McGuinness tells dissidents- 'Pack up and go away'
SINN Féin MP for Mid-Ulster, Martin McGuinness has called on dissident republican groups to 'pack up and go away' and abandon their 'bogus' armed campaign.
In a hard hitting speech at the weekend's Derry Volunteers' Commemoration, Mr McGuinness said the reaction of the people of Derry to the murder of Emmett Shiels showed there was no support for dissident republicans.
"Earlier this week on the streets of this city a much loved member of our community was murdered. It was no accident. It was deliberate and it was calculated. It was also criminal.
"The rejection of those responsible for the murder was seen in the popular communtiy opposition from the people of the Creggan, the Bogside and other parts of this city at the vigil held on Tuesday night. The people's message was clear. What happended was totally wrong, disgraceful and unacceptable' he added.
And in a direct challenge to dissident republicans, Mr McGuinness said: "The message going out from here and from the people of this city all week is very clear to these micro-groups; accept the reality of the changed political landscape and listen to the people of Derry who are demanding that you halt your self-serving and destructive activities now.
"These groups should listen to the voice of the people and pack up and go away. We have come to a point of no return. These people have choices to make, they have reached a fork in the road. For them the choice is clear; choose the peaceful and democratic road to a united Ireland or they can choose to go down some sort of cul-de-sac. There is no room for grey areas any longer."
The Deputy-First Minister also said dissident republican groups were also completely different to the IRA of the past. 'When I joined the IRA in this city it was an army of the people, sustained by the people, supported by the people and answerable to the people. The IRA was nothing without the support of the people,' he said.
Mr McGuinness made his remarks as more than 1,000 local republicans gathered in the City Cemetary to pay tribute to IRA volunteers from Derry who died during the troubles.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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