Open letter to GAA President from Sinn Féin Poblachtach.

international | miscellaneous | press release Sunday February 25, 2007 17:03 by Seán Ó Murchú - Sinn Féin Poblachtach - Cork

Open letter to GAA President handed into Croke Park by Sinn Féin Poblachtach President Ruairi O Bradaigh, Vice-President Des Dalton and Kerry Republican Sinn Féin member Pat Quirke on Saturday 24, February, 2007.

Nioclás Uasal Ó Braonáin
Uachtarán
Cumann Lúthchleas Gael
Páirc an Chrócaigh
Baile Átha Cliath

A Uachtaráin, a chara

Beatha agus sláinte!

Is cúis aifeála agus díomá dúinn-ne, Sinn Féin Poblachtach, teacht fhoireann rugbaí Shasana go Páirc an Chrócaigh. Ní féidir gnáth-ghaol agus gnáth-chaidreamh a bheith idir Éirinn agus Sasana fhaid is atá Sé Chontae de chuid na hÉireann faoi riail Shasana agus dá bhrí sin tá agóid dá chur suas againn in-aghaidh na cuairte sin inniu.

’Sí Páirc an Chrócaigh bunáit agus suíomh, baile agus tinteáin na gcluifí Gaelacha. Thairis sin, is ar an láthair sin a rinneadh ár agus sléacht ag forsaí Shasana ar shibhialaigh Éireannacha i 1920 toisc iad a bheith ag freastail ar chluife Gaelach. Is áit ar leith í an Pháirc agus is scrín náisiúnta í go fírinneach.

Níl muid-ne sásta glacadh leis an gcur i gcéill go bhfuil deire leis an gconspóid le rialtas Shasana comh fada is atá fórsaí agus riarachán Shasana i seilbh aon chuid dár dtír. Ar an ábhar sin, tá muid ag seasamh an fód taobh amuigh de Pháirc an Chrócaigh inniu. Is gníomh polaitiúil é sin le treorú agus ceannasaíocht a thúirt do mhuintir na hÉireann ar an gceist thromchúiseach seo.

We write to you to express our opposition to hosting of the England rugby team, the flying of the English national flag and the playing of God Save the Queen (English national anthem) in Páirc an Chrócaigh.

We view this event as but one in a series designed to normalise British rule in our country. The dropping of Rule 21 by the GAA, the playing of Gaelic football matches between 26-County police/army teams and teams representing British forces, British royal visits, so- called ‘courtesy’ visits by British naval vessels to 26-County ports, are all part of the agenda of normalising the continued British occupation of Ireland. This occupation can never be normal or acceptable and such events will always be opposed by Irish Republicans.

Páirc an Chrócaigh is a place of huge cultural and historical significance for the Irish people. The senior All-Ireland hurling and football finals each year are a showcase of which the Irish people are rightly proud and are a symbol of our nationhood. Indeed many of our members are also members of the GAA and rightly take pride in the association’s contribution to the sporting, cultural and social life of communities throughout Ireland and the Irish community abroad.

The events of Bloody Sunday, November 21, 1920 when British forces murdered 14 people still have a deep resonance for the Irish people. However the political context within which the events of Bloody Sunday occurred is not a matter of history. In 2007 British rule in Ireland remains a reality. As Irish Republicans we strive for a just and lasting settlement for all of the Irish people. The lesson of Irish history is that British rule must be removed before this can happen.

Our protest today is to highlight the fact that whilst the British government continues to occupy part of Ireland, the relations between England and Ireland cannot be normal.

Is sinne, le mór-mheas

Des Dalton
Leas-Uachtarán

Ruairí Ó Brádaigh
Uachtarán
Sinn Féin Poblachtach