Fianna Fáil momentum flourishes in Crossmaglen with historic fundraiser 

The creation of a formal Fianna Fail branch in South Armagh continued its momentum on Friday night last when a packed Cross Square Hotel were told that the spread of constitutional republicanism was a natural consequence of the Good Friday Agreement.

In a strong and emotional speech, Justice Minister Dermot Ahern pointed to the historic nature of the occasion in Crossmaglen when his party were formally responding to a political initiative in the locality. This move toward for the party of De Valera was unearthing deep rooted ideals and feelings which had been dormant in the area for a long time.

He praised the initiative of Martin Mc Allister and his team who had worked to raise these ambitions into prominence again and who strongly felt that the constitutional republican route was the only genuine way ahead for district and country.

Mr Ahern  told the 170 people in attendance that a formal consultation process carried out in 2007 at the instigation of the then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern as to how Fianna Fail might exercise its historic ambition as a constitutional 32 county republican party by working to organise in the Six Counties.

This consultation was seen as a logical extension to the party’s republican credentials and 3,000 people from all over Ireland were questioned on the issue and a submission made. It was not unanimous, but the overwhelming majority were in favour of taking the first steps toward a common All-Ireland dimension. There was a strong desire to live out the 32 county ideal of De Valera and Frank Aiken.

But until now it was felt that such a move would split the nationalist vote in the North, a position held by De Valera himself. However, in the aftermath of the new GFA dispensation and following the Bertie Ahern survey, it was felt that the time was now opportune to take the logical step of moving forward on a formal All-Ireland basis.

At the same time, it was unanimously felt that the initiative must come from within the six counties. Fianna Fail were not going to dictate things to their Northern brethren, but they would respond very positively to such an initiative and this was supplied in a very outstanding manner in Crossmaglen  by Martin Mc Allister and his fellow workers.

 They had rediscovered for themselves the great groundswell of interest in constitutionalism republicanism which ran very deep in the area and which was rising to the surface again. 

 He said that Martin and his people had taken the initiative, and tonight was a response to that, a tremendous and historic occasion to have old friends from South Armagh, Louth and Monaghan gathered under the same roof and under the same All Ireland. It would also help restore practical politics in the South Armagh area which had largely been forgotten, especially in new tourist and business initiatives. It would not happen overnight, he said, but the first steps had been taken in an irrevocable process.

 “The local people have spoken. What is happening is evidence of a strong move within South Armagh to unite our country through constitutional republicanism”.

 Mr Ahern said he was looking forward to Fianna Fail members from South Armagh speaking at the coming Ard Fheis and they could be assured of a tremendous welcome.

Dr Rory O’Hanlon  described the occasion as “very historic”. This very popular Carrickmacross based politican with strong South Armagh roots  said that Fianna Fail had decided to organise in the north but only when the time was ripe, and such a time was now at hand. In 2007 the party had decided “to take a close look” at the situation and said that the Crossmaglen area was an ideal place. Dr O’Hanlon said he was very encouraged by the numbers present and especially the number of young people at the function. 

Fianna Fail was very proud of their republicanism, he went on, of the 1916 rising and their role in shaping Ireland since their foundation in 1926.  It was an ambition to see constitutional republicanism now established in the six counties and the occasion in the Cross Square hotel was a major step in that direction.

     Also present at the Fianna Fail night were Margaret Conlon TD and  Seamus Kirk TD, chairman of Fianna Fail parliamentary Party  and Senator Francis O’Brien.