Veteran
Derry republican Gerry McCartney argues that the recent killings of two British
soldiers and a PSNI officer
by dissident republican groups will do nothing to achieve Irish unity
29.4.2009
Reports obtained from:
(1) Irish Republican News, (2) Irish News
Friday-Thursday, 27 March-2 April, 2009
Friday-Thursday, 3-9 April, 2009
Friday-Thursday, 10-16 April, 2009
War of Words (1)
Friday-Thursday, 17-23 April, 2009
Friday-Thursday, 27 March-2 April, 2009
Statement of Intent
By Irish Republican News
Days of disturbances in the North this week amounted to a show of strength by so-called "dissidents" following a recent PSNI crackdown.
The scale and co-ordination of the bomb alerts marked a significant change in tactics, causing most disruption in areas where the Provisional IRA was once strongest. Although the actions were clearly orchestrated, no group has claimed responsibility for the trouble.
The upsurge in unrest on a level not seen in years comes three weeks after the 'Real IRA' and the Continuity IRA killed two British soldiers and a member of the PSNI in separate attacks.
Many of the incidents involved suspicious vehicles left near PSNI bases, forcing the PSNI and British Army to mount significant operations to deal with the threats. Several key roads in the greater Belfast area were shut down by hijacked vehicles or as a result of bomb alerts.
North and west Belfast and north Armagh were areas of high activity, although incidents were reported in Fermanagh and in Bangor in County Down.
The trouble appeared to begin at about 4pm on Tuesday, when a burning van was used to block a road in the Ardoyne area of Belfast. Over a dozen vehicles, including a lorry and a delivery van, were abandoned in different parts of the city. Royal Mail vans, Northern Ireland Electricity and Northern Ireland Water Service vehicles were frequently targeted for use in barricades or as decoys.
Between two and four masked men were involved in each of these incidents, according to the PSNI. One driver whose van was seized and burned in a barricade in west Belfast yesterday spoke of his initial concern that it was a prank.
"These guys had scarves and hoodies on which made me think they were jokers - then you see a firearm and realise it wasn't a joke," he said.
The man said the hijackers who targeted him were not youths but aged in their late thirties or forties.
Power cuts in Belfast and Derry were thought to be connected to the disorder, which provoked criticism from the political and media spheres.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the "actions of the violent few" were "futile".
"Under no circumstances will we, as the democratically elected representatives of the people, allow a process that people had invested so much in to collapse because of the activities of people who represent nobody but themselves," he said.
Copyright © Irish Republican News 2009
Friday-Thursday, 3-9 April, 2009
Analysis: Force of argument is way forward
By Jim Gibney for Irish News
Next Monday marks the 93rd anniversary of the 1916 Rising. This Sunday republicans from many different backgrounds across this island and the world will commemorate the rising and pay homage to those who died in Easter Week and since for the freedom and reunification of this country.
The rising was not only a momentous occasion in the long struggle by the people of Ireland for independence but was a turning point in that journey towards a national democracy.
Out of the embers of a destroyed GPO in Dublin's O'Connell Street the headquarters of the republican army - a national movement, which united all the classes seeking independence, emerged.
The 1916 Rising was the end product of more than a century of protest, largely peaceful, since the brutal suppression by the British government of the 1798 Rebellion.
Nineteenth century Ireland featured Robert Emmet's armed rising, Daniel O'Connell's mass movement, the Young Irelanders and the 1848 revolution; the Land League, the Fenians' revolt and the Home Rule movement of Parnell and Redmond.
Whether peaceful or armed the British government ignored the demands for change and by the beginning of the 20th century the scene was set for a rising which defined the future governance of Ireland for republicans as a Republic.
Two symbolic emblems carried the objective of that republic - the Irish national flag and the 1916 Proclamation.
The tri-colour flew over Dublin's GPO for the entire week of the rising. Its colours represented the two main traditions, nationalist and unionist with a strip of white uniting them in peaceful co-existence.
The 1916 Proclamation set out the vision, the quality of life for those who would live in the republic as free men and women - a republic which men and women were to die for.
The principles of the Proclamation have influenced and guided those republicans who carried the struggle forward for a republic to this day - the people of Ireland are sovereign; it is their writ that should run across Ireland, not Britain's in part of it; society should be so organised to ensure the people have 'ownership' of it, a stake in it; "religious and civil liberty, equal rights and equal opportunities" guaranteed to all citizens and this included the right to vote for women, which was denied to them.
