Sinn Féin Easter Rising Commemoration 2005

by redjade Thu Jan 01, 1970 00:00

.

by redjade Tue Mar 29, 2005 18:02

27 March, 2005
Sinn Féin Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness MP
speaking at the Easter Commemoration in Dublin
http://www.sinnfein.ie/news/detail/9035

[....]

Character assassination was used by the British against those Irish patriots, who chose peaceful means of resistance, just as effectively as physical assassination was used against those who used armed struggle.

The men and women of 1916 were called criminals and terrorists in their day. The Irish Independent referred to the Rising as a 'criminal madness'. Today Sir Anthony O' Reilly's ( as he prefers to be called) Independent Group carries on that pro-British view of Irish Republicanism with relish. He didn‚t get his British Knighthood or nothing.

Sadly, today the opponents of Irish republicanism who are attempting to brand republicans, as criminals are not British oppressors.

It is establishment parties in this state who enjoy limited independence brought about by previous generations of Irish republicans.

The British did not succeed in criminalising the patriots of 1916 nor did they succeed in criminalising the men in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh and the Women in Armagh in 1981.

And we are not about to allow the Soldiers of Destiny or the PD‚s to succeed in criminalising this generation of Irish Republicans.

[....]

-- -- --

Also....

2004 Photo Series:
Sinn Féin Easter Rising Commemoration March
from Dublin City to Glasnevin Cemetery
http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=64285

by . Tue Mar 29, 2005 19:54

Martin PPP McGuinness???

by Tim Tue Mar 29, 2005 22:06

My grandparents fought in the rising and also in the war of independance, I would hope they would be ashamed of the current Sinn fein/ IRA and it makes my blood boil that many of the 70 cowards who witnessed the murder of Robert McCarty would be marching around like those in the picture honouring my grandparents and their comrades, they would not have supported the drug dealing, bank robberys, murder of Gardai in the course of their duty and the bombing of innocent men women and children that the Sinn fein IRA have brought upon this state and its people. The day Sinn Fein get into power will be a sad sad day for democracy, people wake up.

by Ní thuigeann an sách an seang is má thuigeann, ní in am. - Campaign for Irish people of ample size against prejudice in public life. Tue Mar 29, 2005 22:43

If the Minister of Health, Mary Harney will not support us in our new campaign against the body fascism which unstinting health campaigns on "over-weight", "obese" and aggressive kids, will those gentlemen like to "fellow travel"?

by o'cadhain Wed Mar 30, 2005 01:30

martin and company sure had no problem criminalizing the republicans currently in jail in the occuiped counties...... and the men of 1916 never were on the payroll of the british crown working to enforce a partioned country!

by tc Wed Mar 30, 2005 01:49

they are a wannabe mainstream party with similiar political ideals as the SDLP...........they have walked away from being a radical movement. they party with the rich and until this year, have partied in the white house, and believe u me...gerry woul dhave gladly shook bush's hand if he was not barred.

and oh yeah, a republican speech coming from a british mp, collecting a british paycheck, after signing away political status for replican pows, agreeing to the principle of unionist consent, endorsing the removal of articles 2 and 3, attempting to be part of the political system that he helped try to destroy for the last 30 years, handing over weapons that people went to jail for bringing in..........etc etc etc

by hello there Wed Mar 30, 2005 02:17

The IRA Is Morphing Into the 'Rafia'



Anthony McIntyre • The Los Angeles Times, 10 March 2005

The Provisional IRA exploded on the Irish political stage in 1969 and within two years was involved in a full-scale guerrilla war against British rule in Ireland. By the third year of its existence it had forced the collapse of the Northern Ireland government. British rule continued, only now it was directly administered from London and not through any subsidiary parliament in Belfast. The IRA's war against that rule continued for an additional 22 years but ultimately failed to overcome it.

As a 16-year-old, I succumbed to the magnetic lure of battle. The British army enraged rather than subdued me; IRA funerals inspired rather than deterred me. Phoenix-like, a people's army had arisen from the ashes of blazing Catholic homes to fight and die in the face of overwhelming odds.

