Danny Mc Brearty National Chairperson, Republican Network for Unity.

Following widespread consultation and fundraising, local Republicans in the Ballycastle area have been working towards the creation of a fitting commemorative monument to Dan Darragh, a member of the Fenian Brotherhood from the area. This was due to be unveiled next Sunday June 21st.

This consultation included discussions with local Provisional Sinn Fein representatives as to the location and process involving the monuments construction.

It was understood that whilst the land was the property of the Housing Executive - there were and are many precedents across the six counties that have seen the erection of a variety of monuments, both Republican and Loyalist. The non-contentious nature of the monument, non-obtrusive design as well as guarantees to the future up keep of the monument and surrounds were given, and from this no problems were foreseen.

That was until the early hours of Friday 12th June when Mc Cartney contractors arrived in the middle of a heavy presence of armed, masked RUC/PSNI personnel and proceeded to lay waste to the monument. This saw the destruction of a granite stone fixed with a plague to Dan Darragh and the toppling a full sized flag pole.

When questioned by locals as to what was going on the RUC/PSNI immediately became aggressive, produced extendable batons, striking a number of people and forcing them back and away from the area. So much for the new face of policing, policing accountability and parity of esteem.



Republicans in the Ballycastle area question the culpability of the Housing Executive in this action and are adamant that the destruction of the Dan Darragh monument, coupled with the show of brute force by the RUC/PSNI, will not deter then from resurrecting and then defending a new one.

SUPPORT THEM NEXT SUNDAY 21st JUNE 2009