WILLIAM PUTNAM McCABE : 1775 - 1821 ; A Determined Irish Rebel .
Ireland , 1775 - Earlier on in this , the 18th Century , the Dean of St. Patricks Cathedral in Dublin (a Protestant - Catholics could not hold such a position) , Jonathan Swift , urged the Irish to burn everything English except their coal !
Also , at around that same time (ie 1730 - 1735) , the 'Penal Laws' were in force , the 'Whiteboys' were well-organised , attacking rack-renting 'landlords' and their middlemen and the Irish population were considered by the English political and 'Establishment'-class to be the same 'breed apart' then (ie in the early years of the 18th Century) as they were at the finish of that Century ...
...the then British Prime Minister , William Pitt , summed it up in one paragraph .......
(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 FLYING COLUMN .......
"....... The Brits were in the glen , chasing us , and a British Army 'spotter-plane' was circling over us ; I thought I could have hit it with the Lewis-Gun , but was ordered not to try - the noise would have given away our position to the enemy behind us ......."
" The issue was settled by a sudden change in the weather - the sun which had shone brightly was darkened by a cloud , a blanket of fog came down on us , and rain began to fall . We saw no more of the plane or of any other enemy . To make sure that the spotter-plane had gone , we pushed westward across the open ground to a point where we could look down on the glen . The weather cleared , the sun shone again and we could see to great distances .
There was no sign of the Brits and we descended to the house ; as we drew near it we could see into the farmyard - our two cars had disappeared . When we were leaving the yard that morning we sadly realised that , whatever hope we had of extricating ourselves from the British round-up , there was no possibility of taking the cars . The boreen ended where the cars had been left . At the door of the house we met the two daughters ; they were in high glee ; " They did not find the cars ! " was their first greeting . Our astonishment changed to delight and unbounded admiration as we heard the story those great girls told us -
- After our hurried departure that morning the girls had seized two forks and pulled down the heaps of furze on the cars . Working feverishly , the girls had covered the cars completely and had done their heavy task so well that we who had already seen the rough heaps , never suspected that they now enclosed our transport ! British troops had swarmed into and around the house and out-offices ; they had entered the barn , but the Column had long practice at leaving no trace of our having been , however hurried our departure .
One thing above all else mystified us ......."
(MORE LATER).
PLASTIC BULLETS - The Child Killers .......
' In Northern Ireland (sic) six children were shot and killed with plastic bullets . Many more were severly injured . Jacinta O'Brien spoke to the families of these innocent victims of violence . '
From 'Womans Way' Magazine , 21st October 1983 , pages 11 , 12 , 13 , and 14 .
Reproduced here in 16 parts .
(4 of 16).
Mrs. Stewart's reaction was one of disbelief - her son had been in the house a few minutes previously and she had'nt seen him go out ; but it was Brian Stewart who had been shot . He was in a very serious condition when taken to hospital and he died six days later .
A witness said that a British Army soldier tried to drag him away as he lay wounded on the ground ; in the subsequent court hearing , the Judge labelled the witness " a vicious liar " for daring to say such a thing about a member of 'Her Majesty's ' forces .....
(MORE LATER).
Friday, April 30, 2004
'THE IRISH PEOPLE' ; an Irish Rebel Newspaper , 1863 - 1865 ........
....... James Stephens was not on the premises of the ' The Irish People ' newspaper when it was raided by the Brits on the 15th September 1865 and escaped 'arrest' ; he was put-up in a safe-house in Sandymount , Dublin .......
However , on the morning of 11th November 1865 , the Brits caught-up with James Stephens ; he was put in the then Richmond Jail (later to become Richmond Free State Army Barracks , then Griffith Free State Army Barracks ).
But two of the prison warders in the then Richmond Jail were themselves members of the Irish Republican Brotherhood , and ..... (another tangent ...! - for another day ; but , before we leave that subject , it should be noted that James Stephens lived for another 36 years : he died in 1901 ).
Finally , when the old Irish Rebel , John Devoy , published his memoir's (entitled 'Recollections Of An Irish Rebel') in 1929 , he stated that the 'The Irish People' newspaper had - " revived the spirit created and fostered by 'The Nation' newspaper and 'The Young Irelanders' , and carried down their teachings to a new generation . " 'The Irish People' newspaper was published every week for twenty-two months ( ie from November 1863 to September 1865 ) until the Brits suppressed it , but ...
...before the 'The Irish People' newspaper was born , and since then , Irish Republicans have used the print media to get their message across , and still do today . Take out a subscription , or just send them a few shillings , or both !
The struggle is not over - please help out if you can .......
(FOOTNOTE - the '1169...' crew would like to thank Richard MacManus , a relative of Terence Bellew MacManus , for his kind words regarding this article : go raibh maith agat , a chara ; slan go foill .)
[END of - 'THE IRISH PEOPLE' ; an Irish Rebel Newspaper , 1863 - 1865 ........'].
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
THE FLYING COLUMN .......
"....... The Brits had received information that our IRA Column was in the glen , and were following us ; but we were worried that more of them might be coming at us from the front as well ......."
" This , however , did not happen , and we reached the top without incident . We found ourselves on a bare moor , entirely devoid of cover , and which stretched for miles to the north and west . We also found that we were very far from being out of trouble ....
....we watched enemy troops swarm behind us from the south and east . One of our scouts now appeared from the north-east and reported that British troops , including the Auxiliaries , were due north of us and moving westwards along the ridge of Maoileann . The open plain in front of us now was our greatest obstacle ; we dared not move across it . Had it been broken ground of any kind , or even with heather on it , we could have kept moving on . If we could reach the fringe of the circle and good fighting ground we would have a fair chance of breaking through or of holding out until dark . Then a new enemy appeared ; a low-flying plane ....
...we could clearly see the pilot and observer as they swooped repeatedly down on us . Sometimes , when they circled , they were actually under us as they swooped into the glen we had left . The Column lay in a circle , quite flat and motionless on the short mountain grass . A little rock , heather covered , jutted out of the ground nearby . It had one straight face , about five feet high . I stood by that face , with the Lewis-gun mounted on top of it . I merged well into the landscape ; each time the 'plane passed I followed it with the gun sights - I knew the technique of firing at it . It was a cock-shot in any case . The 'plane came so often and travelled so accurately over us that I expected it would machine-gun us .
I decided to anticipate it , and glanced back at our Column Leader - he shook his head and spoke : " We can't do it , Mick , that cursed barren place out there would ruin us . " He referred to the bare ground ahead of us . The 'plane came round again , nearer than ever - I again glanced backwards ; the Column Leader came and stood beside me , his hand on my arm : " The lives of all the lads would be in danger , " he said . Then turning to the other IRA Officers he asked each in turn if it were not better to keep quiet . All agreed that it would be the wiser course , excepting my brother Pat , who thought that the airplane was preparing to open fire on us ......."
(MORE LATER).
PLASTIC BULLETS - The Child Killers .......
' In Northern Ireland (sic) six children were shot and killed with plastic bullets . Many more were severly injured . Jacinta O'Brien spoke to the families of these innocent victims of violence . '
From 'Womans Way' Magazine , 21st October 1983 , pages 11 , 12 , 13 , and 14 .
Reproduced here in 16 parts .
(3 of 16).
On a recent visit to Belfast to meet the mothers of the young children who were shot I discovered that it was very difficult not to be moved by their plight .
Without a doubt there are two sides to every story , but the fact remains that in spite of the regulations set down for the use of plastic bullets , they have been used indiscriminately and six young lives have been lost while many more have been maimed for life .
One of the first children to die as a result of a plastic bullet wound was Brian Stewart from the Turf Lodge area who was buried on his thirteenth birthday , in October of 1976 . His mother , Mrs. Kathleen Stewart , explained what happened -
- " Brian had been in the house doing his homework , I was talking to a neighbour , Mrs. Mary Dobbin , " she said . " After Mary had left , some children came running up the street to tell me that Brian had been hit by a plastic bullet . ......"
(MORE LATER).
....... James Stephens was not on the premises of the ' The Irish People ' newspaper when it was raided by the Brits on the 15th September 1865 and escaped 'arrest' ; he was put-up in a safe-house in Sandymount , Dublin .......
However , on the morning of 11th November 1865 , the Brits caught-up with James Stephens ; he was put in the then Richmond Jail (later to become Richmond Free State Army Barracks , then Griffith Free State Army Barracks ).
But two of the prison warders in the then Richmond Jail were themselves members of the Irish Republican Brotherhood , and ..... (another tangent ...! - for another day ; but , before we leave that subject , it should be noted that James Stephens lived for another 36 years : he died in 1901 ).
Finally , when the old Irish Rebel , John Devoy , published his memoir's (entitled 'Recollections Of An Irish Rebel') in 1929 , he stated that the 'The Irish People' newspaper had - " revived the spirit created and fostered by 'The Nation' newspaper and 'The Young Irelanders' , and carried down their teachings to a new generation . " 'The Irish People' newspaper was published every week for twenty-two months ( ie from November 1863 to September 1865 ) until the Brits suppressed it , but ...
...before the 'The Irish People' newspaper was born , and since then , Irish Republicans have used the print media to get their message across , and still do today . Take out a subscription , or just send them a few shillings , or both !
The struggle is not over - please help out if you can .......
(FOOTNOTE - the '1169...' crew would like to thank Richard MacManus , a relative of Terence Bellew MacManus , for his kind words regarding this article : go raibh maith agat , a chara ; slan go foill .)
[END of - 'THE IRISH PEOPLE' ; an Irish Rebel Newspaper , 1863 - 1865 ........'].
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
THE FLYING COLUMN .......
"....... The Brits had received information that our IRA Column was in the glen , and were following us ; but we were worried that more of them might be coming at us from the front as well ......."
" This , however , did not happen , and we reached the top without incident . We found ourselves on a bare moor , entirely devoid of cover , and which stretched for miles to the north and west . We also found that we were very far from being out of trouble ....
....we watched enemy troops swarm behind us from the south and east . One of our scouts now appeared from the north-east and reported that British troops , including the Auxiliaries , were due north of us and moving westwards along the ridge of Maoileann . The open plain in front of us now was our greatest obstacle ; we dared not move across it . Had it been broken ground of any kind , or even with heather on it , we could have kept moving on . If we could reach the fringe of the circle and good fighting ground we would have a fair chance of breaking through or of holding out until dark . Then a new enemy appeared ; a low-flying plane ....
...we could clearly see the pilot and observer as they swooped repeatedly down on us . Sometimes , when they circled , they were actually under us as they swooped into the glen we had left . The Column lay in a circle , quite flat and motionless on the short mountain grass . A little rock , heather covered , jutted out of the ground nearby . It had one straight face , about five feet high . I stood by that face , with the Lewis-gun mounted on top of it . I merged well into the landscape ; each time the 'plane passed I followed it with the gun sights - I knew the technique of firing at it . It was a cock-shot in any case . The 'plane came so often and travelled so accurately over us that I expected it would machine-gun us .
I decided to anticipate it , and glanced back at our Column Leader - he shook his head and spoke : " We can't do it , Mick , that cursed barren place out there would ruin us . " He referred to the bare ground ahead of us . The 'plane came round again , nearer than ever - I again glanced backwards ; the Column Leader came and stood beside me , his hand on my arm : " The lives of all the lads would be in danger , " he said . Then turning to the other IRA Officers he asked each in turn if it were not better to keep quiet . All agreed that it would be the wiser course , excepting my brother Pat , who thought that the airplane was preparing to open fire on us ......."
(MORE LATER).
PLASTIC BULLETS - The Child Killers .......
' In Northern Ireland (sic) six children were shot and killed with plastic bullets . Many more were severly injured . Jacinta O'Brien spoke to the families of these innocent victims of violence . '
From 'Womans Way' Magazine , 21st October 1983 , pages 11 , 12 , 13 , and 14 .
Reproduced here in 16 parts .
(3 of 16).
On a recent visit to Belfast to meet the mothers of the young children who were shot I discovered that it was very difficult not to be moved by their plight .
Without a doubt there are two sides to every story , but the fact remains that in spite of the regulations set down for the use of plastic bullets , they have been used indiscriminately and six young lives have been lost while many more have been maimed for life .