And so as a young man not even out of my teens, I entered the ranks of this steely republican fighting machine. Within days I was pitting both my wits and my seriously inadequate sniping skills against the might of the British empire. I came through. Many others did not. Among those who died were the 10 hunger strikers in 1981.

I knew some of those hunger strikers from prison, where I spent 18 years for killing a loyalist paramilitary. I joined them in a prison protest after being informed by prison management that I was no longer a political prisoner but a common criminal. What transformed my status was simply the act of trying to escape.

I was in an army - the IRA - not a criminal gang. There was no way I would wear the prison uniform of the criminal. For the next three years I stayed naked, alongside hundreds of my comrades, our only cover prison blankets.

The British government never did succeed in forcing us to wear the criminal uniform. We forced it to concede to us the right to wear the clothes we waged war in: our own everyday apparel. Such was our collective determination to resist the label of criminality that we withstood everything the British state could throw at us, from deprivation to death. We were a world removed from the type of criminality that saw Robert McCartney stabbed to death Jan. 30 outside a Belfast bar by psychopathic thugs belonging to the IRA.

Upon my release in 1992, I made my way back into the organization to which I had given my most productive years. But it had changed. The totalitarian grip of its foremost leader, Gerry Adams, smothered any serious internal discussion. Adams surrounded himself with head-nodding lackeys rather than critical thinkers. Suffocated by mindless sycophants and hounded by thought police, I broke with the IRA completely in 1998.

The political timing for my departure was right. The IRA leadership had embraced defeat in its acceptance of the Good Friday agreement. That "solution," with its built-in guarantee of continued British rule, enshrined everything I had spent a lifetime opposing. I could accept defeat. It happens all the time in wars. I was not, however, prepared to celebrate it.

Since then, things have only gotten worse. Under the leadership of Adams, the IRA has lost its way and is now bereft of legitimate purpose. Without any strategic framework for securing the withdrawal of the British state from Ireland, the IRA is now little more than a fundraiser and enforcer for its political wing, Sinn Fein.

With the IRA no longer involved in a war to expel the British, a checklist of its activities suggests it is more like a national crime syndicate than a national liberation army: extortion, robberies, mutilations, intimidation and the occasional murder of members of its own community.

Despite the murder of McCartney, the vast bulk of IRA volunteers are not motivated by criminal intent. But they are victims of a leadership that has stained republicanism by using the tradition, legitimacy, heritage and ethos of yesteryear for a radically different project that enhances the power and prosperity of republican leaders but does nothing to further the republican objective of a united Ireland.

The IRA started out as a guerrilla army. It has since changed into an armed party militia, and is now in danger of becoming a gang. Republicanism still has a role to play. It has the capacity to remain faithful to its original promise to perform an emancipatory function without resorting to armed force and certainly not criminality. But it cannot do so under the autocratic leadership of Adams and his coterie of martial politicians. The project they continue to oversee has led to the IRA being termed the "Rafia" - a hybrid of IRA and Mafia. Adams et al have one contribution to make to republicanism: They should stand aside and clear the way for others from within Sinn Fein to divest the cloak of criminality that has enveloped a once honourable fight for freedom.

by Séamus Ó C Wed Mar 30, 2005 12:14

".... and the men of 1916 never were on the payroll of the british crown ..."

Ever heard of Sir Roger Casement, one of the Easter Rising's most distinguished and most maligned leader? The British went a long way to criminalise his sexuality after he so publicly embarrassed them by being a rebel and a "Knight of the British Empire" at once.

I'm sick of people talking about their revolutionary Grannies. Do something yourself.

As for SWP/SP whimpering about SF and reformism: I live in one of the most disadvantaged and drug-ridden communities in Dublin and have not once seen a Swimmie doing anything practical, except maybe whinge about PPPs. Fair dues to the SP, a good track record on the ground, but no point in attacking SF when many SF members are potential allies.

by Makhno Wed Mar 30, 2005 12:40

Quote: "I'm sick of people talking about their revolutionary Grannies. Do something yourself."

