Wicklow: Cuimhneacháin 100 Bliain Knocknadruce

On May 12 a large number of Republicans from Wicklow, Dublin, Monaghan and indeed France, gathered at Knocknadruce, Co Wicklow to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the murder by Free State forces of Niall Plunkett Ó Baoighill, from the Rosses in Co Donegal.

 

Proceedings were chaired by An tUachtarán, Sinn Féin Poblachtach, Des Dalton. Kitty Hawkins recited a decade of the Rosary as Gaeilge. A nephew of Niall Plunkett O’Boyle, Michael O’Boyle, who travelled from France each year for the commemoration, was called on by Des Dalton to say a few words.

 

In the course of his address he said: “Like many before me I am honoured to stand here today to give this oration on the 90th anniversary of the death of Niall Plunkett O’Boyle, a young Republican soldier who was ruthlessly shot down whilst unarmed buy a cowardly Free Stater named McCorley, ironically related to the patriot [United Irishman] Roddy McCorley.

 

“After arrests and escapes, Plunkett eventually came to this part of the country, formed a flying column and carried out many successful missions against the enemies of the Republic. Plunkett was a true son of Ireland, there was nothing else on his mind but the pursuit of national liberation from that cruel foe, England.

 

“He was a man with clear vision and an unbroken determination for lasting freedom from British tyranny. Compromise to Plunkett was treason.

 

“What has that got to say about Adams and his tame lackey McGuinness who have not just compromised but sold out patriotism for their 30 pieces of silver and a shake of Lizzie’s hand?

 

“Plunkett was one of the most active Volunteers against the infamous and murderous criminals, the Black-and-Tans who were honoured in a “ceremony” at Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin last August. Is there anything these Quislings at Leinster House will not resort to to curry favour with Lizzie’s government?

 

“A quote from Robert Burns springs to mind: ‘What a parcel of rogues in our Nation.’

“I visited here in the mid-seventies and was privileged to meet Myles O’Reilly. Here was a man who had actually been a comrade of Plunkett and had fought alongside him. He related to me the killing of Plunkett and how he would have been here himself if he hadn’t been arrested just days before.

 

“The cause that he and his brave comrades fought and gave up their young lives for, a free All-Ireland Republic is still to this day being attacked by the modern Free Staters.

 

“However, as my father told me many years ago now, true Republicans will never give up the struggle, and I am proud to see before me today some of those true Republicans he talked about!

 

“With the centenary of a well-known event fast approaching, I would like to finish if I may by quoting a few lines from Easter 1916 by WB Yeats:

 

‘I write it out in a verse –
MacDonagh and McBride
And Connolly and Pearse
Now and in time to be,
Wherever green is worn,
Are changed, changed utterly:
A terrible beauty is born.’ ”

 

The main oration was delivered by Pádraig Ó Baoighill, author of Óglach na Rossan, a biography of Niall Plunkett O’Boyle, himself from the Rosses in Donegal, although now residing in Monaghan:

 

“A mhuintir Chill Mhantain agus a phoblachtánaigh go léir tá sé thar chúig bliana fichead ó thugh mé an óráid dheiridh ag comóradh Néill Phluincéid Uí Bhaoighill anseo i gCnoc na dTrús agus tá lúcháir mhór orm a bheith arís inniu le comóradh a dhéanamh ar an laoch chróga sin as Leac Éineach i Rosa Thír Chonaill a thug a bheo ar son saoirse na hÉireann ag geimheal an tighe seo 15ú Bealtaine 1923. Cé go bhfuil mórán dar bpoblachtánaigh dílse anois ar shlí na fírinne tá lúcháir mhór orm go bhfuil mac dearthára do Niall Pluincéid, sin mac Mhíchíl Uí Bhaoighill anseo linn an bealach ar fad as an Fhrainc len’ uncail á chomóradh.

 

“It is now over 25 years since I last spoke at the Neil Plunkett O’Boyle commemoration in Knocknadruce and I am indeed privileged to be back again to honour that patriot from the Rosses who was shot by Free State forces at the corner of this house on May 15, 1923. Since that sunny day over 25 years ago, many dear and faithful Republican comrades have gone to their eternal reward but I am very pleased to have with us a nephew of Neil Plunkett – Michael Boyle all the way from France – to take part in his uncle’s commemoration. Michael has previously visited Knocknadruce as did his aunt Brigid who was a great help to me in America when I wrote the life story of the Rosses patriot – Óglach na Rosann – in 1994, and for a second edition which was published in 1996.

 

“In a space of half a century many young Republicans have come to the fore and as some may not be familiar with the activities of Neil Plunkett O’Boyle, the fight for freedom in 1921, the Black and Tan War and the Civil War which caused the death of this brave soldier, I feel I should again give a short profile of the Rosses volunteer.

 

“He was born in Leac Éineach near Burtonport in the Rosses in Donegal in 1898, a member of a family of three boys and four girls. His father, Niall Mhíchíl Bhig, was a local surveyor and farmer and his mother, Mary Eoghainín Bán was a staunch Republican from the Diamond, Dungloe.

