Two Easter Rising events in Laois reflect Sinn Féin split
St Joseph's Accordion Band leading the Sinn Féin Easter commemoration parade in Mountmellick
LAST year’s bitter Sinn Féin split in Laois was reflected on Easter Sunday, when two 1916 commemoration ceremonies were held in the county.
Former Sinn Féin TD turned Independent Brian Stanley gave the oration at an event in The Heath, organised by the Laois Independent Republicans Committee, while Laois Sinn Féin gathered for a parade and wreath-laying ceremony in Mountmellick.
The newly renamed Brownie Gorman-Patrick Phelan Cumann in Mountmellick hosted the Sinn Féin commemoration, which was chaired by the county’s party chairperson Aaron Kelly with Senator Maria McCormack as main speaker.
The crowd assembled in O’Connell Square and paraded to the Republican monument on Wolfe Tone Street, led by St Joseph’s accordion band, before a reading of the Proclamation.
Senator McCormack told the large attendance: “The Proclamation of 1916 remains the mission statement of Irish republicans today - to build a nation for all our people. We will unite Ireland, we will build a society where workers, families and communities come first. Together we will achieve the Republic of 1916.”
At the Republican monument in The Heath, Deputy Stanley particularly paid tribute to stalwart Republican Jim Hyland, who lived in a thatched cottage on the site and tragically lost his life in a house fire in 2007.
The Portlaoise-based TD said: "As progressive democratic Republicans, we believe in campaigning for an Ireland that is socially just, with robust public services, fair treatment for workers, and a commitment to neutrality, national reunification and independence. Let us renew our dedication to these principles and continue working alongside other progressive groups to build a better future.
"This means the reunification of the national territory and a neutral Ireland, that is part of a more democratic and progressive Europe.”
In a wide-ranging oration that was highly critical of the current government, he also declared: “As left Republicans, we stand with the Palestinian people and support their just cause for freedom.”
