Séan Hueston Republican society Dublin offer condolence's to O'Bradaigh family and codemn heavy handed Gardaì brutality at funeral.

national | rights, freedoms and repression | press release

Saturday June 08, 2013 20:32

by 1916 society Dublin - Séan Hueston 1916 society Dublin

dublin1916society at gmail dot com

Séan Hueston 1916 society Dublin statement:

Séan Heuston Republican society Dublin condemn Gardai thuggery at O'Bradaigh funeral
Today members of the Sean Heuston 1916 society Dublin were present to attend the funeral of veteran republican leader Ruairí Ó'Brádaigh.

Upon entering Roscommon town, sights of armed Gardai on many street corners brandishing sub-machine guns and riot vans were immediately visible, which created an air of menace in the usually peaceful rural town, most of whose residents were gathered inside and outside the Sacred Heart church to mourn the passing of Ruarí, apart from being a legend among Irish republicans, locally Ruarí, a former teacher was a valued and popular resident among the community.

Cars and buses arriving in the town were stopped and searched by the Gardai.

The ceremony was very moving, but while mourners were gathered outside, armed gardai in an aggressive and provocative manner intimidated the masses present patroling the church grounds, one female Guard strolled around overtly taking pictures on a camera of attendees.

As the hearse carrying Ruari's remains reached the graveyard gates, Gardai clad in riot gear blocked the entrance but their display of bravado was cut short when they faced a backlash of enraged mourners.

We continued onwards only to witness to a new low even for the Guards, armed Gardai blocking access to the grave side, a dispicable move that prompted anger among mourners, who had to push their way through to gather at Ruaris grave.

While the orations commenced, mourners were flanked by a Garda riot squad, while a female Guard stood among the crowd brazenly pointing a camera at Ruarí's coffin and his grieving family.
Mourners attempted to block the state agents viewpoint but she was adamant to keep filming.

Apart from state sponsored ugliness, today was a moving experience with a fitting send off to one of Irelands greatest patriots.

The Seán Heuston Republican society wish to extend our condolences to the O'Bradaigh family on their loss.

We wish to commend Republican Sinn Fein for facilitating a dignified proper republican burial.

We in the Seán Heuston Republican society condemn in the strongest terms possible, the totally uncalled for and brutish actions carried out by the Gardai today at Ruarí Ó'Brádaigh's funeral.

The states agenda was clear, they wish to dictate and control the terms in which republicans bury their dead, the republican community needs to make it clear that such agendas by state forces will not be tolerated, and we republicans will bury, remember and commemorate our dead and fallen according to our traditional standards.

RIP Ruarí Ó'Brádaigh

Seán Heuston 1916 Society Dublin