 

“Plunkett attended the local school at Roshine and went to High school in Letterkenny. He went to work for the Derry and Lough Swilly railway, joined Sinn Féin and took a special interest in Irish history. The local Rosses historian, Patrick O’Donnell, a national teacher form Mullaghaduff, had this to say of the young Rosses Republican in the Irish Press (26 April 1954):

 

“ ‘In the long and troubled story of our struggle against oppression many brave men have given their all. Their names are written in letters of gold in the glorious pages of our country’s history. It is but right that a special place should be reserved for the name of Neil Plunkett O’Boyle. He was called ‘Plunkett’ because he thought so highly of Joseph Plunkett, the leader who fought in Easter week. He was known by that name until his death, and it is by that name that he is remembered in his native Rosses until the present day.’

 

“There are so many heroic episodes in Plunkett’s life and initially I will only related to a few and then I will recite the words of a song which I feel covers the important parts of his history. May I state that more songs about Plunkett i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla were written than were of the politicians who were afterwards leaders of the government in the Southern Free State. Most of the songs in English are covered in the book Óglach na Rossan and I have distributed copies of some of them here today, a copy of the Plunkett Column and a photo of Myles Reilly who was with Plunkett in Wicklow.

 

“1918 – Emigration to Glasgow, New Mains Colliery, B. Company, 2nd Batt. Scottish Brigade IRA, supply of arms across the Irish Sea, 5 years imprisonment in Peterhead Jail in Scotland and release due to the Treaty Amnesty 1922, Commandant of the Burtonport Battalion IRA, worked with Charlie Daly, Sean Lehane, Peadar O’Donnell, control of Glenveigh Castle, attack on Meemore, Annagry and Glenties barracks, arrest in Crolly 1922, on the Lady Wicklow ship from Buncrana to Newbridge internment camp, led the escape through a very long sewer tunnel with 160 other prisoners, the most daring escape ever from R-Block Prison, Newbridge, October 1922 and back to Wicklow to take charge of the ‘Plunkett’ Column (October 1922 – May 1923), when he was shot here in Knocknadruce although the ceasefire was in operation.

 

“And this is one of the songs written by the poet Dominic O’Kelly a teacher from Doocharry in Donegal in 1948 which covers many of his crusades:
Comdt. Neil "Plunkett” Boyle
Born 1898 at Lackeenagh near Burtonport
“Killed in Action" by Free State Troops at Mrs Norton's house in Knocknadruce, Valleymount, Co. Wicklow, on the 15th May 1923.

 

He died for his country that freedom might live
And gave to dear Ireland all man has to give.
The blood of such martyrs has hallowed our soil
Not least of whose members was Neil "Plunkett" Boyle.

 

Away up in Wicklow 'mid mountains so tall
Afar from his homestead in dear Donegal
By Irishmen slain, where O'Dwyer did toil
Fell Irish Republican, Neil ‘Plunkett’ Boyle.

 

'Twas down at Lackeenagh he first saw the light
This hero whose fate was for Erin to fight.
In Scotland’s black coalpits he worked for a while
For Rosses air sighing was Neil ‘Plunkett’ Boyle.

 

Explosives he smuggled from Peterhead mine
When caught there at long last, it was not a fine:
From five years’ sentence he did not recoil,
For steadfast and daring was Neil ‘Plunkett’ Boyle.

 

The Truce brought him home and the Treaty came then
Neil stood with the few who were faithfully true men:
When captured by Staters, they treated him vile
To Newbridge Camp prison went Captain Neil Boyle.

 

Another O'Boyle from Glasbeggan named Owen
Was kept till he died in that cold camp alone.
By night and by day did these captives here toil
A-digging a tunnel with Captain Neil Boyle.

 

Now soon he escaped with another eight score
Among them O’Donnell from up by Meenmore:
Brave Frank was sent northward to fight nigh the Foyle
While eastward to Wicklow went Captain Neil Boyle.

 

The Cease Fire order reached Valleymount Glen
Where Neil operated with only twelve men…
Yet sixteen days after the traitor for spoil
Surrounded and captured and shot Commandant Boyle.

 

The day he was buried nigh Kincasslagh shore
Brought Staters with rifles and lorries galore…
To see them parading made Irish blood boil
Around by the coffin of Commandant Boyle.

 

But now they've repented and sorry are they …
'Twas noble the body that lies 'neath this clay:
Oh, Mary Eoghain Bháin sure 'tis proud you should smile
That you were the mother of Commandant Boyle.

 

Full many’s the tombstone here stands o'er a grave,
But none is more worthy of true man and brave
Than that now erect on his own native soil —
To hand down the memory of Neil ‘Plunkett’ Boyle

 

To-day in the Rosses remembrance we keep
Where breezes of freedom blow in from the deep —
All out to continue the struggle and toil
For an Irish Republic like Neil "Plunkett" Boyle.
Dominic O'Kelly
At MacCauley 's Hotel
Letterkenny, 12.1.1948.