One of the first children to die as a result of a plastic bullet wound was Brian Stewart from the Turf Lodge area who was buried on his thirteenth birthday , in October of 1976 . His mother , Mrs. Kathleen Stewart , explained what happened -
- " Brian had been in the house doing his homework , I was talking to a neighbour , Mrs. Mary Dobbin , " she said . " After Mary had left , some children came running up the street to tell me that Brian had been hit by a plastic bullet . ......"
(MORE LATER).
Thursday, April 29, 2004
'THE IRISH PEOPLE' ; an Irish Rebel Newspaper , 1863 - 1865 ........
.......With the help of the informer Nagle , the Brits believed they had reason enough to raid the Parliament Street , Dublin , Offices of the IRB newspaper , 'The Irish People' ; on 15th September 1865 , they made their move .......
They forced their way onto the premises and 'arrested' those on the floor ; they then smashed the machinery and thrashed the building . Those 'arrested' (ie John O'Leary , Charles J. Kickham , Thomas Clarke Luby , Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa , Denis Dowling Mulcahy and others) were 'tried' for "treason felony" and sentenced to penal servitude for life .
That happened in 1865 - six years later (ie 1871) they were released in the 'General Amnesty' of that year . James Stephens was not on the premises on the 15th September 1865 when it was raided by the Brits ; he went 'on the run' when he was told about the raid , and was 'put-up' in a safe-house in Sandymount , Dublin , which he left only at night .
He managed to evade capture for two months living like that , never knowing when a hand would fall on his shoulder or a British bullet find its mark .......
(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 FLYING COLUMN .......
".......We had been 'fed and watered' ; our accommodation was very comfortable , and we were asleep in no time . But the sound of rifle-fire woke us all up together ......."
" It was morning and the sun shone brightly . Jim Grey was singing as he reached for his clothes -
- " Hurrah , boys , the morning of battle has come !
And thegenerale is beating on many a drum .
They rushed from their revels to join the parade ,
for the van is the right of the Irish Brigade ! "
" Take off my Sam Browne again ! " I ordered our Quartermaster , who was stouter than I , and who had nearly succeeded in fastening the last buckle . With a laugh he complied and I handed him his own belt . We dashed downstairs and out to the yard where our Officers were marshalling the Column .
Already scouts had been sent uphill to the north to try and find a way out . The enemy had come into the glen from the east and south . Our sentries had retired before them . No Column man had been hit .
We started to climb the steep hill to the north . We were aided by a cumar or bed of a stream which had worn deeply into the hillside . The Brits kept up an irregular fire but their shooting was bad . We did not reply to it . The enemy behind us was not worrying us ; we were thinking of the enemy in front who might , at any moment , appear almost vertically over us on the brow of the hill ......."
(MORE LATER).
PLASTIC BULLETS - The Child Killers .......
' In Northern Ireland (sic) six children were shot and killed with plastic bullets . Many more were severly injured . Jacinta O'Brien spoke to the families of these innocent victims of violence . '
From 'Womans Way' Magazine , 21st October 1983 , pages 11 , 12 , 13 , and 14 .
Reproduced here in 16 parts .
(2 of 16).
In recent months the parents of the dead children have visited Dublin where they spoke to (political) Opposition leader Mr. Charles Haughey . On the day that they visited , the (Free State) Government was involved in a private session and they did not meet with the (FS) Taoiseach or (FS) Tanaiste as they had hoped .
" We feel at this point that unless we get the support of the Irish (FS) Government the British Government will not do anything to stop the use of these deadly bullets , " commented Fr. Raymond Murray , the cleric who accompanied the parents and members of the Concerned Teachers Organisation to Dublin to meet the politicians .
Fr. Murray feels that there is a certain reluctance on the part of the Irish (FS) Government to broach the subject with the Thatcher Administration and unless Irish people push the issue it will be lost .......
(MORE LATER).
.......With the help of the informer Nagle , the Brits believed they had reason enough to raid the Parliament Street , Dublin , Offices of the IRB newspaper , 'The Irish People' ; on 15th September 1865 , they made their move .......
They forced their way onto the premises and 'arrested' those on the floor ; they then smashed the machinery and thrashed the building . Those 'arrested' (ie John O'Leary , Charles J. Kickham , Thomas Clarke Luby , Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa , Denis Dowling Mulcahy and others) were 'tried' for "treason felony" and sentenced to penal servitude for life .
That happened in 1865 - six years later (ie 1871) they were released in the 'General Amnesty' of that year . James Stephens was not on the premises on the 15th September 1865 when it was raided by the Brits ; he went 'on the run' when he was told about the raid , and was 'put-up' in a safe-house in Sandymount , Dublin , which he left only at night .
He managed to evade capture for two months living like that , never knowing when a hand would fall on his shoulder or a British bullet find its mark .......
(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 FLYING COLUMN .......
".......We had been 'fed and watered' ; our accommodation was very comfortable , and we were asleep in no time . But the sound of rifle-fire woke us all up together ......."
" It was morning and the sun shone brightly . Jim Grey was singing as he reached for his clothes -
- " Hurrah , boys , the morning of battle has come !
And thegenerale is beating on many a drum .
They rushed from their revels to join the parade ,
for the van is the right of the Irish Brigade ! "
" Take off my Sam Browne again ! " I ordered our Quartermaster , who was stouter than I , and who had nearly succeeded in fastening the last buckle . With a laugh he complied and I handed him his own belt . We dashed downstairs and out to the yard where our Officers were marshalling the Column .
Already scouts had been sent uphill to the north to try and find a way out . The enemy had come into the glen from the east and south . Our sentries had retired before them . No Column man had been hit .
We started to climb the steep hill to the north . We were aided by a cumar or bed of a stream which had worn deeply into the hillside . The Brits kept up an irregular fire but their shooting was bad . We did not reply to it . The enemy behind us was not worrying us ; we were thinking of the enemy in front who might , at any moment , appear almost vertically over us on the brow of the hill ......."
(MORE LATER).
PLASTIC BULLETS - The Child Killers .......
