Dissident republicans sent a stark message

A crowd of approximately 300 attended at lunchtime rally last Friday at Guildhall Square to hear union leaders and the father of one of the victims of the Omagh bombing condemn the actions of violent republican organisations.

Organised by Derry Trades Council, the rally was called in order to show communal disdain against organisations such as Oglaigh na hEireann and the Real IRA who have been responsible for planting large bombs in the city in recent weeks.

Protracted periods of disruption have followed in Londonderry on each occasion an incident takes place and have also culminated in elderly people being evacuated from several residential care homes. The attacks have also resulted in a hark back to the 'Troubles' as the PSNI move to restrict traffic movement non the Strand Road by placing concrete bollards or ''dragon's teeth' outside the city's main police station.

Attending the event was a DUP delegation who stood under a banner declaring 'Stop Bombing Londonderry'.

Gregory Campbell told the Sentinel:"If anybody is under the illusion that protests will stop fanatical terrorists, then they need to stop living under that illusion.

"The local press today ran a Real IRA statement that a recent operation was thwarted by 'civilian interference'. If that is the case then let's have more civilian interference. It is only when these people are behind bars that they will pay attention."

The rally also heard Secretary of Derry Trades Council Liam Gallagher tell those responsible for recent attacks: "We are going to continue to oppose this attacks by whatever means. Every time there is an incident, this crowd will continue to grow bigger and bigger. We will continue to send out the message that these people are not wanted and they should go away."

The labour leader also warned against young people "being sucked back into joining these organisations" and the voices of "Protestant, Catholic and dissenter," needed to be heard in opposing the attacks.

Amongst the protestors were relatives of former Real IRA member, Kieran Doherty, murdered by the organisation in February after it alleged that he had become involved in the drugs trade. Mr Doherty's family held aloft images of the murdered man will posters attached stating: "Kieran Doherty - murdered by the Real IRA."

Lily Kerr of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions told the crowd: "Normally when we come to Derry, we come with enthusiasm and pride, but I come here today with a heavy heart and anger.

"To this particular group of dissidents, I say - you have the right to a political opinion, not the right to hold eveyone elses hostage."

And, to a round of applause the union woman continued: "This is not a day for lengthy speeches, this is a day for short, sharp words. I say to you - you are not wanted, you are not needed so go away and leave us alone."

Michael Gallagher of the Omagh Victims Group, who lost his son Aidan in the 1998 atrocity said: "After the Omagh bomb I never thought we would be brought back to the days recently seen in this city. Those who planted the bomb in Omagh saw what happened, but they continued to plant bombs in town centres.

"Derry probably suffered more than any other city during the last 40 years. I cannot understand the logic that attacking Irish people will make English rulers go back to England."

Mr Gallagher also commented that Northern Ireland had been given a second chance via the Good Friday Agreement and said: "We cannot just talk about the freedom and democracy won 12 years ago."