Honour Ireland's Dead - Wear an Easter Lily

Inniskeen. Assemble 2pm, Guest Speaker Willie Clarke, MLA

Mullaghbawn. Assemble 6pm, Guest Speaker Gerry Kelly, MLA

Easter Sunday 23rd March

Ballymacnab. Assemble 1pm.  Parade from Ferla Crossroads to Ballymacnab Chapel.  Wreath Laying at Republican Plot.  Returning to Ballymacnab for dispersal.

Camloch. Assemble 10:30am for 11:00 am Mass, Guest Speaker Francie Molloy, MLA

Crossmaglen. Assemble 10:30 am for 11:30 Mass, Guest Speaker Martina Anderson, MLA

Cullyhanna. Assemble 4pm.  Guest Speaker Declan Kearney

Keady. Wreath Laying after 9am Mass, at monument to Vol. McVerry and Vol. McIlvanna

Killeen.  Assemble 1pm, Guest Speaker Mickey Brady, MLA

Lislea. Wreath laying ceremony after 10am Mass

Newry. Assemble 12pm SF Centre, Kilmorey Terrace.  Parade to St. Mary's Cemetery.  Guest Speaker Declan Kearney.  Function Afterwards in the Market Bar.  Music by Ollie Quinn - Taille £2.

Tullysaran.  Wreath Laying after 10am Mass at grave of Vol. Gerard O'Callaghan

Armagh City.  Parade from Irish Street, 2pm, to Republican Plot for wreath laying.  Returning to Shambles for dispersal.  Guest Speaker Michelle O'Neill, MLA.

Belleeks. Assemble 3:30pm.  Guest Speaker Conor Murphy, MP, MLA.

Vigils held in Armagh and Newry to remember Gibraltar Three

A large number of local people from across the Armagh City and District Council area gathered at Irish Street corner on Friday night past to remember the tragic events surrounding the execution of three unarmed republican activists on the island of Gibraltar by British forces in 1988.

 The candlelight vigil was addressed by Sinn Fein Group leader on Armagh City and District Council, Mrs Cathy Rafferty. In her address Councillor Rafferty paid tribute to the sacrifice of Mairead Farrell, Daniel McCann and Sean Savage.

Councillor Rafferty described the events in Gibraltar as murder pure and simple and she went on to  highlight the extraordinary lengths the British Government led by Margaret Thatcher went to ensure they covered up their premeditated murderous plan. She said:

“Barley had the spent cartridge cases had been gathered from the streets of Gibraltar before the government began its campaign of disinformation.Concluding her remarks Councillor Rafferty made reference to the disgraceful events of the week preceding this twentieth anniversary which saw Unionist politicians aided by the alternate silence and pious waffling of the SDLP and the Alliance parties seeking to re-enforce a hierarchy of victim hood.

Referring specifically to Mairead Farrell Councillor Rafferty said:

“She was discriminated against in life and in death. When news of her murder broke Queens University refused to lower the flag as is normal when a student dies and her comrades at the University were forced to do it themselves.

 “Well I have a message for all those who persist in trying to demonise our fallen comrades; they will always be remembered fondly by their families and us. They will always enjoy the respect and gratitude of the broader community.

POTENTIAL NOW EXISTS TO CREATE A FUTURE UNDERPINNED BY EQUALITY, PEACE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE - Conor Murphy tells Ard Fheis

Newry and Armagh MP Conor Murphy who is Department of Regional Development (DRD) Minister in the Stormont Assembly told nearly two thousand delegates at his Party Ard Fheis in Dublin last weekend that the potential now existed to create a future underpinned by equality, peace and social justice.

“In May of last year we entered into the new political institutions in the north. We can now bring about real change for our communities - tackle discrimination, eradicate poverty and drive forward the agenda for equality. Regional Development covers a vast policy area including Regional and Strategic Planning, Public transport, Air and Seaports, Roads and Water. The priorities for Sinn Féin are to advance this entire range of policy and public services in the context of Equality, the All-Ireland agenda” said the Minister and he continued “We aim to modernise our infrastructure - high quality road and public transport links”.

Speaking about what he described as what were the single biggest issue   throughout the last Assembly election campaign, that of Water Charges, Conor said that public trust and confidence had been eroded in the entire direct rule water reform process.

“As Minister I set out very clear terms for the review of that situation. I ruled out privatisation and made it clear that these public services will operate within full public ownership now and in the future. People should not and will not have to pay twice for water and sewerage services. Water payments should be based on the capital value of home with real protections - through an affordability tariff - for those who can least afford to pay. The recommendations, compared with direct rule ministers' proposals, can save ordinary people at least £153 million every single year” said the Sinn Fein elected representative who also said that much more needed to be done to regenerate our inner cities and breathe life into our rural communities.

He concluded by stating “We have begun a new chapter. We are ready to meet the challenges. We are a society not just in transition - We are a society in transformation. Great progress has been made, but we still have much to do.