Northern Ireland

RSF say its Eire Nua policy will 'lead to peace'

Wreaths being laid at the Republican Sinn Féin Easter commemoration in Lurgan, Co Armagh, on Saturday. Picture by Mal McCann.
Wreaths being laid at the Republican Sinn Féin Easter commemoration in Lurgan, Co Armagh, on Saturday. Picture by Mal McCann. Wreaths being laid at the Republican Sinn Féin Easter commemoration in Lurgan, Co Armagh, on Saturday. Picture by Mal McCann.

Republican Sinn Féin says it believes its Eire Nua policy can bring a lasting peace.

Members of the party gathered in Lurgan, Co Armagh for its annual Easter commemoration on Saturday.

In 2018 members of a republican colour party taking part were arrested during a PSNI operation.

There was a low-key PSNI presence on Saturday as those taking part gathered at a garden of remembrance on the Kilwilkie estate.

Wreaths were laid before local republican Martin Duffy addressed those in attendance referencing some of the social problems faced in the Republic.

"While up in the occupied six counties the British sub-parliament has collapsed again thus proving Republican Sinn Féin's thinking was right," he said.

"Stormont has never worked, Stormont will never work and a divided Ireland will never work."

Mr Duffy said his party's long-standing Eire Nua policy, which proposes a federal solution to the united Ireland issue, can bring about peace.

"The only way to achieve a true and lasting peace is through Eire Nua," he said.

"The way forward in Ireland is through Eire Nua....programmes for a totally new Ireland separating church and state with four provincial parliaments including a nine-county Ulster (parliament).

"It will help correct the east-west economic balance providing a solution to the conflict in the six counties."

Participants made their way to St Colman's Cemetery where a statement from the leadership was read out.

It included a reference to former Chief of Staff of the Continuity IRA, Dan Hoban, who died last year.

Elsewhere, Co Derry Republican Sinn Féin member Mickey McGonigle chaired the party's commemoration in Derry city.

Earlier the veteran republican laid wreaths at several cemeteries across Co Derry, including Dungiven and Bellaghy while tributes were also left at the grave of Brigadier Sean Larkin, who was executed by Free State forces in Co Donegal in 1923, at the Loup.

Meanwhile, several dozen people attended an Easter commemoration organised by Saoradh in Newry on Saturday.

The event - led by the Tommy Roberts/Stevie Mellon Republican Memorial Flute Band - moved to St Mary's Church cemetery.

It was chaired by Michael Dinsmore while former republican prisoner Stephen Murney read the local roll of honour and wreaths were laid.