Hundreds take part in ‘Walk for Irish Unity’

LARGE crowds, flags, and eye-catching banners bearing the words ‘time for Irish unity’ in English and Irish surrounded the Tinnies in Strabane on Saturday to conclude a special ‘Walk for Irish Unity’.

The Sinn Féin-led event, which saw hundreds in attendance, began at the Diamond in Lifford, and finished with enthusiasm in Strabane.

Part of Sinn Féin’s ongoing campaign to secure and win a referendum on Irish unification as provided for in the Good Friday Agreement, the walk took place just one week after former deputy first minister, Michelle O’Neill, was reported as saying that nationalists ‘are closer than we ever have been’ to a united Ireland.

Speaking to the Tyrone Herald, West Tyrone MLA, Maolíosa McHugh described the walk as ‘brilliant’, adding that it is ‘time to embrace change positively’.

“It is timely that people are given the opportunity to participate in the discussion about the new Ireland of the future, and one that will meet the needs of all who live on the island of Ireland,” he said. “Not only has partition prevented this country from maximising its full economic potential, but it has also fractured relationships among our people, and continues to impact negatively on many aspect of life on this island.”

He continued, “One cannot bury one’s head in the sand and pretend change is not happening: It is time to embrace change positively and prepare for a better future for all.”

Local councillor, Michaela Boyle, said the ‘demand for reunification is growing every single day’.

“It has always made economic and logistical sense,” she said. “However, Brexit, British Government cuts, and their shambolic handling of the pandemic, has led to more and more people looking to a better future within a new Ireland.”

Ms Boyle concluded by saying that there ‘will be similar walks taking place right across Ireland’ in the future.