Remembering the 1981 Hunger Strike

by bunny - none Fri Oct 03, 2008 13:24

Nice to see at least one party has decided to remember the brave men of 1981 in such a tasteful and appropriate way. Hope there is a great turn out

by Dissrep. - None Sat Oct 04, 2008 13:15

Well "bunny" your best wishes for a good turnout was well answered.A possible crowd of about 75 made the effort on what is generally a difficult day and time to mobilise people.Most Republican desciplines were represented with a special mention to some IRSP who travelled a considerable distance in what appeared to be a genuine effort to mend bridges following the previous weeks difficulties in Port Laoise.Fair play comrades. All braved the wind and cold even our ever present friends in the Special Branch who turned out in their usual numbers taking names and addresses,they must be preparing their Christmas card list.There was even an international dimension when the vigil was joined on occassion by a Spanish contingent.Hope somebody has some photos.....

by eirigi supporter Mon Oct 06, 2008 14:51

Dissrep,

Can you please explain why you think IRSP members turning up at an eirigi vigil could possibly "mend bridges following the previous weeks difficulties in Port Laoise."?? I'm assuming the 'difficulties' you are refering to has something to do with a member of the provisionals being attacked and beaten by members of the the INLA inside Portlaoise prison a couple of weeks ago?? Can you explain what this has got to do wih eirigi??

Whatever 'difficulties' the INLA and the Provisionals are having with each other has nothing to do with eirigi and your attempt to somehow drag eirigi into the equation should be seen for the red herring that it is.

I've seen IRSP members at a number of eirigi events in Dublin over the last year or so and it puzzles me what they hope to achieve by turning up uninvited and unannounced. While both the IRSP and eirigi are socialist republican in outlook that is where the similarities end. eirigi have no links with the IRSP and have never invited them to any of their events and yet time after time the leading members of the IRSP in Dublin turn up to eirigi events. I have to say it looks sad and pathetic to see the main public faces of one political party turning up at event after event organised by another party.

Why dont the IRSP organise their own events in Dublin and let their supporters attend it instead of trying to piggy-back on eirigi?

By not taking part in the Republican Forum For Unity eirigi have publicly indicated that they see no ground for joint protests or projects with the IRSP and yet despite this the IRSP continue to turn up to their protests in Dublin. It's all very strange.

by Dissrep. - None Tue Oct 07, 2008 19:13

The fundamental question that you asked "what has the row between Provisionals and the INLA got to do with eirigi" can be answered simply,nothing.Eirigi has absolutely nothing to do with this row whatsoever and my comment neither states nor implies anything to the contrary.However Republicans in general I feel have a responsibility to live up to in the area of respect for each other despite political differences and should be brave to come forward and condemn such acts as the one you clearly identified in your comment as the one I referred to in mine as the unprovoked and pre meditated attack on a provisional republican prisoner by a gang of INLA prisoners.This act I know has been condemned internally by rank and file members of the IRSP.

I dont profess to speak on behalf of the IRSP but I do feel that their far travelled contingent had as much to do with the rank and file attempting to show their adhorance for the Port Laoise incident in a public way as it had to attend a public(well advertised)vigil to honour their members who also gave their lives in the 81 hunger strike alongside their Provisional comrades.Maybe it would be a good thing to remember that before entering into a debate that marginalises certain republican groupings "united we stand,divided we fall."

In relation to Eirigi decision not to engage with Republican Network for Unity,are you speaking on behalf of Eirigi because it was my view that while Eirigi had decided not to go on board in general it did feel that their would be areas of common ground that would be explored on going eg.prisoners and prison issues etc.Maybe you could clarify if my analysis is wrong or if in case their has been a policy change.

I sensed some hostility in the spirit of your comment,in particular to the point you made regarding my comment being a red herring.Maybe you can alloberate on this.For the record my comment was intended to do" what it said on the tin."Do you think you might be a bit over sensetive.

by Big Mac Tue Oct 07, 2008 23:46

Not a bit wonder only 75 people bothered to turn up with an attitude like Eirigi supporters. Perhaps you should have stayed with SF because I don't know any other members of Eirigi with your attitude.
It's our ball and you're not playin'

by Liam Wed Oct 08, 2008 14:44

Excellent demo éirígí. Well done

by eirigi supporter too - none Wed Oct 08, 2008 20:07

Im an eirigi supporter too but unlike "eirigi supporter"I welcome the attendance of all other Republicans to protests and vigils regardless of which grouping they come from.This also applies to independent republicans and socialists alike.In the recent past I have attended other protests organised by other Republican groups and found my support to be very much appreciated and welcomed.I have also been in the company of Eirigi members and supporters at these protests,perhaps this will rubbish the accusation of elitism that has been aimed at Eirigi lately.

However their is no doubt that the activities of certain individuals in the Dublin area whom are close to the IRSP has done the party no favours at all.It is no coincidence either that these particular individuals are now languishing in Portlaoise Jail and causing similar devisive problems there also.I do not believe that the rank and file IRSP offer any support for these activities whatsoever.

Republicanism is coming through a particular dark period at the moment but the increased energy and growth of anti GFA groups is a sign that Republicanism is alive and striving to find a way forward despite the opposition of "mainstream"Provisional Sinn Fein and the agents of the State and Brits.All groups are entitled to their own integrity and it is important that at such a time when cross republican support is on the rise for each other that we dont become too sensitive if individual groups decide to go it alone from time to time.This is not elitism but party politic.

Lets all work together on issues of common ground like the spirit of solidarity shown by the 10 men of 1981.

by eirigi supporter - none Fri Oct 10, 2008 15:38

Photos from the vigil. Also photo of one of hundreds of Black H's erected by éirígí and banner on bridge in Quarryvale area of Clondalkin to mark Oct 3 anniversary. Full report on same at

http://www.eirigi.org/latest/latest071008.html

O Connell Bridge Vigil

Images of The Ten

Black Flag Group Shot

One of Hundreds of Timber H's

Banner on Oct 3