AN EXPERIMENT IN JAMES STREET : THE DEATH OF NIALL RUSH.......
From 'MAGILL' magazine , September 1984.
By Derek Dunne.

Following amendments to the 'Food and Drug Act' in America , many pharmaceutical companies took their testing overseas due to the controls that were placed on them.

Shortly after the death of Niall Rush , it was envisaged that the proposed new 'Safety Bill' for this State would include some sort of licensing system but the man in charge , Barry Desmond (Labour Party) , stated that ".....no trials should commence unless they had been notified to the National Drugs Advisory Board...." . His Department says that the draft legislation is now at an "advanced stage" but , following extensive discussions and consultations with various interested groups such as the NDAB , the bigger hospitals in the Dublin area , and the pharmaceutical industry, it has been decided to change the direction of the proposed Bill - it is now intended to have "a statutory clearance scheme" instead of licensing , according to the State Department concerned.

That Department refused to say exactly what that means.

('1169...' note - this is the end of the above 'MAGILL' magazine piece but, over the course of same , we have been contacted by three readers who have sent us in related material , which we will post here , beginning next Wednesday , 19th January 2011.)
(MORE LATER).






THE PETER BERRY PAPERS....... The Top Secret Memoirs of Ireland's Most Powerful Civil Servant : Dirty Tricks, Election '69/ Spying on a Unionist Politician/ Keeping the (State) Taoiseach informed/ The Garda Fallon Murder/ Advice to Jack Lynch- 'Fire the pair of them...'/ Vivion De Valera's advice to O'Malley/ Rumours of a Coup D'Etat/ The Internment Plot, November 1970/ Secret Meeting with William Craig.
From 'MAGILL' magazine , June 1980.

" On May 22nd , 1969 , the Dail was dissolved and a general election was fixed for June 18 : when the election campaign got underway , the Minister for Justice , Mr. O Morain , asked me for material with which to highlight the left wing tendencies of some members of the Labour Party and its camp followers and the communist infiltration and indoctrination of the inner circles of the IRA.

I did not encourage him. I said that while there was plenty of material , I thought that, in his personal interest, it would be unwise for him to make such an attack. I recalled the general election campaigns of June 1943 and May 1944 in which Seán McEntee , a Fianna Fail minister , had campaigned vigorously and with considerable success on the infiltration of communists into the Labour Party and the trade union movement ; I said that he had never been forgotten or forgiven for that and that the 'commies' , their fellow-travellers and the rabble of intellectuals in the news media never lost an opportunity of denigrating him.

I said that Mr. McEntee was sui-generis in this kind of campaigning but even he, at times, must have felt a gut-ache at the constant stream of insult and abuse which was still flowing in publications such as 'The Irish Times' over 20 years later , in which he, an elder statesman who deserved respect, was being sneered at as "Old Mischief McEntee......"
"
(MORE LATER).








"INTERNEES SAY NO!"












The following pics are of a Republican poster which was used in 1972 as part of the campaign by the Republican Movement to achieve a 'NO' vote re EEC membership.
Now , due to the 'YES' vote which won the day , this corrupt State is part-owned by that very same Brussels-based institution , with the other part being owned by the IMF:




One of the 30 inch X 20 inch posters produced by the Republican Movement in 1972 , calling for a 'NO' vote re EEC (now 'EU') entry.




Top section of the poster.




Signatures on the poster......




.....more signatures...




......more of the 701 signatures and, finally...





......the bottom section of the poster , with script which reads - "701 signatures organised by the internees and inserted by the Common Market Defence Campaign at their request" .

More people should have listened to 'The Men Behind The Wire' : if they had , this State and, indeed, the whole country , would not now be in the position it is in. But it's still not too late to do something about it.....
Thanks for reading ,
Sharon.

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THREE MORE CABHAIR SWIM PICS FROM 25th DECEMBER 2010....



"If CABHAIR can hold an outdoor swim in these weather conditions , then they can do it in ANY weather conditions.....!"








Some of those that braved the elements for CABHAIR on Christmas Day 2010.








One of the CABHAIR swimmers , Karl , (right of pic) and three of his admirers!








