Wicklow Sinn Féin Commemorates the centenary of the 1916 Rising and the proclamation of the Republic

The Wicklow Sinn Féin Easter 1916 Centenary commemoration took place on Easter Monday. A huge crowd of 400 assembled at Bray Town Hall. The commemoration was led off by the Wicklow Sinn Féin colour party and followed by the Rising Phoenix Republican Flute Band.

A wreath was laid at the 1798 monument on Castle Street by local republican Jack O’Neill, Cllr Michael O’Connor and Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow/East Carlow John Brady. The commemoration then proceeded to St.Peters Cemetery.

Wicklow Sinn Féin councillor Michael O’Connor who was recently co-opted onto the council to fill the seat vacated by John Brady chaired the proceedings in St.Peters and welcomed the huge crowd. Wicklow republican Robin Keogh read the proclamation and the names and a history of 16 Wicklow republicans who fought during Easter week was read out by Meghan Brady, Cllr John Snell, Melanie McAuley and Cllr Oliver O’Brien.

Cllr O’Connor then welcomed the main speaker at the commemoration John Brady TD stating “The people of Wicklow have made history by electing the first Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow in 94 years. Not since the election of Robert Barton and Sean Etchingham in the 2nd Dáil elections of 1921 has Wicklow been represented by a Republican in Leinster House.”

The Sinn Féin TD then delivered a rousing speech and stated “We are standing here on the sacred ground of St.Peters Cemetery surrounded by the graves of volunteers such as Steenie Mulvey, Willie Ownes, James Hoey and Seamus Costello who all fought bravely for Irish Freedom and in defence of the Irish Republic as was declared in 1916. They followed in the brave tradition of Fiach McHugh, the O'Byrnes, Michael Dwyer, Joseph Holt, Billy Byrne, Sam McAllister and Anne Devlin and many, many others from Wicklow that fought the occupation of our country.”

He went on to say that “The Republic that was declared in 1916 still has to be achieved and there is now more support for Sinn Féin and Irish republicanism than at any other time in our history. The promise of the republic is in our hands. We must now use that position to build the demand for real change. For unity and for a republic that honours the men and women of 1916 and all our patriots.”

Wreaths were laid on the grave of Bray man Stephen (Steenie) Mulvey by John Brady TD and family members of Steenie. Mulvey fought in the GPO during Easter week. One was also laid at the 1916 monument in the cemetery for all that died in the struggle for Irish Independence.
The commemoration finished with the playing of Amhrán na bhFiann.

Homeless crisis is direct and shockin result of government policy - Brady

Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow/East Carlow John Brady has said today that the homelessness crisis was a direct result of government policy. Speaking as part of a debate on Housing and Homelessness in the Dáil, he said that 68 families faced eviction in Wicklow Circuit Court yesterday and that protecting people from eviction must be a priority for any new government.

Deputy Brady said;

"Today homelessness affects thousands of children and their parents, many of whom are in full-time employment but have been forced on to the streets due to spiralling uncontrolled rents and a catalogue of pitiful policy failures.

100 years on from the Easter Rising of 1916, there are nearly 6,000 people in emergency accommodation, 1,830 of them children.

In my own constituency of Wicklow/East Carlow, 146 families including 240 children presented as homeless in 2015. This is certainly not the republic envisaged by the women and men of 1916.

In the circuit court in Wicklow yesterday 68 families stood facing eviction from their homes by financial institutions that we bailed out to the tune of 64 billion euro and in some cases we actually own.

They feel helpless in the hands of a system that treats them as no more than a statistic. A system which sees them as an inconvenience and an embarrassing reminder of the incompetence of government who put banks, financiers, developers and corporations ahead of the people, the people they are sworn to represent.

The situation these families and thousands more like them across the country find themselves in, is a DIRECT and SHOCKING consequence of government ignorance, government failures and government indifference.

All this has been described as a national emergency and a national crisis and this is true. But let nobody be under any illusion,
It is a shame, a damned shame on this house and on all those who occupied the government benches over the last ten years.

The implementation of the Land and Conveyancing Act 2013 is now facilitating the repossession of the family home, forcing more and more families onto the streets.

The priority of this caretaker government and whatever new one is put in place should be to protect the family home and stop more becoming statistic also."

Wicklow Sinn Fein Announce 1916 Commemorative Event

Wicklow Sinn Fein has announced details of its foremost 1916 commemorative event. The main speaker at the event will be recently elected Sinn Fein TD for Wicklow and East Carlow John Brady. The assembly point will be outside Bray Town Hall at 12.15pm on Monday 28th March. The procession will continue to St Peter’s Cemetery, Little Bray where guest speaker John Brady will address attendees. Teachta Brady has said that he is honoured to be part of the commemoration which offers an opportunity for Wicklow citizens to remember the vital role played by Wicklow Volunteers in the events of Easter 1916:

“Wicklow has a proud tradition in the annals of Irish Republicanism. After the 1798 Rebellion the county remained full of Republicans who refused to surrender; so much so that the British were forced to build the Military Road in order to reach those areas inhabited by rebels who had been a thorn in the side of the British administration for decades. By the time of the 1916 rising, Wicklow had established itself as a centre of Republican activity; providing brave Irishmen and Women committed to the fight for Irish freedom. The Kilcoole gunrunning of 1914 provided crucial arms for the 1916 Rising and galvanised support across the County. Refusing to accept the countermand from Eoin MacNeill many Wicklow volunteers made the journey to Dublin and fought gallantly during Easter week.”

