‘It’s time for political leaders to build peace and reconciliation’
FIFTY years after the death of Derrylin civil rights activist, Jim Murphy, a Commemoration was held on Easter Sunday to honour his memory. Fermanagh Sinn Féin held their main Easter Commemoration on Easter Sunday, parading along Main Street, Derrylin toward St. Ninnidh’s Chapel and Graveyard.
In the graveyard, events were Chaired by Councillor Declan Mcardle, and the main speaker was Sligo-leitrim TD Martin Kenny.
Elaine Brough read the Roll of Honour and Roll of Remembrance, and Caitlin Hanna Storey read out the 1916 Proclamation.
Wreaths were laid by Brian Shannon, Betty Leonard, Áine Murphy MLA, Jack Foster and Martin Sweeney.
Addressing the crowd in St. Ninnidh’s graveyard, Mr. Kenny said: “Today here in Derrylin, we particularly remember Jim Murphy, a man who was killed because he wanted an equal society.
“Jim Murphy was a respected member of Sinn Féin here in Fermanagh and was at the spearhead of the local civil rights movement.
“Simply put, Jim made a stand for what was right, and for that he was assassinated by British forces,” said Mr. Kenny.
Speaking on the restored Executive, Mr. Kenny said: “On February 3, Michelle O’neill, a Republican woman from Co. Tyrone, took up the office of First Minister.
“The first Irish Republican First Minister in the North is a hugely significant milestone in the history of this Ireland.
“She pledged to be a First Minister for all, every day, and that is what she is doing.
“The Executive now needs to work hard, every day, for all the people of the North and deliver on the issues affecting people from all communities.
‘Opportunity’
“It’s a time now for political leaders, Nationalist and Unionist working together, to grasp the opportunity to build peace, prosperity and reconciliation.”
Speaking after the annual Fermanagh Easter Commemoration, Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA, Áine Murphy said: “More and more people are now considering the prospect of Irish unity and what a new Ireland would look like.
“There is no time for delay. Referenda on Irish unity can take place before the end of this decade, and planning and preparation should begin now.
“The Irish Government must establish a Citizens’ Assembly to plan for constitutional change, a forum where everyone is included and can have their say.”