West Tyrone Sinn Fein Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

British Queen not welcome in Ireland - Sinn Féin

Published: 24 June, 2010

Sinn Féin councillor Sean Clarke has said the British Queen should not be welcomed in any part of Ireland. His comments follow the Taoiseach Brian Cowen's welcome for a visit to Ireland by the Queen of England, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army.

The local Sinn Féin councillor described the invitation as an 'insult to the Irish people'. He said that given the British army's brutal track record in Ireland no commander in chief of that Army should be lauded with such open arms.

Speaking the Mid Tyrone councillor said:

"It is completely unacceptable that the Taoiseach's welcome has come on the day he refused to give a commitment to raise the issue of collusion with the British Prime Minister. It seems that is invitation was ill thought out and will be offensive to many people who have suffered at hands of the British establishment in Ireland over many years.

"The brutal track record of the British army in Ireland speaks for itself. Collusion, Shoot To Kill, torture, harassment, roadside beatings, dawn raids and plastic bullets. Maybe the Taoiseach should reflect on this before issuing irrational invites to the head of the British Armed Forces.

"The recent Saville report has exposed to the world the British Army's action on Irish streets in past years, and it only the tip of the iceberg. British State Murder has claimed countless lives in Ireland over many years.

"As long as the British royal family claim jurisdiction of any part of Ireland and have their military occupation in the six counties their representatives should not be welcome in this country. CRÍOCH