The republican protest at the O’Neills factory was an unpleasant incident

The gathering of a republican crowd outside O’Neills factory in Strabane last weekend was a concerning sight.

The organisation behind the protest, Saoradh, released a propagandist press release on the protest.

It said: “... British Armed Forces that continue to hold the Six Counties under occupation, that have murdered, plundered, pillaged and butchered generations of Irish men, woman and children...

“...Make no mistake, the GAA and O’Neills are a vital cog in a British inspired normalisation process, with the GAA now receiving funding from the Brits...”

Perhaps there was no one in the factory because it was a weekend, but I still suspect that people who work there might have felt intimidated on learning such as protest was held there.

I presume the good people of Strabane and the surrounding areas are most grateful for their jobs as created by the O’Neills company, given the history of unemployment in such a remote region.

Livelihoods secured, they too then pay taxes on their wages as does the company on their profits — taxes that also go towards paying for, not least, national security! No reference to that in press releases I noted.

I trust that the PSNI are satisfied that this unpleasant protest was lawful. It did happen at a time of Covid restrictions. In light of the investigations into ‘non-compliant’ republican funerals there is already a perception that republicans seem to have immunity from such restrictions!

This ugly incident seems to me be a reminder as to the foundations on which republicanism’s desired united Ireland will be built upon: - twisted propaganda, hatred and hypocrisy, just for starters.

Then there’s the added peril that there will be no security service at hand in such a place, capable of providing protection to non republicans, whether they be pro unionist or whoever.

Archibald Toner, Dromore, Co Down

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