 

“It is unbelievable that although the ceasefire was in operation on the May 15, 1923 the Free State forces searched the whole area from Holywood until they came to the last house in Knocknadruce which was Nortons at the time. Nolans lived nearby and were always a great help to members of the ‘Plunkett’ Column. Myles Reilly, a member of the column, was in Blessington Barracks on this particular night but this is how he related the story of that fateful morning:

 

“ ‘It was the dogs barking that alerted Paddy Dunne, a workman from Holywood, to tell Paddy Farrell who was on ‘lookout’ that the soldiers were coming up the lane. An exchange of fire took place and ‘Plunkett’ was afraid that Mrs Norton, her daughter Sarah and the workman would be injured because they had riddled the house with bullets and the holes are yet to be seen. ‘Plunkett’ pulled on his trousers and shirt and went out with his hands up to surrender so that the family would not be injured. He was asked to walk up and stand by the 4’ wall. He was asked was he Seán Plunkett (he used that name) and when he said he was, he was shot through the eye and another bullet to his head. He died instantly.’

 

“There is a more comprehensive report of this episode in the book Óglach na Rossan.
There were many despicable episodes during the Civil War such as Ballyseedy and the shooting of Daly, Enright, O’Sullivan and Larkin in the woods of Drumboe but this was a murderous and unnecessary attack when the ceasefire was in operation. The words of the song ‘Plunkett of the Hills’ shows the evils of the Civil War and the opportunity it gave the British to divide and conquer:
‘You did your best out in the West,
To save our leader true.
But while Irish sons wore British guns
There was nothing you could do.’

 

“On the last occasion I spoke here in Knocknadruce I spent a pleasant evening with the late Dáithí Ó Conaill, his wife Deirdre and a loyal North Antrim volunteer, Frank McGarry in Tutty’s pub in Holywood and naturally we were very dismayed by the actions of the state forces in Knocknadruce in 1923, some who were previously on the Republican side in Belfast. Only a year prior to 1986, a split occurred in the Provisional movement and although that was not welcome, we were all determined that Republican Sinn Féin would carry on the objectives ‘Plunkett’ set out to achieve when he first joined the IRA in the Rosses in 1918, ina dhiaidh sin ba Éire saor agus Gaelacth a bhí mar chuspóir aige do 32-Contaethe na h-Éireann agus lean sé dó sin go deireadh, an Ireland free and Gaelic was his objective to the end.

 

“In honouring an Irish patriot here today I do not wish to dwell on any rancour amongst Irish people as unity among genuine Irish Republicans is necessary to achieve ultimate freedom. However, the names of ‘Plunkett’, Dáithí Ó Conaill, Tone and Pearse, I feel would not concur with the direction former comrades have taken in the acceptance of the British presence in the North, a British Police Board and the sustainability of a Stormont government which was proscribed by a former British Prime Minister.

 

“And we now have Marian Price and Martin Corry interned by another British Minister of State. A new plan is necessary if we are to achieve Plunkett’s 32-county Republic, Gaelic and free. We will have to follow in the footsteps of the United Irishmen, The Young Irelanders, The Fenians, The Men of 1916, Cumann na mBan and all the volunteers men and women who gave their lives for Irish freedom up until this day. They had to repudiate comrades who diverted from that course although we would all welcome an ultimate peaceful solution it cannot be achieved without the freedom from foreign which the heroes of the past desired.

 

“However, Republican Sinn Féin will show the integrity of the Republican movement and by the continuous publication of an excellent paper – Saoirse – and will adhere to Ireland’s right to a sovereign peaceful nation amongst the free nations of the world. Saoirse is a paper that reminds me of An Claidheamh Solais which Pádraig Pearse edited at the beginning of the last century or An tÓglach published in 1918 and should get the support of all Republicans.

 

“The people of Wicklow and Kildare gave great support to the ‘Plunkett’ Column from Kylebeg to Blessington to Dunlavin to Valleymount to Tallaght. Mass was said for Plunkett in Kilbride by Fr Doherty and Mrs Lambert of Lacken, where the column often stayed, accompanied the funeral to the Rosses. I would personally like to thank the people of Wicklow for their great help to me when I was doing research for the book Óglach na Rosann in the eighties especially Kitty Hawkins and family, Myles Reilly, who went around the county with me, his wife Tess and family, the Lambert family of Lacken, Séamas Mooney of Kilbride and Nano Miley at whose grave I spoke in Donard a few years ago, a great, kind woman, who travelled to Donegal to see relations of Plunkett and Dan Magee from the ‘Plunkett’ Column. Many thanks to them all.

 

“Ar mbuíochas daofa uilig agus ar dheis Dé go raibh anamnacha uaisle na n-Óglach ar fad, fir agus mná, a throid ar son saoirse na h-Éireann, an saoirse bhuan sin a chaithfear a chur i gcríoch.”

