DYING BY THE SWORD .......
By Emer Woodful .
The murder of LVF leader BILLY WRIGHT has ignited the most violent spell in the North's recent history and threatened the peace process . He may well have considered it an appropriate legacy .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , February 1998 , pages 30,31,34 and 35 .
Re-published here in 17 parts .
(10 of 17).
Billy Wright's involvement in violence started , he told me , because he saw his neighbours being " systematically murdered " : three of his own family were killed - his uncle , who was a member of the Salvation Army , his father-in-law and his brother-in-law .
" You know , " he said , " when you've looked into the coffins of the ones you love , and you've heard the feeble excuses coming from nationalists , words were'nt good enough ... " . He would never condemn any loyalist paramilitary killings ; he always tried to justify them by arguing that all the people killed by the loyalists were involved with the IRA .
But that simply was not the truth ; many ordinary Catholics were among the 41 people killed by the brutal hand of the UVF's Mid-Ulster Brigade .......
(MORE LATER).
WOMEN IN IRELAND'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM .......
By the late Cork Republican , Gearoid MacCarthaigh .
" (... barred from their meeting rooms in Cork's Thomas Ashe Hall , by Cathal Goulding , Cumann na mBan managed to gain entrance when the IRA guard was absent ..) .. As soon as the men in the Hall realised what had happened they tried to force open the door ; they failed to do this and the women continued their meeting until their business was finished , when they took down the barricades and marched in a body from the Hall past the red-faced men whom they had defeated .
The following Easter they sold their Easter Lilies as always only now they were abused by both the Special Branch and by their former male comrades who were still claiming to be the IRA .
Cumann na mBan attended Bodenstown , in uniform , in 1969 , not to take part in the parade but to distribute a leaflet which they had got printed specially for the occasion ; it was headed - ' Why We Fell Out Of The Parade Last Year ' and , in it , they told the full story of the moves that were going on in the IRA .
They gave full details of what has become known as the 10 Commandments which were the resolutions passed a few years before at an Extraordinary General Army Convention which called for entry to the Free State Dail , looking for permits for sale of Easter Lilies , recognition of Free State Courts , and applying for permission to the Free Staters and the RUC to hold parades and meetings . ('1169....' Comment - .. much the same as the Provisional 'movement' does today : including applying to the 'authorities' for a 'permit' to sell Easter Lilies , which are distributed in honour of the men and women that those same 'authorities' have executed ! The Republican Sinn Fein 'permit' , on the other hand , was 'taken out' in 1916 .... ! ).
I always say Cumann na mBan were the first Provos : after the Provisional Army Council was elected in December 1969 , Cumann na mBan issued a public statement giving their allegiance to it ....... "
(MORE LATER).
SINN FEIN RALLY IN DUBLIN .......
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 3.
(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.
' On behalf of the Sinn Fein candidate for Dublin North-East - Tomas Misteil - Miceal Treinfir was the next speaker ; he put the policy of Sinn Fein to the meeting , and said - " We stand for Ireland ; we in Sinn Fein do not and will not appeal to your emotion but to your reason and we are convinced that when you read and understand the 'National Unity and Social and Economic Programme' of Sinn Fein , you will have no option but to vote Sinn Fein . "
Commenting on the Educational Programme of Sinn Fein , Miceal Treinfir quoted Terence McSwiney -
- " When Ireland was wholly free , Ireland was wholly Gaelic ; when Ireland was wholly Gaelic , Ireland was wholly free . "
Mr. Sean Lafferty , from Chicago , who is at present on holiday in Ireland , assured those present that the Irish exiles in Chicago and Philadelphia gave their full support to Sinn Fein ....... '
(MORE LATER).
READERS PLEASE NOTE - We are moving with the times here in '1169 Towers' ; as such , you have read one of the last printed versions of '1169 And Counting' - we will shortly be 'broadcasting' only on DVD format in the very near future . More details on Monday , 4th April .......).
Thursday, March 31, 2005
DYING BY THE SWORD .......
By Emer Woodful .
The murder of LVF leader BILLY WRIGHT has ignited the most violent spell in the North's recent history and threatened the peace process . He may well have considered it an appropriate legacy .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , February 1998 , pages 30,31,34 and 35 .
Re-published here in 17 parts .
(9 of 17).
Two of Billy Wright's sisters were married to Catholics ; he had no problem with Catholics per se , he said - " I lived among nationalist people , I grew up with them . I'd no difficulty with them . If only the IRA and Sinn Fein would recognise our right to exist , to be British , then I believe the two communities could come together , and a new form of life within a British context could evolve . " ( '1169...' Comment - "...life within a British context... " in the Six Counties is not an 'offer' ; it is that which is the cause of the conflict , and always has been in Ireland).
Indeed , Wright had grown up mixing with Catholics in South Armagh . Although he was born in England , he had returned to the North of Ireland at the age of four and settled in the mainly Protestant village of Mountnorris . He played Gaelic football with Catholics in nearby Whitecross and , unusually , also learned Irish history .
He moved to Portadown and , when he was 15 , was jailed for six years for possession of a firearm and hijacking .......
(MORE LATER).
WOMEN IN IRELAND'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM .......
By the late Cork Republican , Gearoid MacCarthaigh .
" It had always been the practice that only flags and banners of Republican organisations be allowed to be carried in the Parade at Bodenstown ; in 1968 , it had been widely rumoured beforehand that the Communist Party of Ireland proposed to march behind their flag in Bodenstown . Officers of Cumann na mBan met Cathal Goulding in the Assembly Field and got a guarantee from him that only flags of Republican organisations would be carried in the parade .
