Sinn Féin to Protest Against Royal Visit-O'Brien
Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O'Brien has said the British queen is not welcome in Cork and the party will be organising protests if she visits.
Deputy O'Brien said:
"This visit is being presented as a signal that we are leaving the past behind us. But the British monarchy is all about the past. The queen is queen because her ancestors were monarchs before her. If she comes to Cork does she plan to apologise for the burning of the city under her grandfather, George V? Or the reign of the last monarch to visit Cork, Queen Victoria, during which a million Irish people died of famine?"
"The British monarchy is based on a set of values which I believe most Irish people do not share. It stands for hierarchy, deference and inequality. Elizabeth Windsor claims to be monarch of part of our country. The values she represents have no place in Ireland. This relic of feudalism should not be invited to our city to be feted and celebrated."
"The British monarchy is intrinsically linked with the British military. Most of the royal family command British regiments, and the queen herself has been commander in chief of the British armed forces for over sixty years. During this period the British army has fought colonial wars around the world, and carried out atrocities in Ireland, including Bloody Sunday and the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, for which the queen has never apologised."
"The queen should not be welcomed to Cork. Sinn Féin will be protesting against any visit and we invite the people of Cork to join us in showing Elizabeth Windsor she is not welcome."
For further information or comment contact Deputy Jonathan O'Brien @
She is not worth the protest. I am far too proud an Irishman to bother myself over her visit. But if her visit in any way helps our fellow country men and women of the loyalist/unionist tradition feel more part of a United Ireland then I welcome it. My recognition of her visit in no way disrespects the memories of those who have died to give us our freedoms as Irish people. Quite the opposite. It is my small sacrifice to help and continue to achieve our aim of having a United Ireland. I don't believe we need her words of apology for things she does not understand to make us feel any better as Irish people. We know who we are and where we have come from.
ReplyDeleteso much for sinn fein ireland of equals with northern unionists
ReplyDeletewhat chance for peace for the next generation
when these dinosaurs cant see forward without looking back WE DONT WANT OR NEED YOU
her majesty was welcome to ireland and will be again anytime