“RIC Head Constable Peter Burke and his brother, Sgt Michael Burke are attacked by the IRA in public house (Mrs Smith’s three miles outside Balbriggan, Co. Dublin) . In retaliation, the Auxiliaries carry out reprisals in Balbriggan killing two suspected IRA men…”
(From here.)

An RSF-organised Easter wreath-laying ceremony was held today (Saturday 22 March 2008) on the bridge in Balbriggan , County Dublin , in memory of Séamus Lawless and Séan Gibbons : about twenty-five republicans gathered on both sides of the bridge to take part in and watch the proceedings , which were chaired by Andy Connolly , Dublin RSF , who mentioned , amongst other things , that the men and women who decided to take on the might of the (then) ‘British empire’ did not do so in order that a British-sponsored Administration , staffed and maintained by Irish gombeens , should be established .

Six Special Branch men were present throughout the proceedings , and it was those same ‘agents of the state’ that later stopped a car belonging to one of the republicans as he and a few comrades were driving home following the wreath-laying ceremony and threatened to immediately impound the vehicle if two of his passengers “…did not get out of the vehicle NOW and stay out of it..” . Alternative arrangements were quickly made and the two passengers were looked after by supporters . This act of petty vindictiveness was condemned by RSF representatives present , who stated that such acts of harassment have not prevented republicans from remembering their dead in the past , and will not do so now either.

Getting sorted in Balbriggan , 2.15pm , Saturday March 22 , 2008 .

‘Na Fianna Eireann’ flag in Balbriggan , Saturday March 22 , 2008 .

Tricolour at the Republican Memorial on Balbriggan Bridge .

Wreath laid at the foot of the Memorial , Balbriggan Bridge .

A full report will be published in the April 2008 issue of ‘Saoirse’ , which will be published on the 9th of that month .
Thanks!
Sharon.