"Violent faction is rejected by community in Donaghmede" - Councillor Mícheál Mac Donncha

September 9, 2012

Commenting on the appearance of wall slogans and black flags in the area in connection with the funeral of a member of the so-called 'Real IRA', local Sinn Féin Councillor Mícheál Mac Donncha said:

“The murder of Alan Ryan was a shocking crime. All such murders and shootings are wrong and should stop. No grief should be visited on any other family and the community sympathises with all the bereaved.

“As a public representative I have to reflect the views of the local community and it has to be said that there is great resentment at attempts to portray the so-called 'Real IRA' as being supported by this community. Wall slogans and black flags cannot hide the fact that this violent faction is rejected by the community in Donaghmede and that they represent no-one but themselves. Equally, they are spurned by the vast majority of the nationalist community in the North on whose behalf they falsely claim to act.

“Genuine Irish republicans throughout the country totally reject the activities of this group and other such factions who abuse the good name of Irish republicanism to further their own ends.”