A ROUGH DEAL .......
Ten years ago EDDIE GALLAGHER went to prison for his part in the kidnapping of TIEDE HERREMA . He is still there , even though he did a deal which promised him only four years in jail . His accomplice , MARION COYLE , has been released . DEREK DUNNE reports on GALLAGHER's maverick relationship with the IRA , on the negotiations which led to the release of TIEDE HERREMA and on the roots of GALLAGHER's involvement .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , January 1986 , pages 6 , 7 , 8, and 9 .
By 1975 , Eddie Gallagher was carrying-out military operations without the authority of the IRA leadership ; he refused to tell the leaders anything until the operation was complete , and considered that he should be just let get on with it . At that time , he was particularly active in the Donegal area , and had recruited a number of individuals of like mind . At the time Brendan Hughes was IRA Director Of Operations in the twenty-six counties , Eddie Gallagher was his Adjutant and Marion Coyle acted as Courier ; they were not attached to any particular IRA Unit .
Following the cease-fire , there was a botch up of a certain Provo operation in the twenty-six counties , and the IRA Army Council attempted to re-organise the entire membership . In mid-April , Marion Coyle was summoned to Dublin and told that she was being moved to another area ; the people who informed her of this decision were in favour of a truce and she associated the change with their attitude . In mid-May , the Provo Officer in charge of the area she had been sent to informed his superiors that she had'nt turned up . Moves were made to suspend her from membership .
Eddie Gallagher was at this time involved in a major operation but was refusing to give any money to the Provo leadership ; the IRA Army Council became worried when they did not hear from Brendan Hughes or Eddie Gallagher . Marion Coyle was afterwards cleared of doing anything untoward with these funds . The fact that Gallagher's was a maverick group did little to distinguish them from the Provos in the minds of most people ; a kidnapping would bring the Gardai and the (Free State) Army down hard all over the country (sic) - there would be searches in places there had never been . And , in fact, these searches turned up firearms in several places .
The Provos were displeased with Brendan Hughes , Eddie Gallagher and Marion Coyle - but the main bone of contention about any kidnapping would be that it would not be sanctioned by the IRA Army Council or any local IRA Unit .......
(MORE LATER).
TO WESTMINSTER AND BACK .......
The Life And Times Of Gerry Fitt.
By Nell McCafferty .
First published in ' MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 .
Gerry Fitts' stories were wonderful ; about the 2,000 couples he knew in Dungannon who could'nt get a house , the intricate saga of why Derry did'nt get the University and Coleraine did , and the " ... 468 telegrams , 700 letters and 1,000 phone calls .. " from people who opposed him in religion but supported him in his new approach to politics . Unionists , he finished , " ... cannot believe that 3,000 Protestants voted for me .. " .
Sir Douglas Glover , Conservative member from Ormskirk , followed him : " Whatever we may think about the arguments put forward , we like people who speak with sincerity and fire in their bellies . " He praised Gerry Fitts' " ... descriptive turn of phrase .. " and smoothly dismissed the complaints about Stormont - " In any parliament that is always the view of the minority about the actions of the majority . " Why , he too was about to spend five years watching the majority Labour Party members go through the lobbies like fodder , " ... used by whips in carrying through legislation in which they do not believe .. " .
British Captain L.S. Orr , Unionist member at Westminster for South Down said , smoothly , that Mr. Fitt had made no complaints to the RUC upon his election , that the University had been sited in Coleraine following recommendations by an independent board that included many prominent and eminent British academics , that the Northern Ireland (sic) Labour Party should confirm that religion was never mentioned when the NILP fought elections , and he finished with a quotation from the 'Irish Independent' newspaper Editorial - ' Captain O'Neill has a new respect from the Catholics of Belfast who cannot remember a time when the police were more fair or more efficient than they were last Sunday , when two rival parades were taking place in the city . '
But still Gerry Fitt had faith that when Harold Wilson's government knew the facts , they would take corrective action in Northern Ireland (sic) - one hundred Labour MP's had come together in a caucus called ' Campaign For Democracy in Ulster ' (sic) and in the North itself a dossier of irrefutable information was being painstakingly compiled to convince Westminster of the wrongs which existed .......
(MORE LATER).
A DECADE OF CENSORSHIP .Bernadette Quinn looks at the development of SECTION 31 of the Broadcasting Act , used by the Free State government to suppress the Republican viewpoint on state radio and television - and extended by Radio Telefis Eireann itself into a regime of self-censorship . From ' IRIS ' magazine , November 1983 .
Section 31 was first proposed as part of the Broadcasting Act of 1960 by the then Minister for Posts and Telegraphs in the Free State , Patrick Hilliard . It was intended to provide the Free State government with a veto which would make broadcasting an instrument of government policy and was supposedly intended to ensure that ' foreign governents were not embarrassed . '
Paragraph 1 of the section stated : ' The Minister may direct the (RTE) Authority in writing to refrain from broadcasting any particular matter or matter of any particular class , and the Authority shall comply with the direction . ' Admitting that the provision of the veto was "... restrictive.. " , Patrick Hilliard said : " It is the Government's wish that the Authority should act as its own censor , recognising the absolute importance of safeguarding truth and preserving intact the moral integrity of our people . "
Exactly ten years later , the Fianna Fail government's lack of action in response to the Northern crisis was becoming an embarrassment to it , as events there increasingly showed up the hollowness of the party's claim to 'republicanism' . In July 1970 , the then (Free State) Minister for Justice , Des O' Malley , wrote to his counterpart at Posts and Telegraphs , Gerry Collins , protesting bitterly about the " ... irresponsible behaviour of RTE in glamourising persons who are well known to have engaged in subversive or criminal activities . "
RTE had been warned ; a little over a year later , Gerry Collins went further .......
(MORE LATER).
Thursday, May 19, 2005
A ROUGH DEAL .......
Ten years ago EDDIE GALLAGHER went to prison for his part in the kidnapping of TIEDE HERREMA . He is still there , even though he did a deal which promised him only four years in jail . His accomplice , MARION COYLE , has been released . DEREK DUNNE reports on GALLAGHER's maverick relationship with the IRA , on the negotiations which led to the release of TIEDE HERREMA and on the roots of GALLAGHER's involvement .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , January 1986 , pages 6 , 7 , 8, and 9 .
Rose Dugdale was given prison sentences ranging from three to nine years for her part in the hijacking of a helicopter on January 24 , 1974 , and also for the theft of the Beit paintings , valued at £8 million , in County Wicklow . She gave birth to a son - Ruairi - in Limerick Prison . Marion Coyle and Martin McGuinness were the godparents .
By mid-'74 , the Provos knew that Eddie Gallagher was anxious to get Rose Dugdale out of prison ; in August , he got himself arrested with another famous escapee - Richard Behal - and having spent one day in Portlaoise Prison , helped eighteen others to blast their way to freedom . Kevin Mallon was amongst those who got away . As 1974 drew to a close , it was dawning on the Provos that the struggle in the North was going to be a long drawn out affair .
In January 1975 , Kevin Mallon was again arrested in a raid on a house in Foxrock ; the 37-year-old native of Coalisland , County Tyrone , was sentenced to ten years . Rose Dugdale was having her own problems in Limerick Prison - visiting conditions were stringent , and in April , she went on hunger strike . A cease-fire was called in the North early in 1975 ; Eddie Gallagher was opposed to the IRA leadership because of this . To him , they seemed incapable of organising anything but " ... pompous press handouts and their own appearances at Republican dinner dances .. " .
Eddie Gallagher continued to do military operations without the authority of the IRA leadership .......
(MORE LATER).
TO WESTMINSTER AND BACK .......
The Life And Times Of Gerry Fitt.
By Nell McCafferty .
First published in ' MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 .
Gerry Fitt blithely welcomed the defeat of Glasgow Rangers , heroes of the Shankill , by Glasgow Celtic , heroes of the Falls , shortly after his own Westminster defeat of the sitting Unionist MP for West Belfast - " We beat them in politics , now we've beaten them in football , " he told the Catholics who had come onto the Falls Road after the match . ' The Belfast Telegraph ' newspaper ran an editorial criticising him for being sectarian - " The editorial was a joke to us , " Paddy Kennedy recalled , " we'd never heard of sectarianism or ecumenism in those days . There were bigoted Protestants in Belfast as top dogs , and poor wee Catholics as under dogs . The only time the Catholics won anything was when Gerry (Fitt) was elected and the night Celtic beat Rangers .
I rang Gerry down at the pub to tell him and it did'nt mean a thing to him , because he backed horses , not football teams , but I said they were out celebrating on the Falls and he'd better come up . He was up like a flash and they carried him along the street since they could'nt carry the football team . Fans meant votes , and if football teams kept their spirits up , Gerry identified with the football team . It was just another way to keep the fight going against the Unionists . "
In Westminster , Gerry Fitt dispensed with football teams and flags ; he thought the facts would suffice . The (British) Queens speech , outlining the priorities for Harold Wilson's incoming government , had lain heavy emphasis on the Rhodesian problem , where Ian Smith's white government had just declared independence from a Britain that had been considering reforms for Rhodesia's black majority . There was an exact parallel to Ireland , Gerry Fitt argued , where a minority had used guns in 1912 to subjugate the majority and Northern Ireland (sic) had resulted .
As with so many of his subsequent speeches , he did not tease out the difficult abstract problem any further , but relapsed into telling stories .......
(MORE LATER).
IT HAPPENED IN IRELAND ....... From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 8.(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
The foregoing incidents are typical but by no means comprehensive ; much worse has been reported , but verification is difficult because of censorship and because the people fear reprisals . These things are happening in Ireland , not Cyprus , Algeria or even Hungary . If we have sympathy for export perhaps we can spare a little for our kith and kin at home .
A good beginning would be to aid the families or dependents of the men in jail - you can do that through the Republican Aid Committee , care of this newspaper . There are now 112 men in Crumlin Road Jail , Belfast , 7 men jailed in England and 55 men in Mountjoy Prison , Dublin .
Their Cause is your Cause : the Cause of Irish Freedom .
[END of ' IT HAPPENED IN IRELAND '].
(Tomorrow - ' A DECADE OF CENSORSHIP ' - from 1983 ).
Ten years ago EDDIE GALLAGHER went to prison for his part in the kidnapping of TIEDE HERREMA . He is still there , even though he did a deal which promised him only four years in jail . His accomplice , MARION COYLE , has been released . DEREK DUNNE reports on GALLAGHER's maverick relationship with the IRA , on the negotiations which led to the release of TIEDE HERREMA and on the roots of GALLAGHER's involvement .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , January 1986 , pages 6 , 7 , 8, and 9 .
Rose Dugdale was given prison sentences ranging from three to nine years for her part in the hijacking of a helicopter on January 24 , 1974 , and also for the theft of the Beit paintings , valued at £8 million , in County Wicklow . She gave birth to a son - Ruairi - in Limerick Prison . Marion Coyle and Martin McGuinness were the godparents .
By mid-'74 , the Provos knew that Eddie Gallagher was anxious to get Rose Dugdale out of prison ; in August , he got himself arrested with another famous escapee - Richard Behal - and having spent one day in Portlaoise Prison , helped eighteen others to blast their way to freedom . Kevin Mallon was amongst those who got away . As 1974 drew to a close , it was dawning on the Provos that the struggle in the North was going to be a long drawn out affair .
In January 1975 , Kevin Mallon was again arrested in a raid on a house in Foxrock ; the 37-year-old native of Coalisland , County Tyrone , was sentenced to ten years . Rose Dugdale was having her own problems in Limerick Prison - visiting conditions were stringent , and in April , she went on hunger strike . A cease-fire was called in the North early in 1975 ; Eddie Gallagher was opposed to the IRA leadership because of this . To him , they seemed incapable of organising anything but " ... pompous press handouts and their own appearances at Republican dinner dances .. " .
Eddie Gallagher continued to do military operations without the authority of the IRA leadership .......
(MORE LATER).
TO WESTMINSTER AND BACK .......
The Life And Times Of Gerry Fitt.
By Nell McCafferty .
First published in ' MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 .
Gerry Fitt blithely welcomed the defeat of Glasgow Rangers , heroes of the Shankill , by Glasgow Celtic , heroes of the Falls , shortly after his own Westminster defeat of the sitting Unionist MP for West Belfast - " We beat them in politics , now we've beaten them in football , " he told the Catholics who had come onto the Falls Road after the match . ' The Belfast Telegraph ' newspaper ran an editorial criticising him for being sectarian - " The editorial was a joke to us , " Paddy Kennedy recalled , " we'd never heard of sectarianism or ecumenism in those days . There were bigoted Protestants in Belfast as top dogs , and poor wee Catholics as under dogs . The only time the Catholics won anything was when Gerry (Fitt) was elected and the night Celtic beat Rangers .
I rang Gerry down at the pub to tell him and it did'nt mean a thing to him , because he backed horses , not football teams , but I said they were out celebrating on the Falls and he'd better come up . He was up like a flash and they carried him along the street since they could'nt carry the football team . Fans meant votes , and if football teams kept their spirits up , Gerry identified with the football team . It was just another way to keep the fight going against the Unionists . "
In Westminster , Gerry Fitt dispensed with football teams and flags ; he thought the facts would suffice . The (British) Queens speech , outlining the priorities for Harold Wilson's incoming government , had lain heavy emphasis on the Rhodesian problem , where Ian Smith's white government had just declared independence from a Britain that had been considering reforms for Rhodesia's black majority . There was an exact parallel to Ireland , Gerry Fitt argued , where a minority had used guns in 1912 to subjugate the majority and Northern Ireland (sic) had resulted .
As with so many of his subsequent speeches , he did not tease out the difficult abstract problem any further , but relapsed into telling stories .......
(MORE LATER).
IT HAPPENED IN IRELAND ....... From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 8.(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
The foregoing incidents are typical but by no means comprehensive ; much worse has been reported , but verification is difficult because of censorship and because the people fear reprisals . These things are happening in Ireland , not Cyprus , Algeria or even Hungary . If we have sympathy for export perhaps we can spare a little for our kith and kin at home .
A good beginning would be to aid the families or dependents of the men in jail - you can do that through the Republican Aid Committee , care of this newspaper . There are now 112 men in Crumlin Road Jail , Belfast , 7 men jailed in England and 55 men in Mountjoy Prison , Dublin .
Their Cause is your Cause : the Cause of Irish Freedom .
[END of ' IT HAPPENED IN IRELAND '].
(Tomorrow - ' A DECADE OF CENSORSHIP ' - from 1983 ).
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
A ROUGH DEAL .......
Ten years ago EDDIE GALLAGHER went to prison for his part in the kidnapping of TIEDE HERREMA . He is still there , even though he did a deal which promised him only four years in jail . His accomplice , MARION COYLE , has been released . DEREK DUNNE reports on GALLAGHER's maverick relationship with the IRA , on the negotiations which led to the release of TIEDE HERREMA and on the roots of GALLAGHER's involvement .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , January 1986 , pages 6 , 7 , 8, and 9 .
At exactly 3.41pm on Wednesday October 31 , 1973 , a helicopter took off from Mountjoy Prison with three leading Provos aboard - Seamus Twomey , J.B. O'Hagan and Kevin Mallon . Mallon's freedom was shortlived and he was arrested at a dance-hall in Portlaoise six weeks later : he got four years . Marion Coyle was charged with allegedly firing at a detective at the dance-hall but she was acquitted through lack of identification .
The helicopter escape severely embarrassed the government in the south and led directly to a review of national (sic - the Leinster House Administration has not got national authority) security carried out by Justice Finlay . But if the escape was an embarrassment to the (Free State) government , it was an inspiration to the Provos and inspired another operation : on January 24 , 1974 , Rose Dugdale posed as a journalist and hired a helicopter along with two others to fly to Tory Island . Eddie Gallagher and Rose Dugdale had registered as man and wife in a hotel in Gortahork prior to the operation .
According to Eddie Gallagher , they first met in a 'doss house' in Edinburgh - they were both fascinated at how 'dossers' could sleep on ropes when they could not afford to pay for a flea-infested bed in the dormitory . They were very close and Dugdale later gave birth to Gallagher's son in prison . However - the helicopter was hijacked and forced to fly to Strabane RUC Station with three milk-churn bombs aboard . The bombs failed to explode when dropped .......