The women did not trust Goulding and made arrangements to be enforced along the road if the flag of the Communist Party of Ireland was being carried in the parade behind their backs . On being informed about a mile out the road that that flag was being carried , they at once fell out of the parade . The following week Cathal Goulding declared that Cumann na mBan were no longer members of the Republican Movement ; he had bitten off more than he could chew .
The women continued as always ; in Cork City they were forcibly evicted from their meeting place in the Thomas Ashe Hall and warned not to come back again . A guard was placed on the main door to prevent them from entering and , for a few weeks , they held their meetings down 'The Boggey Road' until one day , while on her way to a meeting , the Cumann na mBan Officer Commanding spotted that the guard was missing from the main door .
She quickly collected all her members and they entered the Hall and barricaded themselves into their regular meeting room ....... "
(MORE LATER).
SINN FEIN RALLY IN DUBLIN .
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 3.
(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.
' " This gathering is an effective answer to the people who denied publicity to Sinn Fein in this election " - so said Tomas O'Dubhghaill , addressing one of the biggest Sinn Fein rallies in recent years , at Dublin's GPO , on Saturday night , March 2 , 1957 . 15,000 people filled Ireland's main thoroughfare and they were indeed an answer to those who imposed the ban on Republican news and activities during the past months .
From the very beginning the enthusiasm of the crowd was marked ; three parades arrived simultaneously - one from each of the Dublin constituencies which was being contested by Sinn Fein . Banners and slogans carried by the marchers were greeted with cheers as they drew near the platform . Fianna Eireann scouts and the Emerald Girl Pipers Band headed the parade .
Saoirse Dearle opened the meeting by reading the 1916 Proclamation , following which a recording of the Last Post was played and two minutes silence observed . Tomas O'Dubhghaill , the candidate for Dublin South Central , was the first speaker to be introduced by Sean O'Suilleabhain , Director of Elections for Tom Misteil .
Tomas appealed to the electorate to vote for the Sinn Fein candidates and endorse the stand made by our 152,000 fellow-countrymen in the North ....... '
(MORE LATER).
By Emer Woodful .
The murder of LVF leader BILLY WRIGHT has ignited the most violent spell in the North's recent history and threatened the peace process . He may well have considered it an appropriate legacy .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , February 1998 , pages 30,31,34 and 35 .
Re-published here in 17 parts .
(9 of 17).
Two of Billy Wright's sisters were married to Catholics ; he had no problem with Catholics per se , he said - " I lived among nationalist people , I grew up with them . I'd no difficulty with them . If only the IRA and Sinn Fein would recognise our right to exist , to be British , then I believe the two communities could come together , and a new form of life within a British context could evolve . " ( '1169...' Comment - "...life within a British context... " in the Six Counties is not an 'offer' ; it is that which is the cause of the conflict , and always has been in Ireland).
Indeed , Wright had grown up mixing with Catholics in South Armagh . Although he was born in England , he had returned to the North of Ireland at the age of four and settled in the mainly Protestant village of Mountnorris . He played Gaelic football with Catholics in nearby Whitecross and , unusually , also learned Irish history .
He moved to Portadown and , when he was 15 , was jailed for six years for possession of a firearm and hijacking .......
(MORE LATER).
WOMEN IN IRELAND'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM .......
By the late Cork Republican , Gearoid MacCarthaigh .
" It had always been the practice that only flags and banners of Republican organisations be allowed to be carried in the Parade at Bodenstown ; in 1968 , it had been widely rumoured beforehand that the Communist Party of Ireland proposed to march behind their flag in Bodenstown . Officers of Cumann na mBan met Cathal Goulding in the Assembly Field and got a guarantee from him that only flags of Republican organisations would be carried in the parade .
The women did not trust Goulding and made arrangements to be enforced along the road if the flag of the Communist Party of Ireland was being carried in the parade behind their backs . On being informed about a mile out the road that that flag was being carried , they at once fell out of the parade . The following week Cathal Goulding declared that Cumann na mBan were no longer members of the Republican Movement ; he had bitten off more than he could chew .
The women continued as always ; in Cork City they were forcibly evicted from their meeting place in the Thomas Ashe Hall and warned not to come back again . A guard was placed on the main door to prevent them from entering and , for a few weeks , they held their meetings down 'The Boggey Road' until one day , while on her way to a meeting , the Cumann na mBan Officer Commanding spotted that the guard was missing from the main door .
She quickly collected all her members and they entered the Hall and barricaded themselves into their regular meeting room ....... "
(MORE LATER).
SINN FEIN RALLY IN DUBLIN .
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 3.
(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.
' " This gathering is an effective answer to the people who denied publicity to Sinn Fein in this election " - so said Tomas O'Dubhghaill , addressing one of the biggest Sinn Fein rallies in recent years , at Dublin's GPO , on Saturday night , March 2 , 1957 . 15,000 people filled Ireland's main thoroughfare and they were indeed an answer to those who imposed the ban on Republican news and activities during the past months .
From the very beginning the enthusiasm of the crowd was marked ; three parades arrived simultaneously - one from each of the Dublin constituencies which was being contested by Sinn Fein . Banners and slogans carried by the marchers were greeted with cheers as they drew near the platform . Fianna Eireann scouts and the Emerald Girl Pipers Band headed the parade .
Saoirse Dearle opened the meeting by reading the 1916 Proclamation , following which a recording of the Last Post was played and two minutes silence observed . Tomas O'Dubhghaill , the candidate for Dublin South Central , was the first speaker to be introduced by Sean O'Suilleabhain , Director of Elections for Tom Misteil .
Tomas appealed to the electorate to vote for the Sinn Fein candidates and endorse the stand made by our 152,000 fellow-countrymen in the North ....... '
(MORE LATER).
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
DYING BY THE SWORD .......
By Emer Woodful .
