Irish Republican Information Service (no. 91)
Teach Dáithí Ó Conaill, 223 Parnell Street, Dublin 1, Ireland
Phone: +353-1-872 9747; FAX: +353-1-872 9757; e-mail: saoirse@iol.ie
Date: 3 Eanáir / January 2007
Internet resources maintained by SAOIRSE-Irish Freedom
In this issue:
1. New Year Statement from the Ard Chomhairle of Sinn Féin Poblachtach
2. Dáithí Ó Conaill remembered in Dublin 3. Dan Keating celebrates 105th birthday in Kerry
4. POW Picket in Waterford
5. Manchester Martyrs commemoration
6. New publication contains valuable historical material on Seán Sabhat
7. Santa arrested after CABHAIR swim
8. Guantanamo rendition flights vigil at IAA offices, dublin 1. ‘GIVING LEADERSHIP TO ALL WHO OPPOSE BRITISH RULE IN IRELAND’
New Year Statement from the Ard Chomhairle of Sinn Féin Poblachtach
THE coming year brings fresh challenges for Republicans throughout Ireland. “As Republican Sinn Féin has reiterated since 1986, the Provos are being dragged into the British net gradually.” This was the assessment of An tUachtarán Sinn Féin Poblachtach Ruairí Ó Brádaigh on October 13 2006 following the announcement by the British and Dublin governments at St Andrews in Scotland of the terms for reconvening the Stormont Assembly. The net has now finally closed on the Provisionals as they take the final step on the road of compromise, betrayal and sell-out, as they sigh up to policing British rule in Ireland.
They first embarked on this road in 1986 with their attempt to divert the Republican Movement away from its goal of Irish national independence, and each step has seen them accept the partitionist assemblies of Leinster House and Stormont as well as opening offices in the British parliament at Westminister, accepting the Unionist Veto, the decommissioning of arms, the criminalisation of Republican prisoners and administering British rule. Despite protestations that each of these steps would never be taken each time they have enmeshed themselves further in the machinery of British occupation in Ireland. They have now arrived at a point where they are prepared to take an oath pledging to uphold British law, British courts and British police in Ireland.
Now more than ever clear thinking, leadership and a programme of action is required, providing a focal point of resistance to that section of the Irish people who will never accept British rule in Ireland. Republican Sinn Féin represents the only political alternative capable of providing this, coming from a position of solid and unequivocal Irish Republicanism. Other groups or organisations may attempt to hold this ground but Republican Sinn Féin are the only political organisation to uphold the right of the Irish people, acting as a unit to national independence, who reject both partitionist states and their respective assemblies and with policies capable of delivering a New Ireland for all of the Irish people.
ÉIRE NUA, with its proposals for All-Ireland democracy based on local majorities with maximum decentralisation of power coupled with SAOL NUA, a social and economic policy based on Republican, socialist, ecological and environmental principles, are the only sane alternative to the present failed and sectarian process.
Republican Sinn Féin must be to the forefront in presenting the true Republican alternative to the Irish people, opposing all attempts to normalise British rule in Ireland. This will take many forms, be it any proposed Six County Stormont assembly election in March, actively opposing visits by the so-called English Royal family including the English queen to any part of Ireland. Protests will also be organised against British naval or military ‘visits’ to the 26-County state or other events, which have the purpose of normalising the British presence in Ireland. All of this will be coupled with the normal activities and campaigns carried out a local level by our cumainn throughout Ireland, Scotland and England.
2007 represents a critical juncture, and Republican Sinn Féin are determined that they will not be found wanting. It is our duty as Irish Republicans to maintain the unbroken chain of resistance to British rule in Ireland.
2. DÁITHÍ Ó CONAILL REMEMBERED IN DUBLIN
ON January 1, the sixteenth anniversary of his untimely death, Republicans gathered at the Republican Plot in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin to commemorate Dáithí Ó Conaill, who at the time of his death was Vice-President of Republican Sinn Féin.
