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NEWS: Martin McGuinness held back in London as Ógra Shinn Féin remember Sheena Campbell
Martin McGuinness was set to speak at the Students’ Union this evening at 5pm as part of an event marking the 17th anniversary of the death of Sheena Campbell. However, as the clock ticked past 5.30pm there was no sign of the Deputy First Minister. A member of the youth wing of the party then annoucned that Mr McGuinness was held back in London as part of key talks about policing and justice.
BY CATHERINE WYLIE
The event, which was in memory of Sheena campbell who was shot dead in the York Hotel in Belfast on 16th October 1992, was then attended instead by Sinn Féin’s John O’Dowd. A DVD was shown which detailed the republican struggle to date, followed by a few words on the late Sheena by Mr O’Dowd. Having grown up with her, O’Dowd claimed, “I am an Irish republican today because I knew Sheena Campbell, and I know that if she seen us now and was asked about what she thought of the current political situation, she would ask if all our party’s developments in the last 17 years had benefited the republican struggle.”
When asked about how a Conservative government would effect the party, he said, “David Cameron needs to go away and read the Good Friday Agreement, because some of things he has said recently have been way off the mark.”
The clubrooms where the event was held were full, prompting O’Dowd to comment, “The room is full, that’s a good sign.”
Tags: News, queen's university, Sheena Campbell, Sinn Féin
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“NEWS: Martin McGuinness held back in London as Ógra Shinn Féin remember Sheena Campbell”
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Does anyone think it’s a little ironic that Martin was in talks with the Brits when he had agreed to be at Sheena Campbell’s anniversary event?
Armchair republican… it’s called “progress”.
Ironically I think O’Dowd was better suited to speak at the main event as he knew Sheena as a teenager and for a longer time than Martin McGuiness. As I left the family of Sheena spoke well of O’Dowd’s emotional account of her life.
I wasn’t at the event, but I just think that it’s laughable that Martin McGuinness’ reason for not being there was that he was in talks with, arguably, Sheena’s killers.
although “armchair republican” no doubt is trying to be ironic with that name, i think its probably a fair description of this persons contribution to society based on he/she’s comments.
armchair believes McGuinness was meeting with those who were ultimately responsible for Sheena’s murder – i would agree.
however, how does armchair believe a society moves out of a conflict situation? would a key component of that not be for ex-combatants and (in the brits case, their political masters), to meet and discuss the issues of disagreement, the reasons for conflict (such as unaccountable sectarian policing) and try to come to a position on these issues which all sides can agree to (reform of policing here and ultimately the devolution of policing and justice – which is exactly what martin mcguinness was in london attempting to achieve).
a member of my family was killed by on duty UVF – off duty UDR during the conflict, yet i and other family members have met members of the UVF in the past and would do so again, to try to understand each others point of view, and to discuss our political differences across a table, instead of at the point of a gun.
i’d like to make two final points:
1) does armchair believe that a talk (about anyone) on a university campus is more important than negotiations on an issue which may well hold the balance of the continued peace and prosperity – or stormont falling, which runs the real risk of plunging us back to full scale conflict within a decade. ARMCHAIR – CATCH YOURSELF ON!
2) having spoken widely to people of Sheena’s character and determination to progress the struggle, i think she would prefer progress was made in those negotiations – as a living tribute to her, than all the commemorative talks in the world!
armchair, ask yourself, what have you done to make your community a better place and what positives will you offer in the future with the attitude you displayed in those posts and while Sinn Féin have a tangible strategy to deliver a united ireland through genuine reconciliation and consensus, how do you aim to deliver the same?
Armchair you are venturing into murky waters there. Is that the same government or ‘brits’ that fund the NHS, the dole that many ‘armchair republicans’ have taken full advantage of? Do you go down south for your medical problems or do u use euros if you are such a stauch republican. You do not know what you are talking about. Have a word with yourself and possibly do a bit of reading if that doesnt interfere with your very busy republican schedule since your so pro active and all. What would you know abt the armed struggle or anything of relevance. Clearly nothing. The republicans who died on hunger strike were in ‘negotiations’ with the brits so u shud define what the difference is between negotiation and collusion that would make interesting reading. Otherwise id stick to the armchair son.
In my box boys, thanks. I agree with everything you say actual republican…and I see where voice of reason is coming from, but less of the crap about the NHS and the dole mate.
Dont bite the hand that feeds you Armchair. As for the NHS and dole that was to lead me to my next comment and of course you have supplied the delivery of it. You will be needing the NHS once they lock u in the nut house or you will end up on the dole but luckily your soul has been saved and you have seen the errors of your ways.
I was pretty irritated that the room was only told of McGuinness’s no-show at 5.35pm; surely they knew long before 5, let alone half an hour after everyone had sat down.
And the DVD shown was pretty terrible; felt like a long, complex conflict boiled down into a Top Gear montage blended with a Horslypse b-sides album.
My carping aside, John O’Dowd spoke very well, and came across as a dedicated, capable and caring representative. His evident sincerity in describing the importance of community work was admirable.
Good talk.
Truly Queens is a while Republican place – war criminals promised all over the place and no voice for protestant students – its abominabel. And the gown is cheering their communist gadaffi-armed comrades all the wile. Alex Easton and Jonnie Craig were right.
Thanks for that comment Traditional Unionist. Queen’s is a terrible place, I had to share a reading group with Robert Mugabee once… wasn’t great.
Queens is about as green as a ripe pear, ie: several shades of brown, similar to the brown your spreading like low fat margarine. Sure the elected candidates are generally elected on a nationalist ticket, but the union wouldn’t be the place it is today without the entertainment of the DUA bringing us God, Liz and and those lucky bagged sized union jacks for royal visits.
PS I don’t believe you are a trad unionist. You used the word While twice in your post, spelled two different ways. Your East Tyrone cultchie grammar shines like a flouresent bulb in a piss stained main library toilet.
Well looks like Alan’s back in business!! (See above)
Ragin’ for Marty. This wouldn’t have happened before the Agreement and the big pay packet. Hate the sin, not the Shinner.
He won politician of the year this week! All hail Marty! He beat oul Jim allister too!
I was at the talk and thought it was very good. I thought John spoke well.
I thought the DVD was well put together whoever was responsible for it. It put the talk into perspective and provided the backdrop to the events spoke about in the talk.
Well done to ogra sinn fein. Would certainly go back to another such talk if one was organised again