' In Northern Ireland (sic) six children were shot and killed with plastic bullets . Many more were severly injured . Jacinta O'Brien spoke to the families of these innocent victims of violence . '
From 'Womans Way' Magazine , 21st October 1983 , pages 11 , 12 , 13 , and 14 .
Reproduced here in 16 parts .
(2 of 16).
In recent months the parents of the dead children have visited Dublin where they spoke to (political) Opposition leader Mr. Charles Haughey . On the day that they visited , the (Free State) Government was involved in a private session and they did not meet with the (FS) Taoiseach or (FS) Tanaiste as they had hoped .
" We feel at this point that unless we get the support of the Irish (FS) Government the British Government will not do anything to stop the use of these deadly bullets , " commented Fr. Raymond Murray , the cleric who accompanied the parents and members of the Concerned Teachers Organisation to Dublin to meet the politicians .
Fr. Murray feels that there is a certain reluctance on the part of the Irish (FS) Government to broach the subject with the Thatcher Administration and unless Irish people push the issue it will be lost .......
(MORE LATER).
Wednesday, April 28, 2004
'THE IRISH PEOPLE' ; an Irish Rebel Newspaper , 1863 - 1865 ........
....... The IRB newspaper , 'The Irish People' , was openly calling for physical force to be used against the British presence in Ireland ; the Brits were watching the Offices of the newspaper , and they also had a man inside working for them.......
A Mr. Nagle , an ex-schoolteacher , worked in the 'Dispatch Department' of 'The Irish People' newspaper but , since about April 1864 , had also been 'working' for the British - as a paid informer . In September 1865 he reported to his British pay-masters that the Parliament Street Offices of the newspaper were being used as a base from which a military Rising would be launched .
The informer Nagle handed over a copy of a letter which James Stephens had earlier that month (ie September 1865) wrote to one of his IRB comrades , in which Stephens had stated - " This year - and let there be no mistake about it - must be the year of action ; the flag of Ireland , of the Irish Republic , must this year be raised . "
On 15th September 1865 , the Brits made their move ; they forced their way onto the premises of 'The Irish People' newspaper and 'arrested' those on the floor .......
(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 FLYING COLUMN .......
".......We had established our Headquarters in a farmhouse , the owners of which were happy to see us ; some of our lads were flirting with the two daughters of the house , and food was being prepared for us ......."
" With the tea over , arrangements for sleeping accommodation , the guard for the night , sentries and communications were made . A large barn , its timber floor swept clean , was available . On the floor the Column placed its portable mattresses . Sometimes , if it did not inconvenience the people and a spare room or two was available , a number of us stayed in the dwelling house . This was the case on this night , as the people of the house insisted on it . The arrangements completed , some of the Column went off to nearby houses with local Volunteers for a few hours , while some returned to the fire in the kitchen . Here we passed the time pleasantly with song and story until nearly midnight .
With the Lewis-gun section , a few of the Column and a visiting Brigade Officer , I shared a room upstairs . Our quarters were most comfortable and soon we were fast asleep . The sound of heavy rifle fire must have awakened us simultaneously , for we were all on our feet in one movement ......."
(MORE LATER).
PLASTIC BULLETS - The Child Killers .
' In Northern Ireland (sic) six children were shot and killed with plastic bullets . Many more were severly injured . Jacinta O'Brien spoke to the families of these innocent victims of violence . '
From 'Womans Way' Magazine , 21st October 1983 , pages 11 , 12 , 13 , and 14 .
Reproduced here in 16 parts .
(1 of 16).
One of the most anguishing things to happen to a mother is to suffer the loss of a child , but how much more harrowing it must be when the child is an innocent victim of bigotry and hatred .
In Northern Ireland (sic) between August 1975 and April 1982 , six children aged between ten and fifteen were killed . All were shot by British Army personnel using plastic bullets . Yet , despite constant and concerted efforts by the people in the North's Catholic areas (all of the children killed in this manner were Catholics) to have plastic bullets banned , the British Government has turned a blind eye .
For many of the disillusioned people campaigning , one of the most upsetting factors of their uphill battle is that the Irish (Free State) Government has yet to formally request the British Government to ban the use of plastic bullets.......
(MORE LATER).
....... The IRB newspaper , 'The Irish People' , was openly calling for physical force to be used against the British presence in Ireland ; the Brits were watching the Offices of the newspaper , and they also had a man inside working for them.......
A Mr. Nagle , an ex-schoolteacher , worked in the 'Dispatch Department' of 'The Irish People' newspaper but , since about April 1864 , had also been 'working' for the British - as a paid informer . In September 1865 he reported to his British pay-masters that the Parliament Street Offices of the newspaper were being used as a base from which a military Rising would be launched .
The informer Nagle handed over a copy of a letter which James Stephens had earlier that month (ie September 1865) wrote to one of his IRB comrades , in which Stephens had stated - " This year - and let there be no mistake about it - must be the year of action ; the flag of Ireland , of the Irish Republic , must this year be raised . "
On 15th September 1865 , the Brits made their move ; they forced their way onto the premises of 'The Irish People' newspaper and 'arrested' those on the floor .......
(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 FLYING COLUMN .......
".......We had established our Headquarters in a farmhouse , the owners of which were happy to see us ; some of our lads were flirting with the two daughters of the house , and food was being prepared for us ......."
" With the tea over , arrangements for sleeping accommodation , the guard for the night , sentries and communications were made . A large barn , its timber floor swept clean , was available . On the floor the Column placed its portable mattresses . Sometimes , if it did not inconvenience the people and a spare room or two was available , a number of us stayed in the dwelling house . This was the case on this night , as the people of the house insisted on it . The arrangements completed , some of the Column went off to nearby houses with local Volunteers for a few hours , while some returned to the fire in the kitchen . Here we passed the time pleasantly with song and story until nearly midnight .
With the Lewis-gun section , a few of the Column and a visiting Brigade Officer , I shared a room upstairs . Our quarters were most comfortable and soon we were fast asleep . The sound of heavy rifle fire must have awakened us simultaneously , for we were all on our feet in one movement ......."
(MORE LATER).
PLASTIC BULLETS - The Child Killers .