The Proclamation was recognised at the time and since as a revolutionary document seeking a society based on a national democracy with equality and social justice for all its citizens.
The Proclamation's democratic credentials were reflected in its commitment to a republic where the people are sovereign whereas across Europe monarchies reigned over people with few rights.
The national movement and the war of independence which followed the rising foundered in the face of partition and a disastrous civil war.
The republic was betrayed by some of those leaders who survived the conflict between 1916-23. They built a state in the 26 counties, called it a republic and ignored the plight of nationalists trapped in the six counties and treated by unionists as second-class citizens in their own country.
It was left to a small but incredibly brave group of republicans to carry the beacon of freedom - the ideal of the 1916 republic - decade upon decade until the popular nationalist revolt of 1969.
That tidal wave of anger regenerated and reinvigorated the modern republican movement. That mood carried the republican struggle through many phases over the last 40 years.
The Ireland that Padraig Pearse, James Connolly and Countess Markiewicz faced was similar to the one faced by Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and Mairead Farrell - an Ireland in the armed vice of a ruthless British government.
That Ireland no longer exists.
We live in a country with novel political institutions arising from the Good Friday Agreement. These institutions are evolving and expanding their democratic legitimacy as they tackle the legacy of partition and Britain's unwelcome involvement in Irish affairs.
None of this would have happened had republicans not remained focused on the struggle for a republic.
And that is the sure guarantee that an independent republic will be achieved.
Only now, the methods rely on the force of argument and not the argument of force.
Copyright © Irish News 2009
Friday-Thursday, 10-16 April, 2009
War of Words
By Irish Republican News
There are increasing concerns that tensions between Sinn Fein and republican dissidents could escalate.
Mutual denunciations over the Easter commemorative period have been followed by allegations that dissidents were behind attacks on Sinn Fein offices in Derry and Belfast. The allegations have since been denied.
Tensions escalated dramatically last month when Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness joined PSNI Chief Hugh Orde and DUP leader Peter Robinson to condemn as "traitors" the breakaway republican groups who had carried out deadly attacks on the British Crown forces.
In its Easter statement delivered on Monday, the 'Real IRA' hit back with a strong denunciation against Mr McGuinness, a former IRA leader.
"A former comrade has come full circle and, with a knight of the British realm at his shoulder, he has labelled our gallant volunteers as traitors," the 'Real IRA' said.
"Let us remind our former comrade of the nature and the actions of a traitor.
"Treachery is collaborating with the enemy. Treachery is betraying your country."
In the statement, the 'Real IRA' also said it was responsible for killing Sinn Fein leadership figure Denis Donaldson three years ago, after he publicly admitted that he had worked as an informer for 20 years.
"No traitor will escape justice, regardless of time, rank or past actions.
"The republican movement has a long memory."
Sinn Fein accused dissidents of being "deluded" and warned that the 'Real IRA' statement carried an implied threat.
Party President Gerry Adams, addressing the annual Easter commemoration at the republican plot in west Belfast's Milltown Cemetery, said that dissidents were "hijacking republicanism" and using it for their own interests.
A peaceful and democratic path to a united Ireland has been opened up, he said.
"I uphold the right of everyone to dissent from Sinn Fein's point of view.
"But no one is entitled to hijack our proud republican history and our republican future, and abuse it for narrow, selfish interests or self-gain."
"Sinn Fein, standing firmly on a republican platform, sets ourselves firmly against those elements who do this."
The dissidents were blamed by Sinn Fein for an arson attack on a party office in Derry and a paint attack on the party's west Belfast constituency office in Andersonstown.
A memorial to IRA Volunteers was smashed at Connolly House in the third such act of vandalism in recent weeks. The west Belfast constituency office is mainly used by Assembly members Paul Maskey and Sue Ramsey.
"This attack is the third in a very short period but it will not detract Sinn Fein from our work," said Mr Maskey.
"It comes after an upsurge in anti-republican graffiti throughout parts of west Belfast.
"The attack on the Connolly House advice centre and, in particular, the desecration of the (IRA) Roll of Honour isn't just an attack on Sinn Fein but an attack on our community.
"The people of west Belfast overwhelmingly support our political project, they have made that clear at elections but it was also made very clear when thousands upon thousands lined the Falls Road at this year's Easter Parade."
However, Gary Donnelly, a leading figure in the 32 County Sovereignty Movement, denied claims that dissidents were involved.
