Hughes Grant Watters Cumann Sinn Féin An Iúir: November 2009

Friday, November 27, 2009

Damaged Traffic Island

The local Hughes Grant Watters Sinn Féin cumann in Derrybeg have urged local Councillor for the area Marian Mathers to ensure that the D.O.E respond quickly to their requests to ensure that the traffic island on the Camlough Road close to the entrance of Derrybeg. The danger for motorists and pedestrians alike only increases as we go deeper into the winter and foul weather. As it is at present, traffic at night cannot see or make out the island due to the absence of lights and cones, which were damaged recently. We would also ask young people not to interfere with the traffic cones as they form part of the temporary road layout and help to reduce the speed of oncoming traffic in that built up area.

No Vote No Voice

Mickey Brady MLA is urging constituents across Newry Armagh to ensure their right to vote. "If you have no vote you have no voice and it's as simple as that. I'm pressing people to ensure they are on the electoral register, that they also have photographic identification and that they use that hard fought for right and vote."
Mickey said, "Every party will be setting out their vision of the way forward as we progress towards the next elections. Sinn Fein will proudly stand on our record when we again knock your doors as we do on a regular basis conducting community canvassing. If you have any access problems at all, be it mobility, access to written materials or you are attending University or are abroad just ask for help. There are a range of alternatives to ensure your right to vote and we will make every effort to explain the system and assist you."

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Political Policing

The recent raids that took place in south Armagh were a clear sign that political policing is still taking place at the behest of the securocrats in London. There is a lot of anger amongst Republicans, especially people who have been involved in the freedom struggle for many years. What all of this tells us is that Unionism is feeling threatened by the growth and strategy of Sinn Féin. The timing of this whole episode as well the murger charge against a south Armagh man for the killing of an under cover SAS man proves this theory. The establishment will try anything to placate the DUP at any cost. All of this is designed to cause tension and friction within Republicanism which simply won't be allowed to happen.

DPP

Sinn Féin's political opponents have been calling for the resignation of Annette Hughes from the local District Policing Partnership because of Brit propaganda about her and her family. For the first time Republicans and Nationalists can actively hold to account the PSNI for their actions or lack of actions for that matter. The hierachy of the establishment don't like this and will try anything to stifle this. Annette is correct not to resign her position, she carries out a very important role and is very vocal and passionate about issues that she raises with the DPP. I have no doubt that she will continue to represent the views of local people at that level. The Hughes' family has received enormous support from people near and far in this blatent attempt to criminalise them, and, with this support a clear message will be sent to those who continue to try and treat Republicans as second class citizens that we simply will not allow this to happen!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Unwanted Thuggery

In the early hours of Monday morning, a local man was approached by two hooded men as he stopped outside his Derrybeg home and was questioned. Fearing for his safety, the man repeatedly sounded his car horn which succeeded in scaring his would be attackers off. A few days later the man received a phone call from the men demanding that he remove cash from his place of work and leave it at pre determined spot in the centre of the city. The caller threatened the local man and claimed that he was representing the RIRA and further threatened the man and his family. This local man nows lives in fear of his life and that of his family's life as well - he has had to take time off work due to stress and he is also now fearful for his job. This activity is not wanted in our community and should cease immediatley. The threat that remains on this man and his family should also be lifted immediately by those who have nothing to offer our community but thuggery. The people do not want them or support them in any way.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Cowardly Attack on 75 Year Old Local Man

The Hughes Grant Watters Sinn Féin cumann would like to strongly condemn the cowardly attack that took place in the early hours of friday morning on a 75 year old pensioner. The attack happened in the Killeavy Road area and has caused major concern in the area. The man who was attacked is well known and respected in the Meadow where his family have lived for a long time. For anyone to pick on a 75 year old man who lives alone speaks volumes about the thugs concerned, but, to use a hammer to inflict near death injuries shows the disrespect that these thugs have for local people. They need to be taken out of society before they do cause someones death. A number of firearms were taken in the raid but thankfully these guns are of little use to the cowards as the firing mechanism had been removed by the owner before they were stored. We would urge people to look out for their neighbours and report any suspicious activity. These thugs have no place in our communities and have nothing to offer but fear and intimidation.

