MANY young men of twenty have said goodbye!
Many have travelled from across South Down to Australia to find work. One Gaelic Club alone, An Riocht, has lost around 30 of its players to the current economic climate and the attractions of life Down Under.
South Down Sinn Féin activist Noeleen McPolin, speaking from Perth in Australia where she is part of a visiting Sinn Féin delegation including Pearse Doherty TD, has said that the reception has been immense from the local Irish population.
Ms. McPolin said, “As part of a four city visit to Australia, including Perth, Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne we will be holding a series of meeting with trade unions, local politicians and members of the Irish diaspora.
“One of the main areas of concern we will be raising is worker rights of the immigrant population which includes thousands of Irish people. It is important that people who have moved to Australia due to the economic recession in Ireland have proper rights and conditions when working or seeking employment.
“We will also be impressing amongst local politicians and local Irish communities the benefits of the Peace Process and the importance of supporting the reunification of Ireland in terms of how it would radically change the economic conditions on the island negating the need for our young people to leave home.
“I have really impressed by the support for Sinn Féin within the Irish community in Australia and congratulate the Friends of Sinn Féin Australia for organising the visit.”
