1169 And Counting.....

Friday, June 23, 2006

Due to 'staff' (!) shortages here at '1169...' - because of some football matches or other , this Blog will only be updated every second day , for the next few weeks . In short , I have been abandoned by all but this machine ! Sharon . (PS - the exams are over , but now 'Junior' is distracted by the football ! What next - girls knocking on the door.... ?)

THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT : INSIDE THE NORTHERN IRELAND (sic) PEACE TALKS (sic).......
From 'MAGILL' magazine , November 1997 .
By Fionnuala O' Connor .

The youngest 'Ulster Unionist Party' member , Jeffrey Donaldson , is the only party delegate of any significance whose 'engagement' others noted , on the subject of identity , Britishness and Irishness : but an approving (P) Sinn Fein soundbite brought immediate party denial - he had offered no more than clarification , through the chair . The exception pointed up the rule - David Trimble's habit of dipping in and out of sessions and rarely making a personal contribution sets the tone .

An official whose hallmark is understatement says : " Even though they're in the talks , it looks like the UUP have'nt worked out any clear strategy beyond registering disapproval of (P) Sinn Fein . " Another participant , not a nationalist , came to a despairing conclusion a year ago and sees no reason to change his mind : " They're a mess . They don't like each other or trust each other . I can't believe what a shambles they are close up . "

When the parties were meant to provide papers setting out their 'principles and requirements' in Strands One and Two of the talks , the UUP at first sent neither a paper nor the expected senior figure : next day , no paper but deputy leader John Taylor did stay for an hour ! When that stage ended , the UUP delivered their 'opening statement' - which everyone else had turned in on the first day of talks - and were challenged on same being "sloppy".......
(MORE LATER).

THE ROMAN REICH....... ?
Following the disbandment of the Dublin-based grouping , the NSIWP , a new right-wing organisation , believed to be linked with right-wing Catholic groups , has been formed . COLM KEENA reports .
From 'IN DUBLIN' magazine , 1 October 1987.

The new 'group-within-a-group' , the 'Social Action Initiative' , says it is going to 'go public' in May of 1988 , and wants to be well organised around the country by that date - it has yet to decide on a public name . Referring to various strands of belief within extreme right-wing groups , the 'Editor's Note' in the latest issue of the 'Ar Aghaidh' bulletin reads -

' In these darkening days , all non-communists must pull together , under all circumstances . To do otherwise is to play the 'System's ' game for them . We are all nationalist , pro-Western civilisation , pro-family , pro-life and pro-Nature . Surely there is ample room for manoeuvre here ?' Kevin Boland says that following his and most of his colleagues' withdrawal from Aontacht Eireann , it was taken over by a group of strongly pro-Catholic individuals . For a number of years , up to last year (ie 1986) , the party continued to register with the clerk at Leinster House , with the rights to take part in elections , which that registration 'allows'.......
(MORE LATER).

THE RIGHT TO SILENCE.......
Section 31 of the Broadcasting Act has just been renewed for another year by State Communications Minister Jim Mitchell , despite increasing protests and lobbying by the NUJ .
HELEN O'CONNOR examines the results of a recent NIHE survey of the attitudes of Dublin people on the issue and GERRY LAVERY looks back to the roots of Section 31 .
From 'IN DUBLIN' magazine , February 1987 .

Dr. Garret Fitzgerald (Fine Gael , Dublin South-East constituency) rose to his feet in Leinster House to voice opposition to Fianna Fail pressure on the RTE Authority : Fitzgerald stated that he supported "...every word ,(of) which I heartily endorse.." of that which the State Labour Party's David Thornley had said by way of objection to Fianna Fail machinations .

Fitzgerald continued - " The government regarded this occasion as a means of getting control of RTE , of replacing it with a puppet Authority and preventing freedom of speech * . The real threat to this country is not the IRA but the threat to freedom of speech and this is a sinister plot on behalf of the government to get control . I do not know what kind of superhacks could be found to obey the whim of the minister . " ( * '1169...' Comment : the "threat to freedom of speech" , as represented by Section 31 and acknowledged as such by Fine Gael whilst in opposition , was never recognised as such by Fine Gael when they were in power!)

Despite Garret Fitzgerald's 'outspoken opposition' to Section 31 censorship , when he was returned as a member of the State coalition Administration after the 1973 election , he was not noticably in a hurry to restore the 'independence' of RTE - in fact the opposite was the case and Posts and Telegraphs State Minister Dr. Conor Cruise O' Brien quickly set about trying to refine Section 31 censorship and make it even more an instrument of government policy.......
(MORE LATER).

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Due to 'staff' (!) shortages here at '1169...' - because of some football matches or other , and exams (you show 'em , Junior!) - this Blog will only be updated every second day , for the next few weeks . In short , I have been abandoned by all but this machine ! Sharon .

THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT : INSIDE THE NORTHERN IRELAND (sic) PEACE TALKS (sic).......
From 'MAGILL' magazine , November 1997 .
By Fionnuala O' Connor .

In Stormont , there is agreement that the most positive and effective unionist voices come from the tiny parties who speak for the loyalist paramilitaries , in particular David Ervine of the 'Progressive Unionist Party' (PUP) and David Adams of the 'Ulster Democratic Party' (UDP). " It's kind of hackneyed now , " delegates from two other Unionist parties agreed , "people say it so often - if only the rest of us had that kind of leadership ."

Some are surprised at the comparative lack of impact to date of the 'biggest' names ; SDLP leader John Hume withdrawn , apart from a few 'effective interventions,' Gerry Adams slow , almost stumbling in what limited debate there has been - "Nervous , maybe..." , said several of those present . Martin McGuinness does better "...in an earthy kind of way , which I did'nt expect.." , said a delegate , not inclined to regard McGuinness as 'humourous' .

The 'stars' to date , by fairly wide consenus , have been the SDLP's deputy leader , Seamus Mallon , and senior SDLP negotiator , Mark Durkan .......
(MORE LATER).

THE ROMAN REICH....... ?
Following the disbandment of the Dublin-based grouping , the NSIWP , a new right-wing organisation , believed to be linked with right-wing Catholic groups , has been formed . COLM KEENA reports .
From 'IN DUBLIN' magazine , 1 October 1987.

The Irish 'Christian Social Party' maintain that communists and freemasons have already infiltrated the ranks of Ireland's public representatives , and some are actually in government : the two sit happily beside each other , and are part of the same conspiracy , according to the 'Christian Social Party' . Garret Fitzgerald , because of his membership of the secretive Bilderberg Group , is in their view an especially suspect Irish politician .

Jim Keating said to 'In Dublin' magazine that he had never heard of the 'Social Action Initiative' , the name which those publishing the 'Ar Aghaidh' bulletin give themselves : he says his magazine "...wears several hats , including protesting about the eastern bloc , and civil rights issues there.."

'Ar Aghaidh' reproduces a poem , titled 'Non-racial' , in its October issue , "...with the author's kind permission.." - the poem is reproduced from 'Clarion' magazine and the author is Eoin O Maille , one of the leading members of the 'Christian Social Party' . The most interesting part of the 'Ar Aghaidh' bulletin is its letters page , where it prints correspondence relating how to organise and how to avoid interception of mail by the 'intelligence community' , and even communications from well-established European militant national socialist groups.......
(MORE LATER).

THE RIGHT TO SILENCE.......
Section 31 of the Broadcasting Act has just been renewed for another year by State Communications Minister Jim Mitchell , despite increasing protests and lobbying by the NUJ .
HELEN O'CONNOR examines the results of a recent NIHE survey of the attitudes of Dublin people on the issue and GERRY LAVERY looks back to the roots of Section 31 .
From 'IN DUBLIN' magazine , February 1987 .

A 'crunch point' between the Jack Lynch State administration and RTE was clearly coming and it came when Kevin O 'Kelly of RTE Radio News interviewed Sean MacStiofain , regarded as Chief of Staff of the Provisional IRA : MacStiofain was arrested as he left O' Kellys house in the early hours of the morning , and there began a long process which was to include MacStiofain's hunger strike and charging in the 'Special Criminal Court' in Dublin with membership of the IRA , based on his interview with O ' Kelly .

Kevin O' Kelly was later to find himself subpoenaed to give evidence in the court : despite MacStiofain's arrest , RTE went ahead with a version of the interview on the 1pm Sunday Radio News - the State administration was furious and issued an ultimatum to the RTE Authority demanding an explanation ; the Authority refused to comply with the ultimatum and , on 25 November 1972 , State Minister Gerry Collins , acting under 'government directive' , sacked the entire RTE Authority ! 'Government control' over RTE had now been firmly established .

Speaking in Leinster House on 23 November 1972 after the ultimatum had been issued , but before the sacking of the RTE Authority , Labour Party member David Thornley said - " We cannot separate the freedom of the press from the freedom of TV journalists . When asked to comment on the matter by the 'Irish Independent' newspaper during the week , I said I hoped the RTE Authority would tell the Minister to go to hell . I hope they have done so . " Even Fine Gael objected.......
(MORE LATER).

Monday, June 19, 2006

THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT : INSIDE THE NORTHERN IRELAND (sic) PEACE TALKS (sic).......
From 'MAGILL' magazine , November 1997 .
By Fionnuala O' Connor .

