Irish rise once again to mark 1916 rebellion

Local & National

Robert Fisk: How Ireland exorcised ghost of empire

Monday, March 24, 2008

Thousands of nationalists and republicans have attended commemorations to mark the 92th anniversary of the Easter Rising.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness joined Irish President Mary McAleese and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern at the biggest yesterday in Dublin.

In Belfast, hundreds at Milltown Cemetery heard Sinn Fein MP Conor Murphy praise the community following the murders of Harry Holland, John Mongan and Frank McGreevy.

The Regional Development Minister said: "Those responsible for these murders and those who inflict violence and intimidation should be getting the message loud and clear, the people will not tolerate you."

Thousands lined O'Connell Street in Dublin to mark 1916's attempt to seize the capital city from British imperial forces.

The rebellion was quashed and many ringleaders executed with the centrepiece a reading of Padraig Pearse's 1916 proclamation, at the General Post Office.

Also at the parade were the SDLP's Margaret Ritchie and Alasdair McDonnell.

Other commemorations included events in Belfast, Monaghan and in Co Donegal.

Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy told those gathered at Milltown that the local community would not allow "a handful of hoods to prey on the vulnerable" and said: "The people of west Belfast will stand together and face down this threat and those who are charged with statutory responsibilities need to stand shoulder to shoulder with this community and convince the people that they have their interests at heart.

"Now is not the time for despair, despite the understandable grief and anger, now is the time for resolute action."

And in north Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly addressed that event by saying: " This has been an extraordinary year. Who would have taken a bet on the power sharing Assembly and the all-Ireland institutions going up and staying up?"