The murder of LVF leader BILLY WRIGHT has ignited the most violent spell in the North's recent history and threatened the peace process . He may well have considered it an appropriate legacy .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , February 1998 , pages 30,31,34 and 35 .
Re-published here in 17 parts .
(8 of 17).
The S.D.L.P. accused David Trimble of ".. breathtaking hypocrisy .. " , and Bob McCartney of the 'UK Unionists' said the meeting was " ...questionable.. " . Wright himself said David Trimble had asked him to intervene to prevent any violence .
When asked why he was at Drumcree if he was'nt even a member of the Orange Order , Billy Wright replied - " How dare you , dear , how dare you ! My family's buried at Drumcree . I will not let you tell me where I can or cannot go , or that I cannot speak to my MP at a time when your government is speaking to the IRA . "
It was difficult to try and figure out Billy Wright , the man who described the ceasefire as "... the happiest day of my life .. " , who had worked in the past as a religious preacher , but who had abandoned practising his beloved religion because of the dilemma he saw in his support for violence . He told me -
- " I believe that true Protestantism is about faith in the Lord Jesus Christ . You're quite right to say that if you were practising that faith then you could'nt align it to your other beliefs ....... "
(MORE LATER).
WOMEN IN IRELAND'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM .......
By the late Cork Republican , Gearoid MacCarthaigh .
" In 1939 , when the English bombing campaign started , women again played an active part ; the late Mrs. Charlie Woods , Miss Rita McSwiney (now Mrs. Paddy McGlynn ) and Miss Mary Glynn (now Mrs. Dick Mullready ) served long years in English prisons for their part in the Campaign . Many other Irish women were deported from England for the same reason .
In the 1940's , the women of Cumann na mBan and the girls of Clann na Gael were the ones not in gaol or internment camps and managed to keep the Republican position before the public . They held regular protest marches and meetings in Dublin , and were often battoned by the Free State Guards . On one such occasion the late Commandant Katie O'Connor of Clann na Gael was knocked unconscious in the middle of O'Connell Street , Dublin , by the blow of a baton welded by one of the so-called 'Guardians of the Peace' .
On many occasions during the 1940's the women provided Guards of Honour at funerals of dead Republicans ; many women were interned in Mountjoy Gaol in the 1940's and I know of no case of any of them 'signing out' .
It had always been the practice that only flags and banners of Republican organisations be allowed to be carried in the Parade at Bodenstown but , in 1968 , it had been widely rumoured beforehand that the Communist Party of Ireland proposed to march behind their own flag in Bodenstown ....... "
(MORE LATER).
SURVIVORS , SERVERS , AND SAVIOURS.......
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 2.
(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.
' At present , outside agencies artifically alter the value of money by regulating the supply of credit so that the Irish farming community , for example , is doomed to experience a period of depression after every period of prosperity . But a farm cannot flourish under such a system ; we require a monetary system designed to maintain a state of equilibrium within our country , and not a fixed relationship between an Irish pound and an external unit of currency .
There is not lacking in Ireland sufficient intelligence to solve our problems : what is wanting lies in the sphere of the will . We are are a Nation of survivors and have been deficient in the use of our will-power . But that weakness , thanks be to God , appears to be leaving us now .
Ireland's survivors are becoming her servers ; and Ireland's servers shall be her saviours . '
[END of ' SURVIVORS , SERVERS , AND SAVIOURS....... '].
(Tomorrow - ' SINN FEIN RALLY IN DUBLIN ' ; from the same 1957 source.)
By Emer Woodful .
The murder of LVF leader BILLY WRIGHT has ignited the most violent spell in the North's recent history and threatened the peace process . He may well have considered it an appropriate legacy .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , February 1998 , pages 30,31,34 and 35 .
Re-published here in 17 parts .
(8 of 17).
The S.D.L.P. accused David Trimble of ".. breathtaking hypocrisy .. " , and Bob McCartney of the 'UK Unionists' said the meeting was " ...questionable.. " . Wright himself said David Trimble had asked him to intervene to prevent any violence .
When asked why he was at Drumcree if he was'nt even a member of the Orange Order , Billy Wright replied - " How dare you , dear , how dare you ! My family's buried at Drumcree . I will not let you tell me where I can or cannot go , or that I cannot speak to my MP at a time when your government is speaking to the IRA . "
It was difficult to try and figure out Billy Wright , the man who described the ceasefire as "... the happiest day of my life .. " , who had worked in the past as a religious preacher , but who had abandoned practising his beloved religion because of the dilemma he saw in his support for violence . He told me -
- " I believe that true Protestantism is about faith in the Lord Jesus Christ . You're quite right to say that if you were practising that faith then you could'nt align it to your other beliefs ....... "
(MORE LATER).
WOMEN IN IRELAND'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM .......
By the late Cork Republican , Gearoid MacCarthaigh .
" In 1939 , when the English bombing campaign started , women again played an active part ; the late Mrs. Charlie Woods , Miss Rita McSwiney (now Mrs. Paddy McGlynn ) and Miss Mary Glynn (now Mrs. Dick Mullready ) served long years in English prisons for their part in the Campaign . Many other Irish women were deported from England for the same reason .
In the 1940's , the women of Cumann na mBan and the girls of Clann na Gael were the ones not in gaol or internment camps and managed to keep the Republican position before the public . They held regular protest marches and meetings in Dublin , and were often battoned by the Free State Guards . On one such occasion the late Commandant Katie O'Connor of Clann na Gael was knocked unconscious in the middle of O'Connell Street , Dublin , by the blow of a baton welded by one of the so-called 'Guardians of the Peace' .
On many occasions during the 1940's the women provided Guards of Honour at funerals of dead Republicans ; many women were interned in Mountjoy Gaol in the 1940's and I know of no case of any of them 'signing out' .
