{"id":36844,"date":"2025-04-20T23:29:14","date_gmt":"2025-04-20T23:29:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/36844\/"},"modified":"2025-04-20T23:29:14","modified_gmt":"2025-04-20T23:29:14","slug":"1916-societies-tell-easter-commemoration-that-good-friday-agreement-has-failed-to-deliver-all-ireland-progress-the-irish-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/36844\/","title":{"rendered":"1916 Societies tell Easter commemoration that Good Friday Agreement has \u2018failed to deliver all Ireland progress\u2019 \u2013 The Irish News"},"content":{"rendered":"

Republicans attending a 1916 Societies commemoration in Co Derry have been told the Good Friday Agreement has \u201cfailed to deliver any tangible progress towards an all-Ireland republic\u201d.<\/p>\n

Several hundred people from across the north and beyond attended an Easter Rising commemoration in the village of Bellaghy on Sunday, including members of \u00c9ir\u00edg\u00ed.<\/p>\n

It emerged earlier this year that \u00c9ir\u00edg\u00ed and 1916 Societies have formed a \u201cstrategic alliance\u201d resulting in the emergence of a new \u2018Republican Bloc\u2019.<\/p>\n

A piper led those attending through the village to St Mary\u2019s Cemetery, where IRA hunger strikers Francis Hughes and Thomas McElwee are buried.<\/p>\n

\"Large<\/a>\"Easter<\/a>\"Parade1916 Societies chairman Pol O’Scannell. Picture Margaret McLaughlin (MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN PHOTOGRAPHY ) <\/p>\n

The grave of ex-INLA chief Dominic McGlinchey is also located in the cemetery.<\/p>\n

The main address was delivered by1916 Societies chair P\u00f3l O\u2019Scannell.<\/p>\n

He recounted how both his grandfathers had played a part in the events of Easter Week 109 years ago.<\/p>\n

The Dublin republican offered solidarity to the people of Palestine and backed calls by the family of murdered Bellaghy GAA official Sean Brown for a public inquiry.<\/p>\n

Turning to the issue of unity, Mr O\u2019Scannell said the British have used several \u201cpacification strategies\u201d since the Troubles ended, including the peace process.<\/p>\n

But, he said the \u201cGood Friday Agreement has failed to deliver any tangible progress towards an all-Ireland republic.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was its raison d\u2019etre – to yet again pacify Ireland<\/p>\n

He warned that future attempts may be made to make Ireland a member of the British Commonwealth.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose who went into Stormont to implement the Good Friday Agreement and its numerous tweaks have found themselves welded to Britain\u2019s continued subjection of this part of Ireland and of our democratic rights,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe call for Irish unity and the Irish republic has been diluted to a call for an agreed Ireland or shared island with the very real prospect of the return to membership of the British Commonwealth for all 32 counties.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to state very clearly here today, we will never, ever accept the British Commonwealth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ParadeParade by the 1916 Societies through Bellaghy on Easter Sunday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 20-4-2025 (MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN PHOTOGRAPHY ) <\/p>\n

He added that a \u201cshared island concept is the polar opposite of republicanism\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt sets a dangerous precedent of accepting the British narrative that there are two separate nations on this island,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt gives legitimacy to the British government\u2019s analysis that unionists are the British presence in Ireland.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 1916 Societies has promoted a highly visible \u2018One Ireland One Vote\u2019 campaign, which calls for a single referendum on a united Ireland.<\/p>\n

Mr O\u2019Scannell said \u201cthe Irish people alone must decide our own future without interference from the British.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere in Co Derry a commemoration organised by the counties Derry and Antrim Republican Graves Association was held in The Loup.<\/p>\n

\n Full coverage, half price. For expert insights, analysis and commentary, subscribe to The Irish News today. Get full access for just \u00a37.49\/month. Offer ends 28th April.\n <\/p>\n


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