Successful Donegal Ógra Weekend

North West Donegal Ógra Shinn Féin hosted a successful weekend of events during 10th and 11th of March in Letterkenny, County Donegal.

Hugh Doherty spoke to Ógra Shinn Féin highlighting the many years he spent on active service and in particular he years he spent in jail in England, whilst bringing the freedom struggle to England. Indeed it was such actions which forced the British to call a ceasefire with the IRA in the 1970’s.


Following Hugh’s talk Ógra Activists held a well attended protest in support of their Basque comrades in SEGI. SEGI are a similar youth group to Ógra, which campaigns for freedom and independence in the Basque county. Earlier this year a Spanish court deemed the youth movement as an illegal organisation. Arrest warrants were issued for the arrest of their leadership, which now find themselves in jail due to this nonsensical decision.

On Sunday morning Ógra activists were up bright and early to unfurl a banner from a local shell depot. Ógra were protesting at the decision by the multinational giants to bring and on shore pipeline through Co. Mayo against the wishes of the locals. If such a pipe were to burst the effects would be catastrophic. As the Ógra activists came down from the Oil Depot, they where arrested by Gardai.

Barry McColgan National Órganiser of Ógra Shinn Féin has condemned the arrest.

Speaking following the weekend local Ógra Spokesperson Frankie Gallagher said,

"Despite the arrests and Gardai harassment, the weekend has been a huge success. We sent fraternal greeting to our comrades in Euskal Herria who have been feeling the full effects of Spanish and indeed French oppression and at this time we in Ógra Shinn Féin declare our full support to the membership and leadership of SEGI."

"Also we were active in highlighting the Shell to Sea Issue. Shell has held the community in Rossport to ransom over their quest to line their pockets using Irish resources. Indeed the actions of the Dublin government in assisting Shell have been nothing short of disgraceful and we call for an immediate end to the construction on the on shore pipeline. Let the call be heard as we shout ‘SHELL TO SEA’."