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Blog From Gerry Adams

Maghaberry PrisonTwo weeks ago a Sinn Fein delegation, including elected representatives Caral Ní Chuilín, John O’Dowd, Paul Maskey and Raymond McCartney visited Maghaberry prison to view conditions and meet with prisoners. Coiste Na nIar Chimí representative Michael Culbert was also part of the delegation. I had already discussed the Maghaberry situation with Minister of Justice David Ford and asked for clearance for the Sinn Fein prison visit. At the start of this week Martin McGuinness and Raymond McCartney MLA also met with him on this situation. In addition Caral Ní Chuilín MLA has also met and had several conversations by phone with the Head of Prisons in the north Robin Masefield.The news on Tuesday evening that Liam Hannaway had ended his hunger strike was therefore welcome news. He had raised a number of issues with the Sinn Féin delegation when they met him two weeks ago. These were discussed directly with the prison administration and the Justice Minister. It was clear from all the conversations that have taken place that with the necessary political will all of the issues relating to Liam Hannaway, and indeed the wider problems in Roe House can be resolved.The fact that another prisoner Harry Fitzsimons, who had been held in the punishment block, had now been moved back into Roe House was also a welcome development.It clear that there are problems with the regime in Maghaberry. Maghaberry has been the focus of a series of critical reports over a number of years.In 2006, an inspection made over 155 recommendations but more than half were never implemented. The most recent inspector’s report made over 200 recommendations and concluded that the current situation in Maghaberry could not be allowed to continue. Last year, the prison governor and his deputy were dismissed and 13 members of staff disciplined following an inquiry into the suicide of a prisoner in August 2008. Subsequent reports were highly critical of the way the prison was being run and disciplinary procedures were taken against prison staff who it was alleged were surfing the net and watching television rather than being on suicide watch.Four prisoners have taken their own lives in the last 4 years in Maghaberry.A new governor, brought in last July to implement reform, faced open hostility from staff. Following his car registration number and name being found in a prisoner's cell the governor resigned amidst fears for his safety. Subsequently the Prisoner Ombudsman Pauline McCabe was asked to carry out an investigation when it was alleged that a member of the prison staff planted the note in order to intimidate the Governor. Earlier this year, increasing tensions between staff and prisoners culminated in protests by a number of segregated prisoners, including a 48-hour lock-in of prisoners during Easter. Recently relatives of some of these prisoners have been in contact with Sinn Féin representatives in relation to the situation in Maghaberry. The Sinn Fein delegation that visited Maghaberry on May 14th had access to the segregated wing and met with ten prisoners representing various groups within Roe House. The delegation also met with the current governor, Alan Craig, and other members of the administration. The prisoners raised a number of issues. They included complaints about a number of punitive actions such as the use of strip-searching as harassment of both prisoners and their visitors and a range of other conditions-related issues that were very familiar to the former prisoners on the delegation. The prisoners cited one clear example of this. Despite the fact that it was obviously unnecessary, prisoners appearing by video link for remand were being subjected to strip-searches. The proximity of dogs in the visit processing area, the presence of the PSNI in the visitors’ area, the public identification of those who are to be strip-searched, and visitors being threatened with arrest if they refuse to be strip-searched, were also raised. The delegation assured them their concerns would be conveyed to the prison administration, the Prison Service and to the Justice Minister – and they have.Republicans have a long experience of prisons and of hostile and antagonistic prison systems. It is our belief that prisoners and their families must be treated with dignity and respect. Prisoners have rights and the prison regime should reflect this. There is currently a review taking place into the prison regime. It is our intention to continue to pursue all the matters involved with the Minister of Justice and the Prison system.
Posted by Gerry Adams at 4:42 PM

The following is a statement from Sinn Féin delegation who recently visited prisoners in Maghaberry

McCartney details Sinn Féin delegation visit and ‘serious concerns’ about Maghaberry situation

Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney was part of a Sinn Féin delegation which entered Maghaberry Gaol last Friday. The delegation included Mr McCartney, Carál Ní Chuilín MLA, Paul Maskey MLA and John O’Dowd MLA. The Sinn Féin team was accompanied by Michael Culbert of Coiste na nIarchimí.

The delegation reported back to the Sinn Féin Assembly Team on Monday morning.

Speaking after the visit Raymond McCartney described the meeting with Roe House prisoners as “a very positive engagement” in which the men had outlined their concerns.

“A range of issues were raised by the prisoners. They included complaints about a number of punitive actions such as the use of strip searching as harassment of both prisoners and their visitors and a range of other conditions-related issues that were very familiar to the former prisoners on the delegation,” said Mr McCartney.

