Socialist Republican Youth Face Charges After Strabane Easter Parade

The 1916 Rising commemoration march by the Republican Socialist Youth Movement (RSYM) was attacked by PSNI, leading to arrests, and eventually, charges for 4 young members of the group.

During the event which took place on Easter Saturday in April 2026, held in Strabane, the PSNI deployed 7 landrovers, 2 cars and at least 6 officers, descending on the march, in an attempt to intimidate those gathered to remember the fallen of 1916. 

The RSYM, at the time, issued a statement condemning the actions of the PSNI, calling it “harassment from Britain's armed occupation force in Ireland”. “The legacy of the RUC still runs deep within the corrupt PSNI. The PSNI are the biggest criminal organisation in Ireland today, the media is riddled with articles about their rapists, drug dealers, domestic abusers, thieves and sectarian bigots. This is the caliber of the occupation forces that attacked the dignified Republican Socialist commemoration today in Strabane, ” their statement read, also adding that “this only strengthens our resolve, bonds us together, and exposes the PSNI for the sectarian occupation force they are”. 

Recently, they have renewed their call for resistance in the face of the continued persecution of working-class republicans, issuing a statement on July 24th 2026, after their activists were brought to court following the arrests at Strabane parade.  

“During the commemoration, four young members of the colour party were arrested and later charged with offences relating to alleged illegal assembly and participation in an unnotified procession. Their treatment raises serious questions about the right of Irish people to remember their own dead and commemorate their own history, “ they wrote in a statement, adding that “we maintain that Britain has no right in Ireland and has never had any legitimate right to govern any part of this island. That belief has long been a central principle of Irish republicanism and continues to shape our commitment to the cause of Irish self determination”. 

“Today, we stand firmly alongside the four young people who now face the British legal system as a result of taking part in this commemoration. Their courage, dedication, and commitment to remembering Ireland’s patriot dead deserve respect, not criminalisation. As republicans, we remain steadfast in defending the right to commemorate our history, honour our fallen volunteers, and ensure that future generations continue to remember those who came before them. No prosecution or political pressure will diminish our determination to preserve Ireland’s history and uphold the principle that the Irish people alone have the right to shape their nation’s future, “ the statement concluded.