(MORE LATER).
TO WESTMINSTER AND BACK .......
The Life And Times Of Gerry Fitt.
By Nell McCafferty .
First published in ' MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 .
Gerry Fitt read James Connolly at sea and other socialist literature : " You know the way it is " , he says , " you dock into any port in the world and in some wee back lane you'll find the Communist Party bookshop , and wee cheap pamphlets . "
When he finally returned to Belfast and started his political career as a councillor , Gerry Fitt quickly attracted the attention of student militants like Eamonn McCann and Michael Farrell - " There was no smell of the Catholic grammar school off him , " says McCann , " he was an urban working class man . He was abrasive . He was nice . "
Paddy Kennedy , the other half of the Republican Labour Party presence at Stormont , learned his politics at Gerry Fitt's electoral knee : " He came off the merchant ship and back into Belfast and he used to say to me that what he would really love to be was an MP for Cardiff or Liverpool , a dockside place where he could get stuck into a straight fight .
Gerry called himself Republican Labour because the 'Northern Ireland (sic) Labour Party' was tied into union with Britain and the Irish Labour Party was preoccupied with the border . " Also , he added , Fitt did'nt like big parties .
Gerry Fitt's republicanism was entirely internal and personal , freeing him from bondage to any flag , although being Gerry Fitt he could wave flags with the best of them when electoral advantage was to be gained from it .......
(MORE LATER).
IT HAPPENED IN IRELAND . From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 8.(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
The men seized at Warrenpoint , County Down , were threatened by nervous RUC men toting sten guns and were covered by machine guns : a man seized in Fermanagh , and later freed for there was nothing against him , was beaten for a whole night in an RUC Barracks cell - an enraged Sergeant threatened to kill him . A woman was informed by the RUC that her husband would be shot - they were looking for information on his movements .
Fathers have been threatened by the RUC with loss of job unless they explain in detail the activities of their sons . A youth was seized at his father's funeral and when relatives travelled to Belfast they were'nt allowed to visit him . Men are being held without trial and their families are not allowed to see them .
Remand prisoners at Crumlin Road Jail can't associate - they exercise singly , ten paces or so behind one another , with a prison warder on each side . It is difficult to get information on conditions at Crumlin Road Jail but the fact that warders and prisoners clashed recently is symptomatic .......
(MORE LATER).
Ten years ago EDDIE GALLAGHER went to prison for his part in the kidnapping of TIEDE HERREMA . He is still there , even though he did a deal which promised him only four years in jail . His accomplice , MARION COYLE , has been released . DEREK DUNNE reports on GALLAGHER's maverick relationship with the IRA , on the negotiations which led to the release of TIEDE HERREMA and on the roots of GALLAGHER's involvement .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , January 1986 , pages 6 , 7 , 8, and 9 .
At exactly 3.41pm on Wednesday October 31 , 1973 , a helicopter took off from Mountjoy Prison with three leading Provos aboard - Seamus Twomey , J.B. O'Hagan and Kevin Mallon . Mallon's freedom was shortlived and he was arrested at a dance-hall in Portlaoise six weeks later : he got four years . Marion Coyle was charged with allegedly firing at a detective at the dance-hall but she was acquitted through lack of identification .
The helicopter escape severely embarrassed the government in the south and led directly to a review of national (sic - the Leinster House Administration has not got national authority) security carried out by Justice Finlay . But if the escape was an embarrassment to the (Free State) government , it was an inspiration to the Provos and inspired another operation : on January 24 , 1974 , Rose Dugdale posed as a journalist and hired a helicopter along with two others to fly to Tory Island . Eddie Gallagher and Rose Dugdale had registered as man and wife in a hotel in Gortahork prior to the operation .
According to Eddie Gallagher , they first met in a 'doss house' in Edinburgh - they were both fascinated at how 'dossers' could sleep on ropes when they could not afford to pay for a flea-infested bed in the dormitory . They were very close and Dugdale later gave birth to Gallagher's son in prison . However - the helicopter was hijacked and forced to fly to Strabane RUC Station with three milk-churn bombs aboard . The bombs failed to explode when dropped .......
(MORE LATER).
TO WESTMINSTER AND BACK .......
The Life And Times Of Gerry Fitt.
By Nell McCafferty .
First published in ' MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 .
Gerry Fitt read James Connolly at sea and other socialist literature : " You know the way it is " , he says , " you dock into any port in the world and in some wee back lane you'll find the Communist Party bookshop , and wee cheap pamphlets . "
When he finally returned to Belfast and started his political career as a councillor , Gerry Fitt quickly attracted the attention of student militants like Eamonn McCann and Michael Farrell - " There was no smell of the Catholic grammar school off him , " says McCann , " he was an urban working class man . He was abrasive . He was nice . "
Paddy Kennedy , the other half of the Republican Labour Party presence at Stormont , learned his politics at Gerry Fitt's electoral knee : " He came off the merchant ship and back into Belfast and he used to say to me that what he would really love to be was an MP for Cardiff or Liverpool , a dockside place where he could get stuck into a straight fight .
Gerry called himself Republican Labour because the 'Northern Ireland (sic) Labour Party' was tied into union with Britain and the Irish Labour Party was preoccupied with the border . " Also , he added , Fitt did'nt like big parties .
Gerry Fitt's republicanism was entirely internal and personal , freeing him from bondage to any flag , although being Gerry Fitt he could wave flags with the best of them when electoral advantage was to be gained from it .......
(MORE LATER).
IT HAPPENED IN IRELAND . From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 8.(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
The men seized at Warrenpoint , County Down , were threatened by nervous RUC men toting sten guns and were covered by machine guns : a man seized in Fermanagh , and later freed for there was nothing against him , was beaten for a whole night in an RUC Barracks cell - an enraged Sergeant threatened to kill him . A woman was informed by the RUC that her husband would be shot - they were looking for information on his movements .
Fathers have been threatened by the RUC with loss of job unless they explain in detail the activities of their sons . A youth was seized at his father's funeral and when relatives travelled to Belfast they were'nt allowed to visit him . Men are being held without trial and their families are not allowed to see them .
Remand prisoners at Crumlin Road Jail can't associate - they exercise singly , ten paces or so behind one another , with a prison warder on each side . It is difficult to get information on conditions at Crumlin Road Jail but the fact that warders and prisoners clashed recently is symptomatic .......
(MORE LATER).
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
A ROUGH DEAL .......
Ten years ago EDDIE GALLAGHER went to prison for his part in the kidnapping of TIEDE HERREMA . He is still there , even though he did a deal which promised him only four years in jail . His accomplice , MARION COYLE , has been released . DEREK DUNNE reports on GALLAGHER's maverick relationship with the IRA , on the negotiations which led to the release of TIEDE HERREMA and on the roots of GALLAGHER's involvement .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , January 1986 , pages 6 , 7 , 8, and 9 .
At first , Marion Coyle was not directly involved in military operations ; she acted as a 'lookout' and ran errands . She was known within the Republican Movement as a woman with a lot of nerve who did not fold under pressure . In August 1972 , when the British Army tore down the barricades separating ' Free Derry' from the rest of the world , she led six men safely across the border into Donegal , one at a time , by pretending to be their girlfriend .
In January of the following year , she was acquitted on a charge of possession of a rifle ; Leo Martin admitted full responsibility for the weapon and was given three years . The Provos sent her first to Buncrana and then to Leitrim . She was'nt attached to any particular Active Service Unit of the IRA . Eddie Gallagher , meanwhile , was jailed for twelve months in the Curragh for IRA activity .
It was around this time that Marion Coyle met Kevin Mallon - increasingly , she looked to him for guidance and a close platonic friendship grew up between the two . She admired his political clarity . Coyle moved to Dublin and returned to Derry at weekends . The raids on her home in Derry became more frequent , so the visits had to be curtailed . Increasingly , she was spending her time with the same people she worked with . In September of 1973 , Kevin Mallon was arrested in Monaghan and given twelve months for membership .......
(MORE LATER).
TO WESTMINSTER AND BACK .......
The Life And Times Of Gerry Fitt.
By Nell McCafferty .
First published in ' MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 .
Gerry Fitt's 'trust' in the Brits to do the 'right' thing in Ireland earned him the sobriquet ' Fitt The Brit' , applied with such bitterness to him now by Northern nationalists who have suffered under direct rule from England since 1972 , could have been applied with equal accuracy but a lot more affection in 1966 and more before that .
For many of Gerry Fitt's generation and background , religious and political , England offered an escape and refuge from the direct rule of the Unionist Party in Northern Ireland . Back in the North , Fitt told his Westminster audience on that first day , Catholics could'nt get homes , could'nt get jobs , could'nt even get the vote . They could'nt even get a hearing in the Stormont parliament , where a contrived Unionist majority turned a deaf ear to such as him , the democratically elected Stormont representative for Dock . " No matter what pleas I made to the Unionists , I would'nt get anywhere . "
Born in Belfast in 1926 , Gerry Fitt got out quick : his father died when he was eight and his mother was left to bring up the children in the depressed 1930's ; he ran away from home to become a fifteen-year-old cabin boy , in the British merchant navy , in 1941 , and sailed in wartime convoys to Russia . After the war , during a port call to London , he met his future wife Anne Doherty , from County Tyrone , who was then working as a clerk in the Conservatives Ladies' Club : " I used shout 'Vote Labour' during elections and they were annoyed ," she remembers .......
(MORE LATER).
IT HAPPENED IN IRELAND . From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 8.(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
If we had a national Press worthy of the name our people would be aware by now of the conditions in occupied Ireland ; the Americans and the English are much better informed because their Press coverage of events in the North is so much more extensive . Most of it - coming as it does from British sources - is biased of course but unlike the 26 County population they get a view of things even if that view is slanted .
We are not aware of the terrorism by British military , police and armed B-Specials ; we are not informed of the treatment handed out to captured men by these forces . We should make it our business to get the facts for the victims involved are young Irishmen fighting for our freedom . Tony Cooney and his two comrades taken at Torr Head , County Antrim , were fired on by police while they held their hands in the air and later were threatened with murder .
Seamus Heuston was beaten into insensibility by B-Specials near Armagh ; they smashed his head and broke his arm . Shots were fired at John Kelly and his comrades after they were taken in County Tyrone ; a Belfast Det-Sgt held a grenade from which the pin had been withdrawn and threatened them as they stood facing a wall with their hands up .......
(MORE LATER).
Ten years ago EDDIE GALLAGHER went to prison for his part in the kidnapping of TIEDE HERREMA . He is still there , even though he did a deal which promised him only four years in jail . His accomplice , MARION COYLE , has been released . DEREK DUNNE reports on GALLAGHER's maverick relationship with the IRA , on the negotiations which led to the release of TIEDE HERREMA and on the roots of GALLAGHER's involvement .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , January 1986 , pages 6 , 7 , 8, and 9 .
At first , Marion Coyle was not directly involved in military operations ; she acted as a 'lookout' and ran errands . She was known within the Republican Movement as a woman with a lot of nerve who did not fold under pressure . In August 1972 , when the British Army tore down the barricades separating ' Free Derry' from the rest of the world , she led six men safely across the border into Donegal , one at a time , by pretending to be their girlfriend .
In January of the following year , she was acquitted on a charge of possession of a rifle ; Leo Martin admitted full responsibility for the weapon and was given three years . The Provos sent her first to Buncrana and then to Leitrim . She was'nt attached to any particular Active Service Unit of the IRA . Eddie Gallagher , meanwhile , was jailed for twelve months in the Curragh for IRA activity .
It was around this time that Marion Coyle met Kevin Mallon - increasingly , she looked to him for guidance and a close platonic friendship grew up between the two . She admired his political clarity . Coyle moved to Dublin and returned to Derry at weekends . The raids on her home in Derry became more frequent , so the visits had to be curtailed . Increasingly , she was spending her time with the same people she worked with . In September of 1973 , Kevin Mallon was arrested in Monaghan and given twelve months for membership .......
(MORE LATER).
TO WESTMINSTER AND BACK .......
The Life And Times Of Gerry Fitt.
By Nell McCafferty .
First published in ' MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 .
Gerry Fitt's 'trust' in the Brits to do the 'right' thing in Ireland earned him the sobriquet ' Fitt The Brit' , applied with such bitterness to him now by Northern nationalists who have suffered under direct rule from England since 1972 , could have been applied with equal accuracy but a lot more affection in 1966 and more before that .
For many of Gerry Fitt's generation and background , religious and political , England offered an escape and refuge from the direct rule of the Unionist Party in Northern Ireland . Back in the North , Fitt told his Westminster audience on that first day , Catholics could'nt get homes , could'nt get jobs , could'nt even get the vote . They could'nt even get a hearing in the Stormont parliament , where a contrived Unionist majority turned a deaf ear to such as him , the democratically elected Stormont representative for Dock . " No matter what pleas I made to the Unionists , I would'nt get anywhere . "
Born in Belfast in 1926 , Gerry Fitt got out quick : his father died when he was eight and his mother was left to bring up the children in the depressed 1930's ; he ran away from home to become a fifteen-year-old cabin boy , in the British merchant navy , in 1941 , and sailed in wartime convoys to Russia . After the war , during a port call to London , he met his future wife Anne Doherty , from County Tyrone , who was then working as a clerk in the Conservatives Ladies' Club : " I used shout 'Vote Labour' during elections and they were annoyed ," she remembers .......
(MORE LATER).
IT HAPPENED IN IRELAND . From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 8.(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
If we had a national Press worthy of the name our people would be aware by now of the conditions in occupied Ireland ; the Americans and the English are much better informed because their Press coverage of events in the North is so much more extensive . Most of it - coming as it does from British sources - is biased of course but unlike the 26 County population they get a view of things even if that view is slanted .
We are not aware of the terrorism by British military , police and armed B-Specials ; we are not informed of the treatment handed out to captured men by these forces . We should make it our business to get the facts for the victims involved are young Irishmen fighting for our freedom . Tony Cooney and his two comrades taken at Torr Head , County Antrim , were fired on by police while they held their hands in the air and later were threatened with murder .
Seamus Heuston was beaten into insensibility by B-Specials near Armagh ; they smashed his head and broke his arm . Shots were fired at John Kelly and his comrades after they were taken in County Tyrone ; a Belfast Det-Sgt held a grenade from which the pin had been withdrawn and threatened them as they stood facing a wall with their hands up .......
(MORE LATER).
Monday, May 16, 2005
A ROUGH DEAL .......
Ten years ago EDDIE GALLAGHER went to prison for his part in the kidnapping of TIEDE HERREMA . He is still there , even though he did a deal which promised him only four years in jail . His accomplice , MARION COYLE , has been released . DEREK DUNNE reports on GALLAGHER's maverick relationship with the IRA , on the negotiations which led to the release of TIEDE HERREMA and on the roots of GALLAGHER's involvement .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , January 1986 , pages 6 , 7 , 8, and 9 .
A few nights before internment was introduced , a Catholic worker from Derry named Harry Thornton was driving past Springfield Road RUC Station in Belfast when his car backfired - a British soldier shot him dead . A passenger in the car ran , thinking he too was about to be shot - he was attacked by British soldiers , taken into the RUC station and badly beaten up .
Eddie Gallagher watched as the British jumped from their jeeps ; one British soldier shouted " One down , one to go ... " , according to Gallagher . That particular incident coupled with what happened in the next few days convinced Eddie Gallagher to become more actively involved with the IRA .
On March 14th , the Provos had a forty-minute gun battle with the British Army near Dove Gardens in Derry ; 90 minutes later , Eugene McGillen and Colm Keenan were shot dead as they came out of a house . The householder later told the inquest that they had come in for shelter . The Provos admitted that they were members but said that they had not been involved in anything at the time .
Marion Coyle and a friend had spent their summer holidays in Bundoran with Eugene McGillen and Colm Keenan . Almost immediately , her brother Philip , whom she was especially close to , got six years for possession of a firearm : Marion Coyle joined the Provisional IRA .......
