperson Stephen Murney, who spearheaded the erection of the memorial, said “We strongly condemn the sectarian attack on this memorial. The sectarian bigots responsible are only interested in stoking tension, particularly at this time of year.
“This memorial is in memory of three republican revolutionaries who were killed as a result of the ambush against the British forces of occupation at this location. The same occupation continues to this day.”
Murney continued “We were made aware that the memorial was defaced early on Tuesday morning. Our activists subsequently made our way to the plaque and removed thespray paint
“In the coming weeks Newry and Bessbrook are going to besubjected to countless unwanted sectarian parades, those parades like the desecration of this memorial, are only designed to create tension.”
Concluding Stephen said “Sinister attacks such as this certainly won’t deter éirígí and our activists from remembering our fallen martyrs.”
Saturday [June 27] saw upwards of 80 people take to the streets of Newry to oppose Internment. Various banners and placards were held aloft by the participants for the duration of the white line picket. Among those in attendance included former republican prisoners, Trade Unionists, community activists and Independent Republican elected representatives.
The annual event, which was organised by the Anti-Internment Group of Ireland, attracted much attention from Saturday shoppers on one of Newry's main streets with thousands of leaflets distributed to passing motorists and pedestrians alike. For the duration of the picket the Anti-Internment Group also manned a busy information stall.
The event was chaired by Cabs Kavanagh and the speakers included former republican prisoners Stephen Murney and John Heaney. John provided an in-depth, historical background to Internment along with detailing his own family’s suffering at the hand of the British forces over the decades.
Speaking at the event éirígí's Newry representative, and former republican prisoner, Stephen Murney gave a brief background to Britain's use of Internment in the 1970's compared to today's form of the draconian policy.
Stephen explained "One of the better known examples of Internment took place in the early 70's when hundreds of people were rounded up in dawn raids and taken to Long Kesh Internment camp. While that was a policy of mass internment, today our enemies seem to have learnt from that mistake.
"Today our enemies have adopted a more insidious policy of selective Internment whereby they target specific individuals rather than the masses. This is designed to remove key activists who are considered to be opponents and also to strike fear into others, to attempt to dissuade people from actively involving themselves in republicanism."
Murney also slammed the political and state forces responsible for enforcing the policy by stating "It has to be noted that some of those who were at one time victims and opponents of ‘internment by remand’, and who even represented and defended victims of that process, are today part and parcel of the prosecution, judicial and political system which implements this form of internment."
Furthermore Stephen spoke about the torturous conditions under which Republican prisoners are forced to live under in Maghaberry Stephen said "The continued use of strip searching, controlled movement and isolation is completely unjustified. There is no logical reason for the continued use of these oppressive policies as they only serve to fuel and create conflict.
“Republican prisoners have stated countless times that they seek to create a conflict free environment, they aren’t asking for anything unreasonable, they are simply seeking to live their lives in a particular fashion.
“Within Roe House, republicans find themselves subjected to a repressive, restrictive regime, enforced by bigoted, sectarian screws under the control of MI5. Time and time again we have heard accounts and reports of how the screws, the riot squad and various governors continue to provoke and intimidate republican prisoners. Some of those governors have been brought over from prisons in England to oversee the torturous regime in Maghaberry.”
Stephen also urged those attending to redouble their efforts to highlight Internment and the human rights abuses within Maghaberry “There is an onus on each and every one of us to do something to highlight these issues. Whether
it's handing out leaflets, putting up posters, or organising and attending events such as this one. We can all play our part.
“The British establishment think they have us right where they want us when we’re in prison. For centuries republicans have been held within British prisons for their involvement in the struggle for national and social liberation. And for centuries the British have failed miserably to break us behind the wire. If anything being held captive by our enemies strengthens us and makes us more determined to pursue our goals.
“They fail to understand that republicans know more about surviving in prison than they, the gaolers realise.”
Murney concluded by quoting the republican prisoners in Maghaberry.
“They will say we threatened them, but, for all they say, they understand best that we do not need to. Our integrity is what threatens their entire regime; our defiance rattles it to its very foundation.
For all their technology, resources, finance, personnel, desire and inbred need to subjugate, there is nothing they can do to prevent the collapse of their current attempts to ‘rehabilitate’. Their weapons cannot penetrate here.
Little observations, in many prisons, over very many years, have amassed all the armour required. This is our terrain.”
The discovery of drug apparatus in a Newry housing estate has prompted, the socialist republican party, éirígí to urge local residents to be cautious if they come across such items.
Commenting on the sinister discovery éirígí's Newry representative Stephen Murney said "A concerned member of the public contacted our party following the discovery of syringes lying in the street in the Mourneview area of Newry.
"The local resident described how up to eight syringes have been found and disposed of in the past three weeks in the same area"
Stephen continued "The fact that these syringes were found lying in a residential street is alarming to say the least. If a child had have come across any of these items the outcome could be very serious."
Murney added "This comes after local council employees also raised concerns after similar syringes and needles were found in public toilets in the town centre.
"I want to thank the local resident for making us aware of this. The scourge of drugs can destroy and ravage entire communities. It is an evil epidemic and one that needs to be challenged and addressed. In particular I would urge young people, who may come across such items, not to touch them but to contact a responsible adult to ensure that they are disposed of in a safe manner.