Teachta Brady went on to say that the event is one of many Sinn Fein events occurring all over the county to mark the 1916 centenary and is open to all who wish to attend:

“In this the centenary of the 1916 rising, Wicklow Sinn Fein commemorate the sacrifice of thousands of Men and Women from Wicklow and beyond who fought to free their Country. Our commemoration this Easter Monday will be one of remembrance and reflection, open to all who wish to honour the memory of those Wicklow Volunteers who selflessly gave of themselves for a Republic that we have yet to fully realise; and one that Sinn Fein as a party is dedicated to achieving.”

First day in the Dáil, everything has changed but nothing's different-Brady

Speaking after the 32nd Dail failed to elect a Taoiseach, Wicklow/ East Carlow Sinn Fein TD John Brady has said that despite the failure to appoint a government, an opportunity was lost to maintain focus on critical issues facing people across the country:

“The new Dail failed to ratify the appointment of a Taoiseach and a new government so the house has been adjourned until the 22ndMarch; under pressure they moved it back from 6th April which was their original intention. Enda Kenny has resigned as Taoiseach but will carry on in a caretaker role until such time as a new government is formed. Sinn Fein proposed that the Dail would sit for three days to discuss the many issues facing the country such as the crisis in health, housing and the ongoing debacle of Irish Water. However, Fianna Fail after declaring its commitment to reform of how the Dail operates, refused to support our motion. This means that on the 22nd March the Dail will meet again and do nothing more than re-adjourn with none of the ministers in charge of the various departments held to account.”

On the Issue of Dail reform Teachta Brady said that the Irish people have more to be worried about:
“Sinn Fein have been fighting for Dail reform since we first stepped foot in the house. While we welcome Fianna Fail’s late conversion to the Idea we need to be realistic. The Irish people are concerned about homelessness, the housing crisis, child poverty and the endless hospital waiting lists. Patients on trolleys are to be left languish until Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are in the right mood to tackle them. Ministers in charge of the various departments will continue to be paid but will not be at their desks while struggling families simply have to wait.”

Teachta Brady pointed out that not only will the various ministers not be held to account over the next few weeks, there are no committees to oversee the various departments:

“Sinn Fein called for committees to be immediately established to help deal with crisis areas in the absence of a government being formed. This call was ignored meaning not only are ministers left off the hook, there are no committees to keep an eye on the functioning of the relevant departments.”

In conclusion Teachta Brady pointed out that the issue of Irish Water could have been dealt with if the political will was present:

“Over one hundred TDs were elected on the basis that they would abolish Irish Water. This includes Fianna Fail whose late conversion to the idea was welcome by those of us who have opposed the measure from the get go. Fianna Fáil, in the first meaningful vote on the management of Dáil business on the first day of the 32nd Dáil, voted with the government to block the Sinn Féin proposal. It is simply unacceptable that Fianna Fáil would vote with of Fine Gael and Labour to block a Sinn Féin motion on scrapping Irish Water and water charges, which that party claimed was a red line issue for it. However, this too has been left to fester as the caretaker government backed by Fianna Fail takes what is effectively an extended holiday. But there is no holiday for those struggling to pay the charges, no holiday for those on housing waiting lists or those occupying hospital trolleys, no holiday for medical professionals struggling with overcrowding, no holiday for the tens of thousands of children and parents suffocating under the weight of poverty and no holiday for those families crushed by negative equity. No matter what challenges face the Dail in putting together a government, there is simply no logical reason why TDs and ministers cannot be at their desks doing the jobs they are paid to do. “

Brady is battling for the last seat, every vote matters

I have just got the results of a leaked opinion poll that was carried out in Wicklow/East Carlow. It shows me in a mammoth battle along with 2 other candidates for the 5th and final seat. Every single vote is going to be critical, so it's vital that everyone makes a huge effort to get out on Friday and vote No.1 John Brady. We missed winning the seat by 112 votes in 2011.

If you want a strong voice in the Dáil, if you want a alternative progressive government, if you want an end to the chaos in housing and our health service. Well then vote No.1 John Brady.

Let's not hit the bar again this time, let's make history by electing the first Sinn Féin TD in Wicklow in over 90 years. Please share this to ensure people get the message and make the effort to get out and vote.

