There are more Republicans in Ireland now than at any time since partition, and our job is to turn those republicans into activists – that was the message from Sinn Fein’s Pat Doherty MLA, who was the main speaker at the annual Drumboe Easter Sunday parade in Stranorlar.

Addressing the large crowd, he said that  Republicans remained committed to upholding Irish unity, and distanced Sinn Fein from the small number of people who were trying to disrupt this process.

“I uphold the right of everyone to dissent from Sinn Fein’s point of view. But no one is entitled to hijack our proud republican history and our republican future and abuse it for narrow selfish interests or self gain. Sinn Féin, standing firmly on a republican platform, sets ourselves strongly against those elements who do this”, he said.

Mr Doherty said that Northern Ireland had moved on from a ‘Protestant state for a Protestant people’, and that there was no longer a place for sectarian violence.

“In August 1969, the Six Counties erupted in civil unrest and loyalist pogrom as the “Protestant state for a Protestant people” came apart at the seams,” he said.

“The Battle of the Bogside, Free Derry Corner, Bombay Street and the Belfast pogroms became synonymous with that period which was to shape the next 40 years for the Orange State, for British rule in the Six Counties, and for republican resistance to both.”

“The Orange state as we knew it is now gone. The relationship between the North of Ireland and Britain has been fundamentally altered.”

Mr Doherty said that Irish peace process has ‘transformed life in this country’ and has opened up a ‘peaceful and democratic path to a united Ireland.’ He emphasised how important it was there was ‘no going back to the old days of sectarian domination and two-tier citizenship.’

He also stressed the importance of all sections of the community working together to ensure peace.

“Change will not come about because we ask for it. Change will only come about if we work together to make it happen.”

Mr Doherty called on republicans to support Sinn Fein in offering a ‘credible’ political alternative to Irish voters.

“Sinn Féin wants to forge a new political alliance for change in Ireland. We want to offer a credible alternative to Irish voters”, he said.

“We are the only party contesting all the Irish constituencies in the European elections in June. And we will be contesting local council elections in all 26 counties.

“These are important elections and it is important that all of us work together once again to maximise the Sinn Féin vote.

Although much has changed for republicans since 1916, Mr Doherty was keen to stress that their ideals remain the same.

“Republicans have travelled a long road since 1916 and since the execution of the Drumboe Martyrs.

“But our chosen destination remains the same. I have confidence in republicanism, in republicans and in our strategy”, he said.

“Together we can build a united, sovereign Irish republic based on equality for all.”