Hunger Strikers remembered in Dublin

The annual hunger strike commemoration was held in Dublin on July 10. The parade was led from the Garden of Remembrance by a lone piper in front of a colour party comprising Sinn Fein Poblachtach, Cumann na mBan and Na Fianna Éireann to the GPO where the commemoration was chaired by Andy Connolly, Regional Development Officer for Leinster.

A minutes silence was observed for all those who gave their lives for Irish freedom but especially the 22 hungers strikers since 1917. Padraig Ennis, Dublin read a statement from Ashleen McKenna, Lurgan who was unable to attend the commemoration. Ashleen’s two brothers are incarcerated in Maghaberry jail, Co Antrim:

“Over the past number of years Republican prisoners have been subjected to physical and mental abuse at the hands of the prison warders {screws}in Roe House, Maghaberry jail in Co Antrim which houses Republican prisoners [POWs].

“The POWs have engaged in a number of protests to highlight the conditions in Maghaberry jail. The conditions in the jail have led to a political protest, the abuses that the screws inflict on our men are political abuses and the only way to resolve this, is to take it head on in a political context. The tactics of the screws are to humiliate and criminalise the men but these efforts will fail as said by our comrade Bobby Sands 'never will they label our liberation struggle as criminal'. Bobby Sands a POW stayed true to this statement and so will the POW’S in Maghaberry; they are not asking for much just basic human rights as the conditions in Maghaberry are inhumane.

“The screws treat the POWs with a hostile nature and on a daily basis the POWs are strip searched. This is just a tactic used by the screws to humiliate our men. Over the past year the screws have been actively violent towards the prisoners, which has resulted in several POWs being assaulted. The prisoners are subjected to 23 hour lock downs with only two meals a day which are served in disposable containers and slid along the floor to the prisoners.

“The POWs are denied proper medical facilities; some prisoners have serious health problems and are not getting the medical treatment they need. The POWs domestic visits are stopped when they refuse to strip for the screws. The screws are also using their drug dogs to stop the POWs families from visiting.

“This protest began on Easter Sunday of this year when the Republican prisoners took control of part of the jail which lasted 48 hours. Since this time the prisoners only get a hour of the day to exercise, phone home, wash their clothes and receive a legal visit. Initially when the protest began the POWs as part of the protest didn't shave or cut their hair. Because of the lack of response from the Prison Authorities on improving the conditions, the POWs had no option but to escalate their protest. Because they have toilet facilities in their cells they commenced a dirty protest to dispose of their waste.

“This is an absolute disgrace to expect our POWs to live in such conditions. We need as much help as we can get from the people on the outside to try to resolve the impasses as soon as possible. The conditions are seriously affecting the health of the Republican prisoners, their weight loss is very worrying due to the lack of proper food and nourishment.

“We should remember what our comrade Bobby Sands said 'Everyone, Republican or otherwise, has their own particular part to play. No part is too great or too small; no one is too old or too young to do something.

“We the families, along with Republican Sinn Féin will continue the protests on the outside which will include pickets, marches and leaflet drops until the POWs receive their 5 demands which are:

1. Right to free association
2. End controlled movement
3. Right to full time education
4. End to strip searching
5. Adequate medical facilities

Political Status Now! Victory to POWS!”

The main speaker of the day was Shane O’Toole from Kildare. He delivered a very strong oration to loud applause.

“It’s an honour for me to address you all here today, the Republican people of Ireland. Twenty - nine years ago ten Irish soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom of all the people of Ireland. One by one ten young Irish volunteers embarked an agonizing hunger strike to insure basic human rights and dignity of the right to political status for Republican Prisoners of War. These young Irish soldiers were imprisoned by an illegal force of occupation. They refused to allow Britain to criminalise Ireland's historic eight hundred year fight for freedom.

