24/07/2026
Last Easter, members of the RSYM proudly took part in the Easter Commemoration Parade in Strabane to honour the memory of Ireland’s brave volunteers and all those who gave their lives in pursuit of Irish freedom. It was a solemn act of remembrance, reflecting a tradition that has been observed by generations of Irish republicans.
During the commemoration, four young members of the colour party were arrested and later charged with offences relating to alleged illegal assembly and participation in an unnotified procession. Their treatment raises serious questions about the right of Irish people to remember their own dead and commemorate their own history.
We ask a simple question, why should Irish people have to seek permission from a foreign government to decide when, where, or how we remember those who sacrificed their lives for Ireland? The history of this country belongs to the Irish people, not to the British state.
We maintain that Britain has no right in Ireland and has never had any legitimate right to govern any part of this island. That belief has long been a central principle of Irish republicanism and continues to shape our commitment to the cause of Irish self determination.
Today, we stand firmly alongside the four young people who now face the British legal system as a result of taking part in this commemoration. Their courage, dedication, and commitment to remembering Ireland’s patriot dead deserve respect, not criminalisation.
As republicans, we remain steadfast in defending the right to commemorate our history, honour our fallen volunteers, and ensure that future generations continue to remember those who came before them. No prosecution or political pressure will diminish our determination to preserve Ireland’s history and uphold the principle that the Irish people alone have the right to shape their nation’s future.
