West Belfast Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

McCann dismisses British army 'homecoming' parade campaign

Published: 3 August, 2008

Sinn Féin West Belfast MLA Fra McCann has dismissed suggestions that members of the RIR should be given a so called 'homecoming parade' on return from Afghanistan.

The campaign is being championed by 'The Newsletter' and is being supported by various unionist politicians.

Responding to the suggestions Mr McCann said:

"The British army is not our army.

''They are an army of occupation with a record of murder and torture in Ireland, Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries throughout the world.

''They have been involved in shoot-to-kill, collusion, plastic bullets, torture tactics and the wrecking of homes among other vicious activities.

''The Newsletter is calling this campaign 'welcome home the heroes'.

''The British Army's record of invading other lands is anything but heroic.

''Any parade would be an affront to Irish nationalists and republicans the length and breadth of Ireland.

''Such a parade would attempt to legitimise the illegal British occupation of Afghanistan.

''To those unionist politicians who are fronting this campaign I would suggest that we have more pressing political priorities to deal with at the Assembly.''