Sinn Fein vice-president Mary Lou McDonald (centre) taking part in today’s Easter commemoration march in Derry.
Several thousand people have attended Easter commemorations in Derry.
Speaking at the main event at the republican plot in Derry City Cemetery, Sinn Fein vice-president, Mary Lou McDonald, defended Martin McGuinness’s decision to dine with Queen Elizabeth in Windsor Castle.
Ms McDonald also called on the British Government to fully implement the Haass proposals.
The Dublin TD said those who criticised the Mr McGuinness’s attendance at the State dinner were “wide of the mark.”
Ms McDonald said: “To read the Derry roll of honour and to see the Tricolours over republican graves in this cemetery is to appreciate, in a very poiganant way, the extent of sacrifice of repubicans in this city.
“I want to extend our continued sympathy and solidarity to their families and to all of those who lost their lives in the course of the conflict.
Today’s Easter commemoration march entering Derry City Cemetery.
“We honour them all. Our task today is to complete their work, nothing short of that, moving forward always to a truly free, equal and united Ireland.
“And thanks to the work, struggle and sacrifice of these men and women, we have achieved a peaceful and democratic way forward for our republican objectives.
“The Six Counties have been transformed by the republican peace strategy, the peace process and negotiations leading to agreed political structures.
“One-party unionist domination, a militarised statelet, direct rule from London, a sectarian political police force – these are gone and they are gone forever
“Yes, their legacies remain and occasionally those legacies threaten to derail the political process but make no mistake, there can be and there will be no turning back.
“It has been the tireless efforts. the steady work, the timely initiatives of repubicans that have ensured progress in the peace process and our efforts will ensure that progress marches on.
“We are prepared to take risks for peace. And the participation of Martin McGuinness in the State visit to Britain needs to be seen in that spirit. It is part of a genuine process to develop real reconciliation on this island.”
“It has to be said that some of the commentaries surrounding that visit were wide of the mark. It refelcted a wish by some to close the book on political process and to freeze progress in 2014.
“Many in the political establishments in Ireland and Britain wish to turn their backs again on the north of ireland and to ignore their obligations and fully implement the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent agreements but we in Sinn Fein are not going to to allow that to happen.
“It has been over three months now since Dr Richard Haass and Professor Megan O’Sullivan presented compromised proposals to deal with the outstanding of issues of flags, parades and the past
“Political unionism has either rejected the Haass proposals or prevaricated and the negative apporach of the British Government thas facilitated this.
“The British have broken their commitments under the Good Friday and subsequent agreetments and this is having the effect of emboldering intransigent unionism.
“The Irish Government has already agreed that Haass represents the best way forward and the British Government must now take up a clear and unambiguous position in support of Haass.
“None of the difficulties that the political process faces are insurmountable. With political will it is possible to resole the outstanding issues. But this will only happen when both the Irish and British Governemnts taken a leadership role in ensuring such an outcome.”
Ms McDonald also paid tribute to Cumann na mBann which this year marks the 100th anniversary, a milestone recognised at today’s commemoration parade which was led by 120 women in their “black and whites.”
Earlier, commemorations also took place at republican monuments across the city – Shantallow Monument (Racecourse Road) and Waterside (Rose Court), Creggan (Central Drive) and the Bogside (Lecky Road).
Meanwhile, the 32 County Sovereignty Movement will hold its Easter commemoration tomorrow.
Organised by the Liam Lynch-Patsy Duffy Cumann, the event will take place in the City Cemetery after a parade which will leave the graveyard’s Creggan entrance at 2.30pm.
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