 

Following the commemoration Mrs Nolan and her family extended their usual generous hospitality to all those who attended, for which we thank them.

Grey Abbey Commemoration - Report

On Sunday December 16 in Kildare Town, Kildare Republican Sinn Féin held a commemoration to mark the 90th anniversary of the executions of seven soldiers of the Irish Republican Army by Free State Army. The executions took place in the Glasshouse on the Curragh on December 19 1922. The commemoration began at 2 pm with a parade, led by a colour party, from the Square in Kildare Town to Grey Abbey Cemetery. The ceremony at the Republican Plot was chaired by the An tUachtarán Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton and began with the laying of two wreaths. Anne Origan, Newbridge, a grandniece of Commandant Bryan Moore, laid the first wreath on behalf of Republican Sinn Féin. The second wreath was laid by Kevin Kavanagh, Co Wexford, on behalf of the South East Comhairle Ceantair of Republican Sinn Féin. This was followed by a minute’s silence and a dipping of the flag. Róisín Hayden, Dublin, read the Four Courts Proclamation, issued by the Republican leadership at the beginning of the war in defence of the All-Ireland Republic of 1922-23.

Republican Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle member Seán Dolan, Co Westmeath gave the oration. He briefly outlined the events leading up to the executions of the seven IRA Volunteers. “These men dedicated their lives to the cause of the All-Ireland Republic and died in its defence. The recent riots in Belfast and across the Six Counties as well as the latest revelations relating to the murder by a British backed loyalist death-squad of human rights lawyer Pat Finucane, all point to the fact that only a full British withdrawal and the creation of a New Ireland north and south can deliver a just and lasting peace.” Seán Dolan said. 

The seven members of the Rathbride Column executed were : Patrick Bagnall and Patrick Mangan, Fairgreen, Kildare; Joseph Johnston, Station Road, Kildare; Bryan Moore and Patrick Nolan, Rathbride, Kildare; Stephen White, Abbey St. Kildare and James O’ Connor, Bansha, Co. Tipperary. This was the single biggest execution of the civil war or counter-revolution of 1922-23. An eighth member of the column, Commandant Thomas Behan of Rathangan died at the scene of their capture in Mooresbridge on December 12 1922 as a result of the beating he received from Free State soldiers. The Free State Army later tried to cover up his murder by claiming he was “shot while trying to escape” from the Glass House. 

Kevin Barry Commemoration held in Rathvilly, Co Carlow

On Sunday 18th of November despite the inclement weather, there was a great turnout at the 92nd Annual Kevin Barry Commemoration in Rathvilly.

The parade was led by an impressive colour party from Wexford. Proceedings were chaired by James Corcoran from Carlow RSF. Wreaths were laid by PaddyBarcoe, Killeshin, Wexford National Graves and Padraig O’Pearaill Cumann RSF Wexford.

There was a minute’s silence, followed by the dipping of flags in respect of the Republican dead.  The oration was given by Diarmuid MacDubhglais from Dublin.

He began by recalling Kevin Barry’s sacrifice for an Irish Republic and then highlighted the plight of Republican Prisoners especially the internees Martin Corey, Gerry McGeough and Marian Price. He contrasted their principled selflessness with Provisional Sinn Fein’s betrayal of Republicanism.

Easter Commemoration held in Naas

Republican Sinn Féin in Kildare held their annual 1916 commemoration at the grave of Martin O’Brien in St Corban’s cemetery in Naas at 12 Noon on Easter Sunday. The 1916 Proclamation as well as the Easter Statement from the leadership of the Republican Movement along with statements from the POWs in Maghaberry and Portlaoise Prisons were also read. A decade of the rosary was recited As Gaelige.

In his oration Republican Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle member Matt Conway said: “We gather here today to remember the men and women who 96 years ago went out to strike a blow for Irish Freedom. The leaders of 1916 gave us the Proclamation of Easter Week. It is upon this historic declaration of the “right of the people of Ireland to the ownership of Ireland” that we take our stand, and it is from Ireland’s historic right to nationhood that we draw our mandate. That right to nationhood can never be extinguished ‘except by the destruction of the Irish people.’

“Here we are gathered at the grave of Martin O’Brien, a friend and comrade of the famous Kildare Republican Frank Driver. Martin O’Brien devoted his entire life to the cause of a free Ireland and for him that cause could only be completed when the 1916 Proclamation was made a reality. Martin O’Brien also wrote for the United Irishman paper under the name Conleth Martin. On this Easter day we are proud to remember his service to the All-Ireland Republic.

“For Irish Republicans the 1916 Rising is much more than an historical event, it represents the highest ideals of human and national freedom. While any part of Ireland remains under British occupation or any part of our sovereignty is claimed by an undemocratic European superstate 1916 will remain for us unfinished business.”

Wreaths were also placed on the Republican Plot in St Corban’s cemetery as well as Grey Abbey in Kildare Town. Wreaths were also placed on graves and monuments throughout Counties Kildare, Laois and Carlow.

