Northern Ireland

Dozens of men and women in Derry paramilitary-style parade

A parade organised by republican anti-agreement party Saoradh makes its way through Derry to the City Cemetery. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
A parade organised by republican anti-agreement party Saoradh makes its way through Derry to the City Cemetery. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin A parade organised by republican anti-agreement party Saoradh makes its way through Derry to the City Cemetery. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

DOZENS of men and women dressed in military-style clothing took part in an Easter Rising parade through Derry yesterday.

Around 30 people formed a colour party during the march which was organised by anti-agreement republican party Saoradh.

Those taking part responded to orders which were shouted in Irish.

Organisers claimed several thousand people and six bands were part in the parade which marked the 101st anniversary of the 1916 Rising.

Tricolours and other republican flags lined the route while the letters `IRA' - referring to the paramilitary grouping also known as the 'New IRA' - were fixed to several lampposts from Free Derry Corner to the City Cemetery, where a short ceremony was held.

Tricolours and other republican flags lined the route while the letters 'IRA' - referring to the paramilitary grouping also known as the 'New IRA' - were fixed to several lamp posts.  Picture Margaret McLaughlin 
Tricolours and other republican flags lined the route while the letters 'IRA' - referring to the paramilitary grouping also known as the 'New IRA' - were fixed to several lamp posts.  Picture Margaret McLaughlin  Tricolours and other republican flags lined the route while the letters 'IRA' - referring to the paramilitary grouping also known as the 'New IRA' - were fixed to several lamp posts.  Picture Margaret McLaughlin 

There was a low-key PSNI presence in the area, with just two Land Rovers, both with CCTV cameras, visible along the entire parade route.

A similar parade in Coalisland in Co Tyrone last year saw a massive police operation put in place which included a PSNI helicopter.

North Armagh republican Paul Duffy gave the main oration at the republican plot.

There was a low-key PSNI presence in the area. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17.
There was a low-key PSNI presence in the area. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17. There was a low-key PSNI presence in the area. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17.

He told those in attendance that Ireland is still partitioned and “we cannot underestimate the importance of social agitation and political activism”.

Mr Duffy, a brother of prominent Lurgan republican Colin Duffy, also appeared to reference comments by former deputy first minister Martin McGuinness when the Sinn Féin politician denounced dissident republicans who shot dead PSNI constable Stephen Carroll in 2009 as "traitors to the island of Ireland"

Those taking part responded to orders which were shouted in Irish. Picture Margaret McLaughlin
Those taking part responded to orders which were shouted in Irish. Picture Margaret McLaughlin Those taking part responded to orders which were shouted in Irish. Picture Margaret McLaughlin

“Now is the time to get down to business, to promote our revolutionary analysis which cuts through the false narrative and fake promises of those whose only aim is to deceive," Mr Duffy said.

“They are the paid mercenaries of capitalism and imperialism.

“They are traitors to the island of Ireland.”

Organisers claimed several thousand people and six bands were part in the parade which marked the 101st anniversary of the 1916 Rising. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17.
Organisers claimed several thousand people and six bands were part in the parade which marked the 101st anniversary of the 1916 Rising. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17. Organisers claimed several thousand people and six bands were part in the parade which marked the 101st anniversary of the 1916 Rising. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17.
A short ceremony was held.. Picture Margaret McLaughlin.
A short ceremony was held.. Picture Margaret McLaughlin. A short ceremony was held.. Picture Margaret McLaughlin.
A dissident Republican commemoration at Derry City Cemetery on Easter Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17.
A dissident Republican commemoration at Derry City Cemetery on Easter Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17. A dissident Republican commemoration at Derry City Cemetery on Easter Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17.
Paul Duffy who addressed a dissident Republican commemoration at Derry City Cemetery on Easter Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17.
Paul Duffy who addressed a dissident Republican commemoration at Derry City Cemetery on Easter Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17. Paul Duffy who addressed a dissident Republican commemoration at Derry City Cemetery on Easter Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17.
A dissident Republican commemoration at Derry City Cemetery on Easter Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17.
A dissident Republican commemoration at Derry City Cemetery on Easter Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17. A dissident Republican commemoration at Derry City Cemetery on Easter Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17.
Dozens of men and women dressed in military-style clothing took part in an Easter Rising parade through Derry. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17.
Dozens of men and women dressed in military-style clothing took part in an Easter Rising parade through Derry. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17. Dozens of men and women dressed in military-style clothing took part in an Easter Rising parade through Derry. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17.
A dissident Republican parade makes its way through Derry to the City Cemetery on Easter Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17.
A dissident Republican parade makes its way through Derry to the City Cemetery on Easter Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17. A dissident Republican parade makes its way through Derry to the City Cemetery on Easter Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17.
A dissident Republican parade makes its way through Derry to the City Cemetery on Easter Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17.
A dissident Republican parade makes its way through Derry to the City Cemetery on Easter Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17. A dissident Republican parade makes its way through Derry to the City Cemetery on Easter Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17.
A dissident Republican parade makes its way through Derry to the City Cemetery on Easter Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17.
A dissident Republican parade makes its way through Derry to the City Cemetery on Easter Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17. A dissident Republican parade makes its way through Derry to the City Cemetery on Easter Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17.
A dissident Republican parade makes its way through Derry to the City Cemetery on Easter Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17.
A dissident Republican parade makes its way through Derry to the City Cemetery on Easter Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17. A dissident Republican parade makes its way through Derry to the City Cemetery on Easter Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17.
A dissident Republican parade makes its way through Derry to the City Cemetery on Easter Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17.
A dissident Republican parade makes its way through Derry to the City Cemetery on Easter Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17. A dissident Republican parade makes its way through Derry to the City Cemetery on Easter Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 17-4-17.