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."

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!

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.

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.

Tell the Truth

It has been brought to the attention of the cumann that some glaring inaccuracies have been published recently in relation to a very successful parade that took place at the end of August to re dedicate the memorial in Derrybeg. In the publication and I quote;

" At a recent PSF commemoration in the Derrybeg area of Newry no more than 100 people attended, there were roughly 10 residents in the PSF parade in an area with 1500 residents."

To suggest that only 10 residents took part in the parade which in fact had over 500 people take part shows the immaturity of the author of the article. The author also failed to mention that the families of the five IRA volunteers, who were commemorated on the night, were present and actively participated in this event and also the very successful function that took place later that same evening. Instead of attacking our strategy and our Movement the author should engage with republicans on issues that they feel are important. The electorate will decide at the next election who to support and we look forward to taking on allcomers; micro groups and others.

Removal of Overgrown Trees

Cllr Marian Mathers has expressed her thanks to Newry and Mourne Council for their efforts in addressing what had become an issue for residents from Orior Road and Helen's Terrace. The residents had contacted the Hughes Grant Watters cumann to see if anything could be done in relation to a number of overgrown trees in front of their homes. As a result a site meeting was called and the Sinn Féin councillor was able to ensure that the necessary work was carried out. Several residents have been in contact to pass on their gratitude for this long overdue work. The cumann will work with the residents to ensure that the area is maintained on a regular basis in the future.

35th Anniversary of Óglach Michael Hughes

The Hughes Grant Watters Sinn Féin cumann will commemorate the 35th anniversary of republican volunteer, Michael ‘Sticky’ Hughes on Sunday 18th October. The Hughes/Grant/Watters cumann will lay a wreath at the monument erected in his memory on Sunday.

Local Sinn Féin councillor Marian Mathers outlined the life of the young volunteer who was tragically killed when he was just 16 years old;

“Michael was born in Banbridge, County Down on 28th June 1958. He was the oldest of seven children born to Patrick and Teresa. He had one brother, John, and five sisters, Kate, Elizabeth, Angela, Lorraine and Patricia. Michael began his school life at St Peter’s primary school Cloughreagh. He did well at school and moved on to the Abbey CBS Newry and then to St Joseph’s on the Armagh Road, Newry. His teenage years were thrown into turmoil when he had to come to terms with the death of his father Patsy (also an IRA volunteer), who was tragically killed in an accidental explosion on the Dublin Road Newry. His father’s death had a huge impact on the young Michael.“From an early age Michael was active on the streets against the Crown forces and it was at this time that he decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and join the ranks of Óglaigh na hÉireann. He became heavily involved in armed actions in the Derrybeg area and his leadership qualities soon impressed his comrades around him. He was a close friend and comrade of Volunteer Eddie “Starchy” Grant who also died in action as a result of an accidental explosion on Christmas Eve 1973.“As well as being an active volunteer with the IRA, Michael or “Sticky” as he was known to friends, also enjoyed his social life. He was a frequent visitor to the local community centre. His distinctive ginger hair made him easily recognizable to all. He enjoyed football and was also interested in reading books about Irish history. Being the oldest child Michael quickly realized that he would have to seek employment to assist his mother in the upbringing of the family. He secured a full time job in the near-by Nylon factory on the Armagh Road, but sadly had only completed two full weeks work when he was killed.“On Friday 18th October 1974, Volunteer Michael Hughes, while on active service for the IRA, was shot dead by members of the British Army on a commandeered bus. He was only 16 years of age. On the day of his funeral, his comrades marched along Main Avenue, Derrybeg Park in military formation in a fitting tribute to a soldier of the Irish Republican Army.“Volunteer Michael Hughes will forever be remembered with pride by his loving family, friends and comrades in the Republican Movement. It is memory of Michael and all those like him that we continue forward in pursuit of Irish freedom.”