The Badger: Saoirse

Dublin and Monaghan bombings: 'Full Disclosure Needed'

Mon, 19 May 2003 12:52:40 GMT

Des Dalton, Assistant PRO, Republican Sinn Féin
May 16, 2003

Republican Sinn Féin joins in the calls by the 'Justice for the Forgotten Group' for full disclosure about the events surrounding the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of May 1974,which resulted in the single biggest loss of life in the present conflict. In this regard we would seriously question why the hearings of the Dublin Government established 'Barron Commission' were held in private.

The revelations of the partially released 'Stevens' Report' serve only to highlight the fact that the British Government have used 'Loyalist Death Squads' as another arm of its military machine in Ireland, something which Republicans have been pointing out since the early 1970s. The Dublin and Monaghan bombings were very mush part of the 'dirty war' which Britain waged against the Irish people.

Easter Statement from the Leadership of the Republican Movement

Mon, 05 May 2003 12:29:08 GMT

April 20, 2003

On the 87th anniversary of the historic Easter Rising of 1916, the Leadership of the Republican Movement extends greetings to all, at home and in exile, who are gathered in commemoration at the graves of our martyred dead or at memorials to their sacrifice and their memory. This year 2003 also marks the bicentenary of Robert Emmet's Rising in Dublin which will be commemorated fittingly later in this year.

The Leadership also sends greetings and good wishes to our Republican prisoners in Maghaberry prison, Co Antrim and Magilligan, Co Derry as well as to those in Portlaoise jail. In spite of the sacrifice and victory of our ten hunger strikers in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh Camp 22 years ago, political status is once more denied by the British government to these political prisoners. In Portlaoise jail, ill-treatment is being inflicted on Republicans there by the 26-County Administration.

In all cases the prisoners are standing up to oppression with dignity and courage, secure in the knowledge that great Irish men and women have trodden this well-worn path before them and have ultimately won what is rightfully theirs. It is with dismay, then, we learn that in Belfast itself functions in aid of the welfare of the prisoners and their families are being disrupted by those who were once their comrades but have now joined forces with the enemies of Irish freedom. Owners of premises who have agreed to host such functions have been intimidated and forced to cancel these social occasions, in some cases by those who once suffered at the hands of the English enemy in the same prisons. Nevertheless, we wish to express our appreciation of the work of faithful Republicans in their loyal and continued support of the prisoners and their dependants.

The harassment of the nationalist population by the British occupation forces, including the RUC/PSNI, has continued unabated and has manifested itself in charges of conspiracy which has ever been the last resort of British rule in Ireland, when all else failed. The Dublin government, to its shame, has persisted in its collaboration with English rule and now, openly and brazenly, boasts of how closely it works with the enemy. The three-months long trial in the Special Non-jury Court in Green Street, Dublin of the Limerick Seven on unfounded charges is but one example of this. History will judge such actions yet, as it has judged the quislings and collaborators in other countries.

Contrary to the wishes of the United Nations and in breach of its Charter, an imperialist war has been launched against a weak Third World country which is rich in its resources. It is indeed the first of the notorious "resource wars of the 21st century" which were forecast a decade ago. In complete disregard of public opinion in Ireland, the 26-County administration has blatantly violated neutrality in providing support for the logistics of the aggressors at Shannon Airport. Legitimate national liberation wars, such as our own centuries-old struggle, and anti-colonial and anti-imperialist wars are a different matter altogether; and we reject the pernicious doctrine of the pre-emptive war.

The Stormont Agreement of more than five years ago is continuing to be unworkable and Stormont itself has again been suspended for the past six months. In no way is this agreement a settlement and it has brought no benefit to either nationalists or unionists. It copper-fastens the presence of the British government here and denies the right of all the Irish people acting as a unit to self-determination. Also it leaves the unionists in a state of uncertainty and fear for their future. A new democracy in a New Ireland of the four provinces is the realistic alternative to this in secure agreement which aims to perpetuate English rule in Ireland.

Republican Sinn Féin continues in its task of providing the workable alternative to a restructured British rule. It reaches out to both unionists and nationalists with a place for all is the New Ireland. We note that the Continuity IRA still asserts the right of the Irish people "to the ownership of Ireland". Because of its resistance to foreign rule that body has been subjected to a sustained campaign of denigration. Spurious charges of the most outrageous kind have been levelled against it by sections of the media which are pliant in the hands of the Establishment, but it adheres to its principles with the honour it has inherited from the men and women of 1916.

In the words of Liam Mellows before he faced the firing squad, by truth and honour, by principle and sacrifice alone will Ireland be free. This then is the task to which we re-dedicate ourselves this Easter day, with the assistance of a completely new generation untrammeled by the sell-outs and betrayals of the past. Inspired by the patriot dead, we move forward again towards the ultimate victory.

-- Issued by the Leadership of the Republican Movement Easter 2003.

Tralee -- The Stormont Agreement of five years ago has only strengthened British rule

Fri, 02 May 2003 12:03:53 GMT

April 20, 2003

Oration by Fergal Moore:

A Chairde is a Poblachtani go leir,

We have assembled here today on the 87th anniversary of the Easter Rising to remember and honour those who died for the ideals of the proclamation of Easter week 1916 and of the All Ireland Republic established in 1919. The Men who lie buried here are some of the many that are buried across Ireland who died fighting for and in defence of the Republic from 1916 through the Tan war and the civil war and into the present day.

The Ireland of the present day is not the Ireland envisioned by those men who lie here. It is not the All Ireland Republic that they gave their lives for and that we are dedicated to. The Ireland of today is one of corruption and greed. Where the unit of currency is the brown envelope and everything is for sale including our neutrality. The Ireland of today is the result of a counter-revolution sponsored and supported by the British Empire that overthrew the democratic wishes of the nation of Ireland.

Imperialism does not recognise the wishes of the oppressed nation. It recognises only its own greed and the hunger for power. We can see this today were twenty-first century imperialism is in full swing. Not just in Iraq and the Middle East but here in Ireland. Modern Imperialism does not need armies of soldiers to conquer a nation. Nowadays armies of capitalists are used to plunder a nation's assets and to steal away the profits of another people's labour. Right thinking Republicans should oppose Imperialism in all its forms. We should never be a part of this "coalition of the willing" the true axis of evil in the world. This runs counter to the proclamation of 1916 and of the ideals of the All Ireland Republic. The use of Shannon by the Imperialist powers in their illegal war for oil and can only happen because the twenty counties is still the Free State in all but name.

The people of Kerry paid a terrible price for their support of the Republic during the civil war. The Free Staters eager to do the bidding of their English masters carried on the work of the Black and Tans by murdering faithful Republicans. Men like Sean Moriarty were taken prisoner and shot in fields. Nine men were tied to a bomb at Ballyseedy Cross after a long night of torture. The bomb was detonated by the Free Staters killing eight brave Kerry Republicans. But for some miracle this incident might have gone unknown. Stephen Fuller survived by being thrown into a ditch. From where he lay he could hear the murderers finishing off his dying comrades. These incidents galvanised the people of Kerry. The murders are remembered now more than eighty years later with bitterness. Our assembly here sends an important message to the Free Staters of today. Kerry Republicans are proud of their past. They know that the All Ireland Republic for which they have struggled is a fine and noble thing. They know that Charlie Kerins, Austin Stack, Sean Moriarty and the many others who fought and died for the All Ireland Republic were right. They were right in 1919, they were right in 1922 and 23 and they are right today.

There are many in Kerry today that claim to be Republican. They will even come here to this graveside. They will say that they follow in the footsteps of the men who gave their lives for the Republic. Then they will turn around and go to Leinster House. Men like Martin Ferris and his pro-British friends in the Provisionals have no connection politically, morally or spiritually with Kerry's Republican dead. He does not follow in their footsteps rather he follows in the footsteps of their killers. By his participation in the Free State assembly in Leinster House he is a part of the body that murdered them. By his support of the administration of the twenty-six counties, their army and their police force he proves himself to be a false republican and a turncoat.

The Stormont Agreement of five years ago has only strengthened British rule in Ireland and yet we see these traitors who profess to be Republicans breaking their necks to make sure it works. They have given concession after concession, surrender after surrender just to appease the Brits. They have called off their war, they have harassed and even murdered those Republicans who oppose them, they have surrendered weapons to the enemy and now it looks like they will stand down their army for good. All this just to please the Brits. And what have they got in return? Nothing. The Stormont Agreement is just a reworking and modernisation of British rule in Ireland. A United Ireland is further away now than it has been for decades. They have set back the cause of Irish freedom by many years. Truly it can be said that they are the worthy successors of the Free Staters of 1922.

Faithful Republicans will never assist those who seek a limited power in Leinster House. Neither will we support English rule in the six counties or collaborate with it through the Establishment south of the border. Those who do so are not Republicans, they are traitors and we should treat them as such. True Republicans adhere to the Proclamation of 1916 which declares the right of the Irish people to the ownership of Ireland to be sovereign and indefeasible This right we believe as did the men and women of 1916 cannot be extinguished except by the destruction of the Irish people. This has not happened yet and while there is one faithful Republican left it will never happen.

The struggle for Irish freedom goes on today. The Irish Republican Army under the leadership of the Continuity Army Council still resists British rule in Ireland and endeavours to re-establish the All Ireland Republic for which those men who lie here gave their lives. Although they have already suffered more than their share and have given much over the years, I ask that the people of Kerry be prepared to give again. I urge the young men and women of Kerry to join in the struggle against British rule. I implore them to help in the re-establishment of the All Ireland Republic. It will be a long and painful road to freedom but the more feet that walk upon it the shorter it will become. I finish now with the words of Liam Lynch former chief of staff of the IRA. We have declared for an Irish Republic and will not live under any other law.

An Phoblacht Abu!

Donegal -- 'Fudge must yield to clarity' - ² Br·daigh in Donegal

Fri, 02 May 2003 11:58:05 GMT

April 20, 2003

There is an end to fudge in the current process in the Six Counties, we have been told; now there must be clarity and the Provos have been cornered, said Ruairi Ó Brádaigh, President of Republican Sinn Féin.

He was speaking at the annual Easter 1916 commemoration at the place of execution of the Drumboe Martyrs in Stranorlar, Co Donegal on Easter Sunday.

For more than five years that process had lived on equivocation. The Stormont Agreement of 1998 had faltered and floundered because of the contradiction at its core.

It was sold to nationalists on the basis that it would lead to a free and united Ireland while unionists were persuaded it would strengthen English rule here.

The last two decades had seen a classic counter-revolution, as in the days of Charlie Daly, Seán Larkin, Tim O'Sullivan and Dan Enright. The revolutionary movement had been stopped in its tracks on both occasions, a section of the leadership had been suborned from its allegiance and had brought its followers over to the side of the enemy.

The Drumboe Martyrs had fought to the death against the partitioning of Ireland and the creation of Leinster House and Stormont which had set aside the All-Ireland Republic of 1916 and the First Dáil Éireann.

Yet those who accepted in recent times what the Drumboe Martyrs had fought against on both sides of the Border now had the temerity to invoke their names to support treachery, thereby dishonouring them and all that they died for.

Meanwhile, a new Northern Free State under British control was being created at Stormont. It was proposed to place it on firmer foundations by basing it not only on the unionist population but also on as many nationalists as possible.

This involved people from nationalist families joining the British police in the Six Counties and enforcing the new arrangements at the point of a gun, if necessary. The end result will be to strengthen English rule, not weaken it, by the formation of a new Broy Harrier element within the British Forces of Occupation.

The report of the Stevens Inquiry confirmed the charges of collusion made by Republicans from the early 1970s. In that such collaboration was "widespread", it shows that the loyalist paramilitaries acted as the underground arm or hidden extension of the British Army of Occupation.

In this way the English government added proxy forces to their war in Ireland and blamed unionists for these dirty deeds while posing before the world as peacekeepers. Nationalists suffered while unionists carried the blame, all the while the English government was largely responsible.

Such shameful policies and actions should be exposed by every possible means and independent public and international judicial inquiries instituted. These should not be confined to the Finucane case alone, nor should they be held in private as in the case of the greatest single loss of life in the conflict, ie the Dublin and Monaghan bombings in 1974. The 26-County Special Branch had aided in the subsequent cover-up.

The renamed RUC and UDR are not "new" forces. They consist of the very same personnel which carried out an ignominious campaign of murder against uninvolved nationalists as a matter of British government policy.

Such deeds cannot be swept under the carpet. They are war-crimes and the forces which carried them out must be held to account. The very same methods were employed in the early 1920s when the British government imposed partition and the Northern Ireland statelet on the Irish people.

Charlie Daly and his comrades in the Irish Republican Army, Cumann na mBan and Fianna Èireann resisted the counter-revolution of 1922-3, just as the true Republican Movement today opposes England's alternative to Irish national independence.

Republicans would face up to the renewed onslaught of Westminster, Stormont and Leinster House; they would ensure that unionists would not suffer the humiliation so long endured by nationalists by providing a secure, comfortable and honourable place for them in the New Ireland.

For this task the most idealistic and high-minded of a new generation of Irish people would be needed, prepared to give service up to the noble standards of Charlie Daly, Seán Larkin, Tim O'Sullivan and Dan Enright.

In every decade since their time, Irish men and women, boys and girls had served the same ideals and in some cases had made the supreme sacrifice for national freedom.

I am confident the coming generation will be just as generous and idealistic, he concluded.

Cork -- British presence root cause of northern conflict

Wed, 30 Apr 2003 12:53:19 GMT

April 20, 2003

Speaking at the Easter 1916 commemoration at the Republican Plot in St Finbarr's Cemetery, Cork, Líta Ní Chathmhaoil, Ard-Rúnaí (General Secretary) of Republican Sinn Féin and a native of Cork city said that it was an honour to speak at such a hallowed venue in the history of the Irish struggle against English occupation.