' In Northern Ireland (sic) six children were shot and killed with plastic bullets . Many more were severly injured . Jacinta O'Brien spoke to the families of these innocent victims of violence . '
From 'Womans Way' Magazine , 21st October 1983 , pages 11 , 12 , 13 , and 14 .
Reproduced here in 16 parts .
(1 of 16).
One of the most anguishing things to happen to a mother is to suffer the loss of a child , but how much more harrowing it must be when the child is an innocent victim of bigotry and hatred .
In Northern Ireland (sic) between August 1975 and April 1982 , six children aged between ten and fifteen were killed . All were shot by British Army personnel using plastic bullets . Yet , despite constant and concerted efforts by the people in the North's Catholic areas (all of the children killed in this manner were Catholics) to have plastic bullets banned , the British Government has turned a blind eye .
For many of the disillusioned people campaigning , one of the most upsetting factors of their uphill battle is that the Irish (Free State) Government has yet to formally request the British Government to ban the use of plastic bullets.......
(MORE LATER).
Tuesday, April 27, 2004
'THE IRISH PEOPLE' ; an Irish Rebel Newspaper , 1863 - 1865 ........
.......In the First Issue of the 'The Irish People' newspaper , Irish Rebel leader James Stephens pulled no punches regarding the British presence in Ireland ; the Brits were alarmed , and issued a statement in relation to the 'Irish Republican Brotherhood' 'paper .......
In their statement , the Brits declared that they viewed the ' The Irish People ' newspaper as , so far , - " Just keeping within the bounds of (British) legality ....(but going) much further than any of the other Dublin newspapers in proclaiming a total national independence to be achieved by means other than parliamentary agitation . "
James Stephens and the 'The Irish People' newspaper staff were aware that they were being watched by the Brits , but never even considered 'toning down' the content of the newspaper - they were publishing articles calling for the complete separation of Ireland from England and refused to rule-out physical force as a means - indeed , the only means - by which this could be achieved . The Brits knew that if that type of material was being published , then 'worse' (ie more militant) material would be on the premises .
And they had a man on the inside .......
(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 FLYING COLUMN .......
".......March 1921 ; The Flying Column I was with was in its base in western Ballyvourney . But all did not seem well......."
" We got an order to move out ; however , it was merely a precautionary measure - our Officers considered that we had been long enough in that glen , and , to nullify the efforts of enemy agents , we would now move to new ground . Despite the difficulties attached to their use , we always brought two powerful touring motor cars along with us . Into them we now stowed our impediments ; blankets , light mattresses , grenades and other heavy gear . With the Lewis-gun section I travelled in one of the cars .
The Column moved off across the hills , while we , taking advantage of the twilight to drive without lights , went by quiet roads around the feet of the hills . Our destination was Carrig Ban , a deep secluded glen in Ballingeary . As we threaded our way through the long , narrow and tortuous boreen leading to the farmhouse , our Headquarters , we had to use our headlamps . Knowing the formation of the glen and its surrounding hills so well , the use of the lights gave us no cause for anxiety . We entered the farmyard and left the cars near two big heaps of aiteann gaolach , the light species of furze used as bedding or litter .
Soon we were seated in front of a mighty fire in the big kitchen , while the two daughters of the house made tea for us . Some of the more 'chivalrous' of the young men of the Column hastened to assist them at the operation , while others advised the girls not to accept their services but to relegate them to some menial work like the bringing in of turf , the sweeping of the yard or the cleaning of the stalls.....
A most enjoyable crossfire of wit ensued , and for a while the house shook with laughter ......."
(MORE LATER).
In this 'FREE' STATE , the 'political elite' in Leinster House have demanded that the taxpayer pay twice to have their household rubbish collected ;
they are now 'flying a kite' to ascertain how the same taxpayer would feel if certain major (minor to follow?) roads were fitted with a toll-bridge -
(- prices to increase each year ? Twice a year ?)... this after said taxpayer has already paid to have the road built in the first place !
....but , in the old days - well , they just wanted to put a tax on lakes , and ponds , and canals .......
ROD LICENCE CAMPAIGN DETERMINED TO RESIST .
By Richard Douthwaite .
(This article was first published in ' ALPHA ' Magazine , 27th April , 1989 , page 7).
Reproduced here in 8 parts .
[8 of 8].
One resident who lives along the shores of Lough Corrib asked - " What's going to happen in a few years time (is) our children , or anyone who comes down here , will not be able to go down to that lake because you'll have 'Private' signs all along the shore ."
One local man who is normally involved in the hiring of boats to visiting anglers , says - " It is the only thing we have to sell that is free . Where would you get unpolluted waters , in all of Europe , like you'd get along the Corrib . The lakes should be left the way they were . "
Along with the anger at the (Free State) Government's apparent unwillingness to solve the problem there is a determination in the area not to back down . This is not pride , rather a belief that (FS) government plans for the lakes spell disaster .
[END of - ' ROD LICENCE CAMPAIGN DETERMINED TO RESIST .']
(NOTE - I have been asked how are State taxpayers paying twice for the collection of their household rubbish ?; the answer is , that , in 1976 , rates were abolished as "unconstitutional" in this State and , as a result , VAT was increased by two-and-a-half per cent ,to compensate local Authorities [ie Councils , Corporations etc] . Everyone in the State has been paying the extra increase since 1976 .
If the local Authorities have not being receiving that extra money , then its the politicians in Leinster House that owe it , not the taxpayer .)
(Tomorrow : from 1983 -' PLASTIC BULLETS ; THE CHILD KILLERS '.)
.......In the First Issue of the 'The Irish People' newspaper , Irish Rebel leader James Stephens pulled no punches regarding the British presence in Ireland ; the Brits were alarmed , and issued a statement in relation to the 'Irish Republican Brotherhood' 'paper .......
In their statement , the Brits declared that they viewed the ' The Irish People ' newspaper as , so far , - " Just keeping within the bounds of (British) legality ....(but going) much further than any of the other Dublin newspapers in proclaiming a total national independence to be achieved by means other than parliamentary agitation . "
James Stephens and the 'The Irish People' newspaper staff were aware that they were being watched by the Brits , but never even considered 'toning down' the content of the newspaper - they were publishing articles calling for the complete separation of Ireland from England and refused to rule-out physical force as a means - indeed , the only means - by which this could be achieved . The Brits knew that if that type of material was being published , then 'worse' (ie more militant) material would be on the premises .