It had always been the practice that only flags and banners of Republican organisations be allowed to be carried in the Parade at Bodenstown but , in 1968 , it had been widely rumoured beforehand that the Communist Party of Ireland proposed to march behind their own flag in Bodenstown ....... "
(MORE LATER).
SURVIVORS , SERVERS , AND SAVIOURS.......
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 2.
(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.
' At present , outside agencies artifically alter the value of money by regulating the supply of credit so that the Irish farming community , for example , is doomed to experience a period of depression after every period of prosperity . But a farm cannot flourish under such a system ; we require a monetary system designed to maintain a state of equilibrium within our country , and not a fixed relationship between an Irish pound and an external unit of currency .
There is not lacking in Ireland sufficient intelligence to solve our problems : what is wanting lies in the sphere of the will . We are are a Nation of survivors and have been deficient in the use of our will-power . But that weakness , thanks be to God , appears to be leaving us now .
Ireland's survivors are becoming her servers ; and Ireland's servers shall be her saviours . '
[END of ' SURVIVORS , SERVERS , AND SAVIOURS....... '].
(Tomorrow - ' SINN FEIN RALLY IN DUBLIN ' ; from the same 1957 source.)
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
DYING BY THE SWORD .......
By Emer Woodful .
The murder of LVF leader BILLY WRIGHT has ignited the most violent spell in the North's recent history and threatened the peace process . He may well have considered it an appropriate legacy .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , February 1998 , pages 30,31,34 and 35 .
Re-published here in 17 parts .
(7 of 17).
In August 1996 , the UVF 'stood down' one of its Units in Portadown ; it is believed that Billy Wright and Alex Kerr then set-up the Loyalist Volunteer Force , which led to their being issued with the Combined Loyalist Military Command's death threat . The CLMC's statement read -
- " Failure to comply with this directive (ie to leave the Six Counties within 72 hours) will result in summary justice for your treasonable and subversive activities . " At the time , support for Wright and Kerr came from the DUP's Ian Paisley junior , who said that "... any death threat on any individual by any organisation is contemptible and reprehensible , and I condemn it with every ounce of strength I have . "
There was quite a fuss about Billy Wright having met the UUP leader David Trimble at Drumcree ; Wright had manned the barricades , fortified with a mechanical digger and a slurry tank filled with petrol that could have been sprayed over the British security forces in the event of any battle developing .
The newspaper headlines barked banners like ' Mallon Accuses Trimble of Breaking the Law ' and ' Trimble's Talk with Wright Raises Queries about his Refusal to Meet Garvaghy Group ..... '
(MORE LATER).
WOMEN IN IRELAND'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM .......
By the late Cork Republican , Gearoid MacCarthaigh .
" On December 8th 1936 , Na Fianna Eireann were holding a Four Martyrs Commemoration Concert in Cork City Hall ; the late Mary McSwiney , one of the last survivors of the Second All-Ireland Dail Eireann , was the speaker . At the outset of her speech she declared as follows :
: " Republicans in this city are wary of using this Hall as it has never been properly opened . Since no-one is more entitled to use it than Republicans I now declare this City Hall officially opened in the name of the Irish Republic . "
In 1936 , Cumann na mBan was declared an 'illegal organisation' by the Fianna Fail Free State government and their Head Office in Dublin was locked and sealed-up by the Broy Harriers ; they were never again to gain admission to their Head Office but this did not stop them from fighting on .
In 1939 , when the English bombing campaign started , women again played an active part ....... "
(MORE LATER).
SURVIVORS , SERVERS , AND SAVIOURS.......
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 1.
(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.
' At the 1955 Annual Dinner of the Institute of Bankers in Ireland , Sir George Erskine , President of the Institute of Bankers in England , listened to a speech made by the Minister of Finance ; afterwards , he made a speech himself - he said that , as he listened to the Minister , he thought that if only he closed his eyes he might have been listening to the (British) Chancellor of the Exchequer -
- " To my mind , " he said , " from what the Minister said , your problem is the same as ours . "
Sinn Fein believes that the problems are dissimilar , and that financial independence is essential to political independence and , for the prosperity and growth of the population of Ireland we must control our national resources . At present we make use of a foreign currency , the circulation of which is controlled by foreign financiers .
With a national currency , the volume in circulation could be regulated to provide stability of prices , full employment and the stoppage of emigration . At present , outside agencies artifically alter the value of money by regulating the supply of credit ....... '
(MORE LATER).
By Emer Woodful .
The murder of LVF leader BILLY WRIGHT has ignited the most violent spell in the North's recent history and threatened the peace process . He may well have considered it an appropriate legacy .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , February 1998 , pages 30,31,34 and 35 .
Re-published here in 17 parts .
(7 of 17).
In August 1996 , the UVF 'stood down' one of its Units in Portadown ; it is believed that Billy Wright and Alex Kerr then set-up the Loyalist Volunteer Force , which led to their being issued with the Combined Loyalist Military Command's death threat . The CLMC's statement read -
- " Failure to comply with this directive (ie to leave the Six Counties within 72 hours) will result in summary justice for your treasonable and subversive activities . " At the time , support for Wright and Kerr came from the DUP's Ian Paisley junior , who said that "... any death threat on any individual by any organisation is contemptible and reprehensible , and I condemn it with every ounce of strength I have . "
There was quite a fuss about Billy Wright having met the UUP leader David Trimble at Drumcree ; Wright had manned the barricades , fortified with a mechanical digger and a slurry tank filled with petrol that could have been sprayed over the British security forces in the event of any battle developing .
The newspaper headlines barked banners like ' Mallon Accuses Trimble of Breaking the Law ' and ' Trimble's Talk with Wright Raises Queries about his Refusal to Meet Garvaghy Group ..... '
(MORE LATER).