“After five long years on the blanket and dirty protest no real gains had been made towards restoring political status and decision was made by the prisoners to go on hunger strike. On May 5th 1981 Bobby Sands died after sixty-six days on hunger strike. One hundred thousand people attended his funeral. Marches and demonstrations were held over the world in support of the Republican prisoners. The true face of British rule in Ireland had been exposed to the world but still the British government refused the right to political status. It took the deaths of nine more volunteers for political status to be restored.

“Twenty-nine years on and the face of British rule in Ireland has not changed, only difference being they are now backed by there Provo puppets, who signed away the right to political status in yet another Treaty of Surrender. They surrendered the weapons given to them for the freedom of Ireland. They have sullied the memory of the ten brave men and all those who gave their lives for Irish freedom.

“These former Republicans try to give the lie that there are no longer any political prisoners in Ireland. The fact is that as long as there is any British presence in Ireland there will always be those brave Irish men and women who will resist the occupation of our country, and therefore as long as Britain occupies any part of Ireland there will always be political prisoners in Ireland. Today the Republican prisoners in Maghaberry face the same fight for political status inside a British prison in Ireland. The conditions inside Maghaberry have been deteriorating over the past few months and just like in 1981 the prisons are being used to try and break the spirit of Republican prisoners. They did not succeed then nor will they succeed today.

“The spirit of the ten brave men lives on in the Republican prisoners today. After exhausting every other avenue the Republican prisoners have been forced into embarking on a dirty protest to try and bring to an end the inhuman conditions which they are being forced to live in. 1981 saw the deaths of ten Irish soldiers before political status was restored. We must ensure that these events never have to happen again to win back the Republican prisoners right to political status.

“We, the true Republican people of Ireland pledge our full support to the prisoners and their families and will continue to fight for political status. We uphold the right of the Irish people to take up arms against an illegal force of occupation, and we salute the men and women who will give the cutting edge in the fight to finally end the illegal occupation of Ireland. Until every last British soldier has been driven from Irish soil and the Butchers Apron flies no more, the war against the Brits can and must continue until freedom has been achieved, and the responsibility for any loss of life will lie firmly at the doorstep of the British government.

“There are those who have tried to undermine the Republican Movement in recent times. These so called Republicans have disgraced themselves and have no place within Republicanism. After being overwhelmingly rejected at last years Ard Fheis, egos of certain people have been damaged and when positions of power they so desperately wanted had not gone their way. They resorted to doing the Brits dirty work, taking cheap shots and releasing statements with unfounded rubbish. The Republican movement has enjoyed over 100 years of unbroken continuity and we will not allow the actions of these people to derail that.

“The attempts to normalise British rule in Ireland is in full flow and we have seen this with the announcement by the Free State government that they are to bring the Queen of England on an official state visit. Republican Sinn Fein will vigorously oppose any visit to any part of Ireland by any British royal as long as Britain remains to occupy any part of our country. She is the head of the State that has oppressed and occupied our people for more than eight-hundred years. We call on all of the people of Ireland to fall in behind us in our opposition to this visit.

“Let us move forward and end partition and create a new Ireland for all of its people so that future generations can live free and decide then our destiny just as the men of 1916 fought and died for.

“We follow on in the footsteps of Tone, Pearse and Sands and will stay true to the cause so many before us have so bravely given their lives for, we will not betray the memory of our fallen heroes. We send a clear message to the Brits either signal your intent to leave Ireland for good or you will be met with the full force of the Republican movement and Ireland's sons and daughters will drive you out. Stay true to the cause of Irish freedom!!

“Victory to the POWs, An Phoblacht Abu”

Republican Sinn Féin President Des Dalton also spoke and reiterated Republican Sinn Féin's commitment to ending British rule in Ireland, and their opposition to any visit by any British monarch while their army remains in six of the nine counties of Ulster, or indeed in any part of Ireland.
The piper brought the proceedings to a close with the playing of Amhrán na bhFiann.

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.”