Led by a colour party of Cumann na mBan and Republican Sinn Féin members, the parade marched from the gates of the cemetery to the graveside where proceedings were chaired by Des Dalton, Vice-President, Republican Sinn Féin. A wreath was laid by Tomás Ó Curraoin, Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle, Gaillimh and Seán Mac an Iomaire, Gaillimh said a decade of the Rosary as Gaeilge.
Seán Ó Sé played a lament as the flags were dipped and the oration was delivered by Donal Varian, Cork who said:
“Dáithí Ó Conaill was born in Cork in 1938. His introduction to the Republican Movement was brought about at the age of 17 through the influence of his brother Eoin, a member of Na Fianna Éireann.
“Dáithí joined the ranks of the Irish Republican Army, and following a period of training with other Cork Volunteers he became active in the 1956 IRA Border Campaign. On January 1, 1957 he was second in command of the Pearse Column which carried out a raid on Brookeborough RUC Barracks in Co. Fermanagh. His comrades Seán South and Fearghal O’Hanlon were killed in this raid and other volunteers were wounded. The survivors made their way back across the border and were arrested by the Garda Síochána.
“Ó Conaill was imprisoned for six months. This was his first term of imprisonment in his struggle for Irish Freedom. On his release he was interned in the Curragh Concentration Camp by the Free State Government and on September 27, 1958 he escaped along with his comrade Ruairí Ó Brádaigh and both men went on the run.
“With most of the IRA Leadership under arrest or interned by the Free State Government Dáithí Ó Conaill became Director of Operations under the then Chief of Staff, Ruairí Ó Brádaigh.
“In 1959 following an ambush by the RUC and B Specials he was shot, badly wounded and captured. On recovery he received an eight year sentence and remained in Belfast Jail until his unconditional release in September 1963.
“During his period of imprisonment, Sinn Féin stood Dáithí as a candidate in Cork City for the General Election, winning approximately 2,00 first preference votes (5.25% of the vote). He narrowly missed taking the fifth and final seat on an abstentionist policy.
“In 1969 following the IRA split Dáithí then became an activist in the ranks of the Provisional Republican movement. He served on the first Provisional Irish Republican Army Council and represented the Army Council with others at negotiations with the British Government and other interested bodies. He worked at the procurement of arms from Czechoslovakia and the setting up of Noraid in the USA. He also spent long periods on the run.
“Dáithí’s role in the Republican Movement was not solely within the ranks of the IRA but he also participated in a direct role politically in the ranks of Sinn Féin.
“One of the highlights of his period of involvement politically was with the National H-Block/Armagh Committee where he proposed that Bobby Sands would contest the Westminster by election for Fermanagh/South Tyrone during the 1981 hunger strike.
This proposal was adopted by the Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle in March 1981.
“Having spent some time away from the movement in the mid 60s while living in Donegal he became involved in a very successful local co-operative venture. The co-op was located in a remote, economically depressed and neglected area plagued by emigration and unemployment. Working with Fr McDyer the founder of the co-op Dáithí realised that people, when given the opportunity and direction could manage and improve the quality of their lives.
“The concept of ÉIRE NUA was born. With his old comrade and friend Ruairí Ó Brádaigh and others they developed the ÉIRE NUA Document.
“A statement calling for an alternative form of government for the nine counties of Ulster was the official launching of ÉIRE NUA. One week later Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, the then President of Sinn Féin issued a statement endorsing the proposals. For a period of years ÉIRE NUA was the policy promoted by Sinn Féin and the Republican Movement and achieving recognition by many distinguished bodies worldwide, though never receiving the support of the Free State Government, understandably so as it would undermine their comfortable positions.
“Following a change of leadership at presidential level ÉIRE NUA was removed from the agenda of Sinn Féin by Gerry Adams the then president of Sinn Féin.
“Having the foresight, both Ó Conaill and Ó Brádaigh began to recognise Adams’ leadership away from Republicanism. This belief was consolidated with the changing of the Constitution of Sinn Féin and the entrance to the Free State Parliament.
Ó Conaill and Ruairí Ó Brádaigh gave leadership in opposing the decision to drop abstentionism, again recognising Adams long term intention to take the Republican Movement into the role of administrators of British Occupation and so called British Justice.