Protest at gates of Croke Park to presence of RUC/PSNI

Republican Sinn Féin held a very successful protest at the main entrance to Croke Park on November 25 against the presence of the RUC/PSNI in the stadium, defying an attempt by the 26-County police to close the road to any protests. Inside a team from the 26-County police were playing a team from the RUC/PSNI in a Gaelic football match.

Speaking at the protest the President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton said: “The protest today is about driving home the message that British occupation of any part of Ireland is neither normal nor acceptable. The presence of the British colonial police in Croke Park is a betrayal of the principles upon which Cumann Lúthchleas Gael was founded. Foremost amongst these principles is Ireland’s right to its essential unity as a nation. The GAA has never recognised the British-imposed border but today the leadership of the GAA has allowed the same British forces who deny that unity of Ireland on to the pitch at Croke Park.

“The GAA is being hijacked by the British and 26-County political establishments to bolster their campaign of normalising British rule and the partition of Ireland. The very fact that this game is being played behind closed doors and under tight security tells us that it is far from normal. If, as we are constantly told, that relations with the British State are now normal why all the secrecy and security? The truth is that British rule in Ireland will never be normal,” Des Dalton said.

U-TV: Security fears over PSNI Croke Park game

Republican Sinn Féin Ard Fheis held in Dublin

ON Saturday and Sunday, November 12 and 13, delegates and visitors from Ireland, Scotland and England attended the 107th Ard-Fheis of Sinn Féin in Dublin. Members of the International Relations Bureau from Austria, Germany and Italy, an activist of Liberation Irlande from France and members of the National Irish Freedom Committee from the USA were also in attendance.

The Ard-Fheis began with a seminar entitled Education within Sinn Féin, where we are coming from and where we are going, which was chaired by Tomás Ó Clérigh and addressed by Fergal Moore, head of the Education Department.

The Ard-Fheis was addressed by representatives of CABHAIR, Irish Republican Prisoners Dependants Fund, Cumann na mBan and Na Fianna Éireann and all three organisation praised Republican Sinn Féin for its steadfastness during what was a very difficult year. Messages of support were also received from the Continuity IRA Republican POWs in Maghaberry and Portlaoise jails. A message of solidarity wishing the Ard Fheis a successful weekend was received from the leadership of the Continuity IRA.

Plenary sessions took place on Saturday afternoon and throughout Sunday but the highlight of the Ard-Fheis was the address by President Des Dalton.

A full report will be carried in the December edition of SAOIRSE.

You can read the Presidential Address by Des Dalton by following this link: http://rsf-kildare.blogspot.com/2011/11/presidential-address-2011.html

Furthermore the Presidential Address can be downloaded as WMA-Audio File from this link: http://www.irish-solidarity.net/ardfheis/Presidential%20Address%202011.WMA

You can read the Ard Fheis Report and the Presidential Address in Spanish by following this link: http://nortedeirlanda.blogspot.com/2011/12/107-ard-fheis-del-rsf.html

Frank Driver remembered

ON Sunday, November 20 Kildare Republican Sinn Féin held its annual Frank Driver commemoration in Ballymore Eustace Co Kildare. Led by colour parties from Republican Sinn Féin and Na Fianna Éireann those taking part marched from Frank Driver’s cottage in Ballymore to his grave in St John’s cemetery.

The ceremony was addressed by Republican Sinn Féin President Des Dalton. A wreath was laid on behalf of the Republican Movement by Celia Conway, Kilcullen and a decade of the rosary was recited by Kitty Hawkins, Ballymore Eustace. Des reminded those present of the long life and service to the Republican cause of Frank Driver.

The parade then formed up and marched back to Ballymore Eustace.

Kevin Barry commemorated in Rathvilly

REPUBLICAN Sinn Féin marked the 91st anniversary of the death of Kevin Barry in Rathvilly Co Carlow on Sunday November 21. Republican Sinn Féin and Na Fianna Éireann colour parties led the parade to the Kevin Barry monument.

The ceremony was chaired by Jimmy Corcoran of the Myles Shevlin/Tony Ruane Cumann, Carlow. Wereaths were laid on behalf of the Republican Movement, Kildare Republican Sinn Féin and Wexford Republican Sinn Féin. Kitty Hawkins, Co Kildare recited a decade of the rosary. Jimmy then called for a minute’s silence and the dipping of the flags in memory of Kevin Barry and all who died for Irish Freedom.

The oration was given by Republican Sinn Féin President Des Dalton, who recounted the life and sacrifice of Kevin Barry and gave a most inspiring oration.

The commemoration was attended by members and supporters from Kildare, Carlow, Wexford and Dublin; local people also attended including Kevin Barry’s nephew, also called Kevin Barry.

Candle Light Vigil at GPO marks 30th Anniversary of End of Hunger Strike

Republican Sinn Féin marked the 30th anniversary of the ending of the hunger strikes in the H Blocks of Long Kesh with a candle light vigil at the GPO in O’Connell St in Dublin on October 5.