WOMEN IN IRELAND'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM .......
By the late Cork Republican , Gearoid MacCarthaigh .
" On December 8th 1936 , Na Fianna Eireann were holding a Four Martyrs Commemoration Concert in Cork City Hall ; the late Mary McSwiney , one of the last survivors of the Second All-Ireland Dail Eireann , was the speaker . At the outset of her speech she declared as follows :
: " Republicans in this city are wary of using this Hall as it has never been properly opened . Since no-one is more entitled to use it than Republicans I now declare this City Hall officially opened in the name of the Irish Republic . "
In 1936 , Cumann na mBan was declared an 'illegal organisation' by the Fianna Fail Free State government and their Head Office in Dublin was locked and sealed-up by the Broy Harriers ; they were never again to gain admission to their Head Office but this did not stop them from fighting on .
In 1939 , when the English bombing campaign started , women again played an active part ....... "
(MORE LATER).
SURVIVORS , SERVERS , AND SAVIOURS.......
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 1.
(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.
' At the 1955 Annual Dinner of the Institute of Bankers in Ireland , Sir George Erskine , President of the Institute of Bankers in England , listened to a speech made by the Minister of Finance ; afterwards , he made a speech himself - he said that , as he listened to the Minister , he thought that if only he closed his eyes he might have been listening to the (British) Chancellor of the Exchequer -
- " To my mind , " he said , " from what the Minister said , your problem is the same as ours . "
Sinn Fein believes that the problems are dissimilar , and that financial independence is essential to political independence and , for the prosperity and growth of the population of Ireland we must control our national resources . At present we make use of a foreign currency , the circulation of which is controlled by foreign financiers .
With a national currency , the volume in circulation could be regulated to provide stability of prices , full employment and the stoppage of emigration . At present , outside agencies artifically alter the value of money by regulating the supply of credit ....... '
(MORE LATER).
Monday, March 28, 2005
DYING BY THE SWORD .......
By Emer Woodful .
The murder of LVF leader BILLY WRIGHT has ignited the most violent spell in the North's recent history and threatened the peace process . He may well have considered it an appropriate legacy .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , February 1998 , pages 30,31,34 and 35 .
Re-published here in 17 parts .
(6 of 17).
Billy Wright denied having had anything to do with the death of Lurgan taxi driver Eddie McGoldrick ; he said that he had been " ... arrested for public consumption .. " and knew of no loyalist involvement in the killing . The UVF and the UDA also denied any involvement , and Wright offered the completely unfounded suggestion that it may have been a drug-related killing .
That killing is said to have added to the rift between Billy Wright and the 'Combined Loyalist Military Command' , who were backing the cease-fire ; there had been growing unease among Wright and his supporters , and the UVF , which was said to be angry about the violence at Drumcree , the McGoldrick killing and the moving further away from any dialogue . As a result , in August 1996 , after Drumcree , the UVF issued a statement saying it had stood down one of its Units in Portadown .......
(MORE LATER).
WOMEN IN IRELAND'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM .......
By the late Cork Republican , Gearoid MacCarthaigh .
" Eamonn de Valera was due to visit Cork ; security was tight . Passes were issued by the Free State authorities , six of which ended up with the local IRA . The Brits , of course , did not know this . Six members of Cumann na mBan were selected , a prepared speech was drawn up and each of the six women had to learn it off by heart .
de Valera was visiting Cork to open the new City Hall ; on the opening day , the six women presented themselves at the entrance to the City Hall one or two at a time and were admitted when they produced their passes . When they entered the Hall they took up widely scattered positions around the stage . When de Valera got up and started his speech , the first woman got up and started her speech ; Dev sat down and remained sitting until the Broy Harriers had removed the woman protestor from the room .
When de Valera got to his feet again , the second woman got up and continued from where the first woman was forced to leave off ; six times this happened that day . The women , when they were dragged from the main room , were held for a number of hours in a separate room in the building and questioned as to how they had gained admission .
Needless to say they did not tell ....... "
(MORE LATER).
SURVIVORS , SERVERS , AND SAVIOURS.......
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 1.
(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 the British butchery of 1798 , the Orangeman was made to fear the Catholic and , fearing him , to oppress him . The Catholic was taught that he needed a friend to defend him against Protestant oppression and Orange violence .
The maintenance of a so-called United Kingdom necessitated the dis-union of Ireland , and a new 'pale' was formed around Belfast . We must teach our Northern brethren that they have lost much in the last 150 years ; and that it is in London and not in Dublin that they will eventually recognise their enemies .
The first duty of Irishmen , then , is to unite and save our country ; our second duty is to make it reasonably prosperous , provide full employment and stop emigration . The key to these economic problems is monetary reform - the State must assume the responsibility of controlling the supply of credit , or money , and of feeding a sufficiency of this into our economy for real wealth to be produced and all people to be employed ....... '
(MORE LATER).
Beannachtai na Casca oraibh ; Tiocfaidh Ar La ! Happy Easter ; Our Day Will Come !
By Emer Woodful .
The murder of LVF leader BILLY WRIGHT has ignited the most violent spell in the North's recent history and threatened the peace process . He may well have considered it an appropriate legacy .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , February 1998 , pages 30,31,34 and 35 .
Re-published here in 17 parts .
(6 of 17).
Billy Wright denied having had anything to do with the death of Lurgan taxi driver Eddie McGoldrick ; he said that he had been " ... arrested for public consumption .. " and knew of no loyalist involvement in the killing . The UVF and the UDA also denied any involvement , and Wright offered the completely unfounded suggestion that it may have been a drug-related killing .