And they had a man on the inside .......
(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 FLYING COLUMN .......
".......March 1921 ; The Flying Column I was with was in its base in western Ballyvourney . But all did not seem well......."
" We got an order to move out ; however , it was merely a precautionary measure - our Officers considered that we had been long enough in that glen , and , to nullify the efforts of enemy agents , we would now move to new ground . Despite the difficulties attached to their use , we always brought two powerful touring motor cars along with us . Into them we now stowed our impediments ; blankets , light mattresses , grenades and other heavy gear . With the Lewis-gun section I travelled in one of the cars .
The Column moved off across the hills , while we , taking advantage of the twilight to drive without lights , went by quiet roads around the feet of the hills . Our destination was Carrig Ban , a deep secluded glen in Ballingeary . As we threaded our way through the long , narrow and tortuous boreen leading to the farmhouse , our Headquarters , we had to use our headlamps . Knowing the formation of the glen and its surrounding hills so well , the use of the lights gave us no cause for anxiety . We entered the farmyard and left the cars near two big heaps of aiteann gaolach , the light species of furze used as bedding or litter .
Soon we were seated in front of a mighty fire in the big kitchen , while the two daughters of the house made tea for us . Some of the more 'chivalrous' of the young men of the Column hastened to assist them at the operation , while others advised the girls not to accept their services but to relegate them to some menial work like the bringing in of turf , the sweeping of the yard or the cleaning of the stalls.....
A most enjoyable crossfire of wit ensued , and for a while the house shook with laughter ......."
(MORE LATER).
In this 'FREE' STATE , the 'political elite' in Leinster House have demanded that the taxpayer pay twice to have their household rubbish collected ;
they are now 'flying a kite' to ascertain how the same taxpayer would feel if certain major (minor to follow?) roads were fitted with a toll-bridge -
(- prices to increase each year ? Twice a year ?)... this after said taxpayer has already paid to have the road built in the first place !
....but , in the old days - well , they just wanted to put a tax on lakes , and ponds , and canals .......
ROD LICENCE CAMPAIGN DETERMINED TO RESIST .
By Richard Douthwaite .
(This article was first published in ' ALPHA ' Magazine , 27th April , 1989 , page 7).
Reproduced here in 8 parts .
[8 of 8].
One resident who lives along the shores of Lough Corrib asked - " What's going to happen in a few years time (is) our children , or anyone who comes down here , will not be able to go down to that lake because you'll have 'Private' signs all along the shore ."
One local man who is normally involved in the hiring of boats to visiting anglers , says - " It is the only thing we have to sell that is free . Where would you get unpolluted waters , in all of Europe , like you'd get along the Corrib . The lakes should be left the way they were . "
Along with the anger at the (Free State) Government's apparent unwillingness to solve the problem there is a determination in the area not to back down . This is not pride , rather a belief that (FS) government plans for the lakes spell disaster .
[END of - ' ROD LICENCE CAMPAIGN DETERMINED TO RESIST .']
(NOTE - I have been asked how are State taxpayers paying twice for the collection of their household rubbish ?; the answer is , that , in 1976 , rates were abolished as "unconstitutional" in this State and , as a result , VAT was increased by two-and-a-half per cent ,to compensate local Authorities [ie Councils , Corporations etc] . Everyone in the State has been paying the extra increase since 1976 .
If the local Authorities have not being receiving that extra money , then its the politicians in Leinster House that owe it , not the taxpayer .)
(Tomorrow : from 1983 -' PLASTIC BULLETS ; THE CHILD KILLERS '.)
Monday, April 26, 2004
'THE IRISH PEOPLE' ; an Irish Rebel Newspaper , 1863 - 1865 ........
....... In November 1863 , the first issue of the 'Irish Republican Brotherhood ' newspaper , ' The Irish People ' , went on sale ; well-known Irish Republicans were involved - John O'Leary , Charles J. Kickham , Jeremiah O' Donovan Rossa , James O'Connor , John Haltigan .......
Also , Thomas Clarke Luby and Denis Dowling Mulcahy were on the Editorial Board and regularly contributed articles to the newspaper . In that first issue , produced at its Offices in Parliament Street in Dublin , James Stephens wrote -
- " The paper shall be called 'The Irish People' (for) the people are in sore need of a 'paper at once reliable and capable of supplying the knowledge of their rights and duties - of the dignity and power of labour - of what they are and might and shall become . "
The British Administration in Dublin Castle sat-up and took notice - they were still recovering from the 'defeat' they endured at the hands of this man , James Stephens , and the 'Irish Republican Brotherhood' , regarding the funeral of Terence Bellew MacManus . The Brits issued a statement , indicating their future intentions towards Stephens , the IRB and 'The Irish People' newspaper .......
(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 FLYING COLUMN .......
"....... January 1921 ; a Brigade Flying Column was formed in our area . We had more Volunteers than weapons for them ......."
" If we had the weapons , each IRA Brigade would have had eight Columns , each of which would operate on its own ground and , knowing its area thoroughly well , would make the best use of it . If one IRA Column got into difficulties , there would be a great possibility of its receiving timely assistance from one or more of its neighbours . The opportunities for attacking and harassing the Brits would have been increased a hundred fold .
The IRA Brigade Column had little to recommend it . It had much too large an area to deal with successfully ; often it was found that , after a forced march of twenty miles or more , the journey had been made in vain ! Such disappointments were , in fact , only too common . But the most serious dis-advantage of all was the ever-present danger of encirclement by overwhelmingly powerful forces . The IRA Column was only a Unit moving about , alone , over a wide area . Had a second or third IRA Unit also moved , at least some confusion and doubt would have been caused among the enemy's intelligence system .
But it is comparatively easy to keep track of a single Unit , when once sighted . Thus , it often happened that a Column , alarmed at dawn , found itself in a circle of British steel . For instance , once our Column had returned to one of its bases in western Ballyvourney . We had rested there for two days - the time was March 1921 ; quite suddenly , just before nightfall , we got an order to move ......."
(MORE LATER).