Brady humbled and honoured to get endorsement from nephew of Kevin Barry

Sinn Fein candidate for Wicklow /East Carlow Cllr John Brady has said he is humbled and honoured to have received the endorsement of Kevin Barry; the nephew of murdered Irish Volunteer Kevin Gerard Barry:

“In 1920, at only 18 years of age Kevin Barry was executed by the British, his murder outraged nationalist Ireland and his memory has been immortalised in music and poetry”

“In the final days of this election campaign, Wicklow Sinn Fein were delighted to welcome First Minister Martin McGuinness on the campaign trail. The entire Sinn Fein entourage where very much looking forward to our stop at Rathvilly in East Carlow where we were scheduled to meet with locals and do a canvass in the area. Myself and Martin McGuinness were honoured to have the nephew of executed republican icon Kevin Barry in attendance (also named Kevin Barry), he regaled us with stories of his family’s long history in the area and the precious memories of his famous uncle which have been proudly passed down through the generations.”

Councillor Brady went on to say how Kevin Barry’s words were an inspiration:

“Over the last few months of canvassing across Wicklow and East Carlow I have been privileged to engage with some of the most marvellous people, ordinary citizens struggling with extraordinary challenges; not least our older citizens who have been so shamefully ignored by successive Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour controlled governments. Kevin Barry spoke eloquently of the need for change last weekend, he represented a pure and proud history untainted by the crass selfish interests that have done so much damage to the fabric of Irish society. I was truly humbled and honoured that he would single me out for endorsement in the upcoming election, his words reinforced my views of how important it is to stand up for those who feel rejected, ignored and abandoned in an Ireland whose political class have failed to live up to the principles of the 1916 proclamation. Kevin Barry’s endorsement drives me further in my quest to deliver an Ireland of equals, a fairer recovery and a voice of conviction for the people of Wicklow and East Carlow. ”

“Sinn Féin will stand with those in mortgage distress” – Councillor John Brady

“Sinn Féin will stand with those in mortgage distress” – Councillor John Brady


Sinn Féin General Election candidate for Wicklow/East Carlow, Cllr John Brady has stated that his party has a robust and deliverable strategy to address the mortgage crisis.

Councillor Brady said;

"Figures for the third quarter of 2015 tell us that 92,291 family homes are in arrears. These numbers which are the most recent from the Central Bank show that four families are losing their homes every single day. This shocking statistic is an indictment of the outgoing government. Instead of employing empty rhetoric and promises to try keep their seats, Government TDs here in Wicklow and East Carlow should be hanging their heads in shame. Just last December, seven Wicklow families had repossession orders granted against them. Fine Gael, Labour, and Fianna Fail before them, have allowed the mortgage crisis to reach this point. They have failed to adequately intervene as more and more families get pushed into homelessness. "

"The outgoing Fine Gael and Labour government has failed to tackle the crisis. Government TDs Anne Ferris, Simon Harris and Andrew Doyle have stood back and watched as thousands of families live in fear, waiting on letters from the bank, dreading the next bill and distressed that they might well end up on the street.

Councillor Brady went on to say that his party have witnessed the painful reality of families at the end of their rope:

“Sinn Fein have stood with families in courthouses all over the state, and watched families handing over keys to the banks. Those at risk of losing their homes have been neglected by this Government and their plight has been ignored by Fine Gael and Labour TDs in Wicklow. The banks were bailed out of financial difficulty by public funds and now those same banks evict families from their homes. Why is there is no debt forgiveness for ordinary families?”

"Government policies, and schemes like mortgage-to-rent have been disasters, failing to adequately address the crisis. Fine Gael and Labour have changed the law to make it easier for banks to repossess family homes. They have worked with the Central Bank to weaken the Code of Conduct so that banks could put more pressure on homeowners. Schemes to prevent repossessions or so-called, ‘voluntary surrenders’ have been abysmal failures."

"Sinn Féin wants to offer real relief and durable protection to those in mortgage distress. The majority of people in these situations are the victims of circumstances beyond their control, they deserve the help of the Government."

“Sinn Fein in Government will empower the Central Bank to set caps on interest rates chargeable by banks. We will ensure consumer protection is a key priority of the Central Bank. We will mandate the Central Bank to publish data regularly on Irish interest rates, to ensure the public can see how these rates compare to EU norms.

"Sinn Féin will seek to address the issue of personal debt in a progressive way. We will ensure debt collection services are regulated, with a strong and legally enforceable Code of Conduct. In government, we will provide for a cap on the rates charged by those lending money in order to bring to an end the exploitative practices of some institutions."

Speaking on the issue of protections for the family home, Cllr Brady said;

"There are inadequate legislative protections for the family home; we will introduce robust safeguards for the family home in legislation. Putting people out of their homes is a drastic step and devastating for families. We reject the notion that repossessions are accepted as 'solutions'. Sinn Féin will seek amendments to the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Targets to put pressure on banks to find fair solutions for those in mortgage distress."