Addressing the crowd the President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton said that the hunger striker was not simply in pursuit of political status. “Bobby Sands and his comrades gave their lives that the All-Ireland Republic might live. These young Irishmen were willing to give their lives that their children might live in a New Ireland. 30 years later the fact that there are young Irishmen in Maghaberry prison locked in a struggle for political status tells us that nothing has changed. Ireland still suffers British occupation and partition. Here in the 26-Counties the people are being sold out to the new imperialists of the EU/ECB and IMF. The most fitting monument we can erect to the martyrs of 1981 is to bring about that All-Ireland Federal Democratic Socialist Republic.” He concluded by quoting from the statement issued by the Republican POWs: “There were several reasons given by our comrades for going on hunger-strike. One was because we had no choice and no other means of securing a principled solution to the four-year protest.

“Another, and of fundamental importance, was to advance the Irish people's right to liberty. We believe that the age-old struggle for Irish self-determination and freedom has been immeasurably advanced by this hunger-strike and therefore we claim a massive political victory. The hunger-strikers, by their selflessness, have politicised a very substantial section of the Irish nation and exposed the shallow, unprincipled nature of the Irish partitions bloc.

“Our comrades have lit with their very lives an eternal beacon which will inspire this nation and people to rise and crush oppression forever and his nation can be proud that it produced such a quality of man hood.

“We pay a special tribute to the families of our dead comrades. You have suffered greatly and with immense dignity. Your loved ones, our comrades and friends, were and would be very proud of you for standing by them. No tribute is to great.

“Also, we give a special mention to those families who could not bear to watch their loved ones die in pain and agony. We prisoners understand the pressure you were under and stand by you.

“We thank the National H-Block/Armagh Committee, the H-Block movement, the nationalist people of Ireland, and all those who championed our cause abroad, we are indebted to you and ask you to continue your good work on our behalf.

“Lastly we reaffirm our commitment to the achievement of the five demands by whatever means we believe necessary and expedient. We rule nothing out.

“Under no circumstances are we going to devalue the memory of our dead comrades by submitting ourselves to a dehumanising and degrading régime.”

Carlow remembers the hunger strikers

Carlow Republican Sinn Féin held a very successful picket at the Liberty Tree 1798 monument in Carlow Town today (Saturday July 9) from 1.00pm to 2.30pm. The picket was held to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the 1981 Hunger Strike in the H Blocks of Long Kesh in which Bobby Sands and nine other Republican prisoners died. The picket was also to highlight the present campaign of the Republican prisoners in Maghaberry prison for the right to political status.

During the protest leaflets were distributed explaining about the protest in Maghaberry prison as well as the plight of veteran Republican Martin Corey who is at present interned without trial in Maghaberry prison where he has been held since April of last year.

The picket was addressed by the Athy based President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton who said that the events of 1981 were not merely a matter of history: “Today young Irishmen in Maghaberry prison are engaged in the same struggle against the same enemy on the same principle of political status. Like Bobby Sands and his comrades the present Republican prisoners are resisting the attempts of the British Government and its surrogate at Stormont to criminalise the historic and noble struggle for Irish freedom.”

A peaceful protest

Republican Sinn Féin held a protest in Kildare town against the visit of the Queen to the Irish National Stud,while a Naas based food company was delighted to get the opportunity to cater for the Royal party.

The demonstration organised by Republican Sinn Féin was a peaceful one and went off without any incident. It was timed to coincide with the Queen’s visit last Thursday morning and began with a march around the market square where wreaths were laid at the 1798 Monument to the 350 people murdered by British forces at the Gibbet Rath on the Curragh and the monument to the seven men executed by Free State forces on the Curragh on December 18 1922.

During the protest songs of resistance were played and the crowd was also addressed by the Kildare based President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton from Athy. He said the protest was intended to send out a clear message that while Britain continues to occupy and partition Ireland its head of state would not be welcome in any part of Ireland. He also saluted the GAA counties who did not attend the visit of the Queen of England to Croke Park on the previous day.

“By their actions they have salvaged the honour of the GAA and have spoken for GAA members throughout Ireland who opposed this hijacking of the GAA in order to normalise British Rule in Ireland,” Des Dalton said.

At noon the crowd marched out to Grey Abbey cemetery where a short ceremony was held at the Republican Plot. Here the 1916 Proclamation was read by the General Secretary of Republican Sinn Féin Josephine Hayden. A minute’s silence was then held in memory of the Irish men and women who died for Irish freedom and the ceremony concluded with the playing of the national anthem.

Published in Kildare Nationalist, direct link: http://www.kildare-nationalist.ie/tabId/201/itemId/10209/A-peaceful-protest.aspx

Kildare protest at visit of British Queen

Kildare Republican Sinn Féin held a very successful demonstration in Kildare Town on Thursday May 19 from 10am to 12 Noon against the visit of the Queen of England to the nearby National Stud.