"Why would we destroy a memorial to IRA members?" Mr Donnelly asked.
"It would be counter-productive of us to attack Sinn Fein members when we are trying to win over the Provisionals' support base."
He said recent attacks were the work of "hoods" and vandals.
Mr Donnelly said this was accepted by all community leaders in nationalist and republican areas in Derry and Belfast.
Earlier this week, a 'Real IRA' spokesman denied suggestions that Sinn Fein rivals were being targeted by that organisation.
"Taking military action against Sinn Fein leaders who are British ministers, or who urge nationalists to inform on us, isn't high on our agenda at the moment.
"However, that isn't to say this position won't change and, indeed change quickly, under certain circumstances."
He said that the group's current strategy is not to return to a sustained campaign of violence but to engage in "tactical use of armed struggle" against British rule.
Copyright © Irish Republican News 2009
Friday-Thursday, 17-23 April, 2009
'Only one IRA' - Adams
By Irish Republican News
The Sinn Fein leadership has begun a fight-back against rival republican groups who are seeking to maintain an armed struggle against British rule.
A tense meeting in a republican heartland County Tyrone this week was the first of ten to be organised by the party across the north.
Addressing the meeting, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness launched a robust attack on "dissident" republicans, who have grown in number and strength in recent months.
Mr Adams warned dissidents not to "hijack" the name of the IRA. But he acknowledged that some former Provisional IRA Volunteers had joined up with the Continuity IRA, Real IRA, and other groups.
He declared that "none of these groups are the IRA; none of these groups are Oglaigh Na hEireann".
"They have no right to hijack its name or to mimic the army's actions," Mr Adams said.
"They cannot match the [Provisional] IRA for ingenuity, for resourcefulness, for courage and for capacity.
"The army took armed struggle as far as it was possible to take it."
He also paid tribute to republican dead and their families, some of whom attended last nights meeting.
Mr Adams addressed recent dissident criticism of Deputy First Minister Mr McGuinness.
He said some took exception to Mr McGuinness's "traitors" comment in "an entirely self-serving and negative way".
While some dissidents were genuinely motivated, Mr Adams said others were motivated by "ego, self-gain and opportunism".
Later in the meeting, Mr McGuinness was challenged from the floor over Sinn Fein's performance at in the Belfast Assembly.
One speaker said the DUP had blocked Sinn Fein at every opportunity.
He criticised the failure to deliver an Irish language act, a museum sited on the site of the former Long Kesh prison and other promised policies.
In response, Mr McGuinness said he understood the frustration at the slow rate of progress, but he said one of the key successes of the party was its denial of DUP moves to unionist majority government.
And he claimed he there was a long list of things that Sinn Fein had prevented the DUP from doing, but that he could not reveal.
He also told the meeting that dissidents knew they would never have "the capability of the IRA when they fought the British effectively to a standstill".
The former Sinn Fein negotiator was later challenged to clarify his description of dissident republicans as "traitors".
He told the 200-strong crowd that it was never his intention to cause hurt to the families of dead IRA men and women, many of whom he said were close personal friends.
ENGAGEMENT
Sinn Fein earlier outlined the plans for public meetings in Ireland and in the US.
"This is part of our commitment to engage with people in Ireland and internationally about the future of Ireland," said Mr Adams.
Mr Adams said that the public meetings were an attempt to encourage a national 'conversation' about the future direction of Ireland and his party's determination to achieve Irish reunification.
"Sinn Fein seeks to engage with people, and particularly those who genuinely care about the future of Ireland and Irish unity," he said.
Mr Adams said the debates were an important opportunity for rank and file republicans to speak directly to the Sinn Fein leadership.
"Democracy requires the active participation of citizens and demands that political activists engage directly with local communities," he said.
Other meetings will take place at Clinton Centre in Enniskillen on Friday and St Mary's College in Belfast at noon on Sunday.
Other public meetings will take place at the Caledonian in Keady on April 29, Fir Trees Hotel in Strabane on April 30, Downpatrick Arts Centre on May 5, Gulladuff Centre on May 6, Tower Hotel in Derry on May 7 and the Craigavon Civic Centre on May 8.
Separate conferences will take place in New York on June 13 and in San Francisco on June 27.
Copyright © Irish Republican News 2009
Friday-Thursday, 17-23 April, 2009
Analysis: 'Get off our backs'
By Irish Republican News
Veteran Derry republican Gerry McCartney argues that the recent killings of two British soldiers and a PSNI officer by dissident republican groups will do nothing to achieve Irish unity.