“It was clear that with the right political will that all of these issues could be resolved. The delegation discussed all of this with the ten prisoners we met and assured them their concerns would be conveyed to the prison administration, the Prison service and to the Justice Minister,” said McCartney.

A number of matters concerned with the harassment of visitors were also raised by the delegation. These included the proximity of dogs in the visit processing area, the presence of the PSNI in the visitors-area, the public selecting of who is to be strip searched and visitors being threatened with arrest if they refuse to be strip searched.

Prisoners also raised issues of access, particularly the practice of forcing segregated prisoners to eat their meals in the cells.

“The delegation also met with Liam Hannaway whose health has become a matter of concern. Liam outlined his concerns, all of which centred on prison conditions and procedures. It was the firm belief of the delegation that all of these issues could be satisfactorily dealt with by the governor,” said Raymond.

The delegation had requested to meet with Harry Fitzsimmons, a prisoner being held in isolation, but this did not happen due to a misunderstanding.

“Harry’s lawyer contacted me last Saturday to explain the situation and assure me that his client was not in any way snubbing the delegation. The delegation had sought to visit Harry after his family raised concerns about his health and well being,” said Mr McCartney.

It has also been reported that Harry Fitzsimmons has been subjected to physical assault by members of the prison staff.

“After our 3 hour meeting with the prisoners, the delegation met with the governor again to outline their concerns and suggestions. In the coming period Sinn Fein will meet with the director general of the prison service, with representatives of the prison administration as well as the Minister for Justice, David Ford, regarding our deep concerns about the current situation for prisoners and their families in Maghaberry,” he concluded.

Óglach Edward Grant Died for Ireland on 24th December 1973

The Hughes Grant Watters Sinn Féin cumann remembers with pride Volunteer Eddie “Starchie” Grant who died in an accidental explosion at Clarkes Bar (now known as the ArmaghDown) on Monaghan Street on Christmas Eve 1973.

Eddie came from a staunch Republican family. His cousin Paul Smith died at Edentubber in 1957 and his uncle John McEnerney was a Vice Commandant of the 4th Northern Division IRA. When Eddie first decided to offer his services to the Republican cause, he attended several meetings in the Republican Club with his friends, but he quickly decided that his loyalty lay with the Provisional IRA. No task was too great for Eddie and he was always to the fore when volunteering for active service.

Óglach Eddie Grant died with his friend and comrade Óglach Brendan Quinn from Cloughreagh in Bessbrook.

A permanent reminder of the sacrifice made by Eddie and his comrades stands pride of place at Second Avenue, Derrybeg Park which was erected by members of the local cumann along with the help of residents from the area.

A wreath from the cumann was carried and laid by Eddie’s brother at the new monument in August.

Volunteer Eddie Grant will be remembered always by his friends and comrades in the Hughes Grant Watters cumann Newry.

Óglach Brendan Quinn Died for Ireland on 24th December 1973

Óglach Brendan Quinn died for Ireland in an accidental explosion at Clarke’s bar (now the ArmaghDown) on Monaghan Street, Newry. His friend and comrade Óglach Eddie Grant along with a customer in the bar were also tragically killed.

Three weeks before his death, Brendan had to go on the run. But in the family tradition, he returned with the intention of spending Christmas with them. On Christmas Eve morning, he left home in Cloughreagh, never to return alive.

As a fitting tribute to Brendan the local Sinn Féin cumann at Derrymore, Bessbrook are named after Brendan and another comrade Óglach Henry Fegan also from that area.

Volunteer Brendan Quinn is remembered always by his friends and comrades in Newry Sinn Féin.

Dangerous Dumping

It has been brought to our attention that there has been a number of incidents whereby materials for a bonfire have been dumped very close to houses in the Meadow. In one case a van left a load of wooden pallets before driving away. Residents whose houses back onto the garages at Derrybeg Drive are fearful of the consequences of this material being put on fire. There are also a lot of tyres being stored here and we will be contacting the environmental department to get this material removed as quickly as possible. There are still a small minority of young people in the community who are intent in causing grief for residents. Bonfires are a thing of the past and are being used as cover to cause mayhem and devulge in anti social behaviour. We would appeal to residents to note the registration of the vehicles being used to dump these materials in the estate and pass it onto us as this is a serious case of illegal dumping.

Hughes Grant Watters Cumann Sinn Féin An Iúir