- Opinion
- 28 Nov 16
There will be a vigil to mark the death of Fidel Castro in Dublin this evening (Monday, 28, November) at 6.30pm at The Spire on O'Connell Street, according to a tweet put out yesterday by Sinn Féin's newspaper, An Phoblacht.
Meanwhile, the Cuban Embassy has opened a book of condolences “in honour of the memory of the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz” at the Embassy of Cuba, 32B Westland Square, Pearse Street, Dublin 2. Members of the public will be able to sign the book every day from 28 November until 4 December from 9am to 6pm.
It was also announced last night that Sinn Féin President, Gerry Adams is planning to jet out to Cuba to attend the state funeral of Fidel Castro.
“Fidel Castro was a global leader and a good friend of the Irish people. I am proud and honoured to travel to Cuba to represent Sinn Féin, as we remember Fidel Castro,” he stated on Sunday night.
Shortly after Castro's death was announced on Saturday morning, Gerry Adams tweeted a photograph of himself with the Cuban leader.
"On Behalf of Sinn Féin I extend condolences and solidarity to President Raul Castro, to Fidel Castro’s family and the Cuban people on the sad news of his death," Gerry Adams said in a statement.
“Fidel was a global leader, part of the revolution that liberated Cuba. He lived long enough to see the vindication of the sacrifices of his people when President Obama commenced the process of normalising relations between the USA and Cuba. Much more needs to be done. The blockade should be totally lifted.
“I have good memories of meeting with Fidel. He was very conversant with Irish history and good friend to the Irish people and an admirer of our struggle, especially the hunger strikers of 1981.”
Sinn Féin's Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Seán Crowe TD, has also sent his condolences to the Cuban people on the death of Fidel Castro.
“Fidel was a leader of one of the most important revolutions of the 20th Century. His vision and lifetime of experience will be greatly missed as we continue to face the challenges of climate change, poverty, and globalisation," Deputy Seán Crowe stated.
"The ground breaking successes in healthcare and education that Fidel oversaw in Cuba, as well as Cuba's internationalism, remains an inspiration to all of us who share a vision of an inclusive and fair world. The successes of that revolution are clearly evident today in the confidence and abilities of the Cuban people.
“Cuba is still placed under an illegal, inhuman and crippling blockade by the USA. One can only imagine the advances the Cuban economy and society could have made had these barriers had been removed.
“Fidel was a leader and a visionary. He was an internationalist and spoke for the poor and dispossessed. He took on the status quo the comfortable elites, the bigots, the racists, and the apartheid apologists.
"I have extended my condolences, and the collective condolences of the Sinn Féin membership, to the Cuba Ambassador to Ireland at this sad time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam."