The Badger: Starry Plough

Seamus Costello - Revolutionary Socialist

Seamus Costello exhibited a greatness of the same order as James Connolly. His energy, his intelligence, accuracy and thoroughness, his humour, quickness, and decisiveness, made him an outstanding mind and personality in this generation of Irishmen. He was both a thinker and a man of action But he was also a man of deep concern and humanity based on that affectionate nature that he shared with his wife Maeliosa and children Caoilfionn, Fionan, Aoibbin, Ronan. He saw clear and far, and dared greatly. He dared to take up the unfinished task of James Connolly.

Connolly On Religion, Women and Sex

From The Starry Plough

One of Connolly's major theoretical contribution was his discussion of the relations between socialism and religion. Connolly's views on that matter are fairly original and atypical. The reason why Connolly engaged with the subject is that a great proportion of the Irish working class was influenced by the Roman Catholic religion. The Catholic hierarchy was trying to keep workers away from socialism by saying that socialism and the Christian religion were incompatible and antagonistic. The priests pointed out that socialism, especially in its Marxist form, was intrinsically bound with materialism and atheism; so it is impossible for workers to be socialist and Christian at the same time.

South Derry INLA Honour Kevin Lynch

from The Starry Plough

The South Derry Brigade of the INLA marked the anniversary of the death of Volunteer Kevin Lynch by laying a wreath and firing a volley of shots over his grave in Dungiven. This tribute occured on Friday 2nd August in the churchyard where Kevin was buried 21 years earlier. The Starry Plough recieved these photos along with a brief statement from the South Derry Brigade which stated the reasons why this tribute took place at this time. The INLA statement is summarised as follows...

UVF gearing up

The UVF is reported to be getting ready to attack innocent nationalists again.

Blatant Double Standards

Dessie O'Hare

I can only speak truthfully and accurately concerning my own case where the Irish Government have failed to implement the good Friday agreement, ie their decision to arbitrarily exclude me from the early release scheme. The scheme was set out in the GFA for the phased release of all Political Prisoners, and a completion time scale of two years meant that any POWs remaining after June 2000 would automatically be released. The Irish and British Governments passed appropriate laws to facilitate the releases and began processing the POWs which basically went on the lines of first in first out.

Thousands of Workers Down Tools Over Pay

Workers Unity is Workers Strength

Thousands of Public Service workers across the six counties downed tools in what is thought to be one in a series of stopages by local government, education, libraries, social services and cleaners.

Low Pay Rally Welcomed!

The 23 sacked Security workers at Aldergrove Airport received a welcomed solidarity boost as protesters turned out in support of their reinstatement.

Solidarity is Strength - Reinstate Sacked Workers

Over 100 security workers at Belfast International airport were suspended without pay by their ICTS bosses, who supply security at the airport as they prepared for solidarity strike action.

Second Year of Athy Poor Pay Occupation

For one full year now, a group of sacked workers at the Peerless factory in Athy have occupied the plant over redundancy packages made by their bosses.

Joyriders are Anti-Working Class!

The Irish Republican Socialist Party have called on young people not to be 'taken in' by any perceived excitement of car theft over the summer.

Ethical Investment

The IRSP in Belfast has questioned the recent announcement of over 80 jobs being created at the Thales Air Defence Company in east Belfast. The contract which is worth £400 million is to be split between 15 firms has been placed by the British and Swedish armed forces to construct a new system called the Next Generation Light Anti-Armour Weapon or NLAW.

Corruption is Rife!

Politicians & Bosses Across The World Evade Prision!

It's been said that the gap between rich and poor the world over is becoming much more apparent. In one survey released recently it clearly mentioned that Ireland is one of the most economically divided countries in what's known as the 'developed world', well after North America that is.

Castlereagh Break In

From The Starry Plough
Apr. 2002

Once again we have witnessed a farcicle episode involving the RUC, MI5, PIRA and Sinn Fein revolving aroung the burglary at the former Castlereagh torture centre on St Patrick's day.

Republican Socialists Take to the Streets Demanding Freedom for Dessie O'Hare

From The Starry Plough
April 2002

Time to play fair!

Dessie O'Hare is an INLA POW currently being held HOSTAGE in the top security Portlaoise prison in the 26 counties.

Nightmare on Hardwicke Street

The Dublin Irish Republican Socialist Party condemned local Dublin Corporation for ingnoring the plight of Hardwicke Street residents coping as a result of many horrific encounters with rodents, following a meeting with one local resident.

Solidarity Message to the Struggling People of Vieques

Comrades defending Vieques, Sisters and Brothers:

The Irish Republican Socialist Party sends you its greetings of solidarity. We know that this summit will be taking place in the midst of renewed bombing by the U.S. imperialist Navy, in a continuing violation of Puerto Rico's national sovereignty and in callous disregard for the health and welfare of Vieques and Puerto Rico in general.

IRSM Easter 2002 Commemoration Speech

Comrades, once more we gather to pay homage and remember those Republicans and Socialists who gave their lives in the struggle for a democratic Socialist Republic. . .

IRSP Welcome Che's Daughter to Ireland

The Irish Republican Socialist Party has today warmly welcomed a visit by Aleida Guevara, daughter of revolutionary Marxist leader Che Guevara, to Ireland.

More Job Cuts Scandalous

11 March 2002

The Irish Republican Socialist Party today stated that EMC Job cuts would effect the entire community whilst bosses profits remained buoyant as ever.

Put People Before Profit
3 March 2002

The Irish Republican Socialist Party called on the 26 County Administration to put people before profit in relation to drug abuse figures in the capital.

Connolly and the First World War: Political Lessons for Today
By Liam O Ruairc
From The Starry Plough
Feb. 2002

Today Republican Socialists are faced with the question of the war in Afghanistan. More than 85 years ago, with the outbreak of the first world war, James Connolly was faced with similar problems. And a century ago, he already had been involved in an opposition campaign to the Boer War in South Africa. What parallels and lessons can we learn from his experience?

This is Republican Socialism!
From The Starry Plough
Feb. 2002

The Irish Republican Socialist Party is an organisation created by and for working class people, to aid working class liberation in Ireland and internationally with others who share that common goal. The IRSP stands in the tradition of James Connolly, seeking an end to all forms of exploitation and the creation of a 32 county socialist republic, with the working class collectively owning the means of production, distribution, and exchange, as well as democratically administering society.

Bloody Sunday: 30 Years on and Still No Justice!
By Terry Harkin
From The Starry Plough
Feb. 2002

Well, 30 odd years and still no justice, what can you say?

There is a perception that's rife in Derry 30 years on from Bloody Sunday that this new inquiry into the events of January 30th 1972 will, once and for all bring justice to the family's of the victims and closure to the people of Derry for the events that shaped at least one generation of our City's youth.

Sinister Threat To Protestant Workers Dismissed
From The Starry Plough
Feb. 2002

A caller purporting to come from the Irish National Liberation Army threatened workers at Marks and Spencer's distribution centre in Mallusk following the loyalist killing of postman Danny McColgan. The IRSP immediately assertained the true facts, although sure in the knowledge that the INLA do not phone people up to threaten them, got assurances that the INLA were not involved in this.

Gloating Para Chief May Visit Ireland on Thirtieth Anniversary of Bloody Sunday Massacre
From The Starry Plough
Feb. 2002

PRINCE CHARLES, A parasite in paras uniform.