There are more Swim pics 'out there' and, if/when we get them , we will post them here. Meanwhile , keep an eye out for the January 2011 issue of 'Saoirse' which will carry a Swim report and more pics. And check back here tomorrow where , as stated, we will publish a few pics of a poster re the EEC , which was issued by the Republican Movement in 1972.....
Thanks for the visit ,
Sharon.

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VOL FERGAL O' HANLON COMMEMORATION , SUNDAY 9th JANUARY 2011 : BRIEF REPORT AND PHOTOGRAPH.

A crowd of between 80 and 100 Republicans attended the commemoration for Fergal O'Hanlon organised by Republican Sinn Féin on Sunday January 9th 2011. The crowd assembled at the cathedral in Monaghan and paraded in good order to the graveside, led by a lone piper and a Republican Sinn Féin colour party. Na Fianna Éireann and Cumann na mBán were also on the parade, in uniform, flying their respective flags. Wreaths were laid on the grave by Dan Hoban from Mayo on behalf of the Republican Movement and by Seán Moore on behalf of the local Dáithí Ó Conaill cumann. The oration at the graveside was given by Steven Daly a former Republican prisoner from Tyrone.
During the course of his well received speech he commented on the similarities between the time of O'Hanlon and his comrades and the present. The Republicans of the 1950s were seen by nationalists and even some former republicans as being irrelevant and unrepresentative. Republcians of today find themselves in a similar situation but they must draw inspiration from the men of the '50s like Fergal O'Hanlon and persevere in the struggle. Steven finished with the words of Padraig Pearse at the graveside of O'Donovan Rossa "The fools, the fools, the fools, they have left us our Fenian dead and while Ireland holds these graves Ireland unfree shall never be at peace". The parade reformed and marched back to the cathedral where the National Anthem was played.
(From here.)
A full report, with pictures, will be published in the January 2011 issue of 'Saoirse' , which goes to print on Wednesday 12th January next.




















The 'Monthly Raffle' was held in a hotel on the Dublin/Kildare border on Sunday 9th January 2011 and , as usual , it was a complete success , with all 650 tickets sold , most of them in advance : the organisers try and retain at least 50 tickets for sale on the day but, such is the success of this particular venture , that is not always possible!

For the record , the winning numbers are - 1st Prize 193 / 2nd 450 / 3rd 371 / 4th 533 / 5th 604 / 6th 659* / 7th 196 / 8th 452.
( * Replacement ticket , numbered as such in case the lost ticket it replaced turned up , which would have meant that two tickets with the same number would have been in the raffle.)

The next raffle will be held on Sunday 13th February 2011 , in the same hotel ; the organisers are in the 'happy' position that they have no need to 'plug' the venue in the hope that some of our readers will turn up and purchase a few tickets , as there is not usually enough to go around as it is!

See you Wednesday - we are working on a few interesting pictures re the Irish Republican attitude to the (then) EEC in 1972......
Thanks!
Sharon.

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SUNDAY 9th JANUARY 2011 - REPUBLICAN COMMEMORATION AND REPUBLICAN FUNDRAISER.

"....my name is O'Hanlon, I've just gone 16, my home is in Monaghan, thats where I was weaned....its nearly 2 years since I've wandered away, with the local battalion of the bold IRA, I'd read of our heros and wanted the same so I took up my part in the patriot game. And now as I lie here my body all holes, I think of those traitors who bargained with souls, and I wish that my rifle had given the same to those quislings who sold out the Patriots Game..."





The Annual Feargal Ó hAnnluain Commemoration will be held in Monaghan on Sunday 9th January 2011 ; those attending are asked to assemble at the Cathedral in Monaghan from where the parade to Latlurcan cemetery will leave at 2pm. A bus from Dublin to this Commemoration will leave from outside the Republican Sinn Féin Office in Parnell Street at 12 Noon - seats cost €10 each , 'phone (01)8729747 for further details.



....and THIS is the reason myself and six other RSF supporters and/or members will not be at the above-mentioned Commemoration on Sunday 9th January next -the Monthly Raffle , consisting of 650 tickets , will be held on that same day in a hotel on the Dublin-Kildare border.