My thoughts entirely. Just cos yur grandparents were republican seems to convince some people that they should get all frothy at the mouth with today's republican revolutionaries. Go and get a life yourselves and stop hiding behind your grannies apron strings you wasters. Maybe their turning in their graves at the site of you useless whingers and not because of Sinn Fein. Or maybe you guys know that and have deep-seated guilt complexes because you do nothing for anyone but yourselves!

by Sean Og de Paor Wed Mar 30, 2005 12:45

I cringe when I see SF on these demonstrations. They dont seem to know when to stop their militarism. I don't want to see the people that killed Robert McCartney and many other innocent protestent and British working class people parading in MILITARY uniform down the main street of Dublin. They should be behind bars for their terrorist actions against working class communities.

I also cringe when I see Martin McGuiness MP. That man is on the IRA Army Council. That's a fact. He's also a member of the House of Commons. He's paid a wage from the Taxpayer to represent the people of Mid Ulster. Yet he and the other SF MPs do not take their seats. At a time when the Blair government are coming close to loosing votes in the Commons they ignore this and allow Blair off the hook. Remember Tuition Fees? Why didn't SF vote against this and potentially brought down Blair?

by Makhno Wed Mar 30, 2005 12:52

Quote: " cringe when I see SF on these demonstrations. They dont seem to know when to stop their militarism. I don't want to see the people that killed Robert McCartney and many other innocent protestent and British working class people parading in MILITARY uniform down the main street of Dublin."

Well tough titty my friend. Your sentiments match those of the lackies in Easter Week 1916 who spat at the rebels.

by Historian Wed Mar 30, 2005 13:00

O'Cadhain said: "go away british MP martin"

De Valera, Collins, Griffith, Mac Neill, Boland, Stack, Brugha, Plunkett, and the rest of the First Dáil were all members of His Majesty's House of Commons representing his Irish subjects!

"...the men of 1916 never were on the payroll of the british crown working to enforce a partioned country!"

Actually many of them were. Sir Roger Casement, a Knight of the Realm, was in the civil service. Many others were in public jobs paid for by His Majesties Treasury. Prof. Eoin MacNeill had a publicly funded job in education, as was de Valera. Michael Collins worked in the Royal Mail. Pearse himself even worked in publicly funded education system prior to his establishment of St. Enda's.

BTW the British are not enforcing partition. It's historical fact that the British did not want partition. It was the Unionists, your fellow Irishmen. Talk to the Unionist working class who were rightly suspicious of the Catholic Papist Priest-ridden conservative State that you nationalists wanted to set up and did set up.

You idiot nationalists. The fact is that the 1916 Rising was undemocratic and was carried out by a clique minority of the IRB and the Volunteers.

by Sean Og de Paor Wed Mar 30, 2005 13:11

First of all the numbers people spitting on the 1916 Rising fighters were tiny, alhtough most Dubliners did oppose the Rising. I think that 1916 Rising was a big mistake. It's only the twist of events in the months after Easter 1916 that brought people to approve of the Rising in retrospect. The events in the Fields of Flanders and the Somme was more of in influence on radicalising the Irish working class and peasantry in 1916-19 that the actions of a bunch of crazy nationalists. The radicalisation should be seen in a European context. All around Europe people were coming out against the war, Ireland no exception.

by Makhno Wed Mar 30, 2005 13:27

The 1916 Rising was a blow against colonialism and imperialism. It was a momentous chapter in Irish and world history. The Irish fight for freedom inspired millions across the globe struggling for self-determination. Far from being anything to do with "crazy nationalists", it was led by seperatist republicans and advanced socialists such as Connolly and the Citizens Army. What had radicalised the Dublin working class prior to the Rising was the 1913 Lockout. Connolly and many of those instrumental in the Lockout also particpated or supported the aims and objectives of the Easter Rising. The so-called Great War that Sean Og belives was a ridicalisng force was nothing more than a depressing slaughter of the working class in the interests of imperalism.

by Bob McHugh Wed Mar 30, 2005 13:29

Even revolutinaries in Africa and Asia point to the Easter Rising as a radicalisng and inspiring event for them and their people. Wake up Sean Og.

by Sean Og de Paor Wed Mar 30, 2005 13:49

"The 1916 Rising was a blow against colonialism and imperialism. It was a momentous chapter in Irish and world history."