The protest began with a march around the market square where wreaths were laid at the 1798 Monument to the 350 men murdered by British Crown forces at the Gibbet Rath on the Curragh and the monument to the seven men executed by Free State forces on the Curragh on December 18 1922.

During the protest songs of resistance were played and the crowd was also addressed by the Kildare based President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton from Athy. He said the protest was intended to send out a clear message that while Britain continues to occupy and partition Ireland its head of state would not be welcome in any part of Ireland. He also saluted the GAA counties who did not attend the visit of the Queen of England to Coke Park on the previous day. “By their actions they have salvaged the honour of the GAA and have spoken for GAA members throughout Ireland who opposed this hijacking of the GAA in order to normalise British Rule in Ireland.” Des Dalton said.

At 12 Noon the crowd marched out to Grey Abbey cemetery where a short ceremony was held at the Republican Plot. Here the 1916 Proclamation was read by the General Secretary of Republican Sinn Féin Josephine Hayden. A minutes silence was held in memory of all the Irish men and women who have died for Irish freedom. The ceremony concluded with the playing of Amhrán na BhFiann.

Local community rages as dump that turned into a nightmare still burns

It is the sickening taste at the back of your throat that gets you; not immediately but hours after exposure to Kerdiffstown dump. Seventeen days after a detritus of wood and waste plastic ignited, the fire is still spewing smoke across the Kildare countryside.

The scale is apparent only on close inspection. Fire appliances and dumper trucks are dwarfed by a huge plume of smoke carrying a toxic mix that lingers in the mouth. There are now 100 people on the site near Naas. Even after a week in which firefighters from four counties worked non-stop to contain the fire, the smoke is still streaming through the torn fence that surrounds the dump.

Kildare County Council chief fire officer Celina Barrett said the fire was initially believed to have started spontaneously but now appears to be a surface fire that worked its way down.

She said it would take at least a week to extinguish. The council has been pumping carbon dioxide underground towards the fire, and is conducting a nitrogen risk assessment. The fire was first noticed on January 18 and the area in which the fire is hottest is at least 20 metres underground.

The dump, which opened 14 years ago, was closed by an injunction granted to the Environmental Protection Agency last year on foot of 200 complaints. On February 3 the agency confirmed the final cost of making the 55-acre dump safe will be in the region of €30 million.

The figure is contained in a report by consultants SKM Enviros commissioned by the EPA, which was completed last October and published on February 30. Neiphin Trading, the company that operated the dump, is in liquidation. In the first week of February the wind changed, dispersing the smoke over less densely populated areas, but last week it lingered over the heavily populated areas of Naas, Clane and Sallins.

“It is like sooty anthracite you used to burn years ago, mixed with everything else you can think of,” said local resident Ann Stapleton. “Last week was dreadful. The minute you came out in the morning you could taste it.”

She has four sons, all of whom have been sick over the last 10 days. One stayed at home from school with vomiting last week, as another did this week. Anne Marie Friel, who lives on the Dublin Road in Naas, said her children have also been ill.

“You could say it is the time of year but it was not the time of year last week when my daughter, who is asthmatic, went back on the inhaler after two years off it. My other daughter went back on it too,” she said. Clean Air Naas has been calling for years for the dump to be cleaned up.

Deirdre McGeever, whose husband Brian is chairman of the campaign, stressed that putting out the fire was only the beginning as, she said, leachate in which toxins mix with water are filtering into the nearby Morell river, a tributary of the Liffey. “We have the smell; Dublin is going to get the water pollution,” she said.

A report commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency, details of which were first made public last November, found levels of ammonia leaching into groundwater up to five times the maximum permitted by EU directives. This put the nearby Morrell river “at future risk of contamination”, the report said.

Frank Driver remembered

On Sunday November 21 Kildare Republican Sinn Féin held its annual Frank Driver commemoration in Ballymore Eustace Co Kildare. Led by colour parties from Republican Sinn Féin and Na Fianna Éireann those taking part marched from Driver’s cottage in the Ballymore to the grave of Frank Driver in St John’s cemetery.

The ceremony was chaired by Paddy Tidd of the Frank Driver Cumann, North Kildare. A wreath was laid on behalf of the Republican Movement by Celia Conway, Kilcullen and a decade of the rosary was recited by Kitty Hawkins, Ballymore Eustace. Paddy Tidd called for a minutes silence and a dipping of the flags in memory of all who died for Irish Freedom.

In her oration Cáit Trainor, Co Armagh, a member of the Ard Chomhairle said:

“Firstly I would like to say what an honour it is to speak at the graveside of such a man as Frank Driver, Its 29 years since Frank Driver passed away and in those 29 years his relevance and inspiration has not waned. Frank Driver was a man of conviction and courage, his long career in the Republican Movement saw some of the Most Important events in Irish History.

“Frank was not a man who sat back and watched History unfold around him, but was indeed part of the making of Irish History, from the start Frank was Hands on, his first service for the Republican Movement began at age of 12 when he was a Tally clerk for Sinn Féin during the Historic 1918 General Election. After which time he was active within the IRA and at age sixteen was interned.