That killing is said to have added to the rift between Billy Wright and the 'Combined Loyalist Military Command' , who were backing the cease-fire ; there had been growing unease among Wright and his supporters , and the UVF , which was said to be angry about the violence at Drumcree , the McGoldrick killing and the moving further away from any dialogue . As a result , in August 1996 , after Drumcree , the UVF issued a statement saying it had stood down one of its Units in Portadown .......
(MORE LATER).
WOMEN IN IRELAND'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM .......
By the late Cork Republican , Gearoid MacCarthaigh .
" Eamonn de Valera was due to visit Cork ; security was tight . Passes were issued by the Free State authorities , six of which ended up with the local IRA . The Brits , of course , did not know this . Six members of Cumann na mBan were selected , a prepared speech was drawn up and each of the six women had to learn it off by heart .
de Valera was visiting Cork to open the new City Hall ; on the opening day , the six women presented themselves at the entrance to the City Hall one or two at a time and were admitted when they produced their passes . When they entered the Hall they took up widely scattered positions around the stage . When de Valera got up and started his speech , the first woman got up and started her speech ; Dev sat down and remained sitting until the Broy Harriers had removed the woman protestor from the room .
When de Valera got to his feet again , the second woman got up and continued from where the first woman was forced to leave off ; six times this happened that day . The women , when they were dragged from the main room , were held for a number of hours in a separate room in the building and questioned as to how they had gained admission .
Needless to say they did not tell ....... "
(MORE LATER).
SURVIVORS , SERVERS , AND SAVIOURS.......
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 1.
(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 the British butchery of 1798 , the Orangeman was made to fear the Catholic and , fearing him , to oppress him . The Catholic was taught that he needed a friend to defend him against Protestant oppression and Orange violence .
The maintenance of a so-called United Kingdom necessitated the dis-union of Ireland , and a new 'pale' was formed around Belfast . We must teach our Northern brethren that they have lost much in the last 150 years ; and that it is in London and not in Dublin that they will eventually recognise their enemies .
The first duty of Irishmen , then , is to unite and save our country ; our second duty is to make it reasonably prosperous , provide full employment and stop emigration . The key to these economic problems is monetary reform - the State must assume the responsibility of controlling the supply of credit , or money , and of feeding a sufficiency of this into our economy for real wealth to be produced and all people to be employed ....... '
(MORE LATER).
Beannachtai na Casca oraibh ; Tiocfaidh Ar La ! Happy Easter ; Our Day Will Come !
Friday, March 25, 2005
DYING BY THE SWORD .......
By Emer Woodful .
The murder of LVF leader BILLY WRIGHT has ignited the most violent spell in the North's recent history and threatened the peace process . He may well have considered it an appropriate legacy .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , February 1998 , pages 30,31,34 and 35 .
Re-published here in 17 parts .
(5 of 17).
In his house in Portadown , in his neat sitting-room , in his fairly large detached house with a manicured garden , rich with flowers , and complete with a basketball hoop , sat Billy Wright . A trim 36-year-old then , who did'nt drink or smoke , who had tattoos , dressed in denim , wore a gold ear-ring , and talked about his little dog , Levi , who'd just had an operation .
All around were the little china religious plaques announcing things like ' Jesus' Name Is Sweet To Every Ear . ' In the Laura Ashley-style room , with bordered wallpaper , his partner serves coffee in pottery mugs . All so normal , except for a feeling of tight control and anger that sometimes seeps through the man who's said to have ordered the random killing of a Catholic man on 7th July , the day before the Drumcree stand-off .
Lurgan taxi driver Eddie McGoldrick had just had a new baby and had also just graduated from Queens University .......
(MORE LATER).
WOMEN IN IRELAND'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM .......
By the late Cork Republican , Gearoid MacCarthaigh .
" Many women were interned in Kilmainham Jail by the Free Staters during the years 1922-1923 ; the story of their treatment there is told in ' The Jangle of the Keys ' by one of them - the late Mrs Margaret Buckley . Aoife Taffe , who escaped from the jail , hid for several hours in a coal wagon which was parked on the nearby railway line until it moved off to safer places .
At Easter 1936 , Fianna Fail banned the sale of Easter Lilies for the first time - women all over Ireland were in the forefront defying this ban .
In 1936 also , the new City Hall in Cork City , which had been built on the site of the old City Hall and Public Library (which had been burned to the ground by the Black And Tans in 1920 ) was opened . The opening ceremony was to be performed by Eamonn de Valera ; Free State security was to be very tight for this event . Passes for admission were only given to very carefully selected people .
Six of those passes were given to an ex-British Army Officer who lived in Cork at that time ; he gave them to a member of the Brigade Staff of the 1st Cork Brigade , Oglaigh na hEireann ....... "
(MORE LATER).
SURVIVORS , SERVERS , AND SAVIOURS.......
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 1.
(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 that same eighteenth century Ireland , there were sectarian parties in Ulster - the Protestant 'Peep of Day Boys' and the Catholic 'Defenders' ; religious animosity was more bitter than it is today . Violence was common and , after one bloody affray , the Orange Order was instituted .
Despite this unfavourable background , the Society of United Irishmen was formed in Belfast , mainly by Protestants ; the Catholic element in the Society grew rapidly in numbers and soon the mass of the 'Defender' organisation had been enrolled . This signified that the Catholics had been converted to the idea that their real enemy was not the Orangeman , but England .
The United Irishmen were able to convert some of the Orangemen to the idea that their fear of Catholic numerical superiority was unfounded , and that Ireland was big enough for all her children to achieve prosperity provided that the connection with Britain was broken . Britain saw that this was true , and she decided that a prosperous Ireland would endanger British commerce ; hence the barabarties of 1797 and 1798 ....... '
(MORE LATER).