(MORE LATER).
TO WESTMINSTER AND BACK .......
The Life And Times Of Gerry Fitt.
By Nell McCafferty .
First published in ' MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 .
The difference between Gerry Fitt and Gerry Adams was established as long ago as Monday April 25 , 1966 , 7pm : exactly when the Right Honourable Gerald Fitt , Esquire , Republican Labour Party , rose to his feet to speak for the first time in the House of Commons -
- " Since my election , I have read in sections of the British press that I have been classified as an Irish Republican . I should take this opportunity to classify my political allegiance . To classify me as an Irish Republican is not strictly correct ; the Irish Republican Party in Ireland does not recognise the authority of this House in any part of Ireland and its members would indeed refuse to take their seats in this House .
I have not yet given up hope , and I have not yet determined to follow the line of the Irish Republican Party , because I believe that during my term as the representative of West Belfast in this House I will be able to appeal to every reasonable member in the Chamber , and through them , to every reasonable member of the British public . I feel certain that at the end of this Parliament dramatic changes will have taken place in the North of Ireland ....... "
Through all the dramatic changes that subsequently took place in the North of Ireland , Gerry Fitt never did give up hope that the British Government would sort things out . He placed particular trust in the British Labour Party ('1169...' Comment - as does Gerry Adams today...) , which had in 1966 swept to power under Harold Wilson with a hundred seat majority .
His 'faith' in the Brits earned him a new nickname .......
(MORE LATER).
A MESSAGE OF HOPE TO OCCUPIED IRELAND ...... From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 8.(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
Jim Dolan stated that the people of Sligo-Leitrim had given Sinn Fein a mandate to go forward to greater victories , and certainly , it would be a message of hope to our people in Occupied Ireland . It would be a message to all of them that the people of Sligo-Leitrim were behind the freedom fighters who were fighting Ireland's Cause today .
It would also be an answer to Lord Brookesborough and his Quisling Government and to Mr. Costello who , during the past three months, has been responsible for sentencing many young men to terms of imprisonment . As a result of this election Mr. Costello would be a much wiser man .
The success achieved here would be a warning to the new administration that the people would not support them in suppressing the freedom fighters in the North of Ireland . Concluding , Jim Dolan returned thanks to all who had assisted them in achieving victory , as nobody could deny that they had scored a great success in Sligo-Leitrim constituency .
[END of 'A MESSAGE OF HOPE TO OCCUPIED IRELAND'].(Tomorrow - ' IT HAPPENED IN IRELAND ' : from the same source).
Ten years ago EDDIE GALLAGHER went to prison for his part in the kidnapping of TIEDE HERREMA . He is still there , even though he did a deal which promised him only four years in jail . His accomplice , MARION COYLE , has been released . DEREK DUNNE reports on GALLAGHER's maverick relationship with the IRA , on the negotiations which led to the release of TIEDE HERREMA and on the roots of GALLAGHER's involvement .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , January 1986 , pages 6 , 7 , 8, and 9 .
A few nights before internment was introduced , a Catholic worker from Derry named Harry Thornton was driving past Springfield Road RUC Station in Belfast when his car backfired - a British soldier shot him dead . A passenger in the car ran , thinking he too was about to be shot - he was attacked by British soldiers , taken into the RUC station and badly beaten up .
Eddie Gallagher watched as the British jumped from their jeeps ; one British soldier shouted " One down , one to go ... " , according to Gallagher . That particular incident coupled with what happened in the next few days convinced Eddie Gallagher to become more actively involved with the IRA .
On March 14th , the Provos had a forty-minute gun battle with the British Army near Dove Gardens in Derry ; 90 minutes later , Eugene McGillen and Colm Keenan were shot dead as they came out of a house . The householder later told the inquest that they had come in for shelter . The Provos admitted that they were members but said that they had not been involved in anything at the time .
Marion Coyle and a friend had spent their summer holidays in Bundoran with Eugene McGillen and Colm Keenan . Almost immediately , her brother Philip , whom she was especially close to , got six years for possession of a firearm : Marion Coyle joined the Provisional IRA .......
(MORE LATER).
TO WESTMINSTER AND BACK .......
The Life And Times Of Gerry Fitt.
By Nell McCafferty .
First published in ' MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 .
The difference between Gerry Fitt and Gerry Adams was established as long ago as Monday April 25 , 1966 , 7pm : exactly when the Right Honourable Gerald Fitt , Esquire , Republican Labour Party , rose to his feet to speak for the first time in the House of Commons -
- " Since my election , I have read in sections of the British press that I have been classified as an Irish Republican . I should take this opportunity to classify my political allegiance . To classify me as an Irish Republican is not strictly correct ; the Irish Republican Party in Ireland does not recognise the authority of this House in any part of Ireland and its members would indeed refuse to take their seats in this House .
I have not yet given up hope , and I have not yet determined to follow the line of the Irish Republican Party , because I believe that during my term as the representative of West Belfast in this House I will be able to appeal to every reasonable member in the Chamber , and through them , to every reasonable member of the British public . I feel certain that at the end of this Parliament dramatic changes will have taken place in the North of Ireland ....... "
Through all the dramatic changes that subsequently took place in the North of Ireland , Gerry Fitt never did give up hope that the British Government would sort things out . He placed particular trust in the British Labour Party ('1169...' Comment - as does Gerry Adams today...) , which had in 1966 swept to power under Harold Wilson with a hundred seat majority .
His 'faith' in the Brits earned him a new nickname .......
(MORE LATER).
A MESSAGE OF HOPE TO OCCUPIED IRELAND ...... From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 8.(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
Jim Dolan stated that the people of Sligo-Leitrim had given Sinn Fein a mandate to go forward to greater victories , and certainly , it would be a message of hope to our people in Occupied Ireland . It would be a message to all of them that the people of Sligo-Leitrim were behind the freedom fighters who were fighting Ireland's Cause today .
It would also be an answer to Lord Brookesborough and his Quisling Government and to Mr. Costello who , during the past three months, has been responsible for sentencing many young men to terms of imprisonment . As a result of this election Mr. Costello would be a much wiser man .
The success achieved here would be a warning to the new administration that the people would not support them in suppressing the freedom fighters in the North of Ireland . Concluding , Jim Dolan returned thanks to all who had assisted them in achieving victory , as nobody could deny that they had scored a great success in Sligo-Leitrim constituency .
[END of 'A MESSAGE OF HOPE TO OCCUPIED IRELAND'].(Tomorrow - ' IT HAPPENED IN IRELAND ' : from the same source).
Friday, May 13, 2005
A ROUGH DEAL .......
Ten years ago EDDIE GALLAGHER went to prison for his part in the kidnapping of TIEDE HERREMA . He is still there , even though he did a deal which promised him only four years in jail . His accomplice , MARION COYLE , has been released . DEREK DUNNE reports on GALLAGHER's maverick relationship with the IRA , on the negotiations which led to the release of TIEDE HERREMA and on the roots of GALLAGHER's involvement .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , January 1986 , pages 6 , 7 , 8, and 9 .
Eddie Gallagher was in one of 100 cars that travelled from Ballybofey to Derry for the funerals of those killed on Bloody Sunday . He was a labourer from the town but did not come from a particularly republican background - many of those on his father's side of the family had gone with de Valera " ... when he left the Republican Movement . "
According to Gallagher , he met many republicans during fishing rights agitation and civil rights marches in Britain during the 'sixties . In the early 'seventies , Eddie Gallagher was involved with Sinn Fein in Donegal , and in the anti-EEC campaigns .
He wanted to involve as many people as possible and considered that 'the policy of more gelignite' was " a winner . " His political views centered on emigration : it seemed to him that his entire school class was on a conveyor belt towards the Derry/Glasgow boat . He also wanted the British Army out of the North .......
(MORE LATER).
TO WESTMINSTER AND BACK .
The Life And Times Of Gerry Fitt.
By Nell McCafferty .
First published in ' MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 .
The Banqueting Room in Belfast's City Hall is used for the really big occasions ; it is there that politicians gather to hear the verdict of the electorate upon them . It is there that they are wined and dined in the successful years . A large stained glass window spells the message out for them : ' Pro Tanto , Quid Retribuamus ' - ' For All This , How Will We Repay You ' .
On Friday June 10th , 1983 , at 1.39pm the politicians of West Belfast gathered in the banqueting room and the verdict was read out : Gerry Adams of Sinn Fein was elected to Westminster . Gerry Fitt , who had held the seat since 1966 , was stripped of office . The RUC formed a massive funnel around Adams , down which he sped into the limelight of the world's media .
" There's more police protecting him than attacked me in Derry " quipped Gerry Fitt ; it was a joke for 'insiders' . Outwardly , the RUC were protecting Adams against the wrath of loyalists , gathered in Belfast City Hall , who did not like the election results , as seventeen years earlier they had protected Gerry Fitt against the loyalists who did'nt like the result then , either .
Unlike Fitt , though , Adams won't be referring to the matter in his maiden Westminster speech in London , England . The differences between the two Gerries was established as long ago as Monday , April 25th , 1966 . At 7pm , that day .......
(MORE LATER).
A MESSAGE OF HOPE TO OCCUPIED IRELAND ...... From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 8.(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
Jim Dolan , Election Agent for the successful Sinn Fein candidate John Joe Mac Fhearghaill , went on to say that in the course of the election campaign the Republican Movement had been at a great disadvantage because , as a result of arrests and internments , some of their very best speakers north and south had not been available to them .
Referring to meetings held during the election campaign on behalf of the candidate , John Joe , Jim Dolan said these had not been given one line of publicity in the daily press , while the organisation had been refused the use of Radio Eireann despite the fact that they had nineteen candidates in the field !
As a result of the lack of publicity given them , they had to fight their campaign and explain their policy from the tops of ditches and from chapel gates : " You all know , " said Jim Dolan , " that we were given no publicity , with one exception - a local newspaper . A few weeks ago , in the course of an Editorial , in another local paper , we were referred to as 'the people of lost causes and lost deposits .. ' , but the only deposit we lost was in Dublin , and that by a mere eight votes . I wonder what the Leader-writer will say after this election ... "
(MORE LATER).
Ten years ago EDDIE GALLAGHER went to prison for his part in the kidnapping of TIEDE HERREMA . He is still there , even though he did a deal which promised him only four years in jail . His accomplice , MARION COYLE , has been released . DEREK DUNNE reports on GALLAGHER's maverick relationship with the IRA , on the negotiations which led to the release of TIEDE HERREMA and on the roots of GALLAGHER's involvement .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , January 1986 , pages 6 , 7 , 8, and 9 .
Eddie Gallagher was in one of 100 cars that travelled from Ballybofey to Derry for the funerals of those killed on Bloody Sunday . He was a labourer from the town but did not come from a particularly republican background - many of those on his father's side of the family had gone with de Valera " ... when he left the Republican Movement . "
According to Gallagher , he met many republicans during fishing rights agitation and civil rights marches in Britain during the 'sixties . In the early 'seventies , Eddie Gallagher was involved with Sinn Fein in Donegal , and in the anti-EEC campaigns .
He wanted to involve as many people as possible and considered that 'the policy of more gelignite' was " a winner . " His political views centered on emigration : it seemed to him that his entire school class was on a conveyor belt towards the Derry/Glasgow boat . He also wanted the British Army out of the North .......
(MORE LATER).
TO WESTMINSTER AND BACK .
The Life And Times Of Gerry Fitt.
By Nell McCafferty .
First published in ' MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 .
The Banqueting Room in Belfast's City Hall is used for the really big occasions ; it is there that politicians gather to hear the verdict of the electorate upon them . It is there that they are wined and dined in the successful years . A large stained glass window spells the message out for them : ' Pro Tanto , Quid Retribuamus ' - ' For All This , How Will We Repay You ' .
On Friday June 10th , 1983 , at 1.39pm the politicians of West Belfast gathered in the banqueting room and the verdict was read out : Gerry Adams of Sinn Fein was elected to Westminster . Gerry Fitt , who had held the seat since 1966 , was stripped of office . The RUC formed a massive funnel around Adams , down which he sped into the limelight of the world's media .
" There's more police protecting him than attacked me in Derry " quipped Gerry Fitt ; it was a joke for 'insiders' . Outwardly , the RUC were protecting Adams against the wrath of loyalists , gathered in Belfast City Hall , who did not like the election results , as seventeen years earlier they had protected Gerry Fitt against the loyalists who did'nt like the result then , either .
Unlike Fitt , though , Adams won't be referring to the matter in his maiden Westminster speech in London , England . The differences between the two Gerries was established as long ago as Monday , April 25th , 1966 . At 7pm , that day .......
(MORE LATER).
A MESSAGE OF HOPE TO OCCUPIED IRELAND ...... From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 8.(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
Jim Dolan , Election Agent for the successful Sinn Fein candidate John Joe Mac Fhearghaill , went on to say that in the course of the election campaign the Republican Movement had been at a great disadvantage because , as a result of arrests and internments , some of their very best speakers north and south had not been available to them .
Referring to meetings held during the election campaign on behalf of the candidate , John Joe , Jim Dolan said these had not been given one line of publicity in the daily press , while the organisation had been refused the use of Radio Eireann despite the fact that they had nineteen candidates in the field !
As a result of the lack of publicity given them , they had to fight their campaign and explain their policy from the tops of ditches and from chapel gates : " You all know , " said Jim Dolan , " that we were given no publicity , with one exception - a local newspaper . A few weeks ago , in the course of an Editorial , in another local paper , we were referred to as 'the people of lost causes and lost deposits .. ' , but the only deposit we lost was in Dublin , and that by a mere eight votes . I wonder what the Leader-writer will say after this election ... "
(MORE LATER).
Thursday, May 12, 2005
A ROUGH DEAL .......
Ten years ago EDDIE GALLAGHER went to prison for his part in the kidnapping of TIEDE HERREMA . He is still there , even though he did a deal which promised him only four years in jail . His accomplice , MARION COYLE , has been released . DEREK DUNNE reports on GALLAGHER's maverick relationship with the IRA , on the negotiations which led to the release of TIEDE HERREMA and on the roots of GALLAGHER's involvement .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , January 1986 , pages 6 , 7 , 8, and 9 .
The arrest of Bernadette Devlin was a turning-point for the Provisional IRA ; a six-hour gun battle in the Short Strand in Belfast between Protestant groups and the Provos led many to believe that the British Army were unwilling to interfere .
In Derry , the population was saturated indiscriminately with CS gas . Three days after Bernadette Devlin was arrested , Joe Coyle , two children and two other men were burned to death in the house next door to where Marion Coyle had been born . The Provos said that he was a Staff Captain and that he had been killed in action ; it was claimed that an incendiary device was being made in the house .
The summer of 1971 saw her on holidays with friends in Bundoran , County Donegal , away from the tension of Derry . August 9th saw the last ditch attempt to prop up the Northern State and Brian Faulkner with the introduction of internment - over 300 were interned . The violence escalated as a direct result of this action . Then on the last day of January 1972 , thirteen Civil Rights marchers were shot dead by the British Army in Derry . Three days later , 30,000 people turned up in Dublin for the burning of the British Embassy .
None of these events on their own was enough to entice Marion Coyle to join the Provos although people were queueing up to do so .......
(MORE LATER).
THE ARMALITE AND THE BALLOT BOX ....... " We have now established a sort of Republican veto . ......" Michael Farrell interviews Gerry Adams MP , vice-president of Sinn Fein . From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 , pages 13 , 14 , and 17 .
MICHAEL FARRELL : " The referendum on the anti-abortion amendment will probably be held soon . What will Sinn Fein do about it ? "
GERRY ADAMS MP : " Probably nothing . You're into the silly situation there where Sinn Fein does'nt recognise the constitution of the Free State and can hardly take a stand on amending it . I would be against the amendment . I think it's nonsense , introduced for party political advantage , and does'nt deal at all with the issues involved , the conditions which force women to seek abortions . "
MICHAEL FARRELL : " You have recently developed links with people like Ken Livingstone , the leader of the Greater London Council . How much importance do you place on the development of a solidarity movement in Britain ? "
GERRY ADAMS : " We see it as very important . We decided some years ago to do all we could to encourage the development of an anti-war movement in Britain even if some of the elements in it were there for chauvinist reasons like not wanting their soldiers killed in Ireland . Recently we have refined our attitude somewhat and we are making an effort to develop contacts with people with influence in the British Labour Party .