“We have seen, over the generations, he meaning of British Administration and Justice by fellow Irishmen - reprisals, executions, imprisonment and harassment.
“That foresight once again came to the fore in 1986 with the reconstitution, through the continuity lines of Republicanism of Sinn Féin Poblachtach and the re-adoption of ÉIRE NUA.
“Ó Conaill’s final contribution to this organisation and to the People of Ireland three days before his death was a document “Towards a Peaceful Ireland”.
“It should be evident to most people by now that the unresolved national question is the root cause of our nations’ problems.
“Various political solutions have been tried to date and have failed. The Dublin administration has never made a serious effort to produce worthwhile proposals while the British have blundered from one failure to another. Conflict and instability have continued and will continue. The latest so-called political solution is the Stormont Agreement signed on Good Friday 1998. While the Agreement is to secure British rule and safeguard the future of the 26-County State, it has only succeeded in creating ongoing constraints on the right of all the people of Ireland to self determination.
“If we are truly to commemorate the memory of Dáithí Ó Conaill and his comrades within the ranks of Sinn Féin Poblachtach and the wider Republican Movement we must put aside our individual ambitions and differences and work in an unselfish manner for a British withdrawal and a United Ireland.”
The ceremony ended with the playing of Amhráin na bhFiann by Seán Ó Sé and the Cathaoirleach thanked all those who attended in very bad weather.
3. DAN KEATING CELEBRATES 105TH BIRTHDAY IN KERRY
ON January 2 Republicans in Kerry organised a birthday party for Veteran Republican and Patron of Sinn Féin Poblachtach Dan Keating on the occasion of 105th birthday. Republicans from Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Tipperary, Galway, Roscommon and the USA attended as well as many of his Republican comrades from Kerry.
Proceedings were chaired by John Mangan, Cathaoirleach, Kerry Comhairle Ceantair, Republican Sinn Féin who called on Republican Sinn Féin President, Ruairí Ó Brádaigh to present a statue of Cúchullain to Dan on behalf of the organisation.
Ruairí addressed those present and spoke of Dan’s long involvement with the Republican Movement and of the great esteem in which he was held by Republicans. He said Dan Keating was an inspiration to young and old. Dan replied and thanked all those present and Kerry Comhairle Ceantair in particular and went on to say that neither the Stormont Agreement or any other British agreement would bring peace to Ireland. He said that only a British withdrawal and the people of Ireland coming together to elect a new parliament for all the people would bring that about.
Kitty O’Brien, Veteran Cumann na mBan member from Cork was called on by An Chathaoirleach to make a presentation of a piece of Killarney crystal to Ruairí Ó Brádaigh. Donal Varian of Cork RSF presented Dan Keating with a bottle of Midleton whiskey “almost as old as himself” and Josephine Hayden presented Dan with a batik of Bobby Sands and a copy of the screenplay of The Wind That Shakes the Barley from RSF Ard-Oifig. Josephine learned the craft of batik-making when a Republican prisoner in Limerick jail from 1996 to 2000.
Pat Garvey from Cahersiveen read a list of ex-prisoners present – an líne nach bhfuil briste – from Dan Keating, imprisoned in the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s; Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, imprisoned in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s; Seán Murphy, imprisoned in the 1970s, Liam Cotter; also imprisoned in the 1970s; Matt Leen, imprisoned in the 1970/80s and Josephine Hayden, imprisoned from 1996 to 2000 and reminded people of two valiant Kerry ex-prisoners who could not be present, Maitias Ó Dubhdha from Castlegregory and Seán Garvey from Cahersiveen, who also were ‘faoi ghlas ag Gallibh’ in the 1970s.
All those present agreed that it was an uplifting occasion and good wishes for many more birthdays were extended to Dan and the proprietors of the restaurant were thanked for their hospitality and for the excellent meal provided for the occasion.
4. POW PICKET IN WATERFORD
ON Saturday, December 17 a picket to highlight the conditions for the Republican POWs in Maghaberry was held from 1-3pm on Saturday December 17 in John Robert’s Square, Waterford city.
