Calls for Irish unity on cross-border march

A march has taken place across the Irish border calling for the unification of the island.
By PA
Published 24th Nov 2019, 15:24 BST
People take part in an Irish unity march as they cross the Lifford Bridge, from Donegal, which marks the border between Strabane in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, and Lifford in County Donegal in the Republic of IrelandPeople take part in an Irish unity march as they cross the Lifford Bridge, from Donegal, which marks the border between Strabane in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, and Lifford in County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland
People take part in an Irish unity march as they cross the Lifford Bridge, from Donegal, which marks the border between Strabane in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, and Lifford in County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland

Participants gathered in the Co Donegal town of Lifford in the Irish Republic before walking across a bridge into the nearby Co Tyrone town of Strabane in Northern Ireland.

There were calls for "Irish unity now" from marchers, many of whom were holding Irish flags, during the procession.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sinn Fein chairman Declan Kearney, West Tyrone election candidate Orfhlaith Begley and Donegal TD Pearse Doherty were among those at the March For Unity.

People take part in an Irish unity march as they cross the Lifford Bridge, from Donegal, which marks the border between Strabane in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, and Lifford in County Donegal in the Republic of IrelandPeople take part in an Irish unity march as they cross the Lifford Bridge, from Donegal, which marks the border between Strabane in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, and Lifford in County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland
People take part in an Irish unity march as they cross the Lifford Bridge, from Donegal, which marks the border between Strabane in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, and Lifford in County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland

Addressing the crowd in Strabane, event organiser Liam Sweeney said partition has "failed Ireland".

"Our message is a simple message, if the Irish unity community can come together and co-operate on our common goal, we can successfully tackle any issues that we face," he said.

"Using our collective people power we can build a new united Irish republic that cherishes all of its children equally.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Partition has failed consecutive generations of Irish people, wrecking havoc on border communities. This town has been decimated by it over the years. Partition has prevented our entire island from reaching its true social, economic and cultural potential.

"A divided partitioned Ireland can only perpetuate the cycle of division. We aim to unite Ireland and its people.

"This march today will send out a clear message from peaceful, anti-sectarian, grassroots republicanism that a united Ireland will generate a transformative power on which a new republic can be built.

"March For Irish Unity is a non-party political, grassroots, anti-sectarian and peaceful initiative aiming at mobilising the collective and vibrant Irish unity community for a new and united Ireland."

Related topics:Northern IrelandParticipantsStrabane