By Emer Woodful .
The murder of LVF leader BILLY WRIGHT has ignited the most violent spell in the North's recent history and threatened the peace process . He may well have considered it an appropriate legacy .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , February 1998 , pages 30,31,34 and 35 .
Re-published here in 17 parts .
(5 of 17).
In his house in Portadown , in his neat sitting-room , in his fairly large detached house with a manicured garden , rich with flowers , and complete with a basketball hoop , sat Billy Wright . A trim 36-year-old then , who did'nt drink or smoke , who had tattoos , dressed in denim , wore a gold ear-ring , and talked about his little dog , Levi , who'd just had an operation .
All around were the little china religious plaques announcing things like ' Jesus' Name Is Sweet To Every Ear . ' In the Laura Ashley-style room , with bordered wallpaper , his partner serves coffee in pottery mugs . All so normal , except for a feeling of tight control and anger that sometimes seeps through the man who's said to have ordered the random killing of a Catholic man on 7th July , the day before the Drumcree stand-off .
Lurgan taxi driver Eddie McGoldrick had just had a new baby and had also just graduated from Queens University .......
(MORE LATER).
WOMEN IN IRELAND'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM .......
By the late Cork Republican , Gearoid MacCarthaigh .
" Many women were interned in Kilmainham Jail by the Free Staters during the years 1922-1923 ; the story of their treatment there is told in ' The Jangle of the Keys ' by one of them - the late Mrs Margaret Buckley . Aoife Taffe , who escaped from the jail , hid for several hours in a coal wagon which was parked on the nearby railway line until it moved off to safer places .
At Easter 1936 , Fianna Fail banned the sale of Easter Lilies for the first time - women all over Ireland were in the forefront defying this ban .
In 1936 also , the new City Hall in Cork City , which had been built on the site of the old City Hall and Public Library (which had been burned to the ground by the Black And Tans in 1920 ) was opened . The opening ceremony was to be performed by Eamonn de Valera ; Free State security was to be very tight for this event . Passes for admission were only given to very carefully selected people .
Six of those passes were given to an ex-British Army Officer who lived in Cork at that time ; he gave them to a member of the Brigade Staff of the 1st Cork Brigade , Oglaigh na hEireann ....... "
(MORE LATER).
SURVIVORS , SERVERS , AND SAVIOURS.......
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 1.
(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 that same eighteenth century Ireland , there were sectarian parties in Ulster - the Protestant 'Peep of Day Boys' and the Catholic 'Defenders' ; religious animosity was more bitter than it is today . Violence was common and , after one bloody affray , the Orange Order was instituted .
Despite this unfavourable background , the Society of United Irishmen was formed in Belfast , mainly by Protestants ; the Catholic element in the Society grew rapidly in numbers and soon the mass of the 'Defender' organisation had been enrolled . This signified that the Catholics had been converted to the idea that their real enemy was not the Orangeman , but England .
The United Irishmen were able to convert some of the Orangemen to the idea that their fear of Catholic numerical superiority was unfounded , and that Ireland was big enough for all her children to achieve prosperity provided that the connection with Britain was broken . Britain saw that this was true , and she decided that a prosperous Ireland would endanger British commerce ; hence the barabarties of 1797 and 1798 ....... '
(MORE LATER).
Thursday, March 24, 2005
DYING BY THE SWORD .......
By Emer Woodful .
The murder of LVF leader BILLY WRIGHT has ignited the most violent spell in the North's recent history and threatened the peace process . He may well have considered it an appropriate legacy .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , February 1998 , pages 30,31,34 and 35 .
Re-published here in 17 parts .
(4 of 17).
So just who was Billy Wright ? : " I am a mid-Ulster loyalist , and I can equate my feelings to 97 per cent of the unionist population , " he told me when I met him twice in the summer of 1996 . Wright , said to have been the former mid-Ulster Commander of the UVF , had just played a pivotal role in the Drumcree stand-off .
Our last meeting was on 29 August 1996 , the day before the expiration of the Combined Loyalist Military Command's death threat against him and Alex Kerr , the former UDA Commander in South Belfast .
The drill was that you phoned Wright , got picked up in a car park and were driven to his home , via a number of safety checks . The car slowed down at different houses , and a wave was given , and returned, from behind a curtain . Then , later , a mysterious wave , and a nod to a dark figure concealed in a big hedge , just at the entrance to his housing estate in Portadown .......
(MORE LATER).
WOMEN IN IRELAND'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM .......
By the late Cork Republican , Gearoid MacCarthaigh .
" Throughout 1922 and 1923 , as well as carrying out the same tasks as they had during the Black And Tan War , Republican women also carried out an intensive publicity campaign against the Free State .
One night a number of Cumann na mBan members were picked up by a Free State Army patrol while painting slogans on walls in Dublin ; they were placed in the back of an armoured car and taken to the Barracks . Luckily , their paint and brushes were put in as well - when the armoured car arrived at the Free State Barrack , the Staters discovered the inside of it covered with anti Free State slogans in white paint . The women had not been idle during the journey !
When the 'Cease-Fire-Dump-Arms' Order was issued in 1923 , women continued to play a leading role in the struggle ; in 1925 , the Easter Lily was introduced by Cumann na mBan as the National Emblem of Commemoration of Ireland's dead . The Easter Lily is still the property of Cumann na mBan and no other body has the right to claim it .
For a number of years past the National Commemoration Committee ('1169...' Comment - the NCC are now based at 223 Parnell Street , Dublin 1) have acted as distribution agents for Cumann na mBan . Many women were interned in Kilmainham Jail by the Free Staters during the years 1922-1923 ....... "
(MORE LATER).
SURVIVORS , SERVERS , AND SAVIOURS.......
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 1.
