Sinn Féin MLA for Mid Ulster. Working every day to deliver a true Irish republic that everyone can thrive in. Love good food, good music and good books.
The women of Ireland are fed up.
From our grandmothers, educated in Latin and the catechism, but not about menstruation, locked up whether they fell prey to a neighbour or ‘chose to commit a mortal sin’, as if either were crimes, as if they deserved a life in an institution.
Of course it’s not all men. But it is all women. We are all fed up.
The best legacy we can make for Ashling Murphy is to change the culture that allows these crimes.
I hope the outpourings of grief across the country bring some comfort to her loved ones. May she be at peace.
She went out for a run. Exercising, it’s good for us. It was in a public place, in broad daylight. She did as she was told. It didn’t matter. Because it never matters. Because the victims are never to blame. It’s not our responsibility to make sure we’re not attacked.
Those lucky enough to be ‘good girls’, what was their reward? A life locked to the kitchen sink. Caring for parents or child after child. A miscarriage? A stillbirth? No consecrated burial. ‘Don’t mourn your baby’ the priest said, but life begins at conception.
And still they kept being murdered, raped & beaten. And still they kept being expected to change their behaviours.
‘She was drunk. Wore tight clothes. Was out alone.’
‘What did she expect?’
‘Rape’ written as ‘sex with an underage..’ ‘Victim’ was ‘intoxicated teenager’…
‘He gave her a hammering’ the neighbours would remark. Nobody’s business, ‘he’s a nice fella’. ‘Why does she stay with him?’ a more enlightened friend might say, someone not horrified by divorce, ignorant of financial realities. ‘Why does he hit her?’ they forget to ask.
The swinging sixties. Mini skirts and the pill. The pulpit still ruled.
‘She got herself in trouble’. Those who escaped the convents; the scrubbing brushes and the loss of their healthy, happy, baby, got whispers and judgement. Some fled. Boats to England. Secrets held forever.
Now women had all the rights that men always had.
Except of course, they were paid less. And their reproductive plans would affect their careers, and if they dared to have sex they’d be talked about.
And they still had to do the ironing and the cooking and the hoovering.
The eighties, the nineties. Our mothers. ‘What are women complaining about? They can vote and work and drive!’ ‘Badly hahaha’. Feminism was their joke. Now we had it all. ‘Abandon’ your children to work outside the home or ‘slob’ at home rearing them on someone else’s money.
The 21st Century. Now we had sex education in school and a rudimentary understanding of periods. (Every 28 days, mild cramps, a tampon might give you TSS) What’s PCOS?
Rape alarms in goodie bags. No lessons on what a healthy relationship consists of, no mention of consent.
The dawn of social media. Brilliant. Now the guy in the corner of the office with the witty banter can abuse us from behind an anonymous profile.
Politician made a decision? Look at what she is wearing! She’s ugly or she’s fat or she’s too skinny, actually.
Journalist offers an opinion? Insult her about her teeth or her hair, has she had her lips/boobs done?
Every heinous crime against one of us is followed with some advice. Don’t walk alone at night. Carry a pepper spray. Get a spiking detection kit and use it.
Saddened today to hear of the passing of Alice McElwee, mother of Thomas, who died on Hunger Strike in 1981. My thoughts are with the entire family at this difficult time.
Farewell to Bellaghy 💚
The fact that the *potential* use of Irish by the Police service in the north of *Ireland* is controversial, on its own, tells you everything that is wrong with the North as a state. Every single place name in the 6 counties comes from the original, pre colonisation, Irish name.
Heart sore watching what’s happening in Ukraine tonight. Also heart sore for the oppressed people of Palestine, who’re living under frequent attack in an apartheid state and don’t have Western white media shining a spotlight on their suffering, or standing in solidarity with them
My name is Emma Sheerin and I’m an MLA in Ireland.I’m appalled by the silence regarding the war crimes committed by the Israeli government.
I,and many with me,demand a ceasefire,open humanitarian corridors. Facilitate for water,food and medicine to Gaza now!
#politiciansforpeace
‘I have no prouder boast to say I am Irish’
Óglach Francis Hughes died on Hunger Strike on this day 1981.
How privileged are we, to work for the Ireland he died for.
I’ll never understand the mindset of the minority who feel so threatened by the Irish language that they’d destroy signage that has been demanded by the people of Ballinascreen,where we’ve a thriving Irish-speaking community. But it’s nothing a bit of paint thinner didn’t sort!
It was the honour of my life to have been asked to replace my friend and comrade Ian Milne as a Sinn Féin MLA and I’m beyond words of gratitude to everyone who gave me their vote on Thursday to return 3 seats for our party in Mid Ulster.
We stand on the shoulders of giants. 💚
The executive collapsed in 2017 because of the DUP-because of bad governance (RHI) & a refusal to deliver on rights. It’s now been collapsed by DUP because of mitigations to Brexit (supported by the DUP), which Stormont has no control over.
DUP are the problem. Call it out.
Hugely enjoyed getting to meet with a political hero yesterday, the legend that is
@jeremycorbyn
.
Rare that someone is as lovely in real life as you’d hoped. Pure admiration for him as someone who has stood firm in his convictions & been on the right side of the argument always.
A total privilege to have Derry and Ballinascreen legend Tony Scullion sign my nomination papers tonight.
Hoping we can defend 3 seats in Mid Ulster as well as Tony defended in the Number 3 Jersey!
I am deeply sorry that I used offensive terminology on social media.
It was and is totally unacceptable. It is not how I would express myself today and I unreservedly apologise for the offence that these comments have caused.
Sinn Féin MLA
@SheerinOfficial
extends solidarity to the people of Palestine today.
We must stand united against the war crimes of the Israeli state.
#FreePalestine
🇵🇸
Lovely to be in Derry to remember Martin McGuinness today. The turnout tells the story- his legacy lives on and the contribution that he made to peace and to politics in Ireland will never be forgotten. 💚
‘Farewell to Bellaghy,
Likewise Tamlaghtduff,
And the green hills of Derry
That I dearly love’
40 years on from his death on Hunger Strike, Thomas McElwee remains an inspiration to anyone who wishes to see a new and better Ireland. His sacrifice will never be forgotten.
💚
My heart this morning is sore for John & the Harte family. That anyone could mock a woman’s murder is beyond belief, but for a group to join in, laughing?
To jeer a family that have lost so much, with such dignity, just because they’re from another part of the community.
Why?
As chair of Bill of Rights Committee, I am deeply frustrated that the DUP are obstructing this important work by blocking the appointment of the panel of Experts on the basis of their objection to one eminently qualified expert with decades of experience on human rights promotion
The British state’s military came to this island and killed Irish citizens, men, women and children with complete impunity.
In recent years their actions have been repeatedly exposed as “unjustified and unjustifiable”
This has happened because families have never given up
Please RT
This is a photo of our sheepdog Spot taken when he was a pup 6 years ago…he has been lost since last night and it looks like he could have been stolen.
He is very docile and friendly, long shaggy coat and small, answers to Spot and is microchipped. £1000 reward.
I’ve spent all of my adult life as a Sinn Féin activist.
Our party is a movement for change, bringing massive swathes of the population with us through delivery and dialogue. In a tough week, nice to remember that you’re one of the good guys, and that twitter is not the world.
Sheena Campbell was the same age as I am now when she was murdered for being a republican activist in 1992, when I was just a baby.
She stood out as a leader and that’s why she was targeted, but her memory lives on. We stand on the shoulders of giants. 💚
A united Ireland is for everyone.
Some morning’s craic walking up the Carn with
@SF_SouthDerry
. Discussing our future and talking about the change that is coming!
Bhí an ghrian ag soilsiú fosta- sure if we’d weather like this all the time you’d never leave...
#Time4Unity
🇮🇪
The last wishes of Vol. Thomas McElwee
To demonise those who were born targets, oppressed, impoverished & discriminated against, & stood up
but glorify those who left home, flew to another country, were trained & then paid to fight a war they knew nothing about, is an insult.
Back in from canvass in time to catch
@moneillsf
on View from Stormont.
