A united Ireland would 'protect and respect' British identity

Addressing the crowds gathered in the border town for Sinn Féin’s annual Easter Sunday commemoration in Fermanagh, former Stormont Finance Minister, Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, said that the last year had been one of “turbulence, excitement and advances” for Irish republicans.

The South Belfast MLA said that, amidst the “uncertainty” of Brexit, there was an opportunity to press for a free and independent Ireland.

He said: “We want a prosperous, united and inclusive Ireland. We can secure and win a unity referendum.

“To win a unity referendum, we must demonstrate that all citizens have rights and all citizens are respected. 

“We want a progressive and inclusive Ireland. Republicans will be generous and imaginative. The British identity will be protected and respected in any unified state.”

Paying a warm tribute to the legacy of late Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, Mr. Ó Muilleoir said that an Irish Republic was closer because of his actions and leadership.

“We intend, to paraphrase President Bill Clinton, to finish the work he started by achieving Irish unity,” the South Belfast MLA said.

Mr. Ó Muilleoir warned that the “havoc” of Brexit would be even more keenly felt in border areas.

“Here on the border, you know all about the negative consequences of partition. In a divided island, the border regions are on the periphery of the two economies. In a United Ireland, they would be at the centre of the economic and social life.”

Mr. Ó Muilleoir added: “In the interests of everyone on this island, Sinn Féin will join with you to put a spanner in the Brexit works and ensure that we win special designated status for everyone within the EU.”

Irish republicans of all shades paraded at a number of events across Fermanagh on Easter Sunday to commemorate the 101st anniversary of the 1916 Rising.

In Derrylin, members of the Sean MacDiarmada 1916 Society, Fermanagh, gathered at the graveside of Jim Murphy, Correveigha and were addressed by independent Fermanagh and Omagh councillor Bernice Swift.

She called on the United Kingdom to withdraw from Ireland on the same day that it exits the European Union – if not sooner.

Ms. Swift said: “The injustices that necessitated the Easter Rising and the drafting of the 1916 Proclamation remain a reality in today’s Ireland – we still have poverty, we most definitely have inequality, there’s much evidence of exploitation particularly of low-paid workers, we see oppression and violence right across the spectrum, along with blatant discrimination on our Irish language and the ultimate cause and consequence of it all is continued British policy and occupation in our country.”

Demanding that the UK withdraw from Ireland as well as exiting the EU, the independent councillor said: “As Britain voted and triggered Article 50 to leave the EU, we in the 1916 Societies tell them to definitely leave Ireland too, simply leave now, and we do not accept any more chat about a Hard Border, Soft Border or any kind of border because for us, it’s absolutely no border.”

Meanwhile, at Republican Sinn Féin’s commemoration in Roslea, John McCusker, Ard Comhairle,  stated: “If an Irish Language Act is part of what is needed to stabilise and prop up the status quo at Stormont; then this is what will happen. If having a vote in the ‘Free State’ Presidential election contents and mollifies Irish nationalists in the north then this is what will happen.

“None of this, however, addresses the issue of freedom and sovereignty as expressed in the Proclamation of 1916. On the contrary it demonstrates the purchasing power of an insidious imperialism which treats with the people of Ireland as mere vassals. Such tinkering is to serve only the better management of England’s imperial power in our country.

He added: “The greatest service that the nationalist politicians at Stormont could do for Ireland is to ‘get out and stay out’ and thereby remove any semblance of a mandate from England’s Imperial overlords to rule in our country.”