Republican Plot , Glasnevin Cemetery.Approximately fifty Irish Republicans assembled at Glasnevin Cemetery Gates just before 1pm today and formed-up behind a Republican Sinn Féin Colour Party ; the assembly then marched to the grave of Dáithí Ó Conaill , for the Annual Commemoration.
The Chairperson , Andy Connolly , welcomed all those present and briefly outlined the history of the man being commemorated and began proceedings by calling on Padráig Ennis to step forward , as per the request of the Ó Conaill family, to deliver a Decade of the Rosary , in Irish.....
Padráig Ennis....following which Andy reminded the crowd that , unlike some today who are attempting to operate for self-gain under a cloak of 'republicanism' , Dáithí Ó Conaill had nothing but harsh words for those who tried to use Irish Republicanism for their own ends , a point which was later reiterated by Lita Ní Cathmhaoil , Republican Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle , in the main oration which she presented to the gathering.
Lita delivering.....
....the main oration.The Chairperson then asked ex-POW , Seán Ó Sé , to play a tin-whistle Lament to The Dead , following which a wreath was laid on the grave by Republican Sinn Féin President , Des Dalton -
RSF President , Des Dalton , laying the wreath.- and the Chairperson then asked the gathering to stand to attention as the Colour Party dipped their flags in honour of Dáithí Ó Conaill :
RSF Colour Party dipping their flags.Bringing proceedings to a finish , the Chairperson requested the Colour Party to stand to attention as the National Anthem was played on the whistle by Seán....
The RSF Colour Party stands to attention for our National Anthem.....after which those present - apart from the six armed 'Special Branch' operatives - were invited to a local pub for refreshments. A full report , including the complete text of the main oration, will be available in the January 2012 issue of 'Saoirse' ,which goes to print on Thursday , the 12th of the month.
Thanks for reading,
Sharon.