(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.
' Padraig Pearse had this to say to the 'Pacificators' :
: " A thing that stands demonstrable is that nationhood is not achieved otherwise than in arms . In one or two instances there may have been no actual bloodshed , but the arms were there and the ability to use them . Ireland un-armed will attain just as much freedom as it is convenient for England to give her ; Ireland armed will attain ultimately just as much freedom as she wants . There are many things more horrible than bloodshed : and slavery is one of them . "
The first duty we owe to Ireland is to unite all Irishmen and fill them with a patriotic fervour to serve those neighbours who are nearest in blood and tradition - there own people . It should never be forgotten that , at the end of the eighteen century , Ireland was rapidly becoming united and would have become completely so but for British interference .
The real author of the 'Orange Terror' etc was Britain ; our brother Irishmen were merely 'the master's puppets' . They certainly sinned , but we sin also if we fail to forgive them . Unity is not to be built on foundations of hatred , and sectarianism lacks charity ....... '
(MORE LATER).
By Emer Woodful .
The murder of LVF leader BILLY WRIGHT has ignited the most violent spell in the North's recent history and threatened the peace process . He may well have considered it an appropriate legacy .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , February 1998 , pages 30,31,34 and 35 .
Re-published here in 17 parts .
(4 of 17).
So just who was Billy Wright ? : " I am a mid-Ulster loyalist , and I can equate my feelings to 97 per cent of the unionist population , " he told me when I met him twice in the summer of 1996 . Wright , said to have been the former mid-Ulster Commander of the UVF , had just played a pivotal role in the Drumcree stand-off .
Our last meeting was on 29 August 1996 , the day before the expiration of the Combined Loyalist Military Command's death threat against him and Alex Kerr , the former UDA Commander in South Belfast .
The drill was that you phoned Wright , got picked up in a car park and were driven to his home , via a number of safety checks . The car slowed down at different houses , and a wave was given , and returned, from behind a curtain . Then , later , a mysterious wave , and a nod to a dark figure concealed in a big hedge , just at the entrance to his housing estate in Portadown .......
(MORE LATER).
WOMEN IN IRELAND'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM .......
By the late Cork Republican , Gearoid MacCarthaigh .
" Throughout 1922 and 1923 , as well as carrying out the same tasks as they had during the Black And Tan War , Republican women also carried out an intensive publicity campaign against the Free State .
One night a number of Cumann na mBan members were picked up by a Free State Army patrol while painting slogans on walls in Dublin ; they were placed in the back of an armoured car and taken to the Barracks . Luckily , their paint and brushes were put in as well - when the armoured car arrived at the Free State Barrack , the Staters discovered the inside of it covered with anti Free State slogans in white paint . The women had not been idle during the journey !
When the 'Cease-Fire-Dump-Arms' Order was issued in 1923 , women continued to play a leading role in the struggle ; in 1925 , the Easter Lily was introduced by Cumann na mBan as the National Emblem of Commemoration of Ireland's dead . The Easter Lily is still the property of Cumann na mBan and no other body has the right to claim it .
For a number of years past the National Commemoration Committee ('1169...' Comment - the NCC are now based at 223 Parnell Street , Dublin 1) have acted as distribution agents for Cumann na mBan . Many women were interned in Kilmainham Jail by the Free Staters during the years 1922-1923 ....... "
(MORE LATER).
SURVIVORS , SERVERS , AND SAVIOURS.......
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 1.
(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.
' Padraig Pearse had this to say to the 'Pacificators' :
: " A thing that stands demonstrable is that nationhood is not achieved otherwise than in arms . In one or two instances there may have been no actual bloodshed , but the arms were there and the ability to use them . Ireland un-armed will attain just as much freedom as it is convenient for England to give her ; Ireland armed will attain ultimately just as much freedom as she wants . There are many things more horrible than bloodshed : and slavery is one of them . "
The first duty we owe to Ireland is to unite all Irishmen and fill them with a patriotic fervour to serve those neighbours who are nearest in blood and tradition - there own people . It should never be forgotten that , at the end of the eighteen century , Ireland was rapidly becoming united and would have become completely so but for British interference .
The real author of the 'Orange Terror' etc was Britain ; our brother Irishmen were merely 'the master's puppets' . They certainly sinned , but we sin also if we fail to forgive them . Unity is not to be built on foundations of hatred , and sectarianism lacks charity ....... '
(MORE LATER).
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
DYING BY THE SWORD .......
By Emer Woodful .
The murder of LVF leader BILLY WRIGHT has ignited the most violent spell in the North's recent history and threatened the peace process . He may well have considered it an appropriate legacy .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , February 1998 , pages 30,31,34 and 35 .
Re-published here in 17 parts .
(3 of 17).
On New Year's Day , the Church of Ireland Primate , Robin Eames , said that 'Northern Ireland' (sic) " ... was at the beginning of a very dark and very dangerous period . "
What made Billy Wright stand out , however , was that he openly supported violence and was prepared to die for the union . He did strike a chord among loyalists who believe that the Republican Movement won concessions through violence and that loyalists should be following the same course .
Those loyalists believed that , regardless of any possible concessions , it was worth dying rather than deny the union anyway . Some commentators say he was nothing but a maverick ; yet he defied the Combined Loyalist Military Command's death threat against him in the summer of 1996 and , in doing so , he got the support of about 5,000 people .
The DUP's Willie McCrea supported Billy Wright at a rally in his hometown of Portadown : Wright struck fear into the hearts of Catholics . All the shops in Portadown , even 'Dunnes Stores' , closed obediently " ... as a mark of respect " for his funeral . His 'constituency' was not that of the Ulster Unionist middle classes but of the poorer , angry younger men .......
(MORE LATER).
WