Derry ceremony passes peacefully

A dissident republican Easter commemoration in Derry passed off without incident today.

A dissident republican Easter commemoration in Derry passed off without incident today.

Around 200 people turned up for the ceremony at the Creggan cemetery. A masked man appeared from the crowd and read a statement.

Youths carried petrol bombs but there was no security presence. A colour party bearing flags and wearing berets was at the centre of the event.

Martin Galvin, a former director with the Irish/American Noraid which helped support the IRA's campaign during the conflict, was present along with Francis Mackey from the 32 County Sovereignty Movement.

A party statement said: "We are constantly asked; what is your alternative? The answer depends on who is asking the question. To those who call us traitors (Martin McGuinness) we say; any alternative but yours.

"To those who call us anti democratic we say; let us negotiate without preconditions. To those republicans who genuinely seek an alternative we say; let us construct one together.

"We must be clear that the Good Friday Agreement represents a significant defeat for republicanism."

PA