RSF Oppose Agenda of GAA Management

national | miscellaneous | press release Sunday January 20, 2008 20:22 by Richard Walsh - Republican Sinn Féin

Comhairle Uladh condemn Poots' comments

RSF OPPOSE AGENDA OF GAA MANAGEMENT

At a meeting of Comhairle Uladh (Ulster RSF Executive) in Monaghan on Sunday, 20th January, delegates roundly condemned the pro-British agenda of senior GAA officials.

Publicity Officer, Richard Walsh, said:

“GAA President Nicky Brennan welcomed Stormont Minister Edwin Poots to Pairc Esler in Newry, but he refused to meet the President of Republican Sinn Féin, Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, when he handed in a letter of protest highlighting our concerns before the Ireland-England Rugby match in Croke Park.

“Mr. Poots showed his complete disregard for our National Anthem, Amhrán na bhFian, having arrived deliberately late. He has since expressed the view that the playing of Amhrán na bhFiann before our National games should be scrapped, and called for stadia named in honour of Ireland's Patriot Dead to be restyled.

“We had warned previously that Cumann Lúthchleas Gael would be pressurised into accepting these changes, and ending the flying of the National Flag, but were accused of scaremongering. However, the agenda of the current GAA management is clear for all those who wish to see it.

“Representatives of the Joe Conway/Willie Stewart Cumann, Newry, made it clear that they would have picketed Pairc Esler had they known that this visit – which forms part of the agenda to normalise English rule in Ireland – was to take place.”