2005 Easter Statement from the Continuity IRA POWs in Portlaoise Gaol

A Chairde,
Today marks the 89th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising. The Easter rising was another signifiacant time in Republican chronology in our nations struggle for independence and again brave Irishmen and Irishwomen took up arms to break the connection wit a foreign oppressive enemy.

89 years on, and we still have 6 occupied counties. We have seen an agreement which has copper fastened British rule and seen the surrrender of arms procured for national liberation. The honourable men and women who sacrificed their lives throughout Irelands struggle, would turn in their graves if they were alive to see the current climate.

All of us gathered here today, are incarcerated because we sought to break the connection with England. We have followed the ideals of the 1916 martyrs. We are opposed to the occupation of our 6 counties and as long as one British foot remains on Irish soil, we will always see Republican resistance.

The current cliamte is tough at the moment but we but persevere. There is still a lot of hard work to be done. It is not over until the Brits are gone home.

When the signatories signed the historic proclamation, they had one objective in mind and that was an independant 32 county Irish Republic.

To accept anything less than that is the ultimate betrayal to all those who gave their lives for Irish freedom.

Tiocfaidh ár Lá
Republican Prisoners
Portlaoise Gaol