Call for greater co-operation amongst republicans at Derry commemoration

There has been a call for greater co-operation amongst republicans not aligned with Sinn Féin at an event in Derry today.

The call was made at the annual George McBrearty commemoration this afternoon.

George McBrearty (24), along with fellow IRA volunteer Charles 'Pop' Maguire (21), were shot dead by British soldiers shortly before 1.00pm on May 28, 1981.

They were killed at the height of the 1981 hunger strike.

A third man, Eamonn (Peggy) McCourt was arrested after he was shot and seriously wounded, while a fourth escaped uninjured.

They had been 'on patrol' in Creggan when they noticed a car acting suspiciously. After chasing the vehicle, they were ambushed by the SAS at the Southway - Lone Moor Road junction.

Reports at the time said gunfire was exchanged between the IRA men and the SAS soldiers before the car containing wounded IRA men drove back into the Creggan area where it was later found burned out.

The commemoration was held at the George McBrearty mural and Crann na Poblachta (Tree of the Republic) monument at Rinmore Drive. It was chaired by former Blanketman, Gary McCool.

The Proclamation of the Irish Republic was read out by veteran Derry republican Hugh Brady.

The roll of honour was read out by Tommy McGlinchey before a list of local republicans who have died in recent years also read out to the crowd in attendance.

Wreaths were laid at Crann na Poblachta monument from family members, friends and republican organisations including the Irish Republican Socialist Movement, Cogus, Republican Sinn Féin and the 32 County Sovereignty Movement.

Main speaker at the commemoration was Tyrone republican, Frankie Quinn.

He paid tribute to George McBrearty and Charles Maguire as well as other who played a role during the Troubles.

Mr Quinn also called for greater co-operation between republican groups to build an alternative to 'constitutional nationalists'. A process he stated which is underway.

The former republican prisoner said: “We must never forget but more importantly we must set about the creation of the dream for which these volunteers paid the ultimate sacrifice. We must build an alternative to the constitutional nationalists that have betrayed these comrades and every other person who stood for freedom, independence and that said republic.

“We must build, organise, agitate and create that movement to bring our struggle forward.

“To achieve that for which comrades gave their lives and to do that, comrades we must respect each other, we must trust each other to come together and get back the pride and respect for the republican movement.

“If we are to achieve our 32 county socialist republic then it's time comrades to get involved and get out there and demand change.

“The establishment is only too happy to have counter revolutionaries implementing British rule, they will do it even better than the unionists ever could.So if we stand back and allow this to happen we’ll have no one to blame but ourselves.

“Join the republican movement. Get involved. Don’t allow the enemy to dictate the struggle as they do in Derry today.

“They manipulate people and organisations. They raid houses. They arrest people without charge. They intern people. The behaviour of the RUC/PSNI in this city is disgraceful and anti-community. Their heavy handed approach will only create anger and resentment but they know this.

“At this stage comrades we need critical thinking and a strategic approach which puts them back where they belong, on the back foot.

“Tactics comrades and at the moment the tactic is feet on the streets. Co-operation. Joined up thinking and helping to build a strong dependable republican movement. This process is underway as we speak.

“So I say to you, get involved. Join the republican movement. Make your voice heard. Stand up for the rights of the people of this city and every other city, town and countryside in Ireland and demand freedom.”