Aontú members remember Letterkenny nurse from 1916 in aim to save Dublin's GPO
Organised by Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD, the demonstration aimed to highlight government plans to turn this historic building into a retail market of shops, stalls and offices
Aontú members from Donegal formed part of a large protest outside the GPO on Dublin’s O’Connell Street.
Organised by Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD, the demonstration aimed to highlight government plans to turn this historic building into a retail market of shops, stalls and offices.
Donegal Aontú rep, Mary T Sweeney, said: “This is an insult to the memory of the men and women who fought and died in the GPO in 1916. We came here today not only to tell Micheàl Martin and the developers to keep their hands off our heritage, but also to honour Donegal nurse Nelly Kelly from Dooblagh, Letterkenny, who travelled all the way to Dublin to tend to the wounded and dying in the GPO. This iconic building symbolises the sacrifices made by so many brave people for our freedom and must not be turned into yet another shopping mall.”
Speaking to the packed crowd, Aontú leader Peadar Toibin TD said: “We cannot stand idly by and watch this FF/FG led coalition destroy our heritage. How dare they do such a thing! This was the very epicentre of the Easter Rising. The very mention of the GPO pulls at the heartstrings of Irish people all over the world. Is this blatant commercialism of GPO more important to the government and their business backers than the historic stand taken by Connolly and Pearse here?
"The GPO is the most important battle site in the entire country. This is where the flame of Ireland’s sovereignty and independence was lit and it should not be degraded by this government for tawdry profit.”
Aontú are calling for the GPO to be utilised to fulfil the objectives of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic, read from its very steps almost 110 years ago.
Mary T. Sweeney added: “Protecting and cherishing our past provides the bedrock on which we plan and build society for future generations. Aontú demand that the GPO be preserved in its current state and developed as a world-class interactive museum and as an Irish Arts and Cultural Centre, focusing on centuries of the Irish struggle for freedom. You only have to look at the Titanic Centre in Belfast to see the potential of such a project. Furthermore, we propose that the GPO in Dublin be utilised for events, discussions and plans for the preparation of the eventual Irish Reunification of this island.
" GPO is not for sale. It is a monument to the heroism of ordinary Irish people and Aontú will lead the fight to prevent this government from desecrating a crucial part of Irish heritage.”