Republican Sinn Fein are set to hold a protest when a Police team (PSNI/RUC) takes to the field for a GAA match at Newry later this afternoon. Many others are also angry that decades of oppression aimed at the GAA in the north, its players, supporters and grounds is being swept aside.
For many years a ban (Rule 21) on members of the British Army and the Royal Ulster Constabulary from playing Gaelic games was in place but this was removed in November 2001 after the creation of the new Police Service of Northern Ireland (formerly RUC). The PSNI now fields a GAA team.
Speaking about today's game an RSF spokesperson said:
“We are protesting at this game to point out to people that British rule is not normal, it's not acceptable and we won't be letting it go unchallenged. This game is a PR exercise for the British crown forces. Everyone has to realize that. If you stand for a United Ireland and you want a British withdrawal then there is no way you can square that with playing games with the British police."
The decision of the GAA to relax its rules in recent years has not simply drawn criticism from hard line republicans. Misgivings about this softening of the Gaelic Athletic Associations previous stance within the nationalist community in the north is much more deep-seated.
Bodies such as the British Army and their quasi paramilitary police force, the RUC, constantly targeted the GAA, its grounds, players and supporters over the past thirty years. GAA grounds were occupied (most notably the one at Crossmaglen in south Armagh). Some players and supporters were assaulted and indeed some were murdered.
Numbers of demonstrators at today's game may be modest but they will reflect an unease felt more generally within the nationalist community of the north.
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
18/08/07
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