In attendance were members and supporters of Sinn Féin Poblachtach from Mooncoin, Kilkenny, Enniscorthy, Wexford; Dublin, and members of Na Fianna Éireann.
Leaflets were handed out outlining the conditions and the five demands of the POWs and the SAOIRSE newspaper and Republican calendar 2007 sold out on the day. The response from the general public was terrific and the level of interest shown proved that the welfare of Republican prisoners is still on ongoing concern for the Irish people. A British withdrawal, the continuing occupation of our country and the acceptance by the Provos of the RUC/PSNI were but a few of the topics raised by the public to the representatives of Sinn Féin Poblachtach.
Ger Foran, Cathaoirleach, Bobby Sands/Liam Lynch Cumann, Mooncoin, spoke at various intervals during the afternoon when he read the following speech:
“Twenty-five years on since the death of Bobby Sands and nine fellow freedom fighters in Long Kesh hell hole. Republican POWs being held in Maghaberry concentration camp. Lisburn, Co Antrim are being denied political status in their own country by the British state. Shame on the Brits for thinking they can criminalise the struggle for Irish unity and freedom.
“Political status that was won by the ten hunger strikers in 1981 was signed away by the Adams and McGuinness faction when they adopted the terms of the Stormont –St Andrews Agreements as their proposal to ending the conflict in Ireland.
“Ireland unfree shall never be at peace. The Brits can try to divide and conquer us but we in Republican Sinn Féin stand here today to send the British government a clear message: no amount of English gold will prevent us, the Irish people, from achieving Irish freedom through which ever channels we decide to go through, whether it be open warfare on the streets or the Irish nation saying no to British rule, united in one voice.
“The struggle for political status is just as important as the struggle on the streets for Irish freedom. The Brits spin a terrible lie, that these men are not political, but surely any foreign army that occupies another with unjust ways makes prisoners political.
Restore political status now for Republican POWs being held in Maghaberry Concentration camp. We also salute their incarcerated comrades in Portlaoise prison.
“We must face the seriousness of this escalating crisis in Maghaberry. Our aim here today is to make you aware of the situation in the Occupied Six Counties being inflicted by a foreign army holding Irish soldiers, denying these sons of Erin Political Status. The POWs won the right to segregation from the loyalist prisoners and rightly so.
“The Republican POWs in Maghaberry are currently tackling the British state head on to have political status restored. Even though the Brits conceded to segregation from non-political prisoners, the Brits are in effect punishing our POWs for exercising the right to segregation.
“The men in Maghaberry stepped up their battle with the British state for political status on June 19, 2006 when they refused food in their cells which they are locked into for 21 and 23 hours on alternate days. The POWs have undertaken 12 hour fasts increasing by 12 hours for up to 72 hours. This indeed is a worrying sign.
“The torturous hand dealt out by the Brits on these political prisoners include strip-searching. One POW received 1,135 rubdown searches and 31 strip-searches in a six month period. They are made to chose between exercise and education. The right to carry out their own education is denied to them. And no more than three prisoners are allowed on a landing at any one time accompanied by two or three screws.
“The use of the sniffer dog to demoralize the spirits of the men is not working - no drugs have ever been found on Republican POWs or their visitors or indeed their landings. Access to a doctor is once a week. And Republican families are exposed to British terror gangs.
“Who says history does not repeat itself. The Brits are just as brutal now as Maggie Thatcher was when she murdered our martyrs in the H-Blocks in 1981.
“Show your support for the republican POWs by attending Republican Sinn Féin and RPAG pickets. Please support the men in their plight against the British stance in trying to criminalise these political prisoners.
“Irish unity will never be criminalised regardless of what the Brits throw at us. We will stand defiant in the face of foreign aggression. We will be united and free. England get out of Ireland, to hell with your proposals. There is only one just outcome and that is Brits Out Peace In. No to RUC/PSNI. No to any form of British policing in Ireland. No to their secret intelligence service the MI5 operating in Ireland. No to Royal visit in Ireland while the Brits hold our Six Counties.