Republican Sinn Féin leaders to meet senior Maghaberry Duty Governor

The President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton along with the Patron and former President Ruairí Ó Brádaigh will hold a meeting on Sunday, June 27 with the Duty Governor in Maghaberry Prison to demand the return of the right of Political Status to the Republican prisoners who are currently under 23-hour lock-up and engaged in a ‘Dirty Protest’. They will also meet with the OC of the Republican prisoners.

Following the visit both will address a rally in support of the prisoner outside of the prison at 4pm.

‘Bloody Sunday’ is the true face of British rule in Ireland

Statement by the President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton

The long awaited ‘Saville Inquiry’ acknowledges for the first time that the 14 people murdered on ‘Bloody Sunday’ in Derry on January 30 1972 were innocent Civil Rights marchers however it fails on the crucial question of the responsibility of the British state for the murders.

The belated acknowledgement of the innocence of those murdered and injured on ‘Bloody Sunday’ is welcome for the families of the victims but the Inquiry fails the critical test of identifying and admitting the responsibility of the British State for the murder of unarmed Irish people on the streets of their own city.

The ‘Saville Inquiry’ lays sole responsibility for the murders on the British soldiers who fired the shots on ‘Bloody Sunday’ and their commanding officer. This is a cop-out and ignores the chain of command both political and military, which pitted assault troops such as the British Army’s Parachute Regiment against a peaceful anti-internment march. In August of the previous year over three days the same notorious British Army regiment murdered 11 people in Belfast.

‘Bloody Sunday’ is the true face of British rule in Ireland and the true face of imperialism as experienced today at the hands of the same army by the people of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Three times in the 20th Century the forces of British occupation have visited a ‘Bloody Sunday’ on the Irish people. While British rule remains in Ireland the possibility of yet another will always exist.

The British Government’s apology for the murders of ‘Bloody Sunday’ is meaningless while it continues to occupy Ireland. A just and lasting peace can only come following a British withdrawal and the creation of a New Ireland built by all of the Irish people Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter.

Move forward and once again strike a blow for Ireland

Speaking at the annual Theobald Wolfe Tone commemoration in Bodenstown Co Kildare on Sunday June 13 former Republican POW Stiofán O Dálaigh, Co Tyrone said:

“A chairde agus a chomrádaithe

“It is a great honour for me to address you all here today. As you and I gather here today we remember with pride not only the name of Theobald Wolfe Tone but the legacy he left behind. In the eyes of genuine Republicans he is viewed as the father of Irish Republicanism, a description truly deserving of a great man.

“Wolfe Tone was only 35 years of age when he died for the cause in which he believed. That cause was to unite the people of Ireland, and I quote:

‘To subvert the tyranny of our execrable government, to break the connection with England, the never-failing source of all our political evils, and to assert the independence of my country – these were my objects. To unite the whole people of Ireland, to abolish the memory of all past dissentions, and to substitute the common name of Irishman, in the place of the denominations of Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter – these were my means.

‘To unite Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter under the common name of Irishman in order to break the connection with England, the never-failing source of all our political evils, that was my aim.

‘If the men of property will not support us, they must fall. Our strength shall come from that great and respectable class, the men of no property.’

“Tone was a revolutionary, he accepted in the short-term that debate on reform would have to take place but when talking would fail, revolt would happen. In 1798, like today, the United Irishmen would be scourged with informers like all revolutionary struggles throughout the world. There were and are those who are driven by the love of monetary wealth. In the case of Wolfe Tone his plans were betrayed to the British by a corrupt attorney.

“The history of Wolfe Tone and the United Irishmen is known to all you who attend here today. It is imperative that we, the Republicans of today, lead from the front as our forefathers did. It is true of today’s struggle that we face many enemies; we have those whose sole desire is the total destruction of Irish Republicanism.

“These people have been corrupted by their greed and as a result they have allowed themselves to become entrenched in criminality. The British government has a vested interest in Republicanism, they have for decades infiltrated all of the revolutionary bodies. However it must be stressed that the British would fail in their attempts if not for the help they undoubtedly receive from the hateful type of person that becomes an informer.