No it was not. It was a minor skirmish in a UK city at the time. It hit the headlines throughout Europe. But was a military disaster. At the stage of Easter 1916 there was a growing anti-war sentiment in Europe. Dublin events didn't have a major impact on this. It was a momentous chapter in Irish history as in retrospect it was justified and supported in light of conscription and martial law.

"The Irish fight for freedom inspired millions across the globe struggling for self-determination."

Wrong. The events in Ireland was not what spread radicalism throughout Europe in 1916-19. The events in Russia had a greater impact on the working class of Europe. The American President, Wilson, used the slogan of "self-determination" in Eastern Europe to direct the discontent of the masses down the nationalist road and not the socialist road.

"Far from being anything to do with "crazy nationalists", it was led by seperatist republicans and advanced socialists such as Connolly and the Citizens Army."

It was lead by crazy nationalists with no base in society. It was a small clique in the IRB that organised the rising. It was only Clarke and MacDonagh that planned it. Connolly and Pearse were jonny-come-latelys. Connolly made a major mistake in joining the Rising. The workers movement should never have been put under the control of nationalists.

"What had radicalised the Dublin working class prior to the Rising was the 1913 Lockout. Connolly and many of those instrumental in the Lockout also particpated or supported the aims and objectives of the Easter Rising."

1913 did radicalise many working class Dubliners. But it was a set-back for the working class as it was not a victory. The workers had to return to work and the leadership and authority of the ITGWU was set back a bit. This disorientated Connolly as he now went about supporting sectarian nationalists and individual conspiritorial actions.

"The so-called Great War that Sean Og belives was a ridicalisng force was nothing more than a depressing slaughter of the working class in the interests of imperalism."

The War was THE major cause of radicalisation. Yes, in 1914-15 it was a major set back for working class people. The workers movmenet's leaders supported nationalism and the war aims of thier capitalists. But by 1915 there was a shift. The slaughter in the Somme and in Flanders and the introduction of conscription throughout Europe radicalised the working class. In Russia the working class and the soldiers staged 2 revolutions. In Germany and Hungary there were also major workers uprisings.

by Makhno Wed Mar 30, 2005 13:57

Quote: "Connolly made a major mistake in joining the Rising"
HA ha ha ha ha. I'm sure socialists the world over who respect the legacy of Connolly will now re-educate themselves in light of their obvious idelocical errors as pointed out by the Great Leader Sean Og de Paor. Would you ever cop urself on man!

by redjade Wed Mar 30, 2005 14:10

tc,

Shinners are 'on this website' just as anyone else can be 'on' this website.

But just because I take pictures of a Sinn Fein rally does not mean I am a card-carrying member.

I'm just a photog and an observer.

- btw, more photos to come - i somehow screwed up the order of the 2nd batch in the photo series, I'll upload them later.

by Sean Og de Paor Wed Mar 30, 2005 14:23

The workers movement should not have been put under the leadership of nationalists. Connolly made a mistake by joining the IRB and their rising. Yes, many of the IRB and Irish Volunteers were working class. But their programme and leaders were out and out nationalists and conservatives.

Connolly's involvement in 1916 Rising was also wrong as it further moved working class protestants away from the Southern leaders of the workers' organisations. Protestent working class people were driven into the hands of backward unionists such as Carson and Craig due to their opposition to the nationalism of the southern bourgoeis and catholic church. 1916 did nothing to build working class opposition to the Unionists and the Nationalists.

Connolly was a good leader in the years before. He was effective in setting back sectarian ideas when he was in Belfast as a Trade Union leader. Unfortunatley the failure of 1913 Lock-out and the start of the War in 1914 disorientated Connolly. He went about supporting nationalists as a way to oppose imperialism. What he should have done was oppose nationalism and build working class opposition to the pro-bourgeois nationalists. there were socialists saying this at the time about Connolly.

by redjade Wed Mar 30, 2005 15:47

I'm not gonna get in this fight, but on 28 March the Irish Times had an interesting article.....

-- -- --

→ The Cockneys and Scousers who fought for Ireland in 1916
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/opinion/2005/0328/1122421825OPDOOLEY.html

Up to half those involved in the initial attack on the GPO in Easter 1916 were from England and Scotland, writes Brian Dooley.