This is especially important with the Labour Party in disarray after its defeat in the elections . Ken Livingstone thinks there may be a big swing to the Left and the party might eventually come to power committed to withdrawing from Ireland . "
[END of ' THE ARMALITE AND THE BALLOT BOX '].
(Tomorrow : ' TO WESTMINSTER AND BACK - THE LIFE AND TIMES OF GERRY FITT' ; by Neil McCafferty , first published in 1983 .)
A MESSAGE OF HOPE TO OCCUPIED IRELAND . From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 8.(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
Proposing a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer and his staff , for the manner in which the election count had been conducted , Jim Dolan , Election Agent for John Joe Mac Fhearghaill said he wished to take the opportunity of paying a personal tribute to Mr. Devins who had been most helpful and co-operative to him as one who was not very familiar with electioneering . The Returning Officer and his staff had given him every facility and he deeply appreciated this .
He felt very proud that the people in Sligo and Leitrim had raised the Sinn Fein flag once again by returning John Joe Mac Fhearghaill at the head of the poll . This was something which , three weeks ago , many people thought an impossibility and that , in fact, John Joe Mac Fhearghaill would be very lucky to save his deposit . In less than a month's campaign it had been proved that the people of Sligo-Leitrim had returned Sinn Fein and this was a splendid tribute to the successful candidate and to the Republican Movement .
A month ago John Joe's name was unfamiliar in County Sligo but tonight he was known in every homestead in Sligo and Leitrim . History had been written again like in 1907 when Sinn Fein first raised its flag in North Leitrim .......
(MORE LATER).
Ten years ago EDDIE GALLAGHER went to prison for his part in the kidnapping of TIEDE HERREMA . He is still there , even though he did a deal which promised him only four years in jail . His accomplice , MARION COYLE , has been released . DEREK DUNNE reports on GALLAGHER's maverick relationship with the IRA , on the negotiations which led to the release of TIEDE HERREMA and on the roots of GALLAGHER's involvement .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , January 1986 , pages 6 , 7 , 8, and 9 .
The arrest of Bernadette Devlin was a turning-point for the Provisional IRA ; a six-hour gun battle in the Short Strand in Belfast between Protestant groups and the Provos led many to believe that the British Army were unwilling to interfere .
In Derry , the population was saturated indiscriminately with CS gas . Three days after Bernadette Devlin was arrested , Joe Coyle , two children and two other men were burned to death in the house next door to where Marion Coyle had been born . The Provos said that he was a Staff Captain and that he had been killed in action ; it was claimed that an incendiary device was being made in the house .
The summer of 1971 saw her on holidays with friends in Bundoran , County Donegal , away from the tension of Derry . August 9th saw the last ditch attempt to prop up the Northern State and Brian Faulkner with the introduction of internment - over 300 were interned . The violence escalated as a direct result of this action . Then on the last day of January 1972 , thirteen Civil Rights marchers were shot dead by the British Army in Derry . Three days later , 30,000 people turned up in Dublin for the burning of the British Embassy .
None of these events on their own was enough to entice Marion Coyle to join the Provos although people were queueing up to do so .......
(MORE LATER).
THE ARMALITE AND THE BALLOT BOX ....... " We have now established a sort of Republican veto . ......" Michael Farrell interviews Gerry Adams MP , vice-president of Sinn Fein . From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 , pages 13 , 14 , and 17 .
MICHAEL FARRELL : " The referendum on the anti-abortion amendment will probably be held soon . What will Sinn Fein do about it ? "
GERRY ADAMS MP : " Probably nothing . You're into the silly situation there where Sinn Fein does'nt recognise the constitution of the Free State and can hardly take a stand on amending it . I would be against the amendment . I think it's nonsense , introduced for party political advantage , and does'nt deal at all with the issues involved , the conditions which force women to seek abortions . "
MICHAEL FARRELL : " You have recently developed links with people like Ken Livingstone , the leader of the Greater London Council . How much importance do you place on the development of a solidarity movement in Britain ? "
GERRY ADAMS : " We see it as very important . We decided some years ago to do all we could to encourage the development of an anti-war movement in Britain even if some of the elements in it were there for chauvinist reasons like not wanting their soldiers killed in Ireland . Recently we have refined our attitude somewhat and we are making an effort to develop contacts with people with influence in the British Labour Party .
This is especially important with the Labour Party in disarray after its defeat in the elections . Ken Livingstone thinks there may be a big swing to the Left and the party might eventually come to power committed to withdrawing from Ireland . "
[END of ' THE ARMALITE AND THE BALLOT BOX '].
(Tomorrow : ' TO WESTMINSTER AND BACK - THE LIFE AND TIMES OF GERRY FITT' ; by Neil McCafferty , first published in 1983 .)
A MESSAGE OF HOPE TO OCCUPIED IRELAND . From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 8.(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
Proposing a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer and his staff , for the manner in which the election count had been conducted , Jim Dolan , Election Agent for John Joe Mac Fhearghaill said he wished to take the opportunity of paying a personal tribute to Mr. Devins who had been most helpful and co-operative to him as one who was not very familiar with electioneering . The Returning Officer and his staff had given him every facility and he deeply appreciated this .
He felt very proud that the people in Sligo and Leitrim had raised the Sinn Fein flag once again by returning John Joe Mac Fhearghaill at the head of the poll . This was something which , three weeks ago , many people thought an impossibility and that , in fact, John Joe Mac Fhearghaill would be very lucky to save his deposit . In less than a month's campaign it had been proved that the people of Sligo-Leitrim had returned Sinn Fein and this was a splendid tribute to the successful candidate and to the Republican Movement .
A month ago John Joe's name was unfamiliar in County Sligo but tonight he was known in every homestead in Sligo and Leitrim . History had been written again like in 1907 when Sinn Fein first raised its flag in North Leitrim .......
(MORE LATER).
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
A ROUGH DEAL .......
Ten years ago EDDIE GALLAGHER went to prison for his part in the kidnapping of TIEDE HERREMA . He is still there , even though he did a deal which promised him only four years in jail . His accomplice , MARION COYLE , has been released . DEREK DUNNE reports on GALLAGHER's maverick relationship with the IRA , on the negotiations which led to the release of TIEDE HERREMA and on the roots of GALLAGHER's involvement .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , January 1986 , pages 6 , 7 , 8, and 9 .
Eight people were sentenced to a total of seventy-one years for their part in the kidnap ; the three whom Gallagher and Coyle sought to get out of prison are long free . The only person remaining in prison from the entire affair is Eddie Gallagher .
Marion Coyle was not always a militant Republican : born in the Creggan in Derry in July 1954 , the sixth child of Johnnie and Susan Coyle . They owned a small shop and were relatively prosperous . She went to the (Catholic) Rosemount School and then to St. Mary's Intermediate ; at sixteen years of age , she went to the Municipal Technical College to study typing , shorthand and English .
There were by now twelve children in the Coyle household - nine boys and three girls . Marion Coyle worked in her parents' shop after school - she was generous to her friends and paid for them into dances when they did not have any money . She was not involved in politics but could hardly have been unaware of what was happening around her . One of her uncles was a steward at the Civil Rights marches then getting under-way .
Another of her relatives , Joe Coyle , a docker from the Bogside , was a staunch republican . By 1970 , the family had moved to the Duncreggan Estate . On June 26th , Bernadette Devlin was jailed for six months ; the arrest was badly timed and sparked off major riots in Derry - in the days following , eight people died and 200 were injured , fifty-four of those by gunshot wounds .......
(MORE LATER).
THE ARMALITE AND THE BALLOT BOX ....... " We have now established a sort of Republican veto . ......" Michael Farrell interviews Gerry Adams MP , vice-president of Sinn Fein . From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 , pages 13 , 14 , and 17 .
MICHAEL FARRELL : " There are rumours of discontent by more traditionalist elements in Sinn Fein at the emphasis on socialism and the increasing involvement in elections . Is there likely to be a backlash against this trend ? "
GERRY ADAMS MP : " The moves to radicalise the Movement have been won on the floor of the Ard Fheiseanna . There are people there certainly - and I think it's understandable given the history of Republican politics - who are opposed to involvement in what they call politics . What they are really opposed to is constitutionalism which I am equally opposed to .
I have found that once you explain things on the basis of the Proclamation saying the ownership of Ireland should belong to the people of Ireland and what Connolly and Pearse said , and how this should be updated by the nationalisation of major industries and how financiers and multinationals should'nt be allowed to suck the wealth out of Ireland , people start coming round .
I don't believe there are , in any significant numbers , ideological differences . I don't forsee any situation where , on the road to radicalising policies and strategies there would be a split . I think that some people might leave , as happened in the past ....... " ('1169...' Comment - The Ard Fheis in 1986 concerned itself with a lot more than simply 'radicalising policies and strategies .... ' : a section of those present attempted to steer Irish Republicanism on to a constitutional path by changing a principle of the Sinn Fein organisation , and formed a new entity with which to proceed on their 'new' path - Provisional Sinn Fein . They then registered their new grouping with Leinster House as a 'political party' . )
(MORE LATER).
PAST , PRESENT AND FUTURE : Thomas Davis , 'Essays' .
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 7.
(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].
Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
" And now , Englishmen , listen to us ! Though you were tomorrow to give us the best tenures on earth - though you were to equalise Presbyterian , Catholic and Episcopalian - though were to give us the amplest representation in your Senate - though you were to restore our absentees , disencumber us of your debt , and redress every one of our fiscal wrongs - and though , in addition to all this , you plundered the treasuries of the world to lay gold at our feet , and exhausted the resources of your genius to do us worship and honour : still we tell you , we tell you , in the names of liberty and country - we tell you , in the name of enthusiastic hearts , thoughtful souls , and fearless spirits - we tell you , by the past , the present , and the future , we would spurn your gifts , if the condition were that Ireland should remain a province .
We tell you , and all whom it may concern , come what may - bribery or deceit , justice , policy , or war - we tell you , in the name of Ireland , that Ireland shall be a Nation . "
[END of ' PAST , PRESENT AND FUTURE : Thomas Davis , 'Essays' ' ].
(Tomorrow - 'A MESSAGE OF HOPE TO OCCUPIED IRELAND').
Ten years ago EDDIE GALLAGHER went to prison for his part in the kidnapping of TIEDE HERREMA . He is still there , even though he did a deal which promised him only four years in jail . His accomplice , MARION COYLE , has been released . DEREK DUNNE reports on GALLAGHER's maverick relationship with the IRA , on the negotiations which led to the release of TIEDE HERREMA and on the roots of GALLAGHER's involvement .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , January 1986 , pages 6 , 7 , 8, and 9 .
Eight people were sentenced to a total of seventy-one years for their part in the kidnap ; the three whom Gallagher and Coyle sought to get out of prison are long free . The only person remaining in prison from the entire affair is Eddie Gallagher .
Marion Coyle was not always a militant Republican : born in the Creggan in Derry in July 1954 , the sixth child of Johnnie and Susan Coyle . They owned a small shop and were relatively prosperous . She went to the (Catholic) Rosemount School and then to St. Mary's Intermediate ; at sixteen years of age , she went to the Municipal Technical College to study typing , shorthand and English .
There were by now twelve children in the Coyle household - nine boys and three girls . Marion Coyle worked in her parents' shop after school - she was generous to her friends and paid for them into dances when they did not have any money . She was not involved in politics but could hardly have been unaware of what was happening around her . One of her uncles was a steward at the Civil Rights marches then getting under-way .
Another of her relatives , Joe Coyle , a docker from the Bogside , was a staunch republican . By 1970 , the family had moved to the Duncreggan Estate . On June 26th , Bernadette Devlin was jailed for six months ; the arrest was badly timed and sparked off major riots in Derry - in the days following , eight people died and 200 were injured , fifty-four of those by gunshot wounds .......
(MORE LATER).
THE ARMALITE AND THE BALLOT BOX ....... " We have now established a sort of Republican veto . ......" Michael Farrell interviews Gerry Adams MP , vice-president of Sinn Fein . From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 , pages 13 , 14 , and 17 .
MICHAEL FARRELL : " There are rumours of discontent by more traditionalist elements in Sinn Fein at the emphasis on socialism and the increasing involvement in elections . Is there likely to be a backlash against this trend ? "
GERRY ADAMS MP : " The moves to radicalise the Movement have been won on the floor of the Ard Fheiseanna . There are people there certainly - and I think it's understandable given the history of Republican politics - who are opposed to involvement in what they call politics . What they are really opposed to is constitutionalism which I am equally opposed to .
I have found that once you explain things on the basis of the Proclamation saying the ownership of Ireland should belong to the people of Ireland and what Connolly and Pearse said , and how this should be updated by the nationalisation of major industries and how financiers and multinationals should'nt be allowed to suck the wealth out of Ireland , people start coming round .
I don't believe there are , in any significant numbers , ideological differences . I don't forsee any situation where , on the road to radicalising policies and strategies there would be a split . I think that some people might leave , as happened in the past ....... " ('1169...' Comment - The Ard Fheis in 1986 concerned itself with a lot more than simply 'radicalising policies and strategies .... ' : a section of those present attempted to steer Irish Republicanism on to a constitutional path by changing a principle of the Sinn Fein organisation , and formed a new entity with which to proceed on their 'new' path - Provisional Sinn Fein . They then registered their new grouping with Leinster House as a 'political party' . )
(MORE LATER).
PAST , PRESENT AND FUTURE : Thomas Davis , 'Essays' .
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 7.
(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].
Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
" And now , Englishmen , listen to us ! Though you were tomorrow to give us the best tenures on earth - though you were to equalise Presbyterian , Catholic and Episcopalian - though were to give us the amplest representation in your Senate - though you were to restore our absentees , disencumber us of your debt , and redress every one of our fiscal wrongs - and though , in addition to all this , you plundered the treasuries of the world to lay gold at our feet , and exhausted the resources of your genius to do us worship and honour : still we tell you , we tell you , in the names of liberty and country - we tell you , in the name of enthusiastic hearts , thoughtful souls , and fearless spirits - we tell you , by the past , the present , and the future , we would spurn your gifts , if the condition were that Ireland should remain a province .
We tell you , and all whom it may concern , come what may - bribery or deceit , justice , policy , or war - we tell you , in the name of Ireland , that Ireland shall be a Nation . "
[END of ' PAST , PRESENT AND FUTURE : Thomas Davis , 'Essays' ' ].
(Tomorrow - 'A MESSAGE OF HOPE TO OCCUPIED IRELAND').
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
A ROUGH DEAL .
Ten years ago EDDIE GALLAGHER went to prison for his part in the kidnapping of TIEDE HERREMA . He is still there , even though he did a deal which promised him only four years in jail . His accomplice , MARION COYLE , has been released . DEREK DUNNE reports on GALLAGHER's maverick relationship with the IRA , on the negotiations which led to the release of TIEDE HERREMA and on the roots of GALLAGHER's involvement .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , January 1986 , pages 6 , 7 , 8, and 9 .
On December 20 last , Eddie Gallagher went on hunger strike in the Security Wing of Mountjoy Prison in Dublin in protest at the presence near-by of eight inmates who had anti-bodies to the AIDS virus in their blood . He then began to eat food but still refused anything that came from the prison kitchen .
Early in 1985 , Gallagher ended a 39-day fast in Portlaoise Prison after his condition became critical . At present , his sight is severely impaired .
Eddie Gallagher was sentenced to twenty years for his part in the Tiede Herrema kidnap in 1975 , and his accomplice Marion Coyle received fifteen years ; she was released last year (ie 1985) . A written undertaking given by the then Garda Commissioner , Edmund Garvey , that the two would serve no more than four and two years respectively , if Herrema was released unharmed , has not been honoured .
It was claimed that Gallagher and Coyle had broken the conditions of the agreement - that the agreement itself should not be disclosed except if it was not honoured , and that both prisoners should avoid " serious misconduct " in prison . Four successive (Free State) Ministers for Justice - Gerry Collins (FF) , Jim Mitchell (FG) , Sean Doherty (FF) and Michael Noonan (FG) - have refused to release Eddie Gallagher since 1979 . He has served six years more than he was originally promised .......
(MORE LATER).
THE ARMALITE AND THE BALLOT BOX ....... " We have now established a sort of Republican veto . ......" Michael Farrell interviews Gerry Adams MP , vice-president of Sinn Fein . From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 , pages 13 , 14 , and 17 .
MICHAEL FARRELL : " You devoted a large part of your recent Bodenstown speech to the need for Sinn Fein to develop new strategies in the South . There seemed to be a hint that you would contest Dail elections and that you might drop the traditional abstentionist policy . Is that so ? "
GERRY ADAMS MP : " We have not decided to stand for Leinster House . What I was saying at Bodenstown was that Republicans have to come up with a strategy which accepts the fact that most of the people in the 26 counties accept the Free State institution as legitimate . It is no use Republicans burying their heads in the sand and saying - although all these things are true - that it is a bastard State as a result of the Treaty and so on , if everyone else has a totally different view .
You can't develop a strategy without taking into account (1) the effects of the acceptance of the State institutions and (2) the effect an abstentionist policy by Republicans is going to have on that strategy . Sinn Fein does have a position , however , that we will not give recognition to Leinster House . I can't be pragmatic about that ; while that remains the position I will support it . ('1169....' Comment - it should be noted that Adams gave this interview in 1983 - three years later he was instrumental in leading a group out of the Republican Movement over this very issue . That group , Provisional Sinn Fein , is now a constitutional political party , and is similar in political outlook to the SDLP and Fianna Fail . Politically wealthy but morally bankrupt ... )
Essentially what I was trying to say was that you've got to take all these things into account and you can't proceed on the basis of what's happening in the North , on the basis of Sinn Fein being an IRA support group . You can't get support in Ballymun because of doors being kicked in by the Brits in Ballymurphy .
You've got to become a relevant political party with realistic policies which crystallise the disillusionment felt by people at the Thatcherite monetarist policies and the corruption by the Leinster House politicians ....... " ('1169...' Comment - What happens if you put what you believe to be 'good apples' in a barrel of bad apples ? Do the bad apples turn 'good' , or the 'good' apples turn bad ... ?)
(MORE LATER).
SEPARATIST MOVEMENT GROWS IN STRENGTH : analysis of recent General Election in the 26-Counties .......
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 7.
(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].
Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
In concluding this brief summary of the election results it is fitting that an expression of gratitude and sincere thanks be given to all those who assisted the Republican Movement during the election campaign . To all those who worked , who subscribed funds and who voted for the Republican candidates goes this simple expression of thanks for their generous support and willing co-operation .
Linked with this expression of thanks is an expression of hope for the future and confidence in the success of the Cause of Irish Freedom .
[END of ' SEPARATIST MOVEMENT GROWS IN STRENGTH : analysis of recent General Election in the 26-Counties'].
(Tomorrow : ' PAST , PRESENT AND FUTURE' - Thomas Davis , 'Essays').
Ten years ago EDDIE GALLAGHER went to prison for his part in the kidnapping of TIEDE HERREMA . He is still there , even though he did a deal which promised him only four years in jail . His accomplice , MARION COYLE , has been released . DEREK DUNNE reports on GALLAGHER's maverick relationship with the IRA , on the negotiations which led to the release of TIEDE HERREMA and on the roots of GALLAGHER's involvement .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , January 1986 , pages 6 , 7 , 8, and 9 .
On December 20 last , Eddie Gallagher went on hunger strike in the Security Wing of Mountjoy Prison in Dublin in protest at the presence near-by of eight inmates who had anti-bodies to the AIDS virus in their blood . He then began to eat food but still refused anything that came from the prison kitchen .
Early in 1985 , Gallagher ended a 39-day fast in Portlaoise Prison after his condition became critical . At present , his sight is severely impaired .
Eddie Gallagher was sentenced to twenty years for his part in the Tiede Herrema kidnap in 1975 , and his accomplice Marion Coyle received fifteen years ; she was released last year (ie 1985) . A written undertaking given by the then Garda Commissioner , Edmund Garvey , that the two would serve no more than four and two years respectively , if Herrema was released unharmed , has not been honoured .
It was claimed that Gallagher and Coyle had broken the conditions of the agreement - that the agreement itself should not be disclosed except if it was not honoured , and that both prisoners should avoid " serious misconduct " in prison . Four successive (Free State) Ministers for Justice - Gerry Collins (FF) , Jim Mitchell (FG) , Sean Doherty (FF) and Michael Noonan (FG) - have refused to release Eddie Gallagher since 1979 . He has served six years more than he was originally promised .......
(MORE LATER).
THE ARMALITE AND THE BALLOT BOX ....... " We have now established a sort of Republican veto . ......" Michael Farrell interviews Gerry Adams MP , vice-president of Sinn Fein . From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 , pages 13 , 14 , and 17 .
MICHAEL FARRELL : " You devoted a large part of your recent Bodenstown speech to the need for Sinn Fein to develop new strategies in the South . There seemed to be a hint that you would contest Dail elections and that you might drop the traditional abstentionist policy . Is that so ? "
GERRY ADAMS MP : " We have not decided to stand for Leinster House . What I was saying at Bodenstown was that Republicans have to come up with a strategy which accepts the fact that most of the people in the 26 counties accept the Free State institution as legitimate . It is no use Republicans burying their heads in the sand and saying - although all these things are true - that it is a bastard State as a result of the Treaty and so on , if everyone else has a totally different view .
You can't develop a strategy without taking into account (1) the effects of the acceptance of the State institutions and (2) the effect an abstentionist policy by Republicans is going to have on that strategy . Sinn Fein does have a position , however , that we will not give recognition to Leinster House . I can't be pragmatic about that ; while that remains the position I will support it . ('1169....' Comment - it should be noted that Adams gave this interview in 1983 - three years later he was instrumental in leading a group out of the Republican Movement over this very issue . That group , Provisional Sinn Fein , is now a constitutional political party , and is similar in political outlook to the SDLP and Fianna Fail . Politically wealthy but morally bankrupt ... )
Essentially what I was trying to say was that you've got to take all these things into account and you can't proceed on the basis of what's happening in the North , on the basis of Sinn Fein being an IRA support group . You can't get support in Ballymun because of doors being kicked in by the Brits in Ballymurphy .
You've got to become a relevant political party with realistic policies which crystallise the disillusionment felt by people at the Thatcherite monetarist policies and the corruption by the Leinster House politicians ....... " ('1169...' Comment - What happens if you put what you believe to be 'good apples' in a barrel of bad apples ? Do the bad apples turn 'good' , or the 'good' apples turn bad ... ?)
(MORE LATER).
SEPARATIST MOVEMENT GROWS IN STRENGTH : analysis of recent General Election in the 26-Counties .......
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 7.
(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].
Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
In concluding this brief summary of the election results it is fitting that an expression of gratitude and sincere thanks be given to all those who assisted the Republican Movement during the election campaign . To all those who worked , who subscribed funds and who voted for the Republican candidates goes this simple expression of thanks for their generous support and willing co-operation .
Linked with this expression of thanks is an expression of hope for the future and confidence in the success of the Cause of Irish Freedom .
[END of ' SEPARATIST MOVEMENT GROWS IN STRENGTH : analysis of recent General Election in the 26-Counties'].
(Tomorrow : ' PAST , PRESENT AND FUTURE' - Thomas Davis , 'Essays').
A ROUGH DEAL .
Ten years ago EDDIE GALLAGHER went to prison for his part in the kidnapping of TIEDE HERREMA . He is still there , even though he did a deal which promised him only four years in jail . His accomplice , MARION COYLE , has been released . DEREK DUNNE reports on GALLAGHER's maverick relationship with the IRA , on the negotiations which led to the release of TIEDE HERREMA and on the roots of GALLAGHER's involvement .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , January 1986 , pages 6 , 7 , 8, and 9 .
On December 20 last , Eddie Gallagher went on hunger strike in the Security Wing of Mountjoy Prison in Dublin in protest at the presence near-by of eight inmates who had anti-bodies to the AIDS virus in their blood . He then began to eat food but still refused anything that came from the prison kitchen .
Early in 1985 , Gallagher ended a 39-day fast in Portlaoise Prison after his condition became critical . At present , his sight is severely impaired .
Eddie Gallagher was sentenced to twenty years for his part in the Tiede Herrema kidnap in 1975 , and his accomplice Marion Coyle received fifteen years ; she was released last year (ie 1985) . A written undertaking given by the then Garda Commissioner , Edmund Garvey , that the two would serve no more than four and two years respectively , if Herrema was released unharmed , has not been honoured .
It was claimed that Gallagher and Coyle had broken the conditions of the agreement - that the agreement itself should not be disclosed except if it was not honoured , and that both prisoners should avoid " serious misconduct " in prison . Four successive (Free State) Ministers for Justice - Gerry Collins (FF) , Jim Mitchell (FG) , Sean Doherty (FF) and Michael Noonan (FG) - have refused to release Eddie Gallagher since 1979 . He has served six years more than he was originally promised .......
(MORE LATER).
THE ARMALITE AND THE BALLOT BOX ....... " We have now established a sort of Republican veto . ......" Michael Farrell interviews Gerry Adams MP , vice-president of Sinn Fein . From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 , pages 13 , 14 , and 17 .
MICHAEL FARRELL : " You devoted a large part of your recent Bodenstown speech to the need for Sinn Fein to develop new strategies in the South . There seemed to be a hint that you would contest Dail elections and that you might drop the traditional abstentionist policy . Is that so ? "
GERRY ADAMS MP : " We have not decided to stand for Leinster House . What I was saying at Bodenstown was that Republicans have to come up with a strategy which accepts the fact that most of the people in the 26 counties accept the Free State institution as legitimate . It is no use Republicans burying their heads in the sand and saying - although all these things are true - that it is a bastard State as a result of the Treaty and so on , if everyone else has a totally different view .
You can't develop a strategy without taking into account (1) the effects of the acceptance of the State institutions and (2) the effect an abstentionist policy by Republicans is going to have on that strategy . Sinn Fein does have a position , however , that we will not give recognition to Leinster House . I can't be pragmatic about that ; while that remains the position I will support it . ('1169....' Comment - it should be noted that Adams gave this interview in 1983 - three years later he was instrumental in leading a group out of the Republican Movement over this very issue . That group , Provisional Sinn Fein , is now a constitutional political party , and is similar in political outlook to the SDLP and Fianna Fail . Politically wealthy but morally bankrupt ... )
Essentially what I was trying to say was that you've got to take all these things into account and you can't proceed on the basis of what's happening in the North , on the basis of Sinn Fein being an IRA support group . You can't get support in Ballymun because of doors being kicked in by the Brits in Ballymurphy .
You've got to become a relevant political party with realistic policies which crystallise the disillusionment felt by people at the Thatcherite monetarist policies and the corruption by the Leinster House politicians ....... " ('1169...' Comment - What happens if you put what you believe to be 'good apples' in a barrel of bad apples ? Do the bad apples turn 'good' , or the 'good' apples turn bad ... ?)
(MORE LATER).
SEPARATIST MOVEMENT GROWS IN STRENGTH : analysis of recent General Election in the 26-Counties .......
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 7.
(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].
Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
In concluding this brief summary of the election results it is fitting that an expression of gratitude and sincere thanks be given to all those who assisted the Republican Movement during the election campaign . To all those who worked , who subscribed funds and who voted for the Republican candidates goes this simple expression of thanks for their generous support and willing co-operation .
Linked with this expression of thanks is an expression of hope for the future and confidence in the success of the Cause of Irish Freedom .
<
b>[END of ' SEPARATIST MOVEMENT GROWS IN STRENGTH : analysis of recent General Election in the 26-Counties'].
(Tomorrow : ' PAST , PRESENT AND FUTURE' - Thomas Davis , 'Essays').
Ten years ago EDDIE GALLAGHER went to prison for his part in the kidnapping of TIEDE HERREMA . He is still there , even though he did a deal which promised him only four years in jail . His accomplice , MARION COYLE , has been released . DEREK DUNNE reports on GALLAGHER's maverick relationship with the IRA , on the negotiations which led to the release of TIEDE HERREMA and on the roots of GALLAGHER's involvement .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , January 1986 , pages 6 , 7 , 8, and 9 .
On December 20 last , Eddie Gallagher went on hunger strike in the Security Wing of Mountjoy Prison in Dublin in protest at the presence near-by of eight inmates who had anti-bodies to the AIDS virus in their blood . He then began to eat food but still refused anything that came from the prison kitchen .
Early in 1985 , Gallagher ended a 39-day fast in Portlaoise Prison after his condition became critical . At present , his sight is severely impaired .
Eddie Gallagher was sentenced to twenty years for his part in the Tiede Herrema kidnap in 1975 , and his accomplice Marion Coyle received fifteen years ; she was released last year (ie 1985) . A written undertaking given by the then Garda Commissioner , Edmund Garvey , that the two would serve no more than four and two years respectively , if Herrema was released unharmed , has not been honoured .
It was claimed that Gallagher and Coyle had broken the conditions of the agreement - that the agreement itself should not be disclosed except if it was not honoured , and that both prisoners should avoid " serious misconduct " in prison . Four successive (Free State) Ministers for Justice - Gerry Collins (FF) , Jim Mitchell (FG) , Sean Doherty (FF) and Michael Noonan (FG) - have refused to release Eddie Gallagher since 1979 . He has served six years more than he was originally promised .......
(MORE LATER).
THE ARMALITE AND THE BALLOT BOX ....... " We have now established a sort of Republican veto . ......" Michael Farrell interviews Gerry Adams MP , vice-president of Sinn Fein . From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 , pages 13 , 14 , and 17 .
MICHAEL FARRELL : " You devoted a large part of your recent Bodenstown speech to the need for Sinn Fein to develop new strategies in the South . There seemed to be a hint that you would contest Dail elections and that you might drop the traditional abstentionist policy . Is that so ? "
GERRY ADAMS MP : " We have not decided to stand for Leinster House . What I was saying at Bodenstown was that Republicans have to come up with a strategy which accepts the fact that most of the people in the 26 counties accept the Free State institution as legitimate . It is no use Republicans burying their heads in the sand and saying - although all these things are true - that it is a bastard State as a result of the Treaty and so on , if everyone else has a totally different view .
You can't develop a strategy without taking into account (1) the effects of the acceptance of the State institutions and (2) the effect an abstentionist policy by Republicans is going to have on that strategy . Sinn Fein does have a position , however , that we will not give recognition to Leinster House . I can't be pragmatic about that ; while that remains the position I will support it . ('1169....' Comment - it should be noted that Adams gave this interview in 1983 - three years later he was instrumental in leading a group out of the Republican Movement over this very issue . That group , Provisional Sinn Fein , is now a constitutional political party , and is similar in political outlook to the SDLP and Fianna Fail . Politically wealthy but morally bankrupt ... )
Essentially what I was trying to say was that you've got to take all these things into account and you can't proceed on the basis of what's happening in the North , on the basis of Sinn Fein being an IRA support group . You can't get support in Ballymun because of doors being kicked in by the Brits in Ballymurphy .
You've got to become a relevant political party with realistic policies which crystallise the disillusionment felt by people at the Thatcherite monetarist policies and the corruption by the Leinster House politicians ....... " ('1169...' Comment - What happens if you put what you believe to be 'good apples' in a barrel of bad apples ? Do the bad apples turn 'good' , or the 'good' apples turn bad ... ?)
(MORE LATER).
SEPARATIST MOVEMENT GROWS IN STRENGTH : analysis of recent General Election in the 26-Counties .......
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 7.
(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].
Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
In concluding this brief summary of the election results it is fitting that an expression of gratitude and sincere thanks be given to all those who assisted the Republican Movement during the election campaign . To all those who worked , who subscribed funds and who voted for the Republican candidates goes this simple expression of thanks for their generous support and willing co-operation .
Linked with this expression of thanks is an expression of hope for the future and confidence in the success of the Cause of Irish Freedom .
<
b>[END of ' SEPARATIST MOVEMENT GROWS IN STRENGTH : analysis of recent General Election in the 26-Counties'].
(Tomorrow : ' PAST , PRESENT AND FUTURE' - Thomas Davis , 'Essays').
Monday, May 09, 2005
FIVE DAYS IN AN IRA TRAINING CAMP .......
From the moment a new recruit enters the Irish Republican Army he or she undergoes a rigorous and intensive training to assess the individual Volunteer's level of commitment , general ability and particular aptitudes . After the initial recruitment lectures , this period includes training in personal security and anti-interrogation , basic intelligence work , political education - and of course training in the use of weapons . In this supplied article , a Volunteer in the IRA's Belfast Brigade describes his experience of taking part in an IRA training camp .
From 'IRIS' magazine , November 1983 , pages 39 , 40 , 41 , 42, 43 , 44 and 45 .
... day 5 ..
Back in the draughty bedroom where we started out from - waiting for the morning and the return journey .
What happens next ? More training camps perhaps . Into an IRA Operational Unit hopefully , to put what we've learned into effect . Our experience of an IRA Training Camp , tiring but enjoyable and completely functional , has made two things clear :
One is that however long the British Army takes to train its mercenary squaddies for combat , they can never be as well-prepared both politically and psychologically , or so highly motivated , as Irish Republican soldiers (and in most cases no better trained in any military sense) .
The other is that for as long as British occupation continues , the IRA will retain the organisational ability and ingenuity to ensure that , no matter how many Republicans are killed or imprisoned , there will never be any shortage of trained Volunteers to spearhead the revolutionary warfare of the IRA !
('1169...' Comment : that "... revolutionary warfare .. " now pretends to manifest itself in British-imposed 'parliaments' on this island - Leinster House and Stormont . And the suits fit even better than the combat fatigues ever did ....)
[END of ' FIVE DAYS IN AN IRA TRAINING CAMP'].
(Tomorrow - ' A ROUGH DEAL' : Tiede Herrema Kidnap).
THE ARMALITE AND THE BALLOT BOX .......
" We have now established a sort of Republican veto . ......"
Michael Farrell interviews Gerry Adams MP , vice-president of Sinn Fein .
From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 , pages 13 , 14 , and 17 .
MICHAEL FARRELL : " Sinn Fein appears to have moved a lot to the Left in recent times and talks a lot about socialism , the working class and the rights of women . What are you doing to put all this into practice ? "
GERRY ADAMS MP : " There have been a number of problems . Republicans , especially in the 26 counties , compartmentalise their activities a lot . I have found many Republicans who have been active trade unionists for years at shop-steward or trades council level but who make a distinction between their trade union activity and for example selling 'An Phoblacht' .
We have established a trade union department which brings Republican trade unionists together and tries to get them to integrate their trade union activities and their Republicanism . We have a lot of trade union members now but we are years behind the Workers' Party in this and have nothing like their position in the unions . But their influence may not be so great in the long run because they have grafted themselves onto the unions , they are not springing up from the bottom of the labour movement .
We have a department of women's affairs going for about two and a half years . It would see its role as politicising women Republicans to fight for their rights as women and politicising male Republicans to support equality for women . It is not a feminist department though there are some strong feminists in it . They are involved in working as Republicans in women's centres , rape crisis centres and so on , North and South .
To be frank , it is only in the last few years that we have begun to treat women's affairs in a political way and we do stand open to criticism on that issue ....... "
(MORE LATER).
SEPARATIST MOVEMENT GROWS IN STRENGTH : analysis of recent General Election in the 26-Counties .......
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 7.
(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].
Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
There are some grounds for the belief that quite a substantial number of the electorate voted for the party from which the new Government emerges simply because the outgoing government had employed coercive measures against members of the Republican Movement .
The new government has in effect been elected on an anti-government vote ; the electors expressed their objection to the imprisonment of Republicans who deemed it a duty to assist their fellowmen in the Six Counties in their present effort to free themselves from English rule and aggression .
Whilst this block of the electorate recorded it's objection to the arrest and imprisonment of members of the Republican Movement it is not unreasonable to assume that its support was given to the party forming the new Government in the firm belief and in the hope that coercion and imprisonment of Republicans would cease .......
(MORE LATER).
( ' Pagdorf ' - Thank you for the visit : your heart is definately in the right place , as are you - a potential unknown 'virus' in that body area you mentioned could prove invaluable , as you said . Hopefully it won't come to that , but it is comforting to know that there are those in your position that understand . Slan go foill , a Chara : stay in touch if you can . Sharon . )
From the moment a new recruit enters the Irish Republican Army he or she undergoes a rigorous and intensive training to assess the individual Volunteer's level of commitment , general ability and particular aptitudes . After the initial recruitment lectures , this period includes training in personal security and anti-interrogation , basic intelligence work , political education - and of course training in the use of weapons . In this supplied article , a Volunteer in the IRA's Belfast Brigade describes his experience of taking part in an IRA training camp .
From 'IRIS' magazine , November 1983 , pages 39 , 40 , 41 , 42, 43 , 44 and 45 .
... day 5 ..
Back in the draughty bedroom where we started out from - waiting for the morning and the return journey .
What happens next ? More training camps perhaps . Into an IRA Operational Unit hopefully , to put what we've learned into effect . Our experience of an IRA Training Camp , tiring but enjoyable and completely functional , has made two things clear :
One is that however long the British Army takes to train its mercenary squaddies for combat , they can never be as well-prepared both politically and psychologically , or so highly motivated , as Irish Republican soldiers (and in most cases no better trained in any military sense) .
The other is that for as long as British occupation continues , the IRA will retain the organisational ability and ingenuity to ensure that , no matter how many Republicans are killed or imprisoned , there will never be any shortage of trained Volunteers to spearhead the revolutionary warfare of the IRA !
('1169...' Comment : that "... revolutionary warfare .. " now pretends to manifest itself in British-imposed 'parliaments' on this island - Leinster House and Stormont . And the suits fit even better than the combat fatigues ever did ....)
[END of ' FIVE DAYS IN AN IRA TRAINING CAMP'].
(Tomorrow - ' A ROUGH DEAL' : Tiede Herrema Kidnap).
THE ARMALITE AND THE BALLOT BOX .......
" We have now established a sort of Republican veto . ......"
Michael Farrell interviews Gerry Adams MP , vice-president of Sinn Fein .
From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 , pages 13 , 14 , and 17 .
MICHAEL FARRELL : " Sinn Fein appears to have moved a lot to the Left in recent times and talks a lot about socialism , the working class and the rights of women . What are you doing to put all this into practice ? "
GERRY ADAMS MP : " There have been a number of problems . Republicans , especially in the 26 counties , compartmentalise their activities a lot . I have found many Republicans who have been active trade unionists for years at shop-steward or trades council level but who make a distinction between their trade union activity and for example selling 'An Phoblacht' .
We have established a trade union department which brings Republican trade unionists together and tries to get them to integrate their trade union activities and their Republicanism . We have a lot of trade union members now but we are years behind the Workers' Party in this and have nothing like their position in the unions . But their influence may not be so great in the long run because they have grafted themselves onto the unions , they are not springing up from the bottom of the labour movement .
We have a department of women's affairs going for about two and a half years . It would see its role as politicising women Republicans to fight for their rights as women and politicising male Republicans to support equality for women . It is not a feminist department though there are some strong feminists in it . They are involved in working as Republicans in women's centres , rape crisis centres and so on , North and South .
To be frank , it is only in the last few years that we have begun to treat women's affairs in a political way and we do stand open to criticism on that issue ....... "
(MORE LATER).
SEPARATIST MOVEMENT GROWS IN STRENGTH : analysis of recent General Election in the 26-Counties .......
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 7.
(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].
Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
There are some grounds for the belief that quite a substantial number of the electorate voted for the party from which the new Government emerges simply because the outgoing government had employed coercive measures against members of the Republican Movement .
The new government has in effect been elected on an anti-government vote ; the electors expressed their objection to the imprisonment of Republicans who deemed it a duty to assist their fellowmen in the Six Counties in their present effort to free themselves from English rule and aggression .
Whilst this block of the electorate recorded it's objection to the arrest and imprisonment of members of the Republican Movement it is not unreasonable to assume that its support was given to the party forming the new Government in the firm belief and in the hope that coercion and imprisonment of Republicans would cease .......
(MORE LATER).
( ' Pagdorf ' - Thank you for the visit : your heart is definately in the right place , as are you - a potential unknown 'virus' in that body area you mentioned could prove invaluable , as you said . Hopefully it won't come to that , but it is comforting to know that there are those in your position that understand . Slan go foill , a Chara : stay in touch if you can . Sharon . )
Friday, May 06, 2005
FIVE DAYS IN AN IRA TRAINING CAMP .......
From the moment a new recruit enters the Irish Republican Army he or she undergoes a rigorous and intensive training to assess the individual Volunteer's level of commitment , general ability and particular aptitudes . After the initial recruitment lectures , this period includes training in personal security and anti-interrogation , basic intelligence work , political education - and of course training in the use of weapons . In this supplied article , a Volunteer in the IRA's Belfast Brigade describes his experience of taking part in an IRA training camp .
From 'IRIS' magazine , November 1983 , pages 39 , 40 , 41 , 42, 43 , 44 and 45 .
... day 5 ..
It's now early evening - time to get ready to leave . A lengthy process which involves once again stripping , cleaning and oiling the weapons before they're taken away to be buried in an arms dump . Once we leave there'll be little evidence that the farmhouse has been occupied recently , until the next training camp begins .
We all strip and clean too ( no oiling for us , just a bit of frog spawn in the shampoo rinse !) ; we don't anticipate any problems on our way back from the IRA training camp but we want to get rid of forensic evidence that we've been in contact with firearms .
A car pulls up outside , its lights switched off as it approaches , and we're ready to go . Hurried goodbyes - " See you again ." "Good luck ." Squashed up on the floor of the car (again !) , this time unarmed and in civilian clothes . Another series of cars and detours . Back in the draughy bedroom waiting for the morning and the return journey .......
(MORE LATER).
THE ARMALITE AND THE BALLOT BOX .......
" We have now established a sort of Republican veto . ......"
Michael Farrell interviews Gerry Adams MP , vice-president of Sinn Fein .
From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 , pages 13 , 14 , and 17 .
MICHAEL FARRELL : " What are your short and medium-term objectives in the North ? "
GERRY ADAMS MP : " We want to consolidate and strengthen our organisation . The Westminster election took us into some completely new areas and showed up other areas where we were weak . We want to build up our organisation there . We are planning for the next local elections in 1985 when we can probably win the balance of power on a number of councils , certainly Derry City Council , and we will contest by-elections which may be coming up .
We have not yet decided our attitude to the EEC elections - whether to stand and whether to say we would take seats - but I think our vote could be increased there . We found , especially in the rural areas , that we can eat into the SDLP vote . Our longer term objective is to become the majority nationalist party as well as , of course, making considerable inroads in the 26 counties . "
MICHAEL FARRELL : " Even if you do replace the SDLP as the majority nationalist party you will still be left with the Protestant population . What is your attitude to them ? Do you accept that you have to win the consent of at least some of them to a united Ireland ? "
GERRY ADAMS MP : " The Unionist working class have no great reason to move away from their present position . The sectarian divisions are caused and maintained by the British ; they have marginal privileges and the Unionist ruling class have significant privileges . You have to get rid of the prop which causes the sectarianism and in that new situation working class unity can be built . It would be preferable , but I don't think it is possible , to win Unionist consent to break the British connection .
We have to break the loyalist veto . But I don't think it would be possible to build a democratic socialist republic without the consent of all the people , including what would then be ex-Unionists ....... "
(MORE LATER).
SEPARATIST MOVEMENT GROWS IN STRENGTH : analysis of recent General Election in the 26-Counties .......
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 7.
(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].
Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
Had all 40 Constituencies been contested by our candidates it seems reasonable to assume that the over-all average reached in the 19 contested constituencies would also have been secured in all of the 40 constituencies . This would have given a result of approximately 140,000 which , coupled with the vote of over 152,000 obtained by candidates of the Republican Movement within the Six Counties in the last General Election to Westminster indicates a very practical and satisfactory demonstration of a national resurgence that gives hope for the ultimate success of the Cause of Ireland's liberation from English aggression .
There are several aspects of the election results to which attention could be drawn in the analysis of the first preference figures ; the purpose of this brief survey is not an attempt to examine those figures in detail . From an electorate of 1,738,278 the party forming the Government received a total of 591,994 first preference votes . In view of this piquant situation it will be particularly pointless for spokesmen of the Government to harp about a minority seeking to impose its will on the people of Ireland .
From past experience it may be anticipated that this minority Government will use the resources at its disposal to impose its will on the citizens of the 26 Counties ; that it will continue to use military and police forces of the State in alignment with the British occupation forces in the Six Counties in a combined attempt to prevent Irishmen and Irishwomen from continuing the struggle for Ireland's independence is also to be expected .......
(MORE LATER).
(Re the 'Lyons/Hathaway' query : I can only suggest you enter those names in the 'GOOGLE' searchbox on this blog ; other than that , I can only wish you 'Good Luck' in your search . Sorry ! - Sharon .)
From the moment a new recruit enters the Irish Republican Army he or she undergoes a rigorous and intensive training to assess the individual Volunteer's level of commitment , general ability and particular aptitudes . After the initial recruitment lectures , this period includes training in personal security and anti-interrogation , basic intelligence work , political education - and of course training in the use of weapons . In this supplied article , a Volunteer in the IRA's Belfast Brigade describes his experience of taking part in an IRA training camp .
From 'IRIS' magazine , November 1983 , pages 39 , 40 , 41 , 42, 43 , 44 and 45 .
... day 5 ..
It's now early evening - time to get ready to leave . A lengthy process which involves once again stripping , cleaning and oiling the weapons before they're taken away to be buried in an arms dump . Once we leave there'll be little evidence that the farmhouse has been occupied recently , until the next training camp begins .
We all strip and clean too ( no oiling for us , just a bit of frog spawn in the shampoo rinse !) ; we don't anticipate any problems on our way back from the IRA training camp but we want to get rid of forensic evidence that we've been in contact with firearms .
A car pulls up outside , its lights switched off as it approaches , and we're ready to go . Hurried goodbyes - " See you again ." "Good luck ." Squashed up on the floor of the car (again !) , this time unarmed and in civilian clothes . Another series of cars and detours . Back in the draughy bedroom waiting for the morning and the return journey .......
(MORE LATER).
THE ARMALITE AND THE BALLOT BOX .......
" We have now established a sort of Republican veto . ......"
Michael Farrell interviews Gerry Adams MP , vice-president of Sinn Fein .
From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 , pages 13 , 14 , and 17 .
MICHAEL FARRELL : " What are your short and medium-term objectives in the North ? "
GERRY ADAMS MP : " We want to consolidate and strengthen our organisation . The Westminster election took us into some completely new areas and showed up other areas where we were weak . We want to build up our organisation there . We are planning for the next local elections in 1985 when we can probably win the balance of power on a number of councils , certainly Derry City Council , and we will contest by-elections which may be coming up .
We have not yet decided our attitude to the EEC elections - whether to stand and whether to say we would take seats - but I think our vote could be increased there . We found , especially in the rural areas , that we can eat into the SDLP vote . Our longer term objective is to become the majority nationalist party as well as , of course, making considerable inroads in the 26 counties . "
MICHAEL FARRELL : " Even if you do replace the SDLP as the majority nationalist party you will still be left with the Protestant population . What is your attitude to them ? Do you accept that you have to win the consent of at least some of them to a united Ireland ? "
GERRY ADAMS MP : " The Unionist working class have no great reason to move away from their present position . The sectarian divisions are caused and maintained by the British ; they have marginal privileges and the Unionist ruling class have significant privileges . You have to get rid of the prop which causes the sectarianism and in that new situation working class unity can be built . It would be preferable , but I don't think it is possible , to win Unionist consent to break the British connection .