Dáithí Ó Conaill and Seán Sabhat Commemorations last weekend , Feargal Ó hAnnluain Commemoration and the Monthly Raffle this weekend : it's a sure sign of the strength of the Republican Sinn Féin organisation when it is capable of holding high-quality events of this nature , and doing so successfully : An Phoblacht Abú!
Thanks,
Sharon.

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(CABHAIR Swim update : a freelance photographer took these pics at the Swim on Christmas Day last.)


AND WE'RE BACK!

















We had a wee bit of a breather , although we were kept busy enough with the CABHAIR Swim which , due to the heavy snow and ice, was particularly difficult for the Organisers (and the Swimmers!) - but , and full marks to them , they managed to do a great job!
Our last '3-in-1' -type post can be read here,with the following being the continuation of same :








AN EXPERIMENT IN JAMES STREET : THE DEATH OF NIALL RUSH.......
From 'MAGILL' magazine , September 1984.
By Derek Dunne.

The 'Ethics Committee' is chaired by Professor Patrick Moore , Professor of Biochemistry at St James Hospital , Dublin , and its members include Dr Jack O'Riordan , Director of the 'National Blood Transfusion Service' , Rev Edward Kelehan SJ , Dean of Residence in Hatch Hall , Mr Arthur Lavery (Secretary) , solicitor , Mr JJ Nolan , recently retired director of the hospital care programme of the Eastern Health Board , Mrs Elizabeth Doyle-Kelly , Dr Michael Buckley , consultant physician to St James Hospital and Mrs Carmel Hennelly , Matron of the Institute of Clinical Pharmacology.

Professor Alan Browne , professor of obstetrics and gynaechology at the Rotunda, is still a nominal member of the Committee but is not attending due to other commitments. All of the members of this 'Ethics Committee' were invited on at the request of Dr Darragh.

In general , all drug trials take place under an informal agreement between the drugs industry and the State Department of Health , but there is no legal basis for this agreement. However, just over a year ago , the State Department concerned said that there was legislation pending to cover the area of clinical drug trials , but did not state what shape that legislation would take - whether or not it would follow the legislation in Germany or the United States.......
(MORE LATER).







THE PETER BERRY PAPERS....... The Top Secret Memoirs of Ireland's Most Powerful Civil Servant : Dirty Tricks, Election '69/ Spying on a Unionist Politician/ Keeping the (State) Taoiseach informed/ The Garda Fallon Murder/ Advice to Jack Lynch- 'Fire the pair of them...'/ Vivion De Valera's advice to O'Malley/ Rumours of a Coup D'Etat/ The Internment Plot, November 1970/ Secret Meeting with William Craig.
From 'MAGILL' magazine , June 1980.

" While he was in Justice , Mr Haughey was a dynamic Minister , a joy to work with , and the longer he stayed, the better he got. There is a mystique all its own in the departmental establishment and the ways in which policies are formed and implemented , but Mr Haughey learned fast and was in complete control of his Department from the outset.

He did not interfere in minor details but where political kudos or political disadvantage might arise he was sharp as a razor. At the time of his becoming Minister for Justice the Department had been bogged down for quite some time , primarily through lack of adequate finance. Successive Ministers for Justice had failed to get the necessary monies from the Department of Finance but Mr Haughey proved very adroit at extracting the necessary financial support.

In a ten-point programme drawn up in his first month in office he pinpointed the crushing of the IRA as a primary objective and he re-activated the Special Criminal Court by filling vacancies caused by retirements or deaths. By February 1962 , the IRA had had enough and issued an order to "dump arms" , to which Mr Haughey responded by declaring an amnesty and releasing all IRA prisoners then in jail , including six members of the IRA Northern Command......."
(MORE LATER).






"My Dear Brothers and Sisters.
Now that I’m about to part from this world, I ask you for one favour – be kind and good to Father and Mother, and never dishonour the Cause for which I die – a Free and Independent Ireland. I bear no ill will to any person. Fond Sisters and Brothers, pray for me. Good-bye forever...."

-Curragh Camp Prison, 18-12-22.
Letter of Paddy Nolan to his Elder Brothers and Sisters.