Ten years ago, I spent my last night in a prison cell. I was released on Good Friday, 1998 as part of the Agreement. I spent my first night in jail on 15th September, 1974. I spent many other nights in different jails throughout the 70s and 80s and do not regret a single day. It was necessary to advance the struggle for Irish freedom. I would have no hesitation in doing it again.
That is not a boast or an ego trip; it is just the truth of the matter. I have to say, in my opinion, there is absolutely no reason why anyone should again have to see the inside of a prison cell in the pursuit of the Republic. There are now in place democratic structures to ensure that the Republic can be achieved without armed struggle.
Those small groups who still pursue armed struggle, far from advancing the end of British Rule, actually prolong it. The work required in today's Ireland is about persuasion. It is about fostering all the children of the nation. The true work of modern day republicans is to convince those who do not share our vision of an Ireland of equals, that equality and justice are no threat to their way of life.
Ireland today is a multi-cultural society. Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement there is a democratic mandate on the British to disengage if the majority of the people vote for it. It is more than 90 years since partition and it has proved a failure not only for the nationalists and republicans but also for the unionists.
Having a foreign government controlling a section of our country is not in the interest of any section of our people. It is not good sense to have in such a small island two education services, two health services, and two energy services. Such duplication is wasteful of meagre resources. It should be remembered that no one on the island of island, neither unionist nor nationalist, wanted partition. Unionism was opposed to Home Rule as they equated that with 'Rome rule' and, as things turned out in the 26 counties, their fears were not unjustified, but that is an argument for another day.
The republic is now attainable but not yet realised, so it is imperative that republicans of all shades are self-critical. We must continue to look at our actions and tactics to see if they are advancing the day that Ireland is reunited. Everything we undertake must move the process forward. It is the duty of all republicans not to sully the cause.
Armed action has been a legitimate response to British intransigence throughout the long struggle in our country, but in itself has not achieved freedom.
The republic is not only the ending of British rule in the six counties, it is the building of a nation where Catholic, Protestant and Dissenter work together to build a better place for all of us. If our national flag means anything it is to point us to a place we can share as equals, the country of our birth. Today's population are not and can not be held accountable for the sins of our fathers.
If we were honest and take a look at where we came from Mc Cartney, Mc Guinness, Donnelly, Gallagher, Galagher, Dougherty, O Doherty, we might find some of us actually descended from the Scots planters and have since changed sides. My point is history is the past, the future is ours to make.
There are those on all sides who will not accept the new arrangement. There are republicans who don't believe the structures can achieve the Republic. There are loyalists who believe the agreement is the road to Dublin. Dissident republicans have the same goal as anti-agreement unionists. They are trying to take us back to the old days of one party rule. "Dissies" need us in a place where we are repressed where nationalists and republicans have no voice. Gregory Campbell and his ilk want the same.
Those days are gone, gone and lost forever. Never again will the republican people be isolated or without influence. The Protestant state no longer exists. Republicans are at the heart of government and will drive our strategy forward. We will not be driven off course by micro groups. Jim Allister or Gregory Campbell. Nor will we allow those elements in the British military establishment to derail the political process.
Now let me turn to recent events; the killing of two British soldiers and a member of the PSNI were not, in any way, an advance in achieving Irish unity. It was an attempt to derail the political progress of Sinn Fein. The group which claimed responsibility have been in existence for 23 years and in that time have made no contribution to advancing the unity of our country. They continually hark back to the past but offer no vision for the future.
Their supporters' illiterate rantings on walls, their attacks on Orange halls and their planting of hoax bombs in community centres in Belfast and the Bogside in Derry are acts of anti-social behaviour. They should desist from their activities immediately and disband. They offer no hope to the generation they are trying to influence. They offer only misery and long jail sentences, in a path that is going nowhere and, indeed, is no longer necessary.
The unionist state I was born into and chose to rebel against is gone. All of us now have a voice in the future. Unionist, republican, nationalist, socialist and ethnic communities are all represented in the new structures. Equality is at the heart of government in this state. It is time the "dissies" got off the backs of the people of their own community and fell into line with the overwhelming majority of the people of this island.
They need to realise the republic is coming and cannot be stopped by them or anyone else. In the words of John Lennon "give peace a chance."
Copyright © Irish Republican News 2009