She went on:

As a native of Cork I have always been proud of the designation 'Rebel County', a name justly earned by the patriot men and women who sacrificed so much down through the years for the cause of Irish freedom. The names of the martyred Lord Mayors, Tomás Mac Curtàin and Terence MacSwiney resonated around the world. They led the way in the struggle for freedom, inspiring freedom movements throughout the globe, and gave their lives without flinching or hesitating. They were not alone and to this day faithful Republicans in Cork follow in their footsteps.
The Irish people are proud of the struggle for freedom which we commemorate here today. Many of us had relatives involved in the struggle. In the recent past there has been much rewriting of Irish history to suit a political Establishment which has no interest in the reunification of our country. Revisionism, along with 20 years of Section 31 censorship has altered many people's view of the Irish national struggle and as a result it is no longer fashionable to honour our dead of every generation or to point out that the cause for which they gave their lives is left unfinished.
The root cause of the conflict in Ireland remains the presence of the British government and its forces here. Permanent peace will only come with final British disengagement from Ireland. Those who voted 'Yes' to the Stormont Agreement five years ago see now that the British still hold the real power in Ireland, the results of the 1998 referendums mean nothing to them as they continue to uphold the Unionist Veto.
The sacrifices of the past generation, for nothing less than the 32-County Irish Republic, count for nothing with many of those who were part of the struggle in those years as they sell their birthright for a mess of pottage, or more correctly for comfortable, well-paid seats in the Stormont Partition assembly, which was suspended for the fifth time in the past year. The current attempts to reinstate it in the lead-up to new Stormont assembly elections is foundering on the rock of the British insistence that they call the shots and not the Provos, who must now bite the bullet and not only fully accept British rule and a British police force but must stand down their military wing and 'decommission' their entire arsenal. What an ignominious situation they find themselves in but the tragedy is that the cause of Irish freedom is weakened by their actions.
The Republican Sinn Féin analysis has been proved to be correct. The sectarian Statelet in the Six Counties has not changed and hundreds of nationalist homes have been targeted by loyalist death squads in pipe and petrol bomb attacks all over the Six Counties, as the loyalists pursue a policy of ethnically cleansing parts of Antrim, Armagh and Down. The Provisionals were part of the so-called government of the Six Counties and were not able to protect the people against these attacks.
But of course the Six Counties is governed from London and the Stormont assembly remains what it always was - a puppet state in the interests of Britain. In recent days the release of a summary of the Stevens Report on collusion - the full report was too damaging for the British government to release to all and sundry - proves to the world what Republicans have said all along - the loyalist death squads were another tool of the British State against the nationalist people of the Six Occupied Counties. Perfidious Albion has not changed throughout its long history in Ireland, the only solution if for them to leave Ireland forever, lock, stock and barrel.
On the international scene George W Bush and his war-mongering colleagues in the USA, along with their British puppets, launched an attack on Iraq in March. While no one will mourn the end of Saddam Hussein, it is not for George Bush or Tony Blair to act as world policemen. The real agenda for this war is not about weapons of mass destruction or even about 'regime change', it is about oil - the first resource war of the 21st century. To their shame, the Dublin Administration have allowed themselves to be part of this unholy 'Coalition of the Willing' by allowing them to use the facilities at Shannon Airport for refuelling etc against the wishes of the Irish people.
Neutrality has gone out the window and Republicans must continue to be to the fore in opposing this unjust invasion of a sovereign state, which has primarily caused death and suffering to innocent civilians. The break down of civil order there, even to the looting of museums containing some of the most important artefacts of the history of humankind, shows how little interest the invaders had in anything but oil. They had no problem guarding their own loot, the black gold for which they are prepared to risk the lives of even their own citizens. The US and British troops should get out of Iraq now and allow the Iraqis to run their own affairs.
The struggle to regain the All-Ireland Republic continues. The 1916 Proclamation and the Declaration of Independence of the First (All-Ireland) Dáil 84 years ago provide the bedrock for the future of the Irish people acting as a unit. We in the Republican Movement present the unbroken line of Republicans since then, throughout the 20th and now into the 21st century. It is incumbent on all branches of that Movement to work together so that we can continue to provide the leadership required to achieve that which is inevitable - the breaking of the link with England and the establishment of an Ireland where all the people can live together in peace and unity,

she concluded.

Kerry -- Call on Ferris to stay away

Mon, 28 Apr 2003 12:56:36 GMT

April 20, 2003

The sight of Kerry's Provo TD Martin Ferris attending at Easter Rising ceremonies was a sickening exercise in political hypocrisy, the local branch of Republican Sinn Féin said today.

Not only have the Provos abandoned any Republican ideal, they have done so in a manner calculated to give the greatest insult to those who hold our traditions dear, said RSF North Kerry spokesman John O'Shea from Ballylongford.
The Provisionals must now give up not only their Republican ideals, but their guns and bombs, their principles, and they must give up their comrades," said Mr. O'Shea. They must purge themselves of the past, all at the behest of the British because the simple truth is that they are in the pay of the British Crown!
They have abandoned and betrayed Republicans; they have obtained their positions of political power by crawling over the backs of dead volunteers of the Irish Republican Army.
It gives me no pleasure to say it but we must face the reality that the threat to the Republic is grave. Former comrades have recognised Leinster House - they have entered Stormont - they have become Crown Ministers - they have decommissioned and called off the war - they have lied and cheated - they have twisted and betrayed - they have no right to regard themselves as Republicans!
Therefore let Deputy Ferris and his crowd stay away from the graves of the Republican dead in future -their presence is an insult to all those who have died in the cause of Irish freedom.

Dublin -- The Irish nation still exists

Mon, 28 Apr 2003 12:48:23 GMT

April 20, 2003

Video footage of Dublin Easter Commemoration

The British presence in Ireland will continue to be opposed by Republicans, the vice-president of Republican Sinn Féin told an Easter Sunday ceremony at the GPO in Dublin.

Limerick-based Des Long, vice president of RSF said that Republicans will never abandon the right of the Irish nation to a new and united Ireland.

Our present message based on the foundation of the 1916 Rising is that the Irish nation still exists - that there is a continuity of struggle to the generations that have gone before us, he said.
The Irish nation is still struggling for national liberation and there are people here who have never surrendered to British imperialism and colonialism - and who never will!
The trial of Robert Emmet at the Green Street courthouse 200 years has also given Irish history one of its greatest aspirations - Today his epitaph has not been written and cannot be written because the island of Ireland has yet to take its place among the nations of the earth. The ideal of a united and free Ireland is under grave threat....and those who adhere to the political philosophy of national self-determination are under constant harassment and intimidation from the political police of the 26 and 6 County statelets.
All repression and suspension of human rights is now justified in the name of tackling terror - but as Republicans we see a clear distinction between what Bush and Blair consider terror and a genuine war of national liberation! We have to stand up and be counted when it comes to the desire for national self- determination - the national desire for freedom from foreign rule can never be regarded as terror - and the imposition of the initial injustice - be it invasion or conquest or the sheer brutalisation of a people - will always lead to resistance on the part of those oppressed.
Even the Police Commissioner of the 26 County Administration is on record (Irish News,15th March 20000) as saying that as long as there is a British military presence in Ireland, there will be an Irish Republican Army to oppose it.