Provo socialising in Stormont is not helped by the building's internal segregation , with separate unionist and nationalist floors and lack of " friendly corners" , as several people put it ; but the bar-cum-coffee room , once described as having all the charm of a standard hotel bedroom without the bed , now attracts people away from their own office television sets to watch the news together on 'big' days ('1169...' Comment .......by which we presume they mean 'pay days' , where they can share and compare the 'spoils' between them !) .

" That's been interesting . Watching John Hume watching himself when he decided against the (Free State) presidency , and the different re-actions to Mary McAleese's announcement that she was running , " said one un-named Stormont politician - then discretion returned and no details followed from him . However , both 'camps' have taken part in 'get-togethers' for major football fixtures , with an (again) un-named participant volunteering to bring in his 'Sky' subscriber's card for the purpose .

Underlying differences are unchanged but mutual appreciation is plentiful , and remarkably * unanimous : the loyalists and the 'Women's Coalition' are useful 'lubricants' of debate , say Stormont Officials , with most parties remarking on how effectively Martha Pope runs the American team , George Mitchell's 'courteous firmness' and the pace he is now setting , and the loss to the Irish 'side' of the wise and elegant Sean O h-Uiginn ........ (* '1169...' Comment - why would both 'camps' NOT be "remarkably unanimous" ? After all , they share the share objective in Stormont - the implementation of the writ from Westminster.)
(MORE LATER).

THE ROMAN REICH....... ?
Following the disbandment of the Dublin-based grouping , the NSIWP , a new right-wing organisation , believed to be linked with right-wing Catholic groups , has been formed . COLM KEENA reports .
From 'IN DUBLIN' magazine , 1 October 1987.

Jim Keating is one of the Irish organisers of the U.S. group CAUSA , a group founded by the Moonie Cult leader (and tax fraudster) Sun Myung Moon , and supports the Contras in Nicaragua.

The new group which published the 'Ar Aghaidh' bulletin is said by sources in the rather bizarre world of the extreme right to have had discussions with James Keating and with a group of nationalistic Catholics who go by the name of the 'Christian Social Party', and operated from rooms at the top of 10 Lower Abbey Street in Dublin city centre . During the divorce referendum in this State , the 'Christian Social Party' put posters up around Dublin which had an infant in a nappy , with a sword descending on its head , and the inscription 'UNESCO' on the sword .

Up in 10 Lower Abbey Street , the 'CSP' have been producing policy documents on just about everything : they ran 'independent' candidates during the recent State election , but fared badly . The group fears world domination by communism , and also fears the work of the United Nations (UN), which it believes is preparing for world government : UNESCO , especially through its influences on the departments of education around the world , is playing an especially powerful role in this 'preparation for world government' , according to the Irish 'Christian Social Party'.......
(MORE LATER).

THE RIGHT TO SILENCE.......
Section 31 of the Broadcasting Act has just been renewed for another year by State Communications Minister Jim Mitchell , despite increasing protests and lobbying by the NUJ .
HELEN O'CONNOR examines the results of a recent NIHE survey of the attitudes of Dublin people on the issue and GERRY LAVERY looks back to the roots of Section 31 .
From 'IN DUBLIN' magazine , February 1987 .

The advent of the crisis in the North of Ireland in 1969 found RTE news camera crews free to investigate and feature interviews with whoever they pleased : some of the most telling news coverage of that period , including the Derry Civil Rights March and the 'Battle of the Bogside' , came from RTE news crews .

However , the rise of the Provisional IRA and the campaigns being waged by both them and the Official IRA gave rise to increasing concern on the part of the Jack Lynch administration in the 26-County State : the months immediately following internment in August 1971 was the high point of paramilitary activity and , on 1st October 1971 , the State Minister for Posts and Telegraphs , Gerry Collins , found it 'necessary' to issue a written directive to RTE which instructed them to "... refrain from broadcasting any matter that could be calculated to promote the aims or activities of any organisation which engages in , promotes , encourages or advocates the attainment of any political objective by violent means.. " . ('1169...' Comment - it should be noted that that 'directive' was not used against the British Army or its political representatives , both of which were given
free reign on RTE.)

It was a wide-ranging , not very specific 'directive' , but it was clearly aimed at members of the Republican Movement - RTE producers and the RTE Authority resisted pressure from the Lynch administration to exercise editorial control , and representatives from Sinn Fein were still interviewed , but the pressure was increasing . Delicate political negotiations were under way between the Lynch administration and Edward Heath's government in Westminster : the Republican Movement was perceived as a growing and dangerous political threat . Jack Lynch was showing increasing impatience with the failure of the RTE Authority to comply clearly with its 'directive' and , in May 1972 , P&T Minister Gerry Collins fired a warning shot across the bow of RTE when , as a result of the establishment of a 'Broadcasting Review Committee' , he decided to appoint the RTE Authority for only one year instead of the usual five years . Then 'that' interview took place - and all hell broke loose .......
(MORE LATER).

Friday, June 16, 2006

CHARLES HAUGHEY 1925-2006 : A TRIBUTE .
' With pomp and with ridiculous display
the politicians corpse is borne away ,
and all around him carped and slanged
I wept- I had wished to see him hanged ' .
( G K Chesterton , poet and British Liberal MP ) .

THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT : INSIDE THE NORTHERN IRELAND (sic) PEACE TALKS (sic).......
From 'MAGILL' magazine , November 1997 .
By Fionnuala O' Connor .

Although debates have scarcely begun and ,for all that , most question whether the Provos can possibly stick with negotiations which end in an improved version of partition , ('1169...' Comment : the answer was 'Yes' , then [1997] , and 'Yes Please!' now ) (P) Sinn Fein's team makes much the stronger impression . ('1169...' Comment : translation - 'they were more desperate for a career in politics than the other lot were') People who imagined they had met 'all the articulate Provos' are struck by what one called "...the sheer intelligence and ability of people I'd never heard of.." . ('1169....' Comment : not surprising , really , if you have 'articulate' people being briefed in what to say by others!)

By contrast , the Ulster Unionist Party's members are seen as stumbling , divided , confused and churlish by design , and devoid of strategy - a judgement made on experience from the start of talks , compounded by the past month .

Since most other participants wanted them there , of course the 'Shinners' came in on a fair wind : they also fit eagerly with the general desire to be sociable , though some were queasy at the initially heavy-handed Adams and McGuinness efforts to force unionists into handshakes and direct dialogue - " You'll have to stop poking , you can't rush this .." , advised Gary McMichael of the UDA's 'political front' , the 'Ulster Democratic Party'.......
(MORE LATER).

THE ROMAN REICH ?
Following the disbandment of the Dublin-based grouping , the NSIWP , a new right-wing organisation , believed to be linked with right-wing Catholic groups , has been formed . COLM KEENA reports .
From 'IN DUBLIN' magazine , 1 October 1987.

A new , extreme right-wing grouping has been formed in Ireland , and operates out of a postal address in Cork : it publishes an internal bulletin titled ' Ar Aghaidh ' , from PO Box 40 , Brian Boru Street , Cork City , and has links with some of the more extreme Irish Catholic Groups and individuals in this country which have been active in recent referenda .

One item in the October issue of 'Ar Aghaidh' tells subscribers that the French National Front is probably one of the most successful of all currently existing nationalistic groups : " The FNJ (youth wing) can be reached at 11 Rue Bernouilli , 75008 , Paris . They have a wide selection of excellent quality literature in French available , and a study of this material is recommended . They have made progress despite the usual defamation from the media and 'liberal' circles . FN's leader , Monsieur Jean-Marie Le Pen , has a realistic chance of actually becoming President in the not-so-distant future . There are definitely lessons to be learnt from the French experience. "

This is followed by the following short item - ' Read Clarion magazine , available from Kiora House , Greystones , County Wicklow . Even though there are noticable differences between it and 'Ar Aghaidh' , there are enough parallels in our relative 'lines' for a look to be of benefit to patriots . ' 'Clarion' magazine is a Catholic 'anti-communist' magazine published by a Jim Keating , of the above Greystones address : Keating has an interesting history with , amongst other things , links to the Moonies.......
(MORE LATER).

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT : INSIDE THE NORTHERN IRELAND (sic) PEACE TALKS (sic).......
From 'MAGILL' magazine , November 1997 .
By Fionnuala O' Connor .

Comparatively speaking , Liz O' Donnell is something of a hit , even with unionists , apparently amused by her remark that she is , after all , married to a past pupil of Belfast's Campbell College with the 'sound' surname of Carson .

The interest in personalities , particularly new arrivals , is hardly surprising : 'substantive' negotiation is still in the early stages , with unionists slow to produce papers or 'engage' , a favourite talks word , and by any standards these are bizarre political allsorts , most of them now thrown together for over a year . Even without Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness (pictured here with another Westminster employee) , the mix was unprecedented for narrow , segregated 'Northern Ireland' : from men convicted of loyalist murders and women unaccustomed to thinking of themselves as politicians , to overall Chairman , George Mitchell , former majority leader of the United States Senate .

Over the months before (P) Sinn Fein arrived , the format of negotiation and rules of engagement were hammered out in often bitter exchanges , unionists objecting all the way ; unionists and Provos now attract suspicion and cynicism in almost equal measure.......
(MORE LATER).

THE YOUNGER BREED : ANDY CALLAGHAN.......
From 'The Phoenix' magazine , April 1986 .
No By-Line .

