DISSIDENTS TOLD TO GO AWAY AND STAY AWAY
Dissidents told to 'go away and stay away' during rally
BY BRENDAN McDAID
DISSIDENT republicans in Londonderry were told to "go away and stay away" by one of the speakers at a trade union rally held in the city yesterday.
Hundreds of people from both communities attended the lunchtime rally, which was organised by the Derry Trades Union after the Real IRA planted a 200lb bomb at the Ulster Bank in the Culmore Road area of the city recently.
Liam Gallagher from the Derry Trades Union said the rally was called to relate three concerns directly to the dissidents: that there will be a serious loss of life if the dissident violence continues; that the disruption to Derry as a result of recent bombs and bomb scares are causing hardships and potential job losses to the people of the city; and that young people are potentially being drawn into a campaign of violence.
Lily Kerr of the Irish Congress of Trades Union, Colin Devine from the North West Community Network, and Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was murdered by the Real IRA in Omagh in 1998, were the invited speakers.
Ms Kerr said told the assembled crowd that it was with a "heavy heart and deep sense of anger" that found herself in Derry once again to protest against violence.
Addressing the dissidents, she said: "You have a right to your opinion, but you have no right to hold the people of this city hostage. You are not wanted, you are not needed, go away and stay away."
Ms Kerr's words drew loud cheers and applause from the people gathered, who included Foyle MP Mark Durkan, East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell, as well as local politicians from the SDLP, DUP and Sinn Fein, clergy and people from all over they city.
The family of Keiran Doherty, who was murdered by the Real IRA earlier this year, were in attendance at the rally and stood in front of the platform with picture placards of Mr Doherty.
BY BRENDAN McDAID
DISSIDENT republicans in Londonderry were told to "go away and stay away" by one of the speakers at a trade union rally held in the city yesterday.
Hundreds of people from both communities attended the lunchtime rally, which was organised by the Derry Trades Union after the Real IRA planted a 200lb bomb at the Ulster Bank in the Culmore Road area of the city recently.
Liam Gallagher from the Derry Trades Union said the rally was called to relate three concerns directly to the dissidents: that there will be a serious loss of life if the dissident violence continues; that the disruption to Derry as a result of recent bombs and bomb scares are causing hardships and potential job losses to the people of the city; and that young people are potentially being drawn into a campaign of violence.
Lily Kerr of the Irish Congress of Trades Union, Colin Devine from the North West Community Network, and Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was murdered by the Real IRA in Omagh in 1998, were the invited speakers.
Ms Kerr said told the assembled crowd that it was with a "heavy heart and deep sense of anger" that found herself in Derry once again to protest against violence.
Addressing the dissidents, she said: "You have a right to your opinion, but you have no right to hold the people of this city hostage. You are not wanted, you are not needed, go away and stay away."
Ms Kerr's words drew loud cheers and applause from the people gathered, who included Foyle MP Mark Durkan, East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell, as well as local politicians from the SDLP, DUP and Sinn Fein, clergy and people from all over they city.
The family of Keiran Doherty, who was murdered by the Real IRA earlier this year, were in attendance at the rally and stood in front of the platform with picture placards of Mr Doherty.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/1194
Published Date: 16-Oct-10
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