"Dear father and Mother, - I am writing my last few lines to you. I am to be executed to-morrow morning, and I hope you will bear it with the courage of an Irish Father and Mother. I am proud to die for the Cause I loved and honoured, and for which I give up my young life.
Six more of my comrades are to be executed. We have all been to confession and Holy Communion. Father ______ told us we would go straight to Heaven, so do not worry.

Dearest Mother, there are a few pounds in my suitcase, you can have them, or anything else in the house belonging to me.
Loving Father and Mother , good-bye for ever, - Your fond and faithful Son...."
-Curragh Camp Prison, 18-12-22.
Letter of Paddy Nolan to his Father and Mother.



"Dear Jimmy,
I hope you and Willie are well. Tell all the boys and girls I was asking for them. I am writing to my sister and father. I am to be shot in the morning, 19th December, at 8.15. Mind Mary and do what you can for her. I know this will nearly kill her. We had a priest who heard our confessions. We are all here, seven of us – Johnston, Mangan, White, Moore, Nolan, Connor, and I. We are all to go “West” together, so don’t forget to pray for us. I know you and Willie will be sorry, but it is all for the best, and I hope it sets old Ireland free. We are not afraid to die......"
-Hare Park Prison, 18-12-22.
Letter of Patrick Bagnall to his Uncle.

The history behind those letters can be viewed here. As I said elsewhere , this rotten , corrupt and morally and politically bankrupt so-called 'republic' is not what those men fought and died for.
That Republic , although declared and formed , has yet to be re-established.
(Thanks to 'Jimmymac' for assisting with this post.)
Thanks for reading ,
Sharon.

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Seán Ó Sé in Glasnevin Cemetery, 1st January 2011.















DÁITHÍ Ó CONAILL COMMEMORATION ,NEW YEAR'S DAY , JANUARY 1st 2011 , GLASNEVIN CEMETERY , DUBLIN.

Under the 'watchful' eye of six members of the 'Political Police' , contingents from Cumann na mBan and Na Fianna Éireann , accompanied by a Colour Party from Republican Sinn Féin , marched from the gates of Glasnevin Cemetery to the Republican Plot , to the grave of Dáithí Ó Conaill , where the Chairperson of the Commemoration , Andy Connolly ,from Dublin, welcomed the crowd , comprising a total of about fifty people , and mentioned that it was twenty years ago to the day that Dáithí was taken from his family and from the Republican Movement. Andy spoke for a few minutes about how he and Dáithí had worked together on various policy documents over the decades , and gave an insight into how the man could practically 'look into the future , spot the pitfalls and adjust a policy to suit...' , and of how he also used that foresight in other ways that benefitted the Movement.
Proceedings were opened when Seán Ó Brádaigh said a decade of the Rosary , as gaeilge , following which a Lament for the Dead was played on a tin whistle and, after a wreath was laid by an RSF Comhairle Laighean representative , the Chairperson called on another comrade of Dáithí's , ex-POW Seán Ó Sé , to deliver the main oration.
Seán spoke of the many years that he had travelled , with Dáithí and others, to different meetings throughout the 32 Counties , strengthing the Movement , politically and otherwise, and of the huge respect that all those they encountered on their travels had for the man , mentioning some of the obstacles they faced on the journey , and of how Dáithí always had a 'Plan B' ready to act on , when the need arose , and of how he used his sharp mind to side-step the many traps laid for them by anti-Republican elements.

Following Seán's oration , the Chairperson thanked those present for taking part in the Commemoration and asked one and all to stand for Amhrán na bhFiann , which was played on a tin whistle. Andy brought proceedings to a close by reminding those present of two other commemorations which are taking place in the next few days , and he announced that 'soup and sandwiches' had been laid-on by the organisers at a near-by pub. We publish with this brief report a few photographs from the proceedings -



Seán Ó Sé in Glasnevin Cemetery , Dublin , 1st January 2011.



Andy and Seán , Cumann na mBan , Na Fianna Éireann and an RSF Colour Party.



A section of the crowd.


Irish Republican flags on display in Glasnevin Cemetery.




Cumann na mBan in Glasnevin Cemetery , 1st January 2011.




Laying the Wreath.


Finally , a full report , with other pics , will be published in the January 2011 edition of 'Saoirse' , which will be published on Wednesday 12th January next (and not Wednesday 5th , as mentioned elsewhere) - thanks for reading!
Sharon.