Andy Callaghan was born into a family of eight in the Oliver Bond flats in Dublin and has done very well for himself so far : he cuts quite a dash nowadays , smoking cigars , sporting a crombie coat and cruising around in his Opel Senator car. Money , apparently , is no problem .

His short period in City Hall has been marked by some flamboyant speeches , but he is not a good attender at committee meetings - the only strong stand he has taken to-date has been his opposition to his own party's move to rescind the 'Gaming and Lotteries Act' ; his defence of the one-arm bandits was said to be connected with 'Butcher Smith's (Andy's political buddy in Crumlin) interests in this area .

But Andy finally obeyed his party's political 'whip' : he has already learnt that in Fianna Fail , the party comes first ! If young Andy Callaghan does get the nomination for Dublin South Central , we are all assured of one thing : the battle for the constituency will be a marvel to behold .
[END of 'THE YOUNGER BREED : ANDY CALLAGHAN']
(Friday , 16th June - 'THE ROMAN REICH (in Dublin)' : from 1987.)

Monday, June 12, 2006

Due to ' staff ' (!) shortages here at '1169...' - because of some football matches or other , and exams (you show 'em , Junior!) - this Blog will only be updated every second day , for the next few weeks . In short , I have been abandoned by all but this machine ! Sharon .

THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT : INSIDE THE NORTHERN IRELAND (sic) PEACE TALKS (sic).......
From 'MAGILL' magazine , November 1997 .
By Fionnuala O' Connor .

It was John Taylor who led the Ulster Unionist Party's brief withdrawal from Stormont on October 21 , 2000 , complaining that new (Free State) Minister for Foreign Affairs David Andrews had arrived with an 'aggressive' attitude towards debate on Articles Two and Three of the (State) Constitution : both men may be crucial to what internal observers see as an emerging new Stormont 'group dynamic' .

Taylor has not been present as yet for long enough sessions to allow any certainty about his role . In the other parties one theory had it that the Ulster Unionist Party 'walkout' was designed to wrongfoot the absent leader : another theory believed Trimble knew but professed ignorance when he arrived at the talks building .

David Andrews' performance draws mixed initial reactions : did he provoke the walkout ? " It was a standard outline , " counters a nationalist . Others called the walkout a "stunt" , but were not won by Andrews - " Too laidback , that does'nt go down well here . " Different groups gave him credit however for emphasising his partnership with Junior (Free State) Minister Liz O' Donnell , some think deferring to her longer Stormont experience and greater local knowledge . " Ray Burke never did that , " a Unionist noticed .......
(MORE LATER).

THE YOUNGER BREED : ANDY CALLAGHAN.......
From 'The Phoenix' magazine , April 1986 .
No By-Line .

Adele Ramsey's (Andy Callaghan's Fianna Fail running-mate) close ally and would-be-king-maker in all this is the appropriately named Kevin King : and allied to Andy is the equally intriguing (but more resourceful) Paddy 'Butcher' Smith , who seems to own most of Crumlin village : he hails from Cavan , owns 'Mullingar Meats' and finances the local 'Dublin Journal' newspaper which is not unfriendly , to say the least , to our young hero .

That kind of support is vital to Andy in the pursuit of his next ambition which , surprise , surprise , is a seat in Leinster House at the next election . The two sitting Fianna Fail Leinster House members , Ben Briscoe and John O' Connell , can expect to be nominated automatically for the Dublin South Central constituency , and after that Mount Street (Fianna Fail Head Office) may add one or two to the 'election ticket' : Alderman Mary Mooney will almost certainly be the party's first choice for the addition , and Andy Callaghan is pushing hard to be the second.......
(MORE LATER).

Friday, June 09, 2006

ANNUAL WOLFE TONE COMMEMORATION :
Sunday , June 11 , 2006 , Sallins , Co. Kildare .

A bus for this Commemoration , which is organised each year by the Republican Movement , will leave from outside the old McBirneys/Virgin Megastore site on Dublin's Aston Quay at 12.45PM on the day : the Commemoration itself starts at 2.30PM .

The same bus will leave Bodenstown at 5.30PM that afternoon on its return to Dublin city centre . The fare is ten Euro per person .

For information on the death of Wolfe Tone , scroll through this piece (article starts on March 9 on that page) which was published on this blog last year .
" From my earliest youth I have regarded the connection between Great Britain and Ireland as the curse of the Irish nation , and felt convinced that , while it lasted , this country could never be free nor happy . My mind has been confirmed in this opinion by the experience of every succeeding year , and the conclusions which I have drawn from every fact before my eyes . In consequence , I was determined to employ all the powers which my individual efforts could move , in order to separate the two countries .
That Ireland was not able of herself to throw off the yoke , I knew ; I therefore sought for aid wherever it was to be found . In honourable poverty I rejected offers which , to a man in my circumstances , might be considered highly advantageous . I remained faithful to what I thought the cause of my country , and sought in the French Republic an ally to rescue three millions of my countrymen " . -Theobald Wolfe Tone .

THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT : INSIDE THE NORTHERN IRELAND (sic) PEACE TALKS (sic).......
From 'MAGILL' magazine , November 1997 .
By Fionnuala O' Connor .

David Trimble's submission stated : " The British Isles is divided into two sovereign states , the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (sic) on the one hand , and the Republic of Ireland (sic) on the other . In international law there are and ought to be no constitutional issues between these two states . In so far as it does not already do so , the law and practice of each state should conform with the above statement . "

As delegates rose to give him a decent-enough standing ovation , John Taylor's young assistant Stephen King turned to the nearest journalist to point out how inaccurate his leader's references were to Charlie Haughey and the Arms Trial : the Ulster Unionist Party , David Trimble had just said , want Tony Blair to match any inquiry into Bloody Sunday with another into "...the actions of Fianna Fail and the Irish government (sic) in 1970 . " Cries of 'Hear , Hear!' from delegates , loud applause . " But he got it all wrong , " said Stephen King , " it is my PhD subject . He might have checked."

Stephen King's then boss in the Ulster Unionist Party , John Taylor , was later to make the headlines for 'wrongfooting' his own party leader , David Trimble.......
(MORE LATER).

THE YOUNGER BREED : ANDY CALLAGHAN.......
From 'The Phoenix' magazine , April 1986 .
No By-Line .

Andy Callaghan , like so many of the 'young hawks' in Fianna Fail , is not afraid to plough-in all his energy and resources when it comes to winning an election : he claims to have had 35 cars working for him on election day and some within the constituency maintain that he spent in the region of £10,000 on the campaign . Some of the fallout from that campaign was seen earlier this month when a case against his election agent , Seamus Concannon , for breach of the peace was adjourned until next month in Dublin's district court .

The incident involved Adele Ramsey's (young Andy's running-mate in Fianna Fail) father who alleges that Seamus Concannon , in a fit of temper , swerved his car at him while he was working under it ! Andy Callaghan recently widened his feud with the Ramseys by packing an Ogra Fianna Fail meeting with supporters and seeing off young Adele as Chairperson : the next round in this Crumlin feud is a libel action against two of Andy Callaghan's cumann members , as Adele strikes back .

If it's not quite Montagu vs. Capulet , it's not too far from West Side Story.......
(MORE LATER).

Thursday, June 08, 2006

THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT : INSIDE THE NORTHERN IRELAND (sic) PEACE TALKS (sic).......
From 'MAGILL' magazine , November 1997 .
By Fionnuala O' Connor .

David Trimble has made considerable effort to calm himself down , flattening out an erratic voice , controlling to some degree his tendency to flush bright red when angry : but the strain on an undecided man of leading unenthusiastic followers is bound to show , something he occasionally comes close to acknowledging -

" We could , perhaps , have collapsed the talks by leaving , " Trimble said to his party conference , " I know that all of you , like me , were faced with a difficult decision . For many of us our hearts led one way and our heads the other . " The body language is disjointed as ever , presentation curt and defensive . Starting his keynote speech , he rubbed crossed hands swiftly up and down his forearms as though cold .

The speech included the Ulster Unionist Party submission delivered to Stormont during the pre-conference week , on the 'constitutional issues' in Strands two and Three - meant to find mutual accommodation on cross-border and British-Irish relations . Trimble then read that submission to his party's delegates : it was a short submission , and one which prompted a young party assistant , a Mr. Stephen King , to comment on Trimble "...getting it all wrong ..".......
(MORE LATER).

THE YOUNGER BREED : ANDY CALLAGHAN.......
From 'The Phoenix' magazine , April 1986 .
No By-Line .

Andy Callaghan's introduction to more 'usual' politics came with his involvement , along with barrister friends Jerry Danaher and Adrian Hardiman , in Sile De Valera's campaigns in Dublin South and subsequently in her search for a seat in Clare .

Brought up in Crumlin , Dublin , Andy Callaghan joined the local Wolfe Tone Cumann of Fianna Fail after the re-organisation of the Dublin South-Central constituency as part of Fianna Fail's 'Operation Dublin' back in 1983 : he failed to get a nomination for the local elections in the constituency but , being the pushy type of lad he is , he persuaded Fianna Fail Head Office in Mount Street , Dublin , to add his name to the ticket . After a ' blitzkreig'- like campaign (' Andy Callaghan challenges Fine Gael' posters etc) the bould Andy pulled in 1,421 first preference votes and , riding on the swing to Fianna Fail , was elected to Dublin Corporation .