We have to break the loyalist veto . But I don't think it would be possible to build a democratic socialist republic without the consent of all the people , including what would then be ex-Unionists ....... "
(MORE LATER).
SEPARATIST MOVEMENT GROWS IN STRENGTH : analysis of recent General Election in the 26-Counties .......
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 7.
(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].
Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
Had all 40 Constituencies been contested by our candidates it seems reasonable to assume that the over-all average reached in the 19 contested constituencies would also have been secured in all of the 40 constituencies . This would have given a result of approximately 140,000 which , coupled with the vote of over 152,000 obtained by candidates of the Republican Movement within the Six Counties in the last General Election to Westminster indicates a very practical and satisfactory demonstration of a national resurgence that gives hope for the ultimate success of the Cause of Ireland's liberation from English aggression .
There are several aspects of the election results to which attention could be drawn in the analysis of the first preference figures ; the purpose of this brief survey is not an attempt to examine those figures in detail . From an electorate of 1,738,278 the party forming the Government received a total of 591,994 first preference votes . In view of this piquant situation it will be particularly pointless for spokesmen of the Government to harp about a minority seeking to impose its will on the people of Ireland .
From past experience it may be anticipated that this minority Government will use the resources at its disposal to impose its will on the citizens of the 26 Counties ; that it will continue to use military and police forces of the State in alignment with the British occupation forces in the Six Counties in a combined attempt to prevent Irishmen and Irishwomen from continuing the struggle for Ireland's independence is also to be expected .......
(MORE LATER).
(Re the 'Lyons/Hathaway' query : I can only suggest you enter those names in the 'GOOGLE' searchbox on this blog ; other than that , I can only wish you 'Good Luck' in your search . Sorry ! - Sharon .)
Thursday, May 05, 2005
FIVE DAYS IN AN IRA TRAINING CAMP ....... From the moment a new recruit enters the Irish Republican Army he or she undergoes a rigorous and intensive training to assess the individual Volunteer's level of commitment , general ability and particular aptitudes . After the initial recruitment lectures , this period includes training in personal security and anti-interrogation , basic intelligence work , political education - and of course training in the use of weapons . In this supplied article , a Volunteer in the IRA's Belfast Brigade describes his experience of taking part in an IRA training camp . From 'IRIS' magazine , November 1983 , pages 39 , 40 , 41 , 42, 43 , 44 and 45 .
...day 5 ..
Back to work in the afternoon , talking about other aspects of an IRA Volunteer's work (other than firing a gun , that is ) . The first topic is Operational Intelligence , how to build up patterns of the enemy's movements , and to develop initial sources of intelligence to identify potential targets . Then we itemise the actual planning of an operation : the 'run-back' deployment of personnel , limiting their involvement to the 'need-to-know' , the use of houses and vehicles , the choice of weapons , and so on .
We discuss the need to cover every contingency for what may go wrong in the original plan of operation , the need for personal security , how informers utilise loose-talk , and how to maximise the anonymity and operational independence of an IRA Active Service Unit .
Finally , we discuss the all-important topic of building popular confidence in the integrity and professionalism of the IRA and its Volunteers , to the extent where sympathetic civilians are prepared to help in some aspect of military activity or to increase the level of their assistance . This covers areas such as providing safe houses for arms dumps , houses from which to group before an operation and to return to afterwards , meeting houses , call houses , wash houses (for use after firing/handling weapons) , grub houses , snippets of local intelligence on the enemy etc .
The list of possible assistance is endless , and includes of course the equally valuable non-military help which civilians can provide the Republican struggle with . It's now early evening ; time to get ready to leave .......
(MORE LATER).
THE ARMALITE AND THE BALLOT BOX ....... " We have now established a sort of Republican veto . ......" Michael Farrell interviews Gerry Adams MP , vice-president of Sinn Fein . From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 , pages 13 , 14 , and 17 .
... MICHAEL FARRELL asked : " What is your strategy now ? Will your success in the elections affect the balance between political and military action by the Republican Movement ? "
...GERRY ADAMS MP replied : " ... we have now established a sort of Republican veto which I believe will grow . And we want to politicise our own organisation . I don't think the election will make a big difference to the IRA's tactics . Although there have unfortunately been some exceptions over the last few weeks , the IRA has for some time been adopting more discriminating tactics , has been a bit more refined in its tactics . It is up to them to learn the lessons from the application of armed struggle .
I would be confident that if the IRA continue to refine their operations and make sure they have the maximum propaganda and political effect , there won't be any conflict between what they're doing and what we're doing . I think over the last few years the lessons of the previous period - the need for control , the need for a change in tactics , the need to militarise the war , to concentrate against the British , the RUC , and the UDR - have been learned by the IRA . "
MICHAEL FARRELL : " Revolutionary movements which use force usually argue that it is made necessary because political action is closed to them . Sinn Fein has been able to take political action very successfully recently . How does that , in your view, affect the justification for the use of force ? "
GERRY ADAMS MP : " It does'nt . I believe the use of force in the six counties is justified by the British presence . They don't give people much choice . At the end of the day they won't be argued or talked out ; a Movement that wants them out will either have to use force or the threat of force . " ('1169 ... ' Comment - at the time that Adams made that statement , Westminster claimed jurisdiction over our six north-eastern counties ; today , 22 years later , Westminster STILL claims jurisdiction over those same six counties . But "the use of force , or the threat of force " to remove that jurisdictional claim is no longer justified , according to Adams and his supporters . Why ? We suggest it is because , as Liam Mellows predicted in the Treaty debate , on 4th January 1922 - " Men will get into positions , men will hold power , and men who get into positions and hold power will desire to remain undisturbed and will not want to be removed . " That is the only context in which we would use Adams' name , and that of Liam Mellows , in the same sentence . And even that hurts . )
(MORE LATER).
SEPARATIST MOVEMENT GROWS IN STRENGTH : analysis of recent General Election in the 26-Counties . From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 7.(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
The General Election in the 26 Counties State is over ; the Republican Movement is justly proud of the support given to its candidates . Some optimists may have hoped for better results in some of the constituencies contested . With a little more time and better organisation such hopes could have been realised .
However , when it is borne in mind that the spokesmen of the Republican Movement did not enter the ' political auction mart ' to bid for the votes of the electorate ; and that the policy and programme of the Republican Movement is based on the National plane , rather than the selfish and party plane of the political parties , the total of almost 66,000 first preference votes is a result most gratifying to those who love Ireland .
The total first preference votes cast in favour of the candidates of the Republican Movement gives an average of approximately 3,500 for the 19 Constituencies contested .......
(MORE LATER).
...day 5 ..
Back to work in the afternoon , talking about other aspects of an IRA Volunteer's work (other than firing a gun , that is ) . The first topic is Operational Intelligence , how to build up patterns of the enemy's movements , and to develop initial sources of intelligence to identify potential targets . Then we itemise the actual planning of an operation : the 'run-back' deployment of personnel , limiting their involvement to the 'need-to-know' , the use of houses and vehicles , the choice of weapons , and so on .
We discuss the need to cover every contingency for what may go wrong in the original plan of operation , the need for personal security , how informers utilise loose-talk , and how to maximise the anonymity and operational independence of an IRA Active Service Unit .
Finally , we discuss the all-important topic of building popular confidence in the integrity and professionalism of the IRA and its Volunteers , to the extent where sympathetic civilians are prepared to help in some aspect of military activity or to increase the level of their assistance . This covers areas such as providing safe houses for arms dumps , houses from which to group before an operation and to return to afterwards , meeting houses , call houses , wash houses (for use after firing/handling weapons) , grub houses , snippets of local intelligence on the enemy etc .
The list of possible assistance is endless , and includes of course the equally valuable non-military help which civilians can provide the Republican struggle with . It's now early evening ; time to get ready to leave .......
(MORE LATER).
THE ARMALITE AND THE BALLOT BOX ....... " We have now established a sort of Republican veto . ......" Michael Farrell interviews Gerry Adams MP , vice-president of Sinn Fein . From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 , pages 13 , 14 , and 17 .
... MICHAEL FARRELL asked : " What is your strategy now ? Will your success in the elections affect the balance between political and military action by the Republican Movement ? "
...GERRY ADAMS MP replied : " ... we have now established a sort of Republican veto which I believe will grow . And we want to politicise our own organisation . I don't think the election will make a big difference to the IRA's tactics . Although there have unfortunately been some exceptions over the last few weeks , the IRA has for some time been adopting more discriminating tactics , has been a bit more refined in its tactics . It is up to them to learn the lessons from the application of armed struggle .
I would be confident that if the IRA continue to refine their operations and make sure they have the maximum propaganda and political effect , there won't be any conflict between what they're doing and what we're doing . I think over the last few years the lessons of the previous period - the need for control , the need for a change in tactics , the need to militarise the war , to concentrate against the British , the RUC , and the UDR - have been learned by the IRA . "
MICHAEL FARRELL : " Revolutionary movements which use force usually argue that it is made necessary because political action is closed to them . Sinn Fein has been able to take political action very successfully recently . How does that , in your view, affect the justification for the use of force ? "
GERRY ADAMS MP : " It does'nt . I believe the use of force in the six counties is justified by the British presence . They don't give people much choice . At the end of the day they won't be argued or talked out ; a Movement that wants them out will either have to use force or the threat of force . " ('1169 ... ' Comment - at the time that Adams made that statement , Westminster claimed jurisdiction over our six north-eastern counties ; today , 22 years later , Westminster STILL claims jurisdiction over those same six counties . But "the use of force , or the threat of force " to remove that jurisdictional claim is no longer justified , according to Adams and his supporters . Why ? We suggest it is because , as Liam Mellows predicted in the Treaty debate , on 4th January 1922 - " Men will get into positions , men will hold power , and men who get into positions and hold power will desire to remain undisturbed and will not want to be removed . " That is the only context in which we would use Adams' name , and that of Liam Mellows , in the same sentence . And even that hurts . )
(MORE LATER).
SEPARATIST MOVEMENT GROWS IN STRENGTH : analysis of recent General Election in the 26-Counties . From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 7.(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
The General Election in the 26 Counties State is over ; the Republican Movement is justly proud of the support given to its candidates . Some optimists may have hoped for better results in some of the constituencies contested . With a little more time and better organisation such hopes could have been realised .
However , when it is borne in mind that the spokesmen of the Republican Movement did not enter the ' political auction mart ' to bid for the votes of the electorate ; and that the policy and programme of the Republican Movement is based on the National plane , rather than the selfish and party plane of the political parties , the total of almost 66,000 first preference votes is a result most gratifying to those who love Ireland .
The total first preference votes cast in favour of the candidates of the Republican Movement gives an average of approximately 3,500 for the 19 Constituencies contested .......
(MORE LATER).
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
FIVE DAYS IN AN IRA TRAINING CAMP ....... From the moment a new recruit enters the Irish Republican Army he or she undergoes a rigorous and intensive training to assess the individual Volunteer's level of commitment , general ability and particular aptitudes . After the initial recruitment lectures , this period includes training in personal security and anti-interrogation , basic intelligence work , political education - and of course training in the use of weapons . In this supplied article , a Volunteer in the IRA's Belfast Brigade describes his experience of taking part in an IRA training camp .
From 'IRIS' magazine , November 1983 , pages 39 , 40 , 41 , 42, 43 , 44 and 45 .
DAY 5 .
Not surprisingly perhaps , the final day is more relaxed than those that have gone before , the anti-climax after the shooting . Everyone had been a little keyed-up beforehand , wondering how he or she would do , but now - for better or worse - the results are a pile of used targets which the IRA Training Officers are scrutinising as part of the individual assessment of each Volunteer which will be sent back to the Brigade area .
The assessment covers all aspects of behaviour and ability while at the camp , and is important insofar as it may affect a Volunteer's future deployment by the IRA .
The tension which is inevitable when six strangers are forced upon each other without a break , for five days , and which has flared-up briefly now and again , has its uses too in giving clues to a Volunteers's character , as well as giving us an understanding of the type of personality clashes we will inevitably have to cope with in operational conditions .
I , for one , am weighing up my three Belfast comrades and trying to assess how I'd feel about being in the same IRA Active Service Unit with them - none of us knows at this stage if we'll be working together when the camp is over - and I'm sure they're all doing the same .......
(MORE LATER).
THE ARMALITE AND THE BALLOT BOX ....... " We have now established a sort of Republican veto . " Michael Farrell interviews Gerry Adams MP , vice-president of Sinn Fein . From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 , pages 13 , 14 , and 17 .
MICHAEL FARRELL : " There has been a lot of argument about whether the Sinn Fein vote was a vote for violence . Was it , or what do you see it as a mandate for ? "
GERRY ADAMS : " The IRA does not need an electoral mandate for armed struggle - it derives its mandate from the presence of the British in the six counties . A large percentage of the Sinn Fein vote was a vote for the armed struggle , but I don't know how to quantify that . The others showed an understanding of the need for armed struggle . Attempts are now being made to explain the vote away as a protest against bad housing , unemployment , discrimination . If we got votes because of that I think that is a good base to build on . We stood on four clear points : against the British connection and the loyalist veto , for a democratic socialist republic and defending the right of people to engage in armed struggle . "
MICHAEL FARRELL : " What is your strategy now ? Will your success in the elections affect the balance between political and military action by the Republican Movement ? "
GERRY ADAMS : " Our strategy has three main prongs , not in any special order . We want to show clearly the degree of support for Sinn Fein and restrict the SDLP's freedom to manoeuvre ; the British , in order to maintain the partition set-up , need the support of a party which appears to represent the nationalist population and the SDLP have fulfilled that role admirably ....... " ('1169 ...' comment - how ironic that now , 22 years after Adams spoke those words , he is in charge of a political party which is on the same political 'road' as the SDLP were/are on : giving credence to the British 'right' to be in Ireland !)
(MORE LATER).
TOMAS O CRIOMHTAIN COMMEMORATIVE STAMP . From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 7.(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
After some little persuasion , An tAire , Roinn Phoist agus Telegrafa has acceded to the many requests made by Gaelgeori to issue a stamp commemorating Tomas O Criomhtain , the author of 'An tOileanach ' . The stamp will be issued in the twopenny and fivepenny values .
It is worthy of note that a man who shamed his country before the world is being commemorated at the same time ; 40,000 of our countrymen lost their lives fighting for 'Great Britain' in the First World War . For this black betrayal of his fellow countrymen , John Redmond merits not remembrance but the charity of our silence .
We suggest that all friends of the Irish language refrain from stamping their letters with the three-penny Redmond stamp and use instead the two-penny O Criomhtain Commemorative stamp and the penny map of Ireland stamp .
[END of ' TOMAS O CRIOMHTAIN COMMEMORATIVE STAMP .'](Tomorrow - ' SEPARATIST MOVEMENT GROWS IN STRENGTH : analysis of recent General Election in the 26-Counties .')
(MORE LATER).
From 'IRIS' magazine , November 1983 , pages 39 , 40 , 41 , 42, 43 , 44 and 45 .
DAY 5 .
Not surprisingly perhaps , the final day is more relaxed than those that have gone before , the anti-climax after the shooting . Everyone had been a little keyed-up beforehand , wondering how he or she would do , but now - for better or worse - the results are a pile of used targets which the IRA Training Officers are scrutinising as part of the individual assessment of each Volunteer which will be sent back to the Brigade area .
The assessment covers all aspects of behaviour and ability while at the camp , and is important insofar as it may affect a Volunteer's future deployment by the IRA .
The tension which is inevitable when six strangers are forced upon each other without a break , for five days , and which has flared-up briefly now and again , has its uses too in giving clues to a Volunteers's character , as well as giving us an understanding of the type of personality clashes we will inevitably have to cope with in operational conditions .
I , for one , am weighing up my three Belfast comrades and trying to assess how I'd feel about being in the same IRA Active Service Unit with them - none of us knows at this stage if we'll be working together when the camp is over - and I'm sure they're all doing the same .......
(MORE LATER).
THE ARMALITE AND THE BALLOT BOX ....... " We have now established a sort of Republican veto . " Michael Farrell interviews Gerry Adams MP , vice-president of Sinn Fein . From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 , pages 13 , 14 , and 17 .