Roscommon -- Ireland should not be ashamed of patriotism

Sat, 26 Apr 2003 17:46:23 GMT

April 20, 2003

A call on the people of Ireland not to be ashamed of patriotism nor be blinded by false promises was made by a leading member of Republican Sinn Féin at an Easter Sunday commemoration in Roscommon.

Geraldine McNamara from Tipperary, a member of the Ard Comhairle of RSF said people should not surrender to the false leadership of the Provisionals.

"They no longer represent Republicans...they have betrayed the ordinary people," she said. "We in Republican Sinn Féin will continue to remain steadfast against the oppressors of Irish nationhood because we know we are right.

Peace can never be achieved with justice and that will only come about when the British are prepared to try a new process and get out of Ireland for good.

We stand as the only political party who will not recognize or legitimize partition. We make no apologies for continuing to preach the gospel of Irish Republicanism.

The Ireland of two states which we live in today did not come from the Easter Rising of 1916 - it arose from the defeat of the independence movement when the British divided our country.

Republican Sinn Féin today embodies the teachings and hopes of all the patriots of the past. They have passed the torch to us. Let us work hard and work together in the hope that their dreams and ours of a united free Ireland will soon become a reality.

Portlaoise prison -- Easter Rising remembered by jailed Republicans who remain true to Irish freedom

Sat, 26 Apr 2003 17:42:39 GMT

April 20, 2003

A gathering of Republican POW's who remain faithful to the ideals and principles of Republicanism are holding an Easter Sunday ceremony in Portlaoise Jail to remember all those who died in the cause of Irish freedom.

The event was planned to take place on Easter Sunday at 10.00 am to mark the 1916 Rising when the Irish Republic was declared from the steps of the GPO in Dublin.

A spokesman said that the prison ceremony would involve all the Republicans who oppose the Stormont Agreement. We oppose it because the Agreement will not bring a real or lasting peace, he said. It fails to address the real cause of the conflict, the British presence in Ireland.

It is with sadness that we see former comrades in the Provisionals now administering British rule in Ireland but the basic cause of conflict remains and the Agreement cannot resolve it - the Agreement promises integration to the Unionists and a united Ireland to Nationalists - it cannot satisfy both aspirations, he added.

While the Easter Rising was short-lived, it re-awakened the spirit of freedom, fanned the flame of Irish nationalism against foreign rule and restored the national aspiration to a free and independent country.

The Rising was also significant in that it represented the culmination of various revolutionary activities and uprisings in the preceding generations - in a continuity of direct confrontation with the British forces of occupation.

We are now appealing to all true Republicans who desire national self-determination and who oppose British rule to come together in a spirit of revolutionary comradeship and take the war of liberation to the forces of the British crown in Ireland.

Kildare -- Realise the dreams of the men and women of 1916

Tue, 22 Apr 2003 20:35:22 GMT

April 20, 2003

Speaking at Kildare Republican Sinn Fein's annual 1916 Commemoration at the grave of veteran Republican Frank Driver in Ballymore Eustace, Co Kildare, on Easter Sunday, April 20, RSF Ard Chomhairle member, Matt Conway, Kilcullen said:

As we gather here at the grave of life - long Republican Frank Driver on the 87th Anniversary of the 1916 rising, the cause and ideals which inspired the leaders of Easter week and which led a young Frank Driver into the ranks of the Republican Movement, have never been more under threat, on every side stand those who wish to remove every vestige of Nationhood and Nationality.

As the ailing 'Stormont Agreement' lurches from one crisis to another, and as former comrades look set to take the next step from administering British Rule to actually enforcing it on the ground once they sign up to the policing boards, both the British and 26 County Governments have made it clear that they are determined to either absorb or crush all who refuse to accept British Rule in Ireland. In the non - jury 'Special Criminal Court' in Dublin's Green Street, the three month political show trial of the 'Limerick Seven' is approaching a conclusion, based solely on the uncorroborated evidence of a Garda Chief Superintendent, the case was brought against this group of men, of which I was one, simply because of our political beliefs. On the ground the harassment of Republicans is ongoing.

As we forecast five years the 'Stormont Agreement' is doomed to failure because of its inherent contradictions, promising Nationalists on the one hand that it would lead to a free and independent Ireland and Unionists on the other that it would strengthen the 'union'. The result has been an increase in sectarian conflict, for nationalists their nightmare continues with pipe bombings on their homes and shootings, for Unionists it has led to fear and uncertainty about their future.

In our 'Address To The Irish People' which was launched in Belfast on February 11 by our President, Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, we point out that there is a sane and credible alternative to all of this.

We believe that neither London nor Dublin can guarantee the future welfare of the people of Ulster. Only the people of Ulster themselves can do that, and they can best achieve it by taking their place in the historic Irish nation, where their rights would be guaranteed by a new constitution and they would have access to real power.

As trust founders on all sides we ask every body to consider again our ÉIRE NUA programme for a four - province federal Ireland, with maximum devolution of powers down to community level. Even now, Unionists could still have a working majority in a nine - county Ulster, subject to the checks and balances of the new structures. Let us set about building a New Ireland for all the Irish people, and realise the dreams of the men and women of 1916.

Glasgow -- Links between Scotland and Ireland stretch back many centuries

Tue, 22 Apr 2003 13:03:09 GMT

April 20, 2003

Speaking at Republican Sinn Fein Féin's annual 1916 Commemoration in Glasgow on Easter Sunday, April 20, RSF Ard Chomhairle member, Des Dalton said:

Eighty Seven years ago, a small but gallant band of men and women, including a contingent from Scotland, unfurled in Ireland the banner of national independence, freedom and democracy, in defiance of what was then the most powerful empire on the globe. From their Head Quarters in Dublin's GPO, the 'Provisional Government of the Irish Republic' led by P.H.Pearse, Tom Clarke, and James Connolly, issued a document which has come to serve as the cornerstone of Irish Republicanism, a document which inspired not only the Irish people, but freedom loving peoples throughout the world, to throw off the shackles of empire and take up the struggle of national liberation. 'The Proclamation of the Irish Republic' is a document which in the words of Tomas MacDonagh, springs from "Ireland's vivid intellect", it lays out for us the democratic principles on which we base our struggle, "The right of the people of Ireland to the ownership of Ireland and to the unfettered control of Irish destinies, to be sovereign and indeafisible."

Like Connolly our aim is the "Reconquest of Ireland" as Connolly pointed out "The conquest of Ireland had meant the social and political servitude of the Irish masses, and therefore the re - conquest of Ireland must mean the social as well as the political independence from servitude of every man, woman, and child in Ireland."

The links between Scotland and Ireland stretch back many centuries of our shared Celtic heritage and history, but also we have a shared experience of brutal colonial coercion, occupation, famine and enforced emigration, but like Ireland, Scotland has long and proud history of resistance to English Rule, its democratic and radical tradition stretches back, like Ireland, to the 1790s, with organisations such as the 'Friends of the People' and the 'Society of United Scotsmen' producing leaders such as Thomas Muir, who was also an honoury member of the 'Society of United Irishmen', the 19th Century saw the Scottish Radicals who led the abortive insurrection of 1820. The 20th Century produced one of Scotland's foremost political thinkers and leaders, John MacLean, friend and comrade of James Connolly, who not only championed the cause of Scotland and her working class but also the cause of Irish Freedom.

Indeed the Irish in Scotland have contributed much in Ireland's long struggle, they not only actively participated in the 1916 rising but played their part in the re - organisation of the Republican Movement in the years following the rising, the Scottish Brigade of the IRA was one of the most active in the Tan war, with actions such as the legendary "smashing of the van", the Irish community in Scotland also lost a number of its sons in the cause of a free and independent Ireland. During the brutal Counter - Revolution of 192223 the Irish in Scotland were again to the forefront in defence of the All - Ireland Republic.

Today the cause of a free Ireland has never been more under threat, on every side stand those who are determined to obliterate every vestige of nationhood or nationality. Both the British and 26 County Governments have made it clear that they are determined to crush all those who they cannot absorb into the apparatus of British Rule in Ireland. In the 26 Counties the political show - trial of the 'Limerick Seven' continues at the non - jury 'Special Criminal Court' in Dublin's Green St, where 200 years ago Robert Emmet stood trial, how little has changed, whilst on the ground the harassment of Republicans is ongoing. In the Six Counties the arrest and harassment of Republicans is also the order of the day, with in a number of cases spurious 'conspiracy' charges being used to intern Republicans. In Belfast recently, Republicans were even denied a premises in which to hold a function in support of Republican prisoners and their families. Hand - in - hand with all of this is the denial of political status to republican prisoners, particularly in the Six Counties, in an attempt to criminalize Ireland's struggle.

And I would like to take this opportunity to extend greetings to Republican prisoners in Magilligan, Maghaberry and Portlaoise.

Meanwhile attempts to once more patch up the ailing sectarian 'Stormont Agreement' are ongoing,

Following its signing five years ago RSF warned that due to its inherent contradictions, promising Nationalists on the one hand that it would lead to a free and united Ireland whilst on the other promising Unionists that it would strengthen the 'union' with Britain, it was doomed to failure. As we point out in our 'Address to the People of Ireland' which was launched in Belfast on February 11 by RSF President, Ruairi O Bradaigh, the 'Stormont Agreement' has served to institutionalise sectarianism, leading to an increase in sectarian conflict, based as it is on a crude sectarian 'head - count', further entrenching "the differences carefully fostered by an alien Government'. The 'Stormont Agreement' has failed the people of Ireland, for Nationalists their nightmare continues, with an increase in pipe bomb attacks and shootings, Unionists have been left in a vacuum of fear and uncertainty.

The 'Steven's Report' published last Thursday (April 17) only confirms what Irish Republicans have been pointing out since the early 1970s, that the British Government have used Loyalist Death Squads as the underground arm of the British Occupation forces in Ireland. In calling for the establishment of a public international inquiry we would also point out that they should not be confined to the Finucane case, nor held in private as in the case of the single biggest loss of life in the conflict, the Dublin and Monaghan bombings in 1974. What is also clear is that simply changing the name uniform and cap badge of the RUC and UDR does not change the fundamental nature of these forces. They consist of the same personnel which carried out a brutal campaign of murder against uninvolved nationalists as a matter of British Government policy.

Against this background the Provisionals look set either now or in the near future to take the next step from administering British Rule in Ireland to actively enforcing and policing it, let us not fool ourselves the Provos have bought into British Rule in Ireland, and have no option but to dismantle their military wing allowing for its absorabtion into the machinery of British Rule, to be used against former comrades who have refused to be bought or accept British Rule, as latter day 'Broy Harriers'.

The purpose of the 'Stormont Agreement' is the normalisation of British Rule in Ireland, as Irish Republicans we will never accept this, like Connolly we hold that 'England has no right in Ireland, never had any right in Ireland and never can have any right in Ireland'.

We pledge our determination to continue the struggle for Irish Freedom, the removal of the British presence and the re - establishment of the All- Ireland Republic of Easter week, we are here for the long haul. In EIRE NUA Republican Sinn Fein possess the only sane and credible alternative to what is a clearly failed process, as we point out in our 'Address to the Irish People' : We believe that neither London nor Dublin can guarantee the future welfare of the people of Ulster. Only the people of Ulster themselves can do that - and they can best achieve it by taking their rightful place, as equals in the historic Irish Nation, where their rights would be guaranteed by a new constitution and they would have access to real power.

Internationally imperialism is once more on the march, the USBritish led war on the people of Iraq, which has led to deaths of thousands of innocent men, women and children, was a gross violation of international law, in effect tearing up the UN charter. America's doctrine of 'pre - emptive war' is an imperialist charter of the strong to be used against the weak, already the US hawks are rattling their sabres in the direction of Syria, who is next on the list? The war in Iraq was but the first of the 'resource wars' of the 21st Century. Since the 'Boer War' Irish Republicans have consistently opposed wars of conquest which is why we were to the forefront in protesting at the us of Shannon and Irish airspace by US warplanes in breach of Irish neutrality, the position adopted by the 26 County Administration in aligning themselves with an unholy 'coalition of the willing' in defiance of the clearly expressed wishes of the Irish people can only be described as disgraceful. Likewise the visit to Hillsborough by US President George Bush was both hypocritical and shameful, equally shameful was the welcome given to him by Bertie Ahern, the Provos and the SDLP, at a time when he was unleashing weapons of mass destruction on the defenceless people of Iraq, whilst using Ireland as base to set out his stall for the colonialisation of Iraq.

We are inheritors of a proud and noble tradition with roots deep in Irish history, from Tone to Emmet, whose Bi - Centenary we commemorate this year, to Davis, Lalor to Pearse and Connolly, we are not for sale nor will we be co - opted into any British imposed settlement, we are implacable enemies of British Rule in Ireland, and will continue to preach the undiluted gospel of Irish Republicanism, whilst continuing to put forward the three historic demands of the Irish people:

A public British declaration of intent to withdraw from Ireland within a stated period.
The release of all political prisoners
A New Ireland negotiated by the Irish people themselves.

Conscious of the historic links between Ireland and Scotland we yearn for the day when a free Scotland can take her place alongside a free and united Ireland in a 'League of free Celtic Nations.'