....a close look at the historical record suggests that many of those in the GPO that Easter Monday were not born anywhere in Ireland at all. By piecing together first-hand accounts of the initial attack on the GPO, it appears that up to half of those involved were from England and Scotland.

[....]

Many more joined as the day wore on and word spread of the action, but the nucleus that made the initial assault included 60 or so men who had been preparing at a secret camp in Kimmage.

These were volunteers from units in England and Scotland, and included characters such as Londoner Johnny O'Connor, known as "Blimey" because of his thick Cockney accent. "Blimey" had drilled with other second and third generation Irish volunteers like Joe Good, Liam Daley and the teenage brothers from Brixton, Sean and Ernie Nunan. At Kimmage he met the King brothers and Art Agnew from Liverpool, Paddy Moran and Seamus Reader from Glasgow, and many others.

These men ran an additional risk to their Irish-based comrades. If arrested, they could be prosecuted under the 1915 Military Service Act.

Having lived in England and Scotland in 1915, they were liable for conscription and could be press-ganged into the British army.

by Crap Looks are a Revolutionary Issue Wed Mar 30, 2005 16:26

Comments on this site about people's weight and looks grow tiresome. Ni you're watching to much MTV, we come in all shapes and sizes and aging we morph. Give the body nazi raps a rest!

Guess Ni et. al are pushing the "Die young, look pretty!" approach, if they followed their own advice maybe we would have less crap comments.

Not a big fan of the Pope, but he's doing a great job aging, & dying in public in a first world where we ship the aged and dying to some out of sight out of mind institution.

by Frank Teeling Wed Mar 30, 2005 18:07

Whatever about crap looks, didn't the republican colour party at the Easter Commemoration look very well?

by redjade Wed Mar 30, 2005 18:09

Photos by redjade ©

by redjade Wed Mar 30, 2005 18:10

Photos by redjade ©

by redjade Wed Mar 30, 2005 18:11

Photos by redjade ©

by redjade Wed Mar 30, 2005 18:11

Photos by redjade ©

by John McDermott - removefiannafail Thu Mar 31, 2005 01:18

It would be a wonderful thing if the ordinary working people of all religious/political affiliations from both sides of the border united in common cause to further a more just society within the island of Ireland.
The real enemy of the common citizen is not each other-rather is it the political parties who purport to be their heritage and successfully use sectarianism to divide and conquer.
The inequalities in our society are increasing daily and until those parties aspiring to become a power for change ,can rise to the challenge which this presents,nothing will change.
Powerful forces and vested interests are at work ,to see that nothing will change,north or south of the border.
One only has to observe the inability/unwillingness of Fianna Fail to address these fundamental fault lines in society,-indeed their utter incompetence-to comprehend the challenge.
sinn Fein and others, will have, to re-examine their structures , philosophy,and modus operandi ,if they are to earn the respect of even that portion of the electorate to whom they currently present themselves as long term saviour.

by Frank Teeling Thu Mar 31, 2005 11:55

Quote: "sinn Fein and others, will have, to re-examine their structures , philosophy,and modus operandi ,if they are to earn the respect of even that portion of the electorate to whom they currently present themselves as long term saviour."

What on earth are you on about my rambling friend? Are you completely oblivious to the inexorable rise in SF support North and South which seems impervious to the worst attackls from the establsihment media monolpoly North and South? SF are "earning" huge "respect" as you put it from working class people across the length and breadth of the island. You haven't outlined anything at all about what you object to about SF's "structures, philosophy and modus operandi". You are SO wrong my friend. Explain yousreself because as far as I can see the best advice the Shinners could get is "It it aint broke, don't fix it.

by Behemoth an cat dubh Thu Mar 31, 2005 13:03

Easter time is with us once again. The sky is blue, pink flowers are blooming, and fluffy Easter bunnies skip happily through the morning dew. Those nasty red, white and blue meanies at the farm will never stop Easter bunnies from frolicking in the fair fields of our green ribboned isle, however much they may try. Sadly, Easter bunnies are sometimes very naughty. Very, very naughty. I do not need to mention any names. Are you listening: Flopsy, Mopsy, and you too, Cottontail? Now, while we could NEVER hand over even the naughtiest of bunnies to the farm management, we CAN serve you up to them as rabbit pie ourselves. Do I make myself clear? Yes! Well may your incisors chatter and your ears tremble. But come, let us remember this is still Easter week, and thus a time for frolicksome bunny celebrations all over the land. So let us hop and skip forward together into a 32 field grass chewing paradise, where every day of the year can be as happy as Easter!