In this 'FREE' STATE , the 'political elite' in Leinster House have demanded that the taxpayer pay twice to have their household rubbish collected ;
they are now 'flying a kite' to ascertain how the same taxpayer would feel if certain major (minor to follow?) roads were fitted with a toll-bridge -
(- prices to increase each year ? Twice a year ?)... this after said taxpayer has already paid to have the road built in the first place !
....but , in the old days - well , they just wanted to put a tax on lakes , and ponds , and canals .......
ROD LICENCE CAMPAIGN DETERMINED TO RESIST .
By Richard Douthwaite .
(This article was first published in ' ALPHA ' Magazine , 27th April , 1989 , page 7).
Reproduced here in 8 parts .
(7 of 8).
For Tommy Thornton , the 'Rod Licence' dispute has little to do with paying money in order to fish - " We have twice the 'licence' fee paid into the (angling) club at the moment . " Rather , he discerns a more fundamental issue : " The point is , if you pay the 'licence' they (the politicians) will have control of the lake ; taking control of the water - that's the main thing . "
Tommy , a retired Fisheries Board game-keeper , is a native of Maam Cross in Galway , a small community stretched along the banks of Lough Corrib . His views about the proposed ' Rod Licence ' scheme are fairly representative of the area . At the heart of local fears is the belief that the existence of a 'licence' will spell the end of the lakes and rivers as public amenities .
One resident , who lives on the shores of Lough Corrib , expressed the fear that ".......once they hand them (the lakes) over , they might have a 'licence' of £5 or £10 this year ; what will it be in ten years time ? It could be £1000 .......".
(MORE LATER).
....... In November 1863 , the first issue of the 'Irish Republican Brotherhood ' newspaper , ' The Irish People ' , went on sale ; well-known Irish Republicans were involved - John O'Leary , Charles J. Kickham , Jeremiah O' Donovan Rossa , James O'Connor , John Haltigan .......
Also , Thomas Clarke Luby and Denis Dowling Mulcahy were on the Editorial Board and regularly contributed articles to the newspaper . In that first issue , produced at its Offices in Parliament Street in Dublin , James Stephens wrote -
- " The paper shall be called 'The Irish People' (for) the people are in sore need of a 'paper at once reliable and capable of supplying the knowledge of their rights and duties - of the dignity and power of labour - of what they are and might and shall become . "
The British Administration in Dublin Castle sat-up and took notice - they were still recovering from the 'defeat' they endured at the hands of this man , James Stephens , and the 'Irish Republican Brotherhood' , regarding the funeral of Terence Bellew MacManus . The Brits issued a statement , indicating their future intentions towards Stephens , the IRB and 'The Irish People' newspaper .......
(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 FLYING COLUMN .......
"....... January 1921 ; a Brigade Flying Column was formed in our area . We had more Volunteers than weapons for them ......."
" If we had the weapons , each IRA Brigade would have had eight Columns , each of which would operate on its own ground and , knowing its area thoroughly well , would make the best use of it . If one IRA Column got into difficulties , there would be a great possibility of its receiving timely assistance from one or more of its neighbours . The opportunities for attacking and harassing the Brits would have been increased a hundred fold .
The IRA Brigade Column had little to recommend it . It had much too large an area to deal with successfully ; often it was found that , after a forced march of twenty miles or more , the journey had been made in vain ! Such disappointments were , in fact , only too common . But the most serious dis-advantage of all was the ever-present danger of encirclement by overwhelmingly powerful forces . The IRA Column was only a Unit moving about , alone , over a wide area . Had a second or third IRA Unit also moved , at least some confusion and doubt would have been caused among the enemy's intelligence system .
But it is comparatively easy to keep track of a single Unit , when once sighted . Thus , it often happened that a Column , alarmed at dawn , found itself in a circle of British steel . For instance , once our Column had returned to one of its bases in western Ballyvourney . We had rested there for two days - the time was March 1921 ; quite suddenly , just before nightfall , we got an order to move ......."
(MORE LATER).
In this 'FREE' STATE , the 'political elite' in Leinster House have demanded that the taxpayer pay twice to have their household rubbish collected ;
they are now 'flying a kite' to ascertain how the same taxpayer would feel if certain major (minor to follow?) roads were fitted with a toll-bridge -
(- prices to increase each year ? Twice a year ?)... this after said taxpayer has already paid to have the road built in the first place !
....but , in the old days - well , they just wanted to put a tax on lakes , and ponds , and canals .......
ROD LICENCE CAMPAIGN DETERMINED TO RESIST .
By Richard Douthwaite .
(This article was first published in ' ALPHA ' Magazine , 27th April , 1989 , page 7).
Reproduced here in 8 parts .
(7 of 8).
For Tommy Thornton , the 'Rod Licence' dispute has little to do with paying money in order to fish - " We have twice the 'licence' fee paid into the (angling) club at the moment . " Rather , he discerns a more fundamental issue : " The point is , if you pay the 'licence' they (the politicians) will have control of the lake ; taking control of the water - that's the main thing . "
Tommy , a retired Fisheries Board game-keeper , is a native of Maam Cross in Galway , a small community stretched along the banks of Lough Corrib . His views about the proposed ' Rod Licence ' scheme are fairly representative of the area . At the heart of local fears is the belief that the existence of a 'licence' will spell the end of the lakes and rivers as public amenities .
One resident , who lives on the shores of Lough Corrib , expressed the fear that ".......once they hand them (the lakes) over , they might have a 'licence' of £5 or £10 this year ; what will it be in ten years time ? It could be £1000 .......".
(MORE LATER).
Sunday, April 25, 2004
'THE IRISH PEOPLE' ; an Irish Rebel Newspaper , 1863 - 1865 ........
....... The IRB/Fenian funeral of Terence Bellew MacManus , in 1863 , was the talking-point of the day ; with this in mind , the IRB leader James Stephens set-off on a tour of Ireland , to increase Rebel membership .......
Thousands of new members joined-up with the IRB as a result of Stephens' efforts ; indeed , the British themselves were to put an estimate of Irish Republican Brotherhood strength at 85,000 members .