In this the Bi -Centenary year of Robert Emmet's rising and execution let us by our words and more importantly our deeds hasten the day when his epitaph can finally be written, when Ireland has truly taken her place amongst the nations of the earth.

Longford -- Each generation has resisted British rule

Mon, 21 Apr 2003 12:58:44 GMT

April 20, 2003 Oration by Josephine Hayden, Ard Comhairle Sinn Féin Poblachtach at Ballymacormack Cemetery, Longford, Easter Sunday 2003.

Since the Rebellion in 1916, Easter has become a focus all over the country for people to reiterate their commitment to the Irish Republic and pay their respects to those who gave their lives in the cause of Irish freedom. Many people have taken part in that war of liberation to free their country from foreign oppression and declare her a nation including Captain Henry Hughes and Patrick McKeon who are buried here in this graveyard. We salute their courage and dedication.

Just as in every decade, men and women today are involved in the continued struggle -- the freedom and independence of our country is not yet won in spite of those who would have us believe that the Ireland that Henry Hughes and Patrick McKeon died for has been realised. The old British tactic of divide and conquer has once again been used to good effect, it has been bought into by those who should know better. And I mean bought into in the broadest sense [^] they have been bought. But we remember Padraig Pearse's words on the 'purchasing' of the people -- the Brits have still only purchased one half, the other half continues the fight.

The twelve men whose names are on the Longford Roll of Honour were honourable men who believed in the complete separation of Ireland from England - as did Thomas Ashe when he was arrested for a speech he made in Ballinalee. In the 32 Counties of Ireland today men and women are being shown the respect they deserve. Such men as Henry Hughes, who died on June 13, 1921 from injuries he received while training for active service and Patrick McKeon who suffered such ill-treatment in Ballykinlar Camp it resulted in his premature death on February 23, 1922. Not for them or their comrades the acceptance of the British imposed border and British rule in Ireland. And we know that today our former comrades, the Provos, will stand at the graves and monuments of our patriot dead and pay them lip service. It would be more fitting for them to stay at home with the pay packets they received from the Brits and the US Governments rather than dishonour Irish freedom Fighters, for they have sold out Ireland to the two warmongers of the world.

When the Provisionals signed the Stormont Agreement -- the basis for which was Thatcher's Anglo-Irish Agreement of 1985 -- they relinquished the right to consider themselves the Republican Movement and call themselves Sinn Féin. Sinn Féin as an organisation would never collaborate with the British in the occupation of the country. But the Provos are willing collaborators in upholding and indeed going so far as to administer British rule in Ireland. They have destroyed weapons and materials procured for the freedom of Ireland, they have discredited people and they have attempted to impose their will on those who hold opposing views. They have made secret deals with the British, US and Free State Administrations, the extent of which may never be known.

They, like others before them, have placed obstacles in the way of those who are attempting to win separation from England and their next logical step is to don the peelers uniform and come the heavy on their former comrades. [That would be nothing new in Ireland. We have seen plenty poachers turned gamekeepers [^] especially in the Free State]. No matter what change in uniform, badges, names takes place, no matter what gloss is put on it to give it respectability, the RUC/PNSI will forever remain a sectarian bigoted force as part of British misrule in Ireland. But the Republican message has a long history and has been passed on from generation to generation. And in spite of any and all obstacles placed in the way the fight will go on and be fought by Republicans as it has always been fought and for as long as it takes.

While each generation has resisted British rule, each generation too has unfortunately produced its share of traitors and collaborators. The true and faithful can expect repression from all quarters, that never deterred Republicans in the past and we will not let that deter us now. Republicans are being held without bail in Maghaberry on charges with no basis -- the three men have refused to accept the Stormont deal so they must pay for their insubordination.

A few months ago a twelve year sentence was imposed on a Republican on such flimsy evidence as would not be accepted any place else in the world. The Free State too is leaning heavily on those who do not accept the Stormont Agreement and the status quo. Men are serving savage sentences, one man 10 years and another 14 years, in Portlaoise prison, imposed by the special non-jury court in Dublin, on the perjury of special branch detectives. Seven members of Republican Sinn Féin are awaiting the outcome of a trial that began on January 13 and ended last week with a reserved judgement.

The Special Branch are sitting outside the office of SFP in Parnell Street every day and they monitor all customers and meetings. They have stopped and harassed people -- often on their way to work at 7 in the morning -- and offered them bribes to tout for them and when that does not work they try to intimidate them. Young people especially are being stopped and searched under the Drugs act and told to 'move on' under the public order act (a case pending in Limerick). We know that all of this harassment is designed to intimidate.

But we send a message today to Blair and Aherne 'Republicans will not be intimidated. You can introduce as many draconian laws as you like, threaten people as much as you like, Republicans will never be deflected from their path'. North and south of the British imposed border touts and informers continue to be used to gather information on Republicans while those touts are granted immunity for their criminal, and often murderous, activity. We need only refer to the latest report on the inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane to see the far reaching effects of such immunity. Even the Brits are afraid to publish the whole truth behind that murder. They cannot bring themselves to admit the extent of the collusion between the security forces and the murderous loyalist death squads or the cover-ups that protected their agents.

Pat Finucane[base ']s son, Michael, has stated that the latest investigation into his fathers murder was worthless because 'the intelligence system worked exactly as it was designed to'. He is so right. In an article in The Times on April 18, Ed Moloney said 'Without doubt Stevens assertions constitute one of the darkest chapters in British security force operations during the troubles, a chapter many will be tempted to compare with the behaviour of the death squads of Argentina and Chile'. I believe that never will the full extent of such collusion be made public. However some of the collusion between British Military Intelligence (at all levels) the RUC (individual members and the Special Branch) and the loyalist death squads has been documented. The Republican Movement has always highlighted overt and covert collusion pointing out that only the British Security forces, [especially the RUC], could have given personal details and photographs to the loyalist death squads.

These were no rogue members of the security forces as is suggested by the British, the British Government knew exactly what was going on and sanctioned it. The security forces at the highest level were the only ones who could have withdrawn the RUC/Army from an area to allow the death squads to make good their escape having murdered their selected 'target' -- the target having been pinpointed by British military intelligence and details passed to loyalist informers/killers.Brian Nelson, known as agent Ten-Thirty Three, was one such informer/killer who was run by one branch of British Military Intelligence, the Force Research Unit. According to Nicholas Davies, Nelson's 'databases were rivalled only by those held by British Intelligence and the RUC Special Branch. And all had been provided courtesy of Military Intelligence'. But Nelson was also a committed UDA man, a member of the loyalist death squads. He, along with his bosses in the UDA and with the approval of his military handlers, planned and carried out a campaign of murder that will never be fully uncovered - Pat Finucane was but one of their victims.

