Martin Hurson stood for election in the constituency in 1981 where he received over four and a half thousand votes. Present on Sunday were Martins brother, Brendan and Martins girlfriend, Bernadette.
Led by a republican colour party with music provided by the Burns and Moley Republican Flute Band the parade was attended by a significant crowd from across Leinster and beyond. At the monument local councillor Paul Hogan chaired proceedings. Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Republican Movement, Sinn Féin and the ‘81 Committee. There was also a reading of the 1st entry in Bobby Sands' diary as well as a reading of the Hunger Strike Roll of Honour and the 5 demands.
Martina Anderson was then introduced as the main speaker for the commemoration. Martina spoke of the groundbreaking events of 1981 and urged those present to leave to commemoration re invigorated and determined to work towards republican objectives so that the cause for which the Hunger Strikers died is realised.
Following the parade Tyrone Ógra spokesperson Peadar McNally said:'We were proud to be involved in the parade here today in memory of Tyrone Hunger Striker Martin Hurson. Many of the young people involved here today were not alive when the Hunger Strike happened. However the sacrifice of the ten men inspires our generation to take the struggle forward. Throughout Ireland and worldwide tens of thousands will gather this year to remember the 30th anniversary of the 1981 Hunger Strike and the ten men who died. The names of Bobby Sands, Martin Hurson and the other 8 men who died in 1981 are now listed beside the names of Connolly, Pearse, and Tone and will live on. The only fitting way to pay tribute to the men and women who died is to achieve the republic for which they died. It is then that Irish Republicans will truly honour to memory of Irish men and women who died in the struggle for Irish Freedom.
No comments:
Post a Comment