MICHAEL FARRELL : " There has been a lot of argument about whether the Sinn Fein vote was a vote for violence . Was it , or what do you see it as a mandate for ? "
GERRY ADAMS : " The IRA does not need an electoral mandate for armed struggle - it derives its mandate from the presence of the British in the six counties . A large percentage of the Sinn Fein vote was a vote for the armed struggle , but I don't know how to quantify that . The others showed an understanding of the need for armed struggle . Attempts are now being made to explain the vote away as a protest against bad housing , unemployment , discrimination . If we got votes because of that I think that is a good base to build on . We stood on four clear points : against the British connection and the loyalist veto , for a democratic socialist republic and defending the right of people to engage in armed struggle . "
MICHAEL FARRELL : " What is your strategy now ? Will your success in the elections affect the balance between political and military action by the Republican Movement ? "
GERRY ADAMS : " Our strategy has three main prongs , not in any special order . We want to show clearly the degree of support for Sinn Fein and restrict the SDLP's freedom to manoeuvre ; the British , in order to maintain the partition set-up , need the support of a party which appears to represent the nationalist population and the SDLP have fulfilled that role admirably ....... " ('1169 ...' comment - how ironic that now , 22 years after Adams spoke those words , he is in charge of a political party which is on the same political 'road' as the SDLP were/are on : giving credence to the British 'right' to be in Ireland !)
(MORE LATER).
TOMAS O CRIOMHTAIN COMMEMORATIVE STAMP . From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 7.(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
After some little persuasion , An tAire , Roinn Phoist agus Telegrafa has acceded to the many requests made by Gaelgeori to issue a stamp commemorating Tomas O Criomhtain , the author of 'An tOileanach ' . The stamp will be issued in the twopenny and fivepenny values .
It is worthy of note that a man who shamed his country before the world is being commemorated at the same time ; 40,000 of our countrymen lost their lives fighting for 'Great Britain' in the First World War . For this black betrayal of his fellow countrymen , John Redmond merits not remembrance but the charity of our silence .
We suggest that all friends of the Irish language refrain from stamping their letters with the three-penny Redmond stamp and use instead the two-penny O Criomhtain Commemorative stamp and the penny map of Ireland stamp .
[END of ' TOMAS O CRIOMHTAIN COMMEMORATIVE STAMP .'](Tomorrow - ' SEPARATIST MOVEMENT GROWS IN STRENGTH : analysis of recent General Election in the 26-Counties .')
(MORE LATER).
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
FIVE DAYS IN AN IRA TRAINING CAMP ....... From the moment a new recruit enters the Irish Republican Army he or she undergoes a rigorous and intensive training to assess the individual Volunteer's level of commitment , general ability and particular aptitudes . After the initial recruitment lectures , this period includes training in personal security and anti-interrogation , basic intelligence work , political education - and of course training in the use of weapons . In this supplied article , a Volunteer in the IRA's Belfast Brigade describes his experience of taking part in an IRA training camp . From 'IRIS' magazine , November 1983 , pages 39 , 40 , 41 , 42, 43 , 44 and 45 .
... day 4 ..
We are packing-up the camp ; the whole set-up has to be dismantled , carefully covering our tracks so that even aerial reconnaissance would not know we had been there . Then we were ready to move out .
This time there won't be any car to bring us back part of the way , so it's a long , long march across rough country weighed down by packs and rifles . A heavy blanket of cloud has covered the moon so we make slow progress , one uncertain step after another , making it all the more tiring . The T/O's tell us that if at any stage we're confronted by the (Free State) Task Force as we approach the camp , we'll move back the way we've come and try and lose them in the darkness .
But the four of us are so exhausted from this unaccustomed country march , too used to Belfast's tarmac pavements , that I reckon we'd just surrender if anyone mentioned retracing our steps !
At last , the shadow of our farmhouse camp comes into view ; first , a quick reconnaissance , during which a grazing cow momentarily gets mistaken for a Free State raiding party , then we crawl gratefully indoors and collapse . Even the tea tastes good after all that ....... !
[END of 'Day 4']. (Tomorrow - ' Day 5 : military and political discussion' .)
(MORE LATER).
THE ARMALITE AND THE BALLOT BOX ....... " The military struggle will not slow down to relate to Sinn Fein's political activity . "
Michael Farrell interviews two spokespersons authorised to speak on behalf of the leadership of the IRA .
From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 , pages 7, 9 and 11 .
MICHAEL FARRELL : " In the event of a British withdrawal how do you expect the Protestant population of the North to react ? What will your attitude be towards them ? "
IRA : " Many loyalists have a supremacist mentality like the Afrikaners in South Africa , the Pieds Noirs in Algeria or the Israelis . They may not have as many privileges but the mentality is the same . It is very possible that people with that mentality would try to re-partition the North - as Harold McCusker MP has already suggested .
And they have about 19,000 armed men in the RUC and UDR to help them do it ; we don't know how many of the loyalists would take that line , but anyone who opposes Irish self-determination with force will have to be met with force . On the other hand we are prepared to offer them within a united Ireland what has always been denied to us - equality . "
[END of - " The military struggle will not slow down to relate to Sinn Fein's political activity ."](Tomorrow - " We have now established a sort of Republican veto " : Michael Farrell interviews Gerry Adams MP).
(MORE LATER).
FROM BELFAST PRISON . ...... From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 6.(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
Monday , January 28 , 1957 , was a wet and stormy day ; when the internees were going out to exercise in the Belfast Prison yard they had the prospect of being drenched with rain and frozen by the cold in a few minutes . The majority remained in a short corridor between the basement and the yard .
Some time later the Deputy Governor , a Mr. Taylor , came down . He said - " Come on , boys , you know it is against regulations not to be in the yard now . " Half a dozen voices said - " We can't face that rain and get drenched . " Says Mr. Taylor to the Prison Screws : " Give it to 'em , boys ... "
Warders with batons drawn rushed the internees ; one young man of our number was struck by a baton on the throat - he immediately struck the offending warder a blow on the face . A general melee followed , but sheer weight forced the internees into the yard . They took shelter in an open shed exposed to all the winds of Belfast .
When the internees came back to their cells for dinner the Prison Governor , Deputy Governor and the warders were lined along the wire-enclosed passage in front of the cells - intimidation . Since that day the shed in the yard has been covered up half-ways from the bottom with corrigated iron and a stove installed which the internees may light , sticks and coke being provided !
[END of ' FROM BELFAST PRISON '].(Tomorrow - 'Tomas O Criomhtain Commemorative Stamp').
(MORE LATER).
... day 4 ..
We are packing-up the camp ; the whole set-up has to be dismantled , carefully covering our tracks so that even aerial reconnaissance would not know we had been there . Then we were ready to move out .
This time there won't be any car to bring us back part of the way , so it's a long , long march across rough country weighed down by packs and rifles . A heavy blanket of cloud has covered the moon so we make slow progress , one uncertain step after another , making it all the more tiring . The T/O's tell us that if at any stage we're confronted by the (Free State) Task Force as we approach the camp , we'll move back the way we've come and try and lose them in the darkness .
But the four of us are so exhausted from this unaccustomed country march , too used to Belfast's tarmac pavements , that I reckon we'd just surrender if anyone mentioned retracing our steps !
At last , the shadow of our farmhouse camp comes into view ; first , a quick reconnaissance , during which a grazing cow momentarily gets mistaken for a Free State raiding party , then we crawl gratefully indoors and collapse . Even the tea tastes good after all that ....... !
[END of 'Day 4']. (Tomorrow - ' Day 5 : military and political discussion' .)
(MORE LATER).
THE ARMALITE AND THE BALLOT BOX ....... " The military struggle will not slow down to relate to Sinn Fein's political activity . "
Michael Farrell interviews two spokespersons authorised to speak on behalf of the leadership of the IRA .
From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 , pages 7, 9 and 11 .
MICHAEL FARRELL : " In the event of a British withdrawal how do you expect the Protestant population of the North to react ? What will your attitude be towards them ? "
IRA : " Many loyalists have a supremacist mentality like the Afrikaners in South Africa , the Pieds Noirs in Algeria or the Israelis . They may not have as many privileges but the mentality is the same . It is very possible that people with that mentality would try to re-partition the North - as Harold McCusker MP has already suggested .
And they have about 19,000 armed men in the RUC and UDR to help them do it ; we don't know how many of the loyalists would take that line , but anyone who opposes Irish self-determination with force will have to be met with force . On the other hand we are prepared to offer them within a united Ireland what has always been denied to us - equality . "
[END of - " The military struggle will not slow down to relate to Sinn Fein's political activity ."](Tomorrow - " We have now established a sort of Republican veto " : Michael Farrell interviews Gerry Adams MP).
(MORE LATER).
FROM BELFAST PRISON . ...... From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 6.(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
Monday , January 28 , 1957 , was a wet and stormy day ; when the internees were going out to exercise in the Belfast Prison yard they had the prospect of being drenched with rain and frozen by the cold in a few minutes . The majority remained in a short corridor between the basement and the yard .
Some time later the Deputy Governor , a Mr. Taylor , came down . He said - " Come on , boys , you know it is against regulations not to be in the yard now . " Half a dozen voices said - " We can't face that rain and get drenched . " Says Mr. Taylor to the Prison Screws : " Give it to 'em , boys ... "
Warders with batons drawn rushed the internees ; one young man of our number was struck by a baton on the throat - he immediately struck the offending warder a blow on the face . A general melee followed , but sheer weight forced the internees into the yard . They took shelter in an open shed exposed to all the winds of Belfast .
When the internees came back to their cells for dinner the Prison Governor , Deputy Governor and the warders were lined along the wire-enclosed passage in front of the cells - intimidation . Since that day the shed in the yard has been covered up half-ways from the bottom with corrigated iron and a stove installed which the internees may light , sticks and coke being provided !
[END of ' FROM BELFAST PRISON '].(Tomorrow - 'Tomas O Criomhtain Commemorative Stamp').
(MORE LATER).
Monday, May 02, 2005
FIVE DAYS IN AN IRA TRAINING CAMP ....... From the moment a new recruit enters the Irish Republican Army he or she undergoes a rigorous and intensive training to assess the individual Volunteer's level of commitment , general ability and particular aptitudes . After the initial recruitment lectures , this period includes training in personal security and anti-interrogation , basic intelligence work , political education - and of course training in the use of weapons . In this supplied article , a Volunteer in the IRA's Belfast Brigade describes his experience of taking part in an IRA training camp . From 'IRIS' magazine , November 1983 , pages 39 , 40 , 41 , 42, 43 , 44 and 45 .
... day 4 ..
During target practice , four great shots and the last pulled an inch off centre is no good , we learn to our regular frustration . We see the point when it's explained that a one-inch miss at that range represents four inches at only 100 yards , the difference between a ' kill ' and whistling a bullet past the enemy's ear .
A Volunteer's 'grouping' is worked out by adding together the furthest distances between shots over the five groups , adding one-fifth to the total , and dividing by five . From this the IRA Training Officers can work out the probability , expressed as a percentage , of a particular Volunteer achieving a ' kill ' at a given range with a given number of shots .
Eventually the shooting's over , the shooting 'tunnel' dismantled and the hundred's of spent ammo cases (and the cigarette butts !) gathered up . Time to pack-up , and clean up the area as if we were never there .......
(MORE LATER).
THE ARMALITE AND THE BALLOT BOX ....... " The military struggle will not slow down to relate to Sinn Fein's political activity . "
Michael Farrell interviews two spokespersons authorised to speak on behalf of the leadership of the IRA .
From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 , pages 7, 9 and 11 .
MICHAEL FARRELL : " The IRA has kidnapped the father of Raymond Gilmore , the Derry supergrass . What will happen to him ? "
IRA : " The fate of Raymond Gilmore's father rests in Raymond Gilmore's hands . It all rests with him . "
MICHAEL FARRELL : " The IRA has attacked many off-duty UDR men and RUC Reservists . You justify this because they are members of the British forces , but do you not accept that such killings alienate the Protestant communities among whom these people live and work ? "
IRA : " It is a euphemism to talk of off-duty or part-time UDR men or RUC men . They are never off-duty . They are armed all the time and if they came upon IRA Volunteers they would attack them , whether they were on duty or not . We cannot allow an armed organisation which is ranged against us to go undeterred because of the sensitivities of the loyalist population .
Do they care about the sensitivities of the nationalist population who have suffered so much ....... ? "
(MORE LATER).
FROM BELFAST PRISON . From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 6.(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
Belfast Prison , 17th February 1957 .
On the eve of this General Election we , the Internees in Belfast Prison , appeal to all Irish men and women to sink all petty differences and support the Sinn Fein candidates in this contest . After thirty-five years of what is termed 'self-government' it is clear beyond doubt that none of the 'major parties' has a solution for attaining freedom of our country .
The candidates of Sinn Fein are the true followers of Pearse and Connolly despite coercion and misrepresentation by those who deviated from the true Republican principles . In this grave hour when the Freedom Fighters of the North have been treacherously stabbed in the back we call on you to become alive to your serious responsibilities to the Irish Nation .
Every vote cast for Sinn Fein is a vote for freedom - political and economic . Rally to the standard-bearers of the Republican Movement .......
(MORE LATER).
... day 4 ..
During target practice , four great shots and the last pulled an inch off centre is no good , we learn to our regular frustration . We see the point when it's explained that a one-inch miss at that range represents four inches at only 100 yards , the difference between a ' kill ' and whistling a bullet past the enemy's ear .
A Volunteer's 'grouping' is worked out by adding together the furthest distances between shots over the five groups , adding one-fifth to the total , and dividing by five . From this the IRA Training Officers can work out the probability , expressed as a percentage , of a particular Volunteer achieving a ' kill ' at a given range with a given number of shots .
Eventually the shooting's over , the shooting 'tunnel' dismantled and the hundred's of spent ammo cases (and the cigarette butts !) gathered up . Time to pack-up , and clean up the area as if we were never there .......
(MORE LATER).
THE ARMALITE AND THE BALLOT BOX ....... " The military struggle will not slow down to relate to Sinn Fein's political activity . "
Michael Farrell interviews two spokespersons authorised to speak on behalf of the leadership of the IRA .
From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1983 , pages 7, 9 and 11 .
MICHAEL FARRELL : " The IRA has kidnapped the father of Raymond Gilmore , the Derry supergrass . What will happen to him ? "
IRA : " The fate of Raymond Gilmore's father rests in Raymond Gilmore's hands . It all rests with him . "
MICHAEL FARRELL : " The IRA has attacked many off-duty UDR men and RUC Reservists . You justify this because they are members of the British forces , but do you not accept that such killings alienate the Protestant communities among whom these people live and work ? "
IRA : " It is a euphemism to talk of off-duty or part-time UDR men or RUC men . They are never off-duty . They are armed all the time and if they came upon IRA Volunteers they would attack them , whether they were on duty or not . We cannot allow an armed organisation which is ranged against us to go undeterred because of the sensitivities of the loyalist population .
Do they care about the sensitivities of the nationalist population who have suffered so much ....... ? "
(MORE LATER).
FROM BELFAST PRISON . From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 6.(IML. IX. UIMHIR 4 - price Tri Pingin [Three Pennies].Thanks to my late friends Christy and Theresa L. for giving me this 48-year-old newspaper ; this thread published in memory of those two old Fenians ! - John.
Belfast Prison , 17th February 1957 .
On the eve of this General Election we , the Internees in Belfast Prison , appeal to all Irish men and women to sink all petty differences and support the Sinn Fein candidates in this contest . After thirty-five years of what is termed 'self-government' it is clear beyond doubt that none of the 'major parties' has a solution for attaining freedom of our country .
The candidates of Sinn Fein are the true followers of Pearse and Connolly despite coercion and misrepresentation by those who deviated from the true Republican principles . In this grave hour when the Freedom Fighters of the North have been treacherously stabbed in the back we call on you to become alive to your serious responsibilities to the Irish Nation .
Every vote cast for Sinn Fein is a vote for freedom - political and economic . Rally to the standard-bearers of the Republican Movement .......
(MORE LATER).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)