A leader for all who has worked, and will work, with and for everyone. I’m glad to be on her team. 💚
Acht Anois!
Sinn Féin stood this morning in solidarity with all those who continue to fight for equality for our country’s native language. Denial of Gaeilge rights = attack on Irish identity. Repealing a penal law from 1737 shouldn’t be controversial!
#NDNA500
#AchtAnois
It’s been the honour of my life to represent the people of South Derry as a Sinn Féin MLA, & the trust that has been put in me by my comrades in our party is something I value beyond measure.
For now, I’m a Sinn Féin candidate, and I hope I’ve done enough to retain this seat. 💚
I spoke in the chamber today in solidarity with the family of murdered Bellaghy gael Sean Brown, after the inquest had to be stopped by the Coroner.
We fully support the calls of the Brown family for a public inquiry.
The Secretary of State must now act.
It’s been a privilege to work for the people of Mid Ulster since I was asked to join the assembly team in 2018, and I’m honoured to have been selected to stand as a Sinn Féin candidate on May 5th.
Looking forward to getting out on the doors 😃👟
Choosing not to celebrate partition is *not* sectarian.
Incidentally,choosing to celebrate partition isn’t sectarian either.
Partition itself,& the way the state operated for over half its’ existence, was,indeed,sectarian.They literally drew a line to create a religious divide
This is not on, and deeply sectarian. The Centenary matters hugely to a significant swathe of the community here. The legimacy of Northern Ireland and the continued existence based on consent was agreed in the agreements. Disgraceful act of blind sectarianism by SF, yet again
We stood on the side of the road to Derry this afternoon in memory of 14 men and boys who went on a march and never came home.
South Derry remembers them. There is no British Justice.
#BloodySunday50
A class sight.
Belfast City Hall lit up to celebrate 40 years since homosexuality was decriminalised in the north. That love was ever outlawed is cause for sadness, but today we should celebrate how far campaigners have brought us. We still have a way to go.
🌈
It was an honour to chair the committee carrying out such important work as developing a Bill of Rights. Thankful to all who worked with us throughout.
The DUP might have slowed progress, but they can’t stop it. The people will have rights.
That ‘cartoon’ sums up the Dublin establishment. Their hatred of Sinn Féin translating into misogyny, patronising the electorate, anger about Leo‘s exposure instead of being angered by his actions, & frustration at reunification calls. They can’t even spell ‘Tiocfaidh Ár Lá’
Stormont back from recess today and the seat of government in the north has now had numerous statements of congratulations to the Tyrone Senior Footballers on their All Ireland Win. I remember the time when you wouldn’t have felt safe wearing a GAA top into Belfast.
#progress
😊
Just did my own Chieftain’s Walk around Derrynoid Forest on this lovely August Morning. A lovely way to remember Martin, and to see so many taking part is testament to his legacy.
You can still register here:
A few weeks ago the DUP, UUP, SDLP & Alliance voted to adopt the IHRA definition of Anti-Semitism,which outlaws criticism of the Israeli occupation. As outlined by
@hrw
, Israel is an apartheid state. The Palestinian people have suffered whilst the world watches on. It must stop.
🇵🇸 Sinn Féin's Emma Sheerin has requested an urgent Assembly debate to call on the Irish government to act to end the deepening crisis in Jerusalem and Gaza following days of Israeli aggression and the killing of over 20 Palestinians
#Palestine
Solidarity with
@cjhumanrights
this morning, gracious as always in his interview on GMU. No one should have to endure threats to their life just because they have a position on how to make Ireland better.
Today I asked Diane Dodds if the British Govt are replacing the £70 Mill of EU funding her dept *alone* has lost through Brexit.
She responded at length, but she couldn’t answer my question.
(I don’t think the DUP and Boris are ever getting back together)
Please RT
This is a photo of our sheepdog Spot taken when he was a pup 6 years ago…he has been lost since last night and it looks like he could have been stolen.
He is very docile and friendly, long shaggy coat and small, answers to Spot and is microchipped. £1000 reward.