Not the least surprised at this result was Adele Ramsey , young Andy's eighteen-year-old running mate , who felt the brunt of his campaign and whose 1,000 or so transfers ironically enough elected him . Personalised canvassing was rife , and young Andy's large hoardings adorned almost every house facing each of the six polling-stations until Fianna Fail Director of Elections , Dorrine Kelly , intervened.......
(MORE LATER).

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT : INSIDE THE NORTHERN IRELAND (sic) PEACE TALKS (sic).......
From 'MAGILL' magazine , November 1997 .
By Fionnuala O' Connor .

From top to bottom , Ulster (sic) unionists view the Stormont talks as a threat , not as a 'promise' : at Stormont , most other groups think that far from developing a commitment to negotiation , David Trimble has been trapped - 'sandbagged' , first , by the collapse of the (Westminster) Conservatives , then steadily squeezed by the (P)IRA's snap re-instatement of their ceasefire , pressure from Tony Blair's government , US White House coaxing , and a growing but still only semi-coherent grassroots and middle-level belief among his own Ulster Unionist Party that they face a worse future if no one represents them in negotiations .

The outcome is evident in the behaviour in talks of the UUP : " They are still in two minds , as if they had just wakened up and found that they're in there , " says one observer . On October 25 last , in Newcastle , County Down , the party's annual conference was more relaxed than in recent years , but neither speeches nor delegates' behaviour suggested whole-heartedness . Critics pulled punches , like M.P. Willie Ross , or stayed silent like M.P. Willie Thompson . Several talks participants , including David Trimble , assured the hall that though sharing a building with 'Sinn Fein/IRA' they were not negotiating with them and certainly not 'fraternising' with them , as Trimble put it .

There were wry smiles at the absence of UUP Deputy Leader John Taylor , enigmatic as always , scheduled to lead off the sole conference debate on the talks process , but unable to attend due to illness , the platform announced . Taylor was Trimble's chief rival in the contest that decided the party leadership and never hides his opinion of the David Trimble 'style' - " I say to David , you really must calm down..." , he told a BBC TV 'profile' programme , chortling while he done so .......
(MORE LATER).

THE YOUNGER BREED : ANDY CALLAGHAN.......
From 'The Phoenix' magazine , April 1986 .
No By-Line .

In a speech he made at the Edentubber Martyrs Commemoration in November 1975 , Andy Callaghan stated - " It (Fianna Fail) has spat on every known republican principle and yet has the gall to proclaim that they are guardians of a heroic line from Vinegar Hill to Edentubber . We (he was still with Sinn Fein then !) left it to Jack Lynch to make speeches , we left it to the Stickies to read books on the theory of 'World Revolution' . The rattle of one Thompson is worth more than a library of Marxist pamphlets. "

However , Andy was only 20 at this time : like one or two others who have since joined Fianna Fail , he became disillusioned with the direction the armed struggle was taking and he often cites the Le Mon bombings as his reason for disengaging from Sinn Fein : another reason for quitting was that he had begun to teach English at the C.U.S. School , Leeson Street , Dublin , in 1978 - he did his H.Diploma there and remained on the full-time staff until 1983 , when he left his teaching post (in June of that year) , a little over a year after his father's death , and joined his brother Joe in the family's painting and decorating business .

That business is moderately successful and , ironically , last year (ie 1985) picked-up a contract to paint the Curragh (Free State) Army Camp - that one-time prison for republicans.......
(MORE LATER).

THE RIGHT TO SILENCE.......
Section 31 of the Broadcasting Act has just been renewed for another year by State Communications Minister Jim Mitchell , despite increasing protests and lobbying by the NUJ .
HELEN O'CONNOR examines the results of a recent NIHE survey of the attitudes of Dublin people on the issue and GERRY LAVERY looks back to the roots of Section 31 .
From 'IN DUBLIN' magazine , February 1987 .

General Secretary of the (Free State) Labour Party , Ray Kavanagh , calls Charlie Haughey's statements about the possible lifting of Section 31 censorship "...mere opportunism.." - according to Kavanagh , if Charlie Haughey ever got into power he would do exactly what he said he would do and seek the advice of the State's 'security advisors' : " And what would they say ? They would say 'No' . And that would be the end of Fianna Fail getting rid of Section 31. "

As for the Labour Party supporters polled in relation to Section 31 censorship , seven out of every ten disapproved of the restrictions imposed by the Act , and the same number favoured giving Sinn Fein access to the airwaves . The Labour Party does not have a current policy on this form of censorship ('1169...' Comment : if it affected them , policy on the issue would be coming out their ears!) but the matter is coming up for debate at their conference in May , 1987 : " There are opposing views inside the party . You can take it for granted that if we were very much against it , we'd be saying so , " , says Ray Kavanagh who , when asked , cannot remember any Labour Party leader coming out with any statement on the matter for the eleven years that he has been a member !