P(eter Rabbit) O'Neill

Irish Radishmunchers Publicity Bureau

by liberal? Thu Mar 31, 2005 15:56

just like Dutch, Danish and Austrian progressive democracy which the Minister for Justice told the press he admires so much for the xenophobia and petty blonde nationalist thing. They're not so different you know these opposite sides of the criminality.

Oh well, none of the above then.

.:. the cheese doesn't move
because
it is stuck to the toast below .:.

by Rob Wed Apr 06, 2005 22:07

If you have any more pictures from the Easter Comemmoration could you please email them to [email protected] ?

Go raibh maith agat

by Barry Thu Apr 07, 2005 03:09

there were easliy twice as many at the 32csm commemoration, which set off from thr garden of remembrance, the shinners even sent assholes running down oconnell street trying to get people to leave the march and join theirs. it was hilarious and even the gards laughed.

the fianna even had rifles over their shoulders. why no photos of that ?

by Gunther Thu Apr 07, 2005 11:13

Is that a few cardboard cut outs I see? This looks like rentacrowd.

by Al Fri Apr 08, 2005 01:13

Barry,
Both marches were quite small. Certainly smaller than anticipated. I doubt however that the 1st match was bigger, in fact I know it wasnt. You see I walked beside you for the entire march. I stood behind you at the cemetary then I returned to oconnell street and stood beside that march. I did not see or laugh at what you are suggesting happened. I did however laugh when names from 1916 were called out and none of you knew who they were.

by Gunther Fri Apr 08, 2005 02:47

What were you doing that for? Were you on duty or a suppportr?

by Barry Fri Apr 08, 2005 11:42

and they call me paranoid on this site. Feck this , im getting photos, not just to put up here but to see who was standing behind me !!!!!!

by Barry Fri Apr 08, 2005 11:51

Al , are you plain clothes or uniformed ?

by Gunther Fri Apr 08, 2005 13:48

Al, that is embarrassinng for you. Why on earth would you do that for a living?

and why were you following this man about? do you fancy this barry chap or do you just stalk him bcos he's a weird man?

by Barry Fri Apr 08, 2005 14:09

hes the stalker fer jaysus sake
And at least Im not named after "Gunther" of "touch my tra-la-la" fame !!!
Do you have the mullet to go with the name ?

by Gunther Fri Apr 08, 2005 14:28

What does this mean Barry? Do Iknow you? I do not know of a name of person of Barry I'm sad. I am a very good singer and I play the percussion instrument that you mighjt have heard of the glockenspiel. It is liking as the xylophone but it has not got wood bars but is has the metal bars and sounds very pretty. If you have hearing of Mozart and his Magic Flute it is sounding in this.

I think soem of your wor\ds are making me laughing but I do not have the fishing I'm sad.

My wife has gone to the work for now and she has helping on the writing but I amhope it is good to read for us now. You should not say the word of the Lords name like that.

by AL Fri Apr 08, 2005 22:56

Apologies Barry, didnt mean to freak you out or anything. LOL. I meant I was beside the march itself not a particular individual.
Uniform by the way.

by Barry Fri Apr 08, 2005 23:29

As long as you arent one of those branch types Ill give you the benefit of the doubt as to being a reasonably law abiding and moral individual.

by AL Sat Apr 09, 2005 03:49

Well if I wasnt then I shouldnt really have the job I do. I give it 10 seconds before Im insulted................

by BS Spotter Sat Apr 09, 2005 04:11

Here is your insult "Al":
You and "Barry" and "Gunther" (with the "faulty" English) are one and the same person.

by Gunther Sat Apr 09, 2005 07:18

I am disappointing you for to be sad but I am not the other peoples Barry and Al. I am learnt the language new am I not being good at with not my wife for to help me who is goodf at it.

