Hughes Grant Watters Cumann Sinn Féin An Iúir: March 2010

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Easter Events in Newry 2010

Wednesday 31st March - "From proclamation to present day" Talk hosted by Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney will take place in Newry Arts centre at 7.30pm sharp everyone welcome.

Friday 2nd April - Republican Tour of Newry hosted by lifelong Republican Micky Collins will leave from the Sinn Féin Centre at 1pm.

Saturday 3rd April - Ceremonial event by Republican Youth re-enacting the reading of the Proclamation will take place on the steps of Newry Town Hall followed by Republican tour of Newry.

Easter Sunday 4th April - Assemble at 12 noon at Sinn Féin centre for annual parade to St Mary's Cemetery (Main Speaker Conor Murphy MP MLA).
Easter Sunday Lunch in Bellinis Newry at 2pm tickets available from office at £10 for adults, £5 for children followed by Republican Talent Contest.
Easter Sunday Night Irish Ballad Night in Nan Rices commencing at 7.30pm.

Easter Monday Night 5th April - Irish Ballad Night in McCoys Bar commencing at 9.00pm

Everyone welcome to come along and partake in any of the above events.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Important Passport Information

Please read statement below in relation to Irish passport applications:

Ó Caoláin advises holiday travellers to get passports in order now Sinn Féin Dáil Leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD has advised those who are planning to travel abroad on summer holidays to ensure now that their passports are in order. This warning comes at a time of growing industrial action in the public service, including the Passport Office. The Cavan-Monaghan Deputy said, “Because of the work-to-rule in the public service, passports are taking longer than usual to be processed and consequently a significant backlog is developing. The Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government’s intransigence in refusing to reverse the cuts to low-paid public sector wages means that the industrial action is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. “I have already been contacted by constituents who have had to cancel travel plans because their passports were not ready in time. However, staff in the Passport Office are currently refusing to deal with elected representatives, regardless of their politics and where they stand on the issues involved. With the summer holidays approaching there are likely to be many more people affected. The ten-day turnaround offered under the Passport Express service is no longer guaranteed. Therefore, anyone planning to travel abroad this summer should check now to make sure their passports are in order. If a passport needs renewing this should be done at the earliest opportunity possible.” Deputy Ó Caoláin concluded by reminding travellers that some countries require passports to be valid for at least six months after the intended date of departure and that this should be taken into account when considering whether a passport needs to be renewed. ENDS

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Cowardly Attack

Sinn Fein councillor Marian Mathers has condemned yesterday's attack on a motorist who stopped his car on the Camlough Road to answer a phone call. The man's car was attacked by up to three men in their late teens with stones and bottles. When the man got out of the car he was assaulted by one of the men while another one tried unsuccessfully to steal the car keys from the ignition. Speaking about the incident last night Cllr Mathers stated;
"On behalf of myself and Sinn Féin I want to strongly condemn this cowardly attack and attempted car hijacking. The thugs responsible for this attack must be brought before the courts. I would call on anyone who has any information about this incident to come forward, there should be no hiding place for those responsible. This type of activity brings a bad name to this estate where many people have worked hard to redevelope the area and make it a safe an enjoyable place to live. There have been a number of incidents over the past few weeks whereby so called joy riders have returned. The PSNI must be more pro active to ensure that these anti social elements are removed from society before some one is killed."

Monday, March 15, 2010

Writing on the Wall???

I read recently that Dominic Bradley has been chosen to stand for the Stoop Down Low Party in the upcoming Westminster election in Newry/Armagh. This aptly named party who congratulated the hated RUC on the execution of Derrybeg man Colm Marks some years ago.

The Hughes Grant Watters cumann is looking forward to this election as we have no doubt that the people of Newry/Armagh will send a clear message to Dominic and his cheerleaders.

Conor Murphy has shown clear leadership down through the years unlike Dominic who appears to be at odds with himself especially on the education issue. Sinn Féin continues to grow from strength to strength and they are the party that people are putting their trust in.

Maybe Dominic sees the writing on the wall for his assembly seat and is hoping against all odds that he can retreat to London to hide from the real issues in this constituency just as his former leader has clearly done. Time will tell.

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

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