But James Stephens must have been thinking of the value of constant publicity as a propaganda tool in the war - meetings were held in late 1863 with a view to launching an IRB newspaper ; in November that year (ie 1863) the first issue of ' The Irish People ' newspaper went on sale .
Its Editor was John O'Leary , who was assisted in that job by Charles J . Kickham . The business-management side of the newspaper was handled by Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa and James O'Connor , with John Haltigan in charge of the printing-press .......
(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 FLYING COLUMN .......
".......Guerrilla Warfare ; small columns of Rebels , hit and run . A tactic used in Ireland , and one which brought about the 'Truce' with the Brits in July 1921 ....... "
" The Flying Column was a natural development of the resistance movement , which started fitfully and spontaneously , then, in certain areas , spread rapidly . The few men who started it were declared " outlaws ". To protect themselves from aggression and to maintain the resistance , they formed groups here and there . These groups became the bases of the Flying Columns . This was the case in our district , the military designation of which was the Eight Battalion area ; it was part of the Cork No. 1 Brigade area , which included Cork City and the middle of the county to the Kerry border .
Early in the autumn of 1920 , we had a Battalion Column of thirty men - all were well armed with rifles and revolvers which had been taken from the Brits . All were first-class marksmen . Early in January 1921 , the Brigade Flying Column was formed : that was achieved by adding fifteen men from Cork City to our Battalion Column . The Brigade Flying Column was not a good idea , but it was a matter of expediency , since few areas could arm a Battalion Column . Had the supply of arms been adequate , men to use them would not have been lacking . Then the Brigade would have had eight Columns instead of one ..... "
(MORE LATER).
In this 'FREE' STATE , the 'political elite' in Leinster House have demanded that the taxpayer pay twice to have their household rubbish collected ;
they are now 'flying a kite' to ascertain how the same taxpayer would feel if certain major (minor to follow?) roads were fitted with a toll-bridge -
(- prices to increase each year ? Twice a year ?)... this after said taxpayer has already paid to have the road built in the first place !
....but , in the old days - well , they just wanted to put a tax on lakes , and ponds , and canals .......
ROD LICENCE CAMPAIGN DETERMINED TO RESIST .
By Richard Douthwaite .
(This article was first published in ' ALPHA ' Magazine , 27th April , 1989 , page 7).
Reproduced here in 8 parts .
(6 of 8).
The Anti-Rod Licence campaigners have greatly increased public awareness of the dangers of the fish-farming industry as a result of its use of chemicals and antibiotics and the threat to the survival of wild fish from farmed fish escapes .
In a broader sense , the campaign against the licence and the fish farms is a reaction against the exploitation of the West of Ireland by outsiders - the purchase of huge acres of bog by those that control pension funds , intent on planting trees , the conversion of family homes into weekend cottages , and even the prospecting for gold .
And so great is the gulf between the politicians and their Connacht grass-roots that no-one in Dublin seems to understand this at all .....
(MORE LATER).
....... The IRB/Fenian funeral of Terence Bellew MacManus , in 1863 , was the talking-point of the day ; with this in mind , the IRB leader James Stephens set-off on a tour of Ireland , to increase Rebel membership .......
Thousands of new members joined-up with the IRB as a result of Stephens' efforts ; indeed , the British themselves were to put an estimate of Irish Republican Brotherhood strength at 85,000 members .
But James Stephens must have been thinking of the value of constant publicity as a propaganda tool in the war - meetings were held in late 1863 with a view to launching an IRB newspaper ; in November that year (ie 1863) the first issue of ' The Irish People ' newspaper went on sale .
Its Editor was John O'Leary , who was assisted in that job by Charles J . Kickham . The business-management side of the newspaper was handled by Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa and James O'Connor , with John Haltigan in charge of the printing-press .......
(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 FLYING COLUMN .......
".......Guerrilla Warfare ; small columns of Rebels , hit and run . A tactic used in Ireland , and one which brought about the 'Truce' with the Brits in July 1921 ....... "
" The Flying Column was a natural development of the resistance movement , which started fitfully and spontaneously , then, in certain areas , spread rapidly . The few men who started it were declared " outlaws ". To protect themselves from aggression and to maintain the resistance , they formed groups here and there . These groups became the bases of the Flying Columns . This was the case in our district , the military designation of which was the Eight Battalion area ; it was part of the Cork No. 1 Brigade area , which included Cork City and the middle of the county to the Kerry border .
Early in the autumn of 1920 , we had a Battalion Column of thirty men - all were well armed with rifles and revolvers which had been taken from the Brits . All were first-class marksmen . Early in January 1921 , the Brigade Flying Column was formed : that was achieved by adding fifteen men from Cork City to our Battalion Column . The Brigade Flying Column was not a good idea , but it was a matter of expediency , since few areas could arm a Battalion Column . Had the supply of arms been adequate , men to use them would not have been lacking . Then the Brigade would have had eight Columns instead of one ..... "
(MORE LATER).
In this 'FREE' STATE , the 'political elite' in Leinster House have demanded that the taxpayer pay twice to have their household rubbish collected ;
they are now 'flying a kite' to ascertain how the same taxpayer would feel if certain major (minor to follow?) roads were fitted with a toll-bridge -
(- prices to increase each year ? Twice a year ?)... this after said taxpayer has already paid to have the road built in the first place !
....but , in the old days - well , they just wanted to put a tax on lakes , and ponds , and canals .......
ROD LICENCE CAMPAIGN DETERMINED TO RESIST .
By Richard Douthwaite .
(This article was first published in ' ALPHA ' Magazine , 27th April , 1989 , page 7).
Reproduced here in 8 parts .
(6 of 8).
The Anti-Rod Licence campaigners have greatly increased public awareness of the dangers of the fish-farming industry as a result of its use of chemicals and antibiotics and the threat to the survival of wild fish from farmed fish escapes .
In a broader sense , the campaign against the licence and the fish farms is a reaction against the exploitation of the West of Ireland by outsiders - the purchase of huge acres of bog by those that control pension funds , intent on planting trees , the conversion of family homes into weekend cottages , and even the prospecting for gold .
And so great is the gulf between the politicians and their Connacht grass-roots that no-one in Dublin seems to understand this at all .....
(MORE LATER).
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