“What we want is political status for the Republican POWs. What we need is the British to get their dirty hands off the Six-Counties and admit their forefathers invasion of Ireland was unjust.
“So stand with Republican Sinn Féin and salute the Republican POWs. Brits Out! Tiocfaidh Ár Lá.”
5. MANCHESTER MARTYRS COMMEMORATION
THE 2006 Manchester Martyrs Commemoration took place on Sunday, December 3, 2006 at St Joseph’s Cemetery, Manchester. Republicans from the Northwest and
Midlands of England took part.
Flowers were laid at the Martyrs memorial and at the graves of Volunteers Seán Morgan, James Kennedy and Séamus Barrett on behalf of Republican Sinn Féin and the Republican Movement and the gallant Republicans incarcerated in British and Free State Jails. Wreaths were also laid at the graves of the Dorrity sisters, Cumann na mBan and the Mulkerins family who erected the Manchester Martyrs memorial. Dáithí Mac An t-Saoir read the 1916 Proclamation which contradicts the Stormont Agreement document of 1998. Republicans cannot be in favour of both.
In the course of his oration, Brian Ó hAnluáin took time to articulate the Republican history of Manchester and its place in the Irish national struggle. The noble-hearted three had been judicially murdered by the state, their sacrifice went on to not only motivate later generations of Irish people but subject peoples across the globe. It was a "defeated" Fenian brotherhood of 1867 which immediately started to reorganise and strike again in 1916.
Most notable of those was IRA Volunteer Seán Morgan, Manchester native who
like Tom Barry served in the British armed forces in WWI but joined Óglaigh na hÉireann and took part in Cathal Brugha’s campaign of reprisal to the terrorism of the Black and Tans in Ireland.
The names of other Manchester linked Republicans were recalled. Jack McCabe former Manchester OC, IRA and later GHQ Staff, killed while preparing defence munitions for Northern Nationalists in 1971. Martyred Mayo Hunger striker Michael Gaughan had lived close to Moston Cemetery prior to his arrest and subsequent death ar stailc ocrais in 1974. Also the Ringsend-born and Hulme-raised Jackie Griffith who was done to death by the Garda Special Branch in 1943 while cycling unarmed in Dublin.
The Andersonstown News was criticised in its role of taking on the mantle of Anti-Republican propagandist in chief. Such would be expected from a newspaper amply funded by the British exchequer. Further the descent of the Provisional movement was condemned - the leadership were now the camp followers of Anglo-American Imperialism in Ireland with no principles whatsoever. There was a difference between those who believed in a cause and those who merely wished to hold power.
There could be no doubt that Provos would join the British Police in the North, the only debate was how much they would do it for. Brian stuck a hopeful note "In every generation, Republicans have reorganised - they will do so until the longest invaded country in History is United with the entire peoples of Ireland alone deciding the future of Ireland. Republicanism has had everything thrown at it, the concept of an Independent Ireland has not been quashed despite 800 years occupation. The ex-Republican Gombeen men will fail also to defeat the concept they once served.
The commemoration was concluded by the singing of Amhráin na bhFiann.
6. NEW PUBLICATION CONTAINS VALUABLE HISTORICAL MATERIAL ON SEÁN SABHAT
A NEW commemorative booklet on the life and death of Limerick man Seán Sabhat from Garryowen was launched on December 19 in the Gaelic League Hall where he had been recruited into the Irish Republican Army, according to the author Des Long from Corbally.
Des Long said that he had been told that Seán Sabhat had been recruited into the IRA in the hall by a man who died some years ago.
“The deaths of Seán and Feargal O’Hanlon during the Brookeborough raid fifty years ago led to a massive outpouring of nationalist feeling and it focussed on the unjust partition of Ireland,” Des Long said. “Today we feel it is still important to recall the event and to draw attention to the ongoing problems caused by partition.”
The book on the raid, “Awakening the Spirit of Freedom” also focuses on the role Limerick played in the 1956-1962 IRA border campaign Operation Harvest with contributions from men who took part. Seán Scott from Galway and Paddy O’Regan from Dublin who were on the raid and contributed to the book attended the launch.
