James Connolly, President Irish Neutrality League

by Sinéad Ní Bhroin Wed Apr 26, 2006 03:49

Press Statement

An evenings discussion hosted by PANA

James Connolly ‘President of the Irish Neutrality League’
Thursday 27th of April at 7.30pm
Liberty Hall Dublin

With:
Aindrias O'Cathasaigh Author & Activist
Manus O'Riordan Head of Research SIPTU

Media Contact:
Roger Cole Chair of Peace & Neutrality Alliance (PANA) 0872611597

Statement:
After the 2nd Treaty of Nice Referendum the Irish government made a Declaration on Neutrality which was central to the Yes campaign. Another major concession was the addition of a clause to the Irish Constitution, which ensured that Ireland would not join a EU, based mutual defense pact without a referendum.

The Irish people have had a strong history of fighting imperialism whilst defending democracy & neutrality, as has been again brought to the fore during the current 90th anniversary of the 1916 Rising celebrations.

James Connolly founded the Irish Neutrality League in 1914 and in 1916 as a commander of the Irish Citizen Army sought to break the link with the British Union and establish an Independent Irish Republic. Connolly is a symbol of the unbreakable link between Republicanism, Irish Democracy, Irish Neutrality and the ordinary people of Ireland.

Despite what was fought & won so many years ago we as a nation find ourselves in the most precarious of situations. The state is celebrating the values of 1916 whilst acting against those very ideals by their current decision making with regard to the US.

From January to March of this year 116,450 US troops have passed through Shannon Airport. In 2004 the figure was 121,943, by the end of 2005 the numbers more than doubled to 330,000. This years we may see just under half million troops go through the airport.

The European Parliament committee investigating CIA activities in Europe continues to investigate the charges of rendition flights & illegal torture/holding centers. Yet the Irish Government continues to renege on its duty to democracy by refusing to search all CIA aircrafts using Irish air space.

Despite the deaths of more than 3,000 Palestinians since the second intifada began in September 2000, compared to some 1,000 Israelis, the Irish Government has supported a decision of the EU Parliament to half the aid provided to the people of Palestine. They have opted to support the US administrations historically questionable foreign policies rather than to respect the Palestinian democratic process.

The Government appears to whole heartedly support US imperialism but ignore the hard won values of democracy, neutrality & freedom fought for by Connolly, the INL & the 1916 Rising. So at this time perhaps it is worth remembering the following. When the INL was founded it only had the support of around 5 to 10% of the adult population. But by 1918 they had formed an alliance that replaced the Home Rule Party which had dominated Irish politics for decades.

As our country’s history has become even more relevant in today’s world Thursday nights’ discussion with Aindrias & Manus promises to be a lively & timely event.

Ends