“Today’s struggle is no different from the struggle faced by Plunkett, Pearse and Tone. We the Republican people of today find ourselves in the minority. Our dedication to see our country free from the chains of British imperialism has been used by our enemies not only on the outside but from within. We have seen those who pretend to be Republican tarnish the good name of the Republican Movement by involving themselves with criminals, drug dealers and known informers. These people have asked for support in their actions claiming they are involved in taking ‘military action’. What are these military actions they speak of, extortion, protection of drug dealers, racketeering and the shooting of teenagers; these are not the actions of a revolutionary Republican Movement. These are the actions of a criminal gang. Criminality cannot and will not be tolerated. The Republican Movement will no longer allow such gang lords to operate under the banner of Republicanism. Your dirty deeds have been uncovered.

“As a result of these actions by criminals and informers, we the true Republicans must rebuild and regain the trust of not only our communities but of the whole of Ireland and the rest of the world. The road ahead will be difficult, we have a lot to overcome but these difficult situations are not insurmountable. The path we walk is well-worn, but it has not led us wrong yet. Of course there were those who deviated and they have the audacity to look over their shoulders and call us elitist. Well we say to you, the path we remain on is the same one our forefathers stood on, and if it was good enough for them than its good enough for us.

“At this moment in time we have Republican Prisoners of War fighting for the reintroduction of political status. These men, some of whom are only teenagers, are involved in the third phase of Republican struggle. For centuries the British imperialist forces have been guilty of horrendous and heinous acts of barbarism against Republican prisoners. Today is no different.

“Republican prisoners are locked in their cells for up to 23 hours a day. If a Republican prisoner has a legal visit he is then denied any form of exercise as a result he gets no fresh air. Republican prisoners are being subjected to strip-searches on a daily basis and now family members of Republican prisoners are being strip-searched on visits to see their sons, fathers and husbands.

“Meals are handed in through locked doors, these meals are either served cold or lukewarm; bread has been handed to Republican prisoners already mouldy. Showers are being denied and some of the Republican prisoners have not have not had a shower in up to three weeks. Republican prisoners have been subjected to attacks by prison staff, one man received a boot in the face, a number of men have been beaten up by the notorious search team and forcibly removed from their comrades and placed in isolation.

“The Northern Ireland Office (NIO), the British government and the prison service have denied all of the above, but as a former Republican prisoner I know that all of the reports are accurate. The Prison Officers association (POA) and not the governor run Maghaberry jail (Co Antrim). They have planted names in the cell of a Republican prisoner which resulted in the governor resigning. They are refusing to accept that change is necessary and that contrary to their assumptions the Republican prisoners are only looking to be treated with dignity and respect.

“We the Republican people of Ireland hereby state that we will not stand idly by and let this abuse continue. The Republican Prisoners of War have our fullest support and dedication, we salute you.

“I would like to finish by saying that the struggle in which Tone gave his life for is still ongoing. We the Republican people must move forward and once again strike a blow for Ireland. Let us not forget the sacrifices of the past and that the men and women who died for Ireland did so, not for any fringe benefits, but for the Republican cause and a united and free Ireland. “There are those who are and those who pretend to be.”

“To you, the true Republican people who gathered here today, I would like to thank you for your attendance, you are following in the footsteps of great men and women and their sacrifices and yours will not be forgotten.

Stay true to the cause of Ireland.
Tiocfaidh Ár Lá.”

Bodenstown Commemoration

Republican Sinn Féin is holding its annual Theobald Wolfe Tone commemoration on this Sunday, June 13. Those taking part will assemble in Sallins, Co Kildare at 2.30pm and march from there to Bodenstown Churchyard.

The oration this year will be given by former Republican Prisoner Stíofán Ó Dálaigh, Tír Eoghain.