Also present was Republican Sinn Féin President Ruairí Ó Brádaigh and Limerick County Councillor Noreen Ryan from Cappamore.
Launching the book Prof Ruan O’Donnell of the History Department of the University of Limerick said that it was unique in that for the first time there is a detailed account of the raid by Paddy O’Regan who was with Sean Sabhat on the night he died. “It is a valuable publication in that important first-hand accounts of men who took part in the raid are make public for the first time,” he said.
“Other men who knew and worked with Seán Sabhat also provide their recollections.
Christy O’Sullivan who was on the guard of honour, Seán Scott who took part in the raid, and local trade unionist Tony Nolan all contribute valuable historical material,” he said.
The commander of the operation at Brookeborough Seán Garland, now President of the Workers’ Party broke a fifty-year silence to write about his role and how he met and knew Seán Sabhat.
A sister of Feargal O’Hanlon, the Monaghan County Councillor Padraighin Ni Murchu wrote movingly about her young brother who died with Seán Sabhat. A booklet from that time ‘They Kept Faith’ is also re-printed in the new publication.
The chairperson of the launch, Séamus Ó Suilleabháin from Broadford, County Limerick, said that the new publication was timely especially with the political situation in the Six Counties. “With this booklet, no one can say that they have never heard of Seán Sabhat and his sacrifice for the All Ireland Republic,” he said.
A full list of all those who took part in the Brookeborough raid is also included and for the first time the IRA order of battle on the evening is published. Limerick’s contribution to the campaign is also featured. Illustrated with photographs, the booklet also contains a pen and ink drawing by Seán Sabhat of Wolfe Tone and other Irish patriots.
The launch also heard that the 50th anniversary Seán Sabhat commemoration will be held on Sunday, January 7 in Mount St Lawrence Cemetery, Limerick. The march assembles at 1.45 pm in Bedford Row for the parade to the Republican Plot. The oration will be given by Fermanagh Republican Michael McManus.
Published by Coiste Cuimneacháin Seán Sabhat and edited by Republican historian Des Long, ‘Awakening the Spirit of Freedom’ is available from local bookshops for €10 or by mail order from 52 Shannon Banks, Corbally, Limerick.
7. SANTA ARRESTED AFTER CABHAIR SWIM
THE Annual CABHAIR Christmas swim took place on Christmas day in the Canal at Inchicore, Dublin. A very large crowed – the largest in many years - came out before their Christmas dinner in support of the swimmers and the POWs.
Ciaran, Joseph, Jimmy, Micheál, Karl, Diarmuid, Jonathan and Fred jumped into the freezing water and by their action raised much needed funds for prisoner’s dependents.
But the big fire lit by John Horan soon had the steam rising off them and gave them the incentive to jump in again, and again, and again in some cases!
Santa Claus turned up and danced up the footpath. But we hear he paid for that when some days later he was arrested and taken to Kilmainhan jail and held for two hours - without being questioned - after which he was released without charge.
A raffle for the swimmers for a 1916 Proclamation ‘burned’ in Portlaoise by the POWs was won by Michael from London.
Special Branch harassment was heavy. It’s a sign of a sick society when nine armed Special Branchmen, on treble time, can turn up to harass and bully people attending a Christmas swim while hard drugs are freely available and are visibly on sale all over the city.
A point people should be aware of – the Special Branch are now identifying themselves differently to different people. Always make note of the ID shown by the Branch and forward it to Ard-Oifig.
(See BELOW for photos of the swim).
8. GUANTANAMO RENDITION FLIGHTS VIGIL AT IAA OFFICES, DUBLIN
A VIGIL organised by the Anti-War movement was held at the Irish Aviation Authority headquarters in Dublin on December 20 I n protest at the continuing use of Shannon Airport for the kidnapping, torture and often death of suspects in the so-called war on terror.
ENDS
Photos from the CABHAIR Christmas Swim:










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