The poll also showed that Progressive Democrat supporters were not of the same mind as their party leadership in relation to Section 31 censorship.......
(MORE LATER).

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT : INSIDE THE NORTHERN IRELAND (sic) PEACE TALKS (sic).
From 'MAGILL' magazine , November 1997 .
By Fionnuala O' Connor .

One month on , many in the North of Ireland are still amazed that unionists are now inside a talks process in Stormont's Castle Buildings with the (Provisional) IRA's political wing , (Provisional) Sinn Fein .

Outside the talks , Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble is berated at supposedly 'United Unionist' rallies organised by the 'Reverend' Ian Paisley and the M.P. Bob McCartney , for being duped by 'pan-nationalism' . A series of past leaders have trembled , then fallen , under such attacks : but the rallies have drawn steadily smaller crowds .

As importantly for Trimble's nerve , the mood at his party's annual conference (on October 25 last) suggested that staying in the talks meets general 'Ulster Unionist Party' acceptance . But not their enthusiasm .......
(MORE LATER).

THE YOUNGER BREED : ANDY CALLAGHAN.......
From 'The Phoenix' magazine , April 1986 .
No By-Line .

Andy Callaghan , or rather 'Aindreas O' Ceallachain' as he was then known , joined Sinn Fein while at UCD , which was "...in the wake of Bloody Sunday... " , as he puts it himself . His rise to the top within the Movement was quickly aided by a leadership anxious to approve of his undoubted rhetorical skills , and he became a member of the Ard Comhairle (party leadership) in 1976 and again in 1977 .

His oration at Maire Drumm's graveside , after her assassination in hospital in October 1976 , was the highpoint in a long list of speaking engagements for young Andy .

That speech was unremarkable , at what was a low-key Republican funeral , although there was a firing party : indeed , the most memorable ingredient of that occasion was the presence of British actress Vanessa Redgrave . An earlier speech which Andy Callaghan made , in November 1975 , leaves him with a lot more explaining to do to his new-found friends in Fianna Fail .......
(MORE LATER).

Monday, June 05, 2006

MacGIOLLA's GUERRILLAS .......
Fifteen years ago , the leadership of the 'Official Republican Movement' (now 'The Workers' Party') stated that their armed wing , the 'Official IRA' , went out of existence .
Today , the 'Official IRA' is alive and well and living mainly in Belfast and Newry . In the days when both organisations were operating in an overt way , the leadership of 'The Workers' Party' and the 'Official IRA' overlapped to a certain degree .
Tomas MacGiolla , the man who led the 'Official IRA' for the last twenty-five years has always maintained the position that the 'Official IRA' went out of existence in 1972 . But the 'Official IRA' still march on , not an army fighting the British , but as a fund-collecting agency .
DEREK DUNNE traces the roots of the 'Official IRA' and 'The Workers' Party' .
From 'IN DUBLIN' magazine , October 1987 .

With the passing of Tomas MacGiolla from the leadership , The Workers' Party is in a way signalling a change of direction ; the leadership of that party claims that the Official IRA 'went out of existance after 1972' - yet , the fact remains that in the 1980's there are people appearing in court claiming to be members of this 'non-existant' organisation .

The question is not really whether or not the Official IRA exists : the question is what they are now doing with their guns - it would appear from their behaviour in Newry and Belfast that they have sunk to an all-time low and have degenerated , just as their INLA counterparts have degenerated , into self-motivated thugs .

Both the Official IRA and the INLA are two parts of the same monster that came out of the split with the Provos in 1969/1970 - the Official IRA are not armed to support their politics . The question posed at the Mornington conference in relation to militarists turning towards politics has never really been fully resolved .
[END of 'MacGIOLLA's GUERRILLAS' .]
(Tomorrow : 'THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT-The 'Peace Talks' ' - from 1997.)

THE YOUNGER BREED : ANDY CALLAGHAN.
From 'The Phoenix' magazine , April 1986 .
No By-Line .

One of the more curious young Turk's mingling among the ranks of the 'Soldiers of Destiny' during last weekend's Ard Fheis ('annual meeting') was Councillor Andy Callaghan .

Thirty-year-old Andy was formerly a bright star in Sinn Fein , but he was elected to Dublin Corporation on the Fianna Fail 'ticket' in Crumlin , Dublin , last June (ie 1985) . Now he is pushing very hard for a nomination in Dublin South Central .

Despite his early apprenticeship in Sinn Fein , Andy Callaghan is typical enough of the hungry new breed of Fianna Failer's swelling the ranks since the local elections of 1985 - "...rugged individualists ... " is the euphemism most often quoted by senior Fianna Fail party figures to describe them .......
(MORE LATER).