The Five Demands

Prevista per oggi una veglia pacifica sul luogo dell’attentato a Newry

Seamus Larkin, che sarà presente alla veglia, auspica una manifestazione spontanea e non politica, per dire “che non siamo d’accordo con ciò che è accaduto all’inizio della settimana”.
lle 22.37 dello scorso lunedì, un’autobomba imbottita di 250 libre di esplosivo è stata fatta esplodere nei pressi della Courthouse di Newry. Ingenti i danni riportati dalla struttura giudiziaria e dalla Downshire Road Presbyterian Church.
Alla manifestazione pacifica è prevista un’affluenza di 100 persone circa.
I consiglieri locali hanno dato la propria disponibilità all’organizzazione della protesta alla Town Hall della cittadina.
Nel frattempo i commercianti di Newry hanno inviato un comunicato ai giornali locali affermando che il mondo degli affari è tornato da subito alla normalità.
“In meno di 24 ore dall’attacco palese contro la nostra comunità tutti gli itinerari di pendolari verso la città sono stati riaperti e il flusso di traffico è tornato alla normalità.
“Vogliamo inviare un messaggio molto chiaro a coloro che vivono, visitano, acquistano o lavorano nella nostra città”.

Peace vigil after Newry bomb (U TV)
A candlelit peace vigil is to be held on Friday night near the site of a car bomb blast in Northern Ireland.
Around 100 people are expected to attend, to express their opposition to violence.
Following the discovery of a suspicious vehicle outside Newry Courthouse on Monday night, police were in the process of evacuating the area when the car exploded.
The explosion caused substantial damage to the heavily fortified courthouse and the nearby Downshire Road Presbyterian Church.
Seamus Larkin, a trade unionist who will be at the vigil, said they planned to send out a strong message.
“We are saying we don’t agree with what happened earlier in the week,” he said.
“We want it to be spontaneous and non-political.”
Local councillors are helping to organise the protest at Newry’s Town Hall.
Meanwhile, Newry traders have sent a letter to local newspapers saying it is “business as usual” following the bomb attack.
“Newry has a vibrant and innovative business and civic community which has always shown resilience.”
“We stand alongside our political representatives by saying that Newry is open for business and we will not allow this type of event to disrupt everyday life in our city.”
“In less than 24 hours after the blatant attack on our community all commuter routes into the city had reopened and traffic flow returned to normal.
“We want to send a very clear message to those that live, visit, shop or work in our city. We are open with trading levels back to normal.”
Dissident republicans have been blamed for the 250lb bomb. Police said it was a “miracle” no-one was injured or killed in the explosion.
The Newry attack is thought to be the first time a large car bomb has exploded in Northern Ireland since the Real IRA bombing of Omagh in 1998.