JULY 15th , 1976 : IRA PRISONERS ESCAPE FROM DUBLIN'S 'SPECIAL COURT' .......
....... Five Irish Republicans were in Free State custody in connection with an alleged 'bomb factory' which was 'found' in Donabate , North County Dublin in mid-January 1976 : Jim Monaghan , Donal Murphy , Michael O'Rourke , John Hagan and Joe Reilly . The (then) IRA wanted the men out .......
At the end of June 1976 , it became known that the 'trial' of the five men would see them together in the one building for a short time during the following month , July 1976 ; the then IRA's Acting Adjutant General and the Adjutant of the IRA's Dublin Brigade held a meeting - it was known that the 'trial' would be over by mid-July 1976 , and it was then the end of June 1976 .
Things would have to move fast . However , the IRA GHQ Staff asked if a successful rescue operation could be mounted in such a short period of time and another meeting was arranged ; this was held on 6th July 1976 , and those present from IRA GHQ Staff asked for detailed plans on how the rescue attempt would proceed . The requested details were handed over by the Intelligence Officer of the Dublin Brigade IRA and discussed between the group .......
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
THE CASTLE OF MACROOM .......
"....... Irish Castles were used by the 'Landlord' class and the rest of the invaders to monitor the 'natives' and demoralise them into submission ......."
" The main gateway to the Castle of Macroom opens on to the Square of the town ; it is a 'feudal' gateway , arched and battlemented . The main building stands back from it , just far enough for respectability and defence . A strong-walled , plain , rectangular , three-storied house , it had a flat roof with crenellated parapet . Its ground extended for one mile along the River Sullane . A high wall , of course, enclosed them ; the denizens of these places claimed to be exclusive in their ways and fastidious in their tastes .
Yet , for years, they managed to tolerate the sight of three heads impaled on the spikes on the highest point of the Bridewell , which overlooked the castle gates . But I think that Irish heads , artistically arranged , appealed to their aesthetic natures . Not until less than a hundred years ago was the practice discontinued - the people were themselves responsible for the lapse of this uplifting branch of the arts . They never appreciated it properly even though it was , for them, part of a system of 'higher education' . I think there is nothing so melancholy to contemplate as a mental picture of those times that are past ; the groups that stand on the Square to watch the carriages and their escorts as they enter or leave the castle .
Most of them came to get a glimpse of the 'Lords' and 'Ladies' - the 'Gentry' , well fed and well dressed aliens . A few serfs actually doff their caps as they pass - the people have sunk to the lowest depth in the mire of slavery . But they are not yet altogether lost : among them are a few who sigh deeply and turn away in sorrow and disgust . They belong to the 'Hidden Ireland' , which is found everywhere , a fragment here and there , even in the most unexpected places . Above this sordid scene three heads stare disdainfully into space - they can see far and away beyond the range of the poor mortals who abridged their earthly vision . For now the road of time stretches interminably before them . A very short distance down that road they can see happening events that bring them joy .
The flames of the castle and the poorhouse light their way for many a long and mortal year ......."
TALKING TO THE PROVISIONALS.......
" The British Government has twice entered into detailed negotiations with representatives of the IRA . Nollaig O Gadhra recalls the talks that took place exactly ten years ago between the Northern Ireland (sic) Office and the Provisional Republican Movement . "
By Nollaig O Gadhra .
(From 'The Sunday Press' newspaper , 10th February 1985).
Re-produced here in 12 parts .
9 of 12 .
On the question of 'Free Movement' for all Provisional IRA people , the legal issue of "immunity" was recognised , but resolved , by a promise of 'Incident Centres' , and an assurance that " the British Army will be pulled back , the RUC will not enter designated areas and the Republican Movement can check , in advance, through the liaison system , regarding the position of specific Republican personnel .
The right of Republicans to bear arms , even short arms for their personal protection , was also a major difficulty ; this was resolved by a written British response which stated that "The law provides for permits to be granted for people to carry arms for self-defence . The issue of firearms permits will take account of the risk to individuals . The need to protect individuals who may be at risk of assassination is recognised ."
(' 1169...' comment - Irish Republicans applying for 'permits' from the Brits ....?)
(MORE LATER).