The latest victims of the British/US killing machine are the thousands of Iraqi men, women and children who in the last few weeks have been slaughtered indiscriminately. This was no war of liberation but a war of occupation. It was interesting to see that when the statue of Saddam was toppled it was the American Flag the US Marines draped over the plinth -- the flag of the conqueror. They have left the country in ruins, its people without water, food or electricity, its hospitals (whats left of them) without medicine and its 9,000 year old national artefacts are no doubt safe in some US State -- the Iraqi museum in Baghdad was well plundered before the looters were encouraged to go on the rampage. [After the 1990 Gulf War some of the most valuable artefacts stolen from the museum in Baghdad turned up in London.]

And the Free State is complicit in such destruction of a people and their state. By allowing US military to stop-over at Shannon, the Free State is supporting the US Military. By arresting, charging and imprisoning protestors they are supporting the invasion. They have joined forces with the warmongers. Those same warmongers who have lectured the Irish people on how to live and conduct themselves and even how to 'vote properly'. The last EU election in the Free State has a strong resemblance to Bush[base ']s election -- keep at it until you get the result you want. The 'coalition of the willing' are a 'mutual admiration society' arresting, imprisoning, wounding and killing in the name of peace. But real peace only comes with justice. Peace only comes when all nations and states have respect for each other and traditions are respected. No state has the right to occupy another, murder its citizens and carry out act of terrorism against its people because all peoples have a right to live in freedom and peace. Ireland as a nation is entitled to her freedom, regardless of the wishes of the majority or minority.

All of us here have a duty to our country. We have a duty to free our country from foreign occupation, oppression and intimidation. We have a duty to rid our country of the native traitors who collaborate with that foreign occupier. Republican Sinn Féin believes that the way forward for peace with justice in Ireland is through the ÉIRE NUA programme. The four province federal state will give the people a greater say in the running of their country, it will bring real power to the people. A document entitled An Address to the Irish People has been published recently by SFP in response to a resolution from An Ard Chomhairle at the 2002 Ard-Fheis [^] it addresses in particular the people of the occupied areas. SAOIRSE is an important part of the Republican Movement and by promoting all three the people will read the truth for themselves and nail the lie there is no alternative to the Stormont agreement. Let us leave here today with that in mind and work towards that end.

Steven's Report confirms Republican charges

Mon, 21 Apr 2003 12:46:00 GMT

Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, President, Republican Sinn Féin
April 18, 2003

The report of the 'Steven's Inquiry' confirms the charges of collusion made by Republicans from the early 1970s. In that such collaboration was 'widespread' it shows that the Loyalist paramilitaries acted as the underground arm or hidden extension of the British occupation forces.

In this way the British Government added proxy forces to their war in Ireland and blamed Unionists for their dirty deeds while posing before the world as peace keepers, they acted in the same way in the early 1920s when they imposed partition and the Northern Ireland statelet on the Irish people.

Such shameful policies and actions should be exposed by every possible means and independent public international inquiries instituted. These should not be confined to the Finucane case, nor should they be held in private as in the case of the greatest single loss of life in the conflict, i.e. the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 1974. The renamed RUC and UDR are not 'new' forces. They consist of the very same personnel which carried out an ignominious campaign of murder against uninvolved Nationalists as a matter of British Government policy.

Such deeds cannot be swept under the carpet, and the forces which carry them out must be held to account. Nationalists suffered while Unionists took the blame, all the while the English Government was largely responsible.

O Bradaigh slams Bush intervention as "hypocrisy"

Tue, 15 Apr 2003 12:44:38 GMT

Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, President, Republican Sinn Féin
April 7, 2003

In a statement Sinn Féin Poblachtach President Ruairí Ó Brádaigh has described US President, George Bush's visit to Belfast as Hypocrisy. He also points out that the decision of the SDLP, whose MPs voted against the war on Iraq in the British House of Commons on March 18, and the Provisionals to meet Bush, contradicts their stated opposition to the war.

George Bush's visit to Belfast in a blatant attempt to portray himself as a peace - broker, while at the same time the US and Britain are waging a horrific war of conquest on the people of Iraq, which has resulted in the deaths of thousands of men, women and children, is both hypocritical and contradictory.

In coming to Belfast George Bush is lending US weight to the imposition of a civil rights type solution under British Rule on the Six Counties, which of course contains within it the seeds of future conflict, failing as it does to address to root cause of the problem.

The powerful Washington establishment have consistently supported the stronger side in any conflict as evidenced by their involvement in Palestine where they have sponsored an Israeli dictated so - called peace process, which as we can see today has led only to a daily death toll of Palestinian men women and children.

Travelling to the Six Counties George Bush is similarly acting as sponsor for a British imposed solution in Ireland whilst also using Ireland to set out his stall for the colonisation of the Iraqi people.

The decision of both the SDLP, whose MPs voted against the war on Iraq in the British House of Commons and the Provisionals to participate in this charade contradicts their publicly stated opposition to this imperialist war. Ruairí Ó Brádaigh said.

Fresh feud fears in Limerick

Mon, 14 Apr 2003 13:01:20 GMT

Seán O'Neill, Limerick Republican Sinn Féin
April 6, 2003

Another vicious feud is breaking out in Limerick and people are going to be killed unless action is taken now to prevent any escalation, the local branch of Republican Sinn Féin said today.

RSF community affairs spokesman Seán O'Neill from Rosbrien said that the developing feud has its origins in a gun attack on a house in Garryglass Avenue in Ballinacurra Weston but the police denied that shots had been fired.

Then on Sunday morning a man was thrown out of a car at the Hyde Road and Lenihan Avenue junction after being badly beaten by a gang of men.

He was unconscious when he was dumped from the car, said Mr. O'Neill. However even more alarming was the petrol bomb attack on the house in Lenihan Avenue - a mother and two young children, one only a few months hold, had a narrow escape from death. The basis of a new feud is now laid but it must be stopped before anyone is killed.

This type of activity is giving Limerick a notorious name in the national media and it serves no purpose but to paint Limerick as a city out of control where the ordinary rules of civilised behaviour have been abandoned.

Of course this is not true - and these awful feuds are confined to a few families involved in violent activities. It is time the police took up the challenge of this outrageous lawlessness and tackled the gangs in Limerick.

The police cannot continue to deny that these incidents are taking place- we are now appealing for all those involved in such activity to cease and allow people to go about their lives in peace.

Boycott call from Kerry RSF

Fri, 11 Apr 2003 12:48:41 GMT

John O'Shea, Kerry Republican Sinn Féin
April 5, 2003

A call has been made on the Kerry Provo TD Martin Ferris to boycott the visit of US President George Bush to Ireland over spearheading the war in Iraq by the local branch of Republican Sinn Féin.

RSF spokesman in North Kerry, John O'Shea from Ballylongford said that the Provisional Sinn Féin party oppose the war in Iraq so they must also oppose those who lead the war.

The Provos say they are against the war - they have been very vocal about it and now they have the chance to prove their sincerity by not meeting the American president, said Mr.O'Shea.

However we shall see if the Provos are a principled party - we shall see if the embrace the man who launched this war - and the man who presides over appalling civilian casualties and loss of innocent life.

The Provos cannot fly two flags - they cannot be against the war and and the same time give support to the war effort by meeting with and welcoming the man who is in charge of the war.

Now is the time for Deputy Ferris to take a principled stand on this issue - now is the time for him to show the people of Kerry that his party is a sincere and genuine party working for peace. He can take a stand by refusing to meet the US President and by calling on his party leader to boycott the meeting in protest.

However principles are not the strong point of the Provos and we in Republican Sinn Féin will not be holding our breath on this occasion. Their history of sell out indicates that Deputy Ferris and his Provo friends will not only welcome the US President to Ireland but will actively embrace his policies to the detriment of the people of Iraq.

Class distinction on Limerick train

Thu, 10 Apr 2003 12:31:49 GMT

Seán O'Neill, Limerick Republican Sinn Féin
April 2, 2003

Class distinction is alive and well and travelling on the 5.20 pm Irish Rail train service from Dublin to Limerick, the local branch of Republican Sinn Féin claimed today.

RSF community affairs spokesman Seán O'Neill from Rosbrien in Limerick said that on Fridays the rail company operates a policy of class distinction that would not be out of place in apartheid South Africa.

Only first class passengers are served hot meals on that train, said Mr. O'Neill. The second class passengers cannot purchase a hot meal - they have to make do with rather tired sandwiches.

A number of people have brought this outrageous situation to our attention in recent days. People travelling from Dublin to Limerick on this particular service are being discriminated against because they do not have first class tickets.

A hot meal will be served to you by Irish Rail catering staff if you have a first class ticket, but first class travel is out of the range of most ordinary people.

The fact is the dining car is off limits to most passengers and only those with first class tickets are served hot meals. This situation is akin to class distinction and tantamount to discrimination against people because of their financial situation.

We are now demanding that all those passengers who want a hot meal on this train should be served - without reference to their class of ticket.

Kerry Colour Party for Liam Lynch event

Wed, 09 Apr 2003 12:20:15 GMT

John O'Shea, Kerry Republican Sinn Féin
April 2, 2003

A colour party from Kerry is to take part in the Republican Sinn Féin commemoration to General Liam Lynch who was killed in a gun battle with Free State forces in the Knockmealdown Mountains during the Civil War.RSF spokesman in North Kerry, John O'Shea from Ballylongford who is also the PRO for the Liam Lynch Commemoration Committee said today that Kerry will be well represented at the event.

A colour party drawn from Ballylongford and Limerick will be at the commemoration which is being addressed by Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, the President of Republican Sinn Féin, said Mr. O'Shea.

The commemoration takes place on Sunday 13th April in Kilcrumper cemetry near Fermoy in County Cork not far from Liam Lynch's birthplace where we will assemble at 2.30 pm led by a colour party from Kerry and Limerick.

The oration by Ruairí Ó Brádaigh will be of major importance at this time of political crisis with the failure of the Stormont Agreement to bring a real and lasting peace to the Six Counties.

The leader of Republican Sinn Féin will draw comparisons with the lessons of the past and outline our party's proposals for a new Ireland under the Éire Nua programme.

In view of the current political situation in the Six Counties we are appealing to all true Republicans and indeed the general public to attend and not only recall the sacrifices of men like Liam Lynch but pay tribute to all those who have died for Ireland.

Harassment of Republicans on the increase, Kerry Commemoration told

Tue, 08 Apr 2003 12:51:43 GMT

Kerry Republican Sinn Féin
April 1, 2003

The killing of Republicans by the Free State during the Civil War was actually a counter-revolution by forces backed by the British crown, a member of the Ard Comhairle told the first Republican Sinn Féin commemoration in Listowel, County Kerry on Sunday 30th March.

South Armagh man Gerald Crilly said that the same counter revolutionary forces are at work today with the Provos administering British rule in the Six Counties and it will be only a matter of time until they turn against true Republicans.

The foundation is being laid for intense harassment and intimidation of Republicans by the RUC or the PSNI, he told a large crowd from all over Munster. In recent times we have seen a concerted move against all those who oppose the British presence in Ireland.

Even the so called trial of the Ballynanty Seven has shown the lies and distortions used by the political police to try to tarnish Republican Sinn Féin - and now it has been proven in the Non-Jury court that the men were all arrested illegally - they must be set free now and these spurious charged dropped.

A local colour party led the parade from Charles Street in Listowel to the Republican Plot where Seamus O'Sullivan from County Limerick welcomed the large crowd and chaired the commemoration. RSF chairman John Mangan from Tralee recited a decade of the rosary. Matt Leen read a poem commemorating the deaths of the Republicans during the Civil War while Siobhan Walsh read the 1916 Proclamation. Wreaths were laid by Paddy McCarthy on behalf of RSF, by Dominick Kissane on behalf of the prisoners and by Donal O'Sullivan, Lisselton on behalf of the relatives of the two men, Timothy O'Sullivan and David Enright who were executed by Free State forces during the Civil War. Jonathan Bermingham from Na Fianna sounded the Last Post.

One of the organisors John O'Shea from Ballylongford said they were pleased with the turn out for what was the first Republican Sinn Féin commemoration in the town of Listowel.

We now have a solid foundation here and we intend to build on it and recruit new members in the coming months, he said.

North Kerry Cargo Hub Plan

Fri, 20 Sep 2002 11:30:07 GMT

The massive State owned land bank in North Kerry should be used for the development of a European trans-shipment marine hub, the local cumann of Republican Sinn Fein said today. [Full Article]

Garda probe urged

Tue, 20 Aug 2002 12:09:49 GMT

The Limerick branch of Republican Sinn Féin is lobbying Opposition leaders to question the actions of an undercover Garda unit in abducting a local man from his home last week.

Death threat report

Sun, 18 Aug 2002 21:01:34 GMT

Members of the Republican Sinn Féin organisation throughout the country are being advised to be on the alert after a failed abduction in Limerick.

Israeli Peace Prize should be returned

Wed, 17 Apr 2002 12:17:25 GMT

Geraldine McNamara, Ard Chomhairle, Republican Sinn Féin
April 16, 2002

The people of Tipperary should demand the return of the Tipperary Peace Prize awarded to Israel, a member of the Ard Comhairle of Republican Sinn Féin said today.

Undeclared Election Condemned

Tue, 16 Apr 2002 11:52:36 GMT

Des Long, Vice President, Republican Sinn Féin
April 13, 2002

The "undeclared election campaign" costing the people millions of euros has been condemned by the vice-president of Republican Sinn Féin who claimed today that their members have been prevented for taking part in political activity.

Maghaberry prison situation volatile

Mon, 15 Apr 2002 12:00:54 GMT

April 14, 2002

Concern is growing that a Republican POW will be killed if the Maghaberry Prison regime does not segregate Republican and loyalist prisoners.