Open letter to the President of the GAA

national | miscellaneous | news report

Friday February 27, 2009 22:52

by Saoirse - Republican Sinn Fein

saoirse at iol dot ie

223 Parnell St Dublin 1

018729747

An open letter to the President of the GAA protesting at the presence of the England Rugby team in Croke Park on Saturday February 28.

A Uachtaráin, a chara

I am writing to you to reiterate the opposition of Sinn Féin Poblachtach to the hosting of the England rugby team, the flying of the English national flag and the playing of God Save the Queen (English national anthem) in Páirc an Chrócaigh on February 28.

As pointed out in the letter which was handed in to Páirc an Chrócaigh by An tUachtaráin Sinn Féin Poblachtach Ruairí Ó Brádaigh and myself on February 24 2007, such events are part of the process of normalising British rule in our country. The dropping of Rule 21 by the GAA, the playing of Gaelic football matches between 26-County police/army teams and teams representing British forces, British royal visits, so- called ‘courtesy’ visits by British naval vessels to 26-County ports, are also part of this process. This occupation will never be normal or acceptable and such events will always be opposed by Irish Republicans.

Páirc an Chrócaigh is a place of huge cultural and historical significance for the Irish people. The senior All-Ireland hurling and football finals each year are a showcase of our national games and identity of which the Irish people are rightly proud. They symbolise the essential unity the historic Irish nation. Many of our members are also members of the GAA and rightly take pride in the association’s contribution to the sporting, cultural and social life of communities throughout Ireland and the Irish community abroad. I am proud to number myself among the ranks of Cumann Lúthchleas Gael.

The events of Bloody Sunday November 21 1920 when British forces murdered 14 people still have a deep resonance for the Irish people. However the political context within which the events of Bloody Sunday occurred is not a matter of history. As we pointed out two years ago, British rule in Ireland remains a reality. As Irish Republicans we strive for a just and lasting settlement for all of the Irish people. The lesson of Irish history is that British rule must be removed before this can happen.

British rule and the continued partition of Ireland is not normal nor is it acceptable and we would be failing in our duty as Irish Republicans if we did not raise our voice in protest at attempts to pretend that it were so.

Is Mise
Des Dalton
Leas Uachtarán

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Comments (2 of 2)

For your information

by Jim

Sat Feb 28, 2009 10:47

The majority of the electorate in Northern Ireland vote for unionist parties and have made clear time and time again their desire to remain citizens of the United Kingdom.

The majority of the people of Ireland on both sides of the border voted in favour of the Good Friday Agreement which established a democratic assembly at Stormont with a power shared between both unionists and republican parties.

The majority of the citizens of the Republic of Ireland voted to discard articles 2 &3 of the 1937 constitution which made territorial claims to the 6 counties which comprise Northern Ireland.

Therefore clearly the partition of Ireland between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is based on the recognition of the democratic wishes of the majority of the citizens of Northern Ireland.

Clearly you either have (a) a complete ignorance of democracy or (b) you perfectly understand democracy but have complete contempt for it.

Either way go to hell.

Viewpoint

by Bohemian Poet

Tue Mar 03, 2009 15:45

In a true open and transparent democratic society, all viewpoints and political opinions are tolerated and must be aired for all to hear.

The origins of the partition and occupation of this island were not arrived at through open democratic debate and electoral freedom of thought, but through occupation and oppression of the people by a violent and uncaring invader.

We can accept that in recent times the majority have mistakenly voted for this occupation and partition of this island to continue, but that does not mean that a majority in the future would not vote for a one island of Ireland, without a border and an occupying military force.

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Open letter to the President of the GAA

Comments (2 of 2)