I am not know anypeoples here
b ut my wife. When my wife is not busy she is to help with me for to the words. what other are you expect from Gunther?

by Barry Sat Apr 09, 2005 11:51

I get accused of conspiracy theories here all the time, but youre away with it my man.

Ive gone from being a baby murdering extremist to a guard now ????

And as for this Gunther character, im disturbed by his presence.

by Al Sat Apr 09, 2005 12:04

Sorry, thats both wrong and a very poor insult. I have been posting here on and off for a while now and have never denied what I am. As for Gunther, hes either a bit touched or a troll. I expect a troll.

by Mac Giolla Uidhir Wed May 17, 2006 17:31

It amuses and angers me equally to read many of the comments from people living in the Repulic regarding Sinn Fein. At best these comments are childish and vindictive and at worde they are blatantly untrue (e.g. when was any member of the Republican movement in the North ever arrested, charged and convicted of drug posssession/dealing etc)

The tradition of historical revisionism, lies and misinformation regarding Republicanism in the South is stomach churning, and what has emerged is a media were Kevin Myhers is the voice of common sense and Ruth Dudly Edwards is the authority on historical fact. For so long now people have swallowed unsubstainited rubbish from media sources in the south, like sheep, treating it as the gospel truth. Didn't you all believe the allegations of the Stormont Spy Ring just because the RUC/PSNI said it was true? Hasn't it since been proved that it was a complete fabrication by RUC Special Branch? Don't you still believe that the IRA robbed the Northern Bank even though the only money ever found (£50K) was inside the till of the RUC/PSNI sports club bar? Has the media ever reported the fact that the money found in Cork did not come from that raid? Did they report on the behaviour of the RUC/PSNI in follow up house raids in County Tyrone where they threatened an 8 year old that he would go the same way as his uncle; a man who they murdered in the 80's? Even last week there has been deafening silence on the emergence of documentation proving that the British Government, the UDR (British Army) and the RUC colluded with Loyalist Paramilitaries in the murder of Catholics from the 1970's until the late 1990's. Not one article down South. Do you even know what the Stevens Report is? What media anywhere in the Western World would turn a blind eye to the murder of civilians by the state? You should be ashamed of yourself!

Then again Nationalists and Republicans in the North can expect nothing better from the Free State. Once independence was won for the 26, to hell with the North. You turned a blind eye to internment, to gerrymandering, to the torture (proven in EU court of law) to collusion, the murders, the raids, the beatings, the discrimination and the lies. You left fellow Irish citizens at the mercy of the RUC, UDR, UDA, UVF, UFF, SAS, the Third Force, Black Watch, the Para's, the B Specials, RIR, the Red Hand Defenders, LVF, the Orange Volunteers, and the Special Branch. You left our community defenceless; at best you turned a blind eye and at worst you actually collaborated. The only defence we ever recieved came from within our own community, our fathers, our brothers, our uncles and our friends - The IRA. Do you honestly believe that thousands of men within such a small area were all just pyscothic, and that it was not factors much deeper and much more pronounced that led to 25 years of armed conflict. Wake up and smell the coffee - take off the blinkers.

I have read about people refering to Northers as Brits. I have then heard the same people refer to their Grand parents as volunteers in the previous phase of the Irish struggle. I'm sure those people would be turning in their graves, not at the threat Sinn Fein poses to the self serving politics of FF, FG, the PD's and Labour, but by the down right disgraceful attitude of the current genetion of 'Irish' to the North. My Great Grandfather fought in the War of Independance, my Grandfather fought in the Border campaign of the 50's and my father fought and was jailled in the most recent phase of the struggle during the 70's. I know they are proud of their family because they have not forgotten or they have not given up. I believe in the road Sinn fein are taking and I will do everything in my power to make those aims a reality. There are thousands others like me who share the same ambition. They have not become fat from the spoils of a booming economy and they have seen past their own selfish needs and the lies told by those who can not.

by Malachy Steenson Thu May 18, 2006 11:14

Perhaps Mac Giolla Uidhir could tell us exactly what the of aims of PSF are that he wants to see as a reality.