Gerry Kelly & Bobby Storey, Ardoyne Riots 2010, visible, on the frontline, no fear, calling rioters out for what they are. Joe Brolly spoke at feile a few years ago about the confidence of Nationalist communities, "weve always had people who have led", he was 100% correct.
The continued failure to appoint a panel of experts is blocking this work.
We have no panel, no progress & no Bill.
I’m not prepared to tolerate DUP delay in the appointing the panel or their veto of one highly experienced Human Rights expert.
In May 1997, Sean Brown was abducted and murdered while locking up the gates of his GAA club.
27 years later, his family are still searching for answers.
Murder of a GAA Chairman | Tonight at 9.35pm |
@RTEplayer
Unionist unity on display at the Conservative Party conference.
@J_Donaldson_MP
,
@BeattieDoug
&
@JimAllister
share a stage at a unionist fringe event entitled:
EQUAL RIGHTS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND – Replacing the Protocol
Vol. Bobby Sands began his hunger strike on this day in 1981.
‘I am standing on the threshold of another trembling world. May God have mercy on my soul’
Unbelievable scenes in Croke Park, fantastic game of football. Maith sibh
@WattyGrahamsGAA
- Kings of Ireland, what a team! 💚💛
There’ll not be a latte brewed about Maghera till Wednesday.
My letter published today. It’s not for any of us to prescribe another’s identity, & another’s identity does nothing to diminish our own. It is for the state to acknowledge & protect that.
A new Ireland must be built on rights & respect, & we should meet people where they’re at.
Thanks a mill
@Conor_Glass
…Class coffee & atmosphere…will definitely be back for a burger 👀
Can’t speak for the Tyrone woman
@moneillsf
🤣 but Ádh Mór for Sunday 🟢🟡
@WattyGrahamsGAA
One of the most heart wrenching issues I deal with every day is the provision of care packages, often to people in an end-of-life situation. Behind every statistic is a person, a family. Their voices must be the first we listen to when providing care!
This evening in Ballinascreen our community came together to pay tribute to Ashling Murphy, and to stand in solidarity with all victims of violence. We send our sympathies to all who knew and love her. 💚
Enough is enough.
#shewasjustgoingforarun
"Customs checks doesn't mean that you change the constitutional status of a part of the United Kingdom"
DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson on customs checks
#SpotlightNI
When your government uses racist ideology to write policy, normalisation of racism within society is a natural consequence. The reaction to 3 young men missing penalties wasn’t formulated in tins of Stella on Sunday afternoon, it has it’s roots far deeper, in far loftier places.
Anyone shocked that Doug Beattie can’t say ‘of course I want to lead the largest party out of the next election, but I’ll accept the will of the people and work with whoever is at the table/ accept a SF FM’ just because he got a catchy themetune, needs to start paying attention.
Anyone still, in the year of our lord 2021, spouting ‘2 big parties’?
DUP are doing photoshoots with sausages to stop practical difference with UK, difference that allows local businesses to grow.
Sinn Féin are delivering rights,& we’ll work with whoever we need to, to do that.
Heart sore for Michael Snee and Aidan Moffitt, for all who knew them, & anyone who finds themselves thinking ‘that could have been me’.
Hatred and ignorance took their lives.
This is why we still need Pride in 2022.
I’m not meeting with Beyoncé.
To clarify, I’m not meeting with her because she hasn’t asked for a meeting and I’ve not asked for a meeting. So that’s why we’re not meeting.
‘She's the girl you know from down the road
She's your one from out our side
There's a rumor she's in trouble
She's all mixed up inside’
Irish women today deserve so much better than our mothers and grandmothers got. And they didn’t deserve it either.
Ann Lovett Rest in Peace.
This day 37 years ago – 31 January 1984 – Ann Lovett, a 15-year-old girl, was found beside a grotto in Co Longford, having given birth to a stillborn baby. She later died.
Soon after, Gay Byrne read out letters on his radio show from listeners who had also given birth in secret.
⭕️ Acht Anois!
There are 5 parties in the executive. In recent weeks, some have told us that they no longer want to implement previously agreed Irish Language legislation (so, keeping a penal law from 1737)
Sinn Féin is committed to keeping to our word.
@dreamdearg
#achtanois