Unwanted sectarian march opposed

Statement from Republican Sinn Féin

Republican Sinn Féin congratulates the residents of Ardoyne for their steadfast opposition to the sectarian march forced through their community on Monday July 12, 2010. Upwards of 300 members of the RUC/PSNI surrounded 50-60 peaceful protestors who sat down on the main road despite repeated attempts by armed RUC personnel to forcibly remove them.

Several members of Republican Sinn Féin took part in the sit down in solidarity with the local residents. Stormont member Gerry Kelly accompanied by his entourage stayed away from the area, but later gave the impression of having tried to play some kind of mediating role. I was just another round of lies and spin.

We do not recognise the Stormont representatives who are paid to be the eyes and ears of the RUC while posing as pillars of the community. They will not stop us exercising our right to highlight the bigotry of these marches and one-sided heavy-handedness of the RUC.

Over 100 plastic bullets were fired during subsequent rioting with several people injured by the indiscriminate firing by the RUC. Water cannon were also deployed in an attempt to push the residents back before the loyalists were escorted through by their historical protectors.

RUC chief constable Matt Baggott described the nationalists' reaction to the unwanted sectarian coat trailing as "recreational rioting". Being on the receiving end of batons, plastic bullets and stinking water from the cannon, would not be anyone's idea of "recreation".

It is time for this, and all other unwanted sectarian parades, to be stopped. Republican Sinn Féin will continue to support the communities blighted by these marches. No amount of rhetoric from the RUC, the Brits or their Stormont minions can hide the fact that nationalists do not want these parades forced through their communities and the consequences that ensue from the bully boy tactics of the Crown police.

Republican leader remembered in Carlow

ON Sunday, June 20 the annual Tony Ruane commemoration was held in Carlow.

More than 40 people marched to Tony Ruane’s grave, led by a Colour Party from Wexford, where proceedings were chaired by his granddaughter, Laura Nolan, secretary of the local RSF Cumann. The oration was delivered by Kevin Devlin, Dublin who said:

“It is an honour for me to pay tribute to Tony Ruane, a dedicated and true Republican. No words can properly describe the admiration felt for men and women like Tony, who gave their all for the cause of Irish freedom.

“Tony Ruane joined Na Fianna Éireann as a boy and made the natural progression to the Irish Republican Army. He was active during the War of Independence, including overseas duty in England.

“Taking the Republican side he went to America in the mid-1920s and worked tirelessly with other like-minded men and women to further the Republican Movement through organisation and fund-raising.

“Tony returned to his native country in 1936 and joined the Dublin Brigade of the Irish Republican Army, continuing to utilise the organising skills both locally and nationally. In May 1941 he was arrested and spent two years in jail before being interned in the Curragh Concentration Camp until 1945.

“Upon his release Tony reported back for duty, again putting his skills to good use during what was a difficult time for himself and his comrades. In 1966 Tony became National Treasurer of Sinn Féin.

“When the Stickies went by the wayside, Tony continued on the true Republican path, working in Kevin Street and Parnell Square. Many of the people who cane through the doors of Sinn Féin in the 1970s would have met Tony and it’s fair to say, given the level of recruitment at this time, they must have been suitably impressed by the persona of the man.

“Tony Ruane retired as National Treasurer in 1980 but after the Provos’ treachery in 1986, despite ill-health, he returned to help make sure the Republican Movement kept to the path he so firmly believed to be the right one.

“I never met Tony Ruane but those who knew him admired him and speak highly of the dedication and hard work he put in for the cause he held so dear.

“There have been many over the years who have taken the easy road but as Joe McKelvey said and I quote ‘The way to freedom is a hard and bloody one’ and those of us who choose that way take guidance and inspiration from comrades like Tony Ruane. They give us the strength to carry on the struggle for Irish freedom and self-determination.

“We regard our part in that struggle as nothing more than our duty and like Tony Ruane, we carry out that duty for the greater good and not for personal gain or recognition. Those who have gone down the path of furthering their own careers are not true Republicans and are on a road to nowhere!

“Finally, to Tony Ruane’s family, friends and comrades, I hope I have done justice to the man and to the Republican soldier we honour today.

“An Phoblacht Abú!”

Conditions in Maghaberry are violation of human rights

Statement by the President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton

On Sunday June 27 the President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton and its Patron Ruairí Ó Brádaigh visited Maghaberry prison. Despite assurances by the Northern Ireland Prison Service the Duty Governor failed to meet Des Dalton and Ruairí Ó Brádaigh. However they did meet with the OC of the Republican prisoners. The purpose of the proposed meeting with the Duty Governor was to put forward the 5 demands of the Republican prisoners for political status as well as to highlight the internment of veteran Republican and political hostage Martin Corey. Speaking at a rally held in support of the prisoners outside of Maghaberry following the visit and meeting Des Dalton said.

“The conditions being endured by the Republican prisoners are a gross violation of even the most basic standards of human rights and are likely to have a detrimental effect on the health of the men. Republican Ireland stands by the POWs and the campaign for political status must be intensified to bring these conditions to an end.

“By their actions the men in Maghaberry are not allowing themselves to be passive victims of the British state but instead are giving the lie to the normalisation of British occupation. The struggle of the Republican prisoners in Maghaberry proclaims to Ireland and the world that British rule in Ireland is neither normal nor acceptable.

“The 5 demands of Republican prisoners must be met now.”