Farren Condemns Dublin Riots

Condemning without reservation republican inspired rioting in Dublin on Saturday North Antrim MLA Seán Farren said:

“While claiming to be republican those responsible for the rioting in Dublin on Saturday behaved in a manner totally at odds with what Irish republicanism is intended to mean.

“The message conveyed by the rioters amounted to one of no welcome for unionists in Dublin and as such was a denial of the ultimate republican aim of uniting all traditions on the island.

“As a member of a party that cherishes the aim of uniting the people of Ireland I share the sense of outrage and shame that Saturday’s riots have caused.

“The dissident Sinn Féin organisation bears a lot of responsibility for what happened. It organised the protest and called for a large turnout knowing full well the risks involved. It has shown itself to be an organisation that knows nothing about the true meaning of republicanism. No wonder its support is very small.

“The challenge of working for reconciliation remains to be met and despite the setback that Saturday’s events have caused we must continue trying to build common institutions in which politicians can work together to the mutual benefit of all.

“That is why restoring our Assembly and all of the other aspects of the Good Friday Agreement must be achieved, sooner rather than later. The alternative is a growing gap between our communities and a return to the cold war politics of the past.”