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TWO IRISH REPUBLICAN COMMEMORATIONS , AND TWO MORE CABHAIR SWIM PICS...



Dáithi Ó Conaill Commemoration : New Year's Day , Saturday 1st January 2011 : those attending will form up at the main gates of Glasnevin Cemetery , Dublin, at 12.45PM.




















Seán Sabhat Commemoration : Sunday January 2nd , 2011 - those attending will form up on the city side of Limerick Prison (outside the 'Horse and Hound' pub) at 12.30pm , for the march to Mount Saint Laurence Cemetery. The main oration will be delivered by RSF Patron , Ruairi Ó Brádaigh.





















"I'm gonna have to knee this swimmer into the water...!"








"They might forget about me if I can hide behind this Jeep.....!"


There are more CABHAIR Swim pics 'out there' , and we are trying to round them up for publication on this blog : hopefully , over the next few days , we will do so , as all concerned deserve whatever publicity they can get for the trojan effort they put in on Christmas Day , at the side of - and in! - the snowy and icy Grand Canal in Inchicore!
Thanks for reading ,
Sharon.

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CABHAIR SWIM , CHRISTMAS DAY 2010 : -9C @ 9AM!

First , a short 'YouTube' video here , to wet your appetite for the pics that follow....

" This is the 34th consecutive year that CABHAIR has organised this Christmas Day Swim and , if they can hold it in these weather conditions , they can hold it in any weather conditions...."

-the words of one of the Swim organisers , addressing the crowd at the 3rd Lough in Inchicore , Dublin , at the annual CABHAIR Christmas Day Swim. And those conditions were rough : nature prevented access to the usual spot where the Swim takes place (12 inches of snow!), so proceedings were held about 20 feet from there , at the actual entrance to the Canal Road - and this small area had to be cleared by the 'Cabhair Crew' as best as possible , with shovels, allowing at least some possible swim-related use of the space.

The event started later than usual , and the crowd watching was smaller than usual , too - both due to the fact that the weather had ensured that it was almost impossible to either hold it at all or to get there to watch whatever proceedings could be held - in the event , the Swim was held, and the seven sponsored swimmers made it their business to be on site , each 'earning their keep' , including one swimmer from England !

For the record , it should be noted that 17 media outlets were notified about this Swim - including the two major television stations in this State - but not one reporter/photographer/camera crew etc arrived to observe the event : far too 'political' for them , apparently , as coverage would ensure that their viewers/readers/listeners etc would be reminded that the issue of British interference in Irish affairs is on-going. However - the organisers had the Tri-Colour flying , Irish rebel music on the sound system and one of them delivered a short speech to the crowd , all of which highlighted the fact that British interference in Irish affairs is , in fact , an on-going issue , a position which only the four 'Special Branch' observers on site disagreed with.

The CABHAIR organisation is to be congratulated for holding this event , in the almost-impossible conditions that prevailed , as are the seven swimmers that entered the below-freezing waters , and those that made it to the site to view proceedings -
well done to all ; a credit to Irish Republicanism!

We publish with this brief report a few pics , with a link at the end to more of same :


"If I sneak in , it might not be too bad..."



"....nooooo , it was bad....!"



'Deep-Sea Diving' , canal style!



Michael , Karl and Francie - three of the seven CABHAIR Swimmers.



"I'll tie this rope 'round my foot first , just for safety...."



" YA WHAT ! Me - in there....?"






Dougie with a white beard - or cold breath ?




The Swim 'Sing-Along' gets going.....




...the first 'Swim Song' was 'Kevin Barry' , which got the attention of the crowd....





....swimmers Francie and Michael join in....





....then some of the on-lookers take part.....





....and the last song is followed by a beer at the fire , and a loud cheer !


More pics of this Swim can be viewed on our 'Sister' Site , here , and a proper report and more pics will be published in the January 2011 issue of 'Saoirse' , which goes to print on Wednesday 5th January 2011. Once again - thanks to the CABHAIR organisation for organising this event in impossible circumstances , to our seven swimmers and to those that managed to make it to the event : what it actually translates into is hard cash for the family's of our POW's , to help ease their burden. And as long as Britain continues to interfere in Irish affairs , Irish Republicans will continue to resist and , unfortunately , there will be political prisoners to be looked after , financially.
Which is where organisations like CABHAIR , and supporters like you , play a part.
Go raibh maith agat !
Thanks!
Sharon.

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CABHAIR CHRISTMAS DAY CANAL SWIM - 3 PICS FROM THE SWIM HELD IN 1979 (or 'Swimming with Flares and Mullets') !

As our readers will be aware , each year since 1976 , a fund-raising sponsored swim has been held in the Grand Canal , at Inchicore , Dublin , to secure much-needed funds for the families of Irish Republican POW's.
This blog post is by way of publishing three photographs from the 1979 Swim , which explains the flared trousers and the mullet-type hairstyles !


'Robert Emmet' Cumann banner on display at the Swim Site.



Swimming in the sunshine , Christmas Day , Inchicore , Dublin , 1979.


Mullets , flares - and sunshine , 1979 Canal Swim , Dublin.

Incidentally , two CABHAIR reps were at the Swim Site today , checking things out , and they told me that the canal water is under two inches of ice. But , on the plus side , they saw no sign of mullets or flares....!
(Thanks to M O'F for the pics.)
Thanks for reading - hope to see some of ye on Christmas Day , in Inchicore.
Sharon.

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'1169...' WORLD EXCLUSIVE !! Our contacts in Westminster have secured for us the first picture of one of those to be named in the 2011 Westminster 'Honours List' !!!





This humble blog is proud and ever so excited to be able to bring our many readers what will surely be the best Christmas present they will receive this year - the news that 'one of our own' , Martin McGuinness , has had his 'Services to The Crown' recognised, in full , at long last!
This joyous occasion will , no doubt , be formally announced very soon and , in our opinion , should have been announced years ago , but no matter , better late than never : and so say all of us !
We looked for a few words from Sir McGuinness to accompany this article , but he told us that , officially , he was prohibited under 'Queens Rules' from doing so , but he did say the following to us , in a comm smuggled out of Westminster : " My fellow Lords and Listed Members ,and you lot that are reading this blog post, it is a great honour for me to finally stand here , amongst kindred non-traitors , and, finally , be seen by one and all to reap the benefits of licking-up to our Empire and its rich and famous leadership. In particular , I fondly remember all those back home in Ireland who sacrificed their all in a gallant attempt to get me this far : Westminster , my true home. To those who will receive this news with shock and disbelief , I hereby publicly promise that if you stay 'on board' with me , in this, my new (?) direction ie my new method for eventually obtaining a United Ireland ,that I will see to it that a blind eye will be cast in your direction from the local dole office , should you be fortunate enough to secure a cash-in-hand nixer. If , however , you should cop-on and show support for those awful terror-dissident chappies, , I will report you to the boss of her Majesty's Police force......"
....at this point , Lord J11B was rushed away by representatives from a posh magazine , to whom he had sold the rights to his first interview as a publicy-exposed member of the British 'establishment'. However , we did manage to assemble a sort-of 'life-in-pictures' collection of the man himself :




There is no truth whatsoever in the rumour that Lord J11B employed extraordinary methods to achieve his 'Award'. He didn't have to. It is his by right.






Sir Martin began his political career on the streets of Derry , the 'UK City of Culture' , but his usefulness was soon recognised by his future employers.






Sir Martin and one of his sponsors , chit-chatting about the best way to store medals.







Lord J11B , pictured relaxing with fiends. Eh ,'friends', we mean.






The late Henry Kissinger came back from the dead to join in the celebrations. Or at least he looks like he did.











Lord McGuinness being congratulated by two of his new best friends.









Sir Martin and a colleague share a joke about 'Lord J11B'.























Congrats from the Israeli Ambassador.














Lord J11B McGuinness being congratulated by a two-faced admirer.













Lord J11B McGuinness pictured with fellow British dignitaries.















Sir Martin McGuinness (aka 'Lord J11B Mcguinness'), pictured with some of his 'Honours List' sponsors.








Finally - those of you that are genuinely interested in removing the British writ from Ireland - instead of enforcing it - can contribute here ,at this time of year, financially or in whatever way you can.
Thanks!
Sharon.

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