“Frank Driver was a dedicated republican, being active all his Live within Republicanism, in the 40's Frank Driver was instrumental in reorganising the Republican Movement, in the 50's training Volunteers and when he was interned once again in the Curragh camp, Frank was involved in organising a mass break out. Such was Frank Driver that no matter what was threw at him or where he was he always worked to further the Republican Movement, even at times when it seemed Fruitless Frank Worked on such was his resolve.

“We can all learn from the Life of such a man, a man who went through some of the most turbulent and it has to be said disheartening times in Republican History and still right up until his death he never gave up.

“At present we live in a time where determination and dedication are overlooked as outdated and stubborn, that Republicanism is somehow taboo and in our general lives we cant express our patriotism for fear of being seen as Old Fashioned or somehow backward. Well I believe the time of change has come, we now have a chance to speak to the masses and make a difference.

“The Free state economic crisis is an eye opener for many Irish People, the lies the Free state government has fed people have now been exposed, Partition does not work, it has never worked and it never will work. The people of Ireland must have social control of the economy.

“Eire Nua and Saol Nua had never been so relevant, its the only real solution, we have the solution but others just want to focus on the Problem.

“The Myth that the 26 County Free state is Independent and the Myth that the 6 county state being devolved is somehow independent has been shattered, the 6 county state has no autonomy, it relies on the British exchequer and takes instruction from the British in the management of the cuts applied to them, the 26 county state also has no autonomy in directing the economy and instead is ruled from Brussels and the IMF, Neither state is independent and the present economic crisis has made that abundantly clear to everyone. Partition must be abolished, only the Republic envisaged in 1916 by Connolly and Pearse can give Ireland autonomy, independence and real Sovereignty over our affairs politically and economically, and only the Republic envisaged in 1916 can act in the interests of all our people.

“Frank Driver stood by the revolutionary Republican ideas as laid down by the men of 16, these ideas were kept alive by men like Frank Driver in hard times for the Republican Movement, those revolutionary and progressive ideas have been hidden deliberately by self serving politicians and greedy capitalists in our country. It is thanks to Frank Driver and his comrades that the flag of revolution is still being kept alive and we in Republican Sinn Fein are the inheritors of that revolutionary and progressive tradition.

“Having suffered many set backs and misrepresentation by politicians and vested interests out for personal gain and with no regard for the interests of our nation, we have come through and are embarking on a new wave of republicanism that is now being seen as relevant as it always was, and more and more people are rediscovering the truth and relevance of revolutionary Republicanism, Republican Sinn are at the forefront of the revolution and stronger and more united than ever to achieve our goals which is assert the Sovereign independence of our country which was proclaimed on the steps of the GPO 1916.

“Only last week Republican Sinn Féin had a very successful Ard Fheis where many delegates from throughout the Country assembled, it was great to see a unity of purpose, men, women, young and old joined together, there we rededicated ourselves to the work of the republic.

“Until the 32 Counties of Ireland are independent and free we cant settle, we must reaffirm our dedication to have what is rightfully ours and we will not be lax in our efforts to spread the Republican message. Today as we commemorate the life of Frank Driver I wish to appeal to all of us to make a determined effort to fulfill Frank Driver and so many others Life Goal, which is to rid our Country of foreign occupation to support our Revolutionary Movement in whatever way you possibly can. We owe it to the past generations and we owe it to the future generations to Gain Independence once and for all.” Cáit Trainor said.

The parade then formed up and marched back to Ballymore Eustace.

Frank Driver

Frank Driver was born in Ballymore Eustace in 1907. As a young boy he was in Bodenstown when P H Pearse spoke there in 1913. His first activity on behalf of the Republican Movement was when he acted as a tally clerk for Sinn Féin in the historic 1918 General Election. He was active with the IRA and was the youngest internee in the Newbridge internment camp at 16 years of age.

He went on to give a life-time of service to the Republican Movement suffering imprisonment in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. His last period of imprisonment was in Mountjoy in 1976 for his participation in the banned 1916 60th anniversary commemoration at the GPO.

He played a lead role in the famous raid on the Free State army’s arsenal at the Magazine Fort in the Phoenix Park in 1939. He was interned in the Curragh from 1940 to 1944. Following the release of the internees and the aftermath of the repression of the 1940s Frank Driver travelled throughout Ireland re-organising the Republican Movement. As J Bowyer says in his history of the IRA “On June 23 1947,at Bodenstown, Frank Driver gave the traditional oration, signifying that the Republicans were back in business. Most important was the Army report, read to the crowd, the first public sign that the IRA still existed.”

In 1956 Frank, with others was responsible for setting up training camps. He was interned again in the Curragh in the 1950s. He was involved in the mass break-out from the Curragh on December 2 1958. Frank remained an active Republican right up to his death on November 12 1981. He was for many years a member of the Ard Chomhairle and was an Honoury life Vice-President of Sinn Féin.