McGuigan chairs Swatragh 1916 Easter Rising Commemoration

Speaking to the County Derry Post as republicans assembled for the annual Swatragh 1916 Rising Commemoration on Easter Monday, local Sinn Féin councillor, Brian McGuigan, who chaired proceedings said:  "As always we are looking forward to our Easter Monday 1916 commemoration in Swatragh when we will parade to Granaghan Churchyard for a wreath-laying ceremony in memory of Ireland's Patriot Dead before returning to the village for speeches and reading of The 1916 Proclamation.

"We will especially remember our local republican dead buried in Granaghan Churchyard, including IRA volunteer, Danny McMullan from Slaughtneil who died while on active service as well as assassinated Sinn Féin councillor, Bernard O'Hagan who had made Swatragh his home, immersing himself in the area's rich cultural and community life, while playing an important leadership role in the republican struggle.

"As we gather in Swatragh for our tribute to our republican dead we recall all the sacrifices of Irish republicans in pursuit of Irish freedom and national democracy.  

"But, we will also be looking to the future and the achievement of an independent 32 County republic with social justice and economic democracy at its core.  A republic that in the words of the 1916 Proclamation 'cherishes all the children of the nation equally'.

"Our commemoration in Swatragh is supported by a local community who will again attend in their hundreds and we are all looking forward to have the opportunity to meet up and renew comradeship and our commitment to the historic task of achieving Irish Unity.  

"There are many stalwarts of our struggle in attendance. Everyone is looking forward to a colourful and vibrant commemorative parade which enjoys the participation of an ever-growing and confident republican community which is stepping out in support of a strong and principled Sinn Féin leadership both nationally and locally.  

"We are immensely proud of our young activists from across our county who are building a very strong, effective and youthful organisation via their participation in Ógra Shinn Féin and cumainn in our colleges and universities, and who are spearheading and making a massive contribution in terms of electoral preparation for the council elections to be held in the coming weeks.

“This Easter we remember those who resisted colonial domination and partition. We remain strategically focused, while building our political strength, and being resolute in pursuit of our republican objectives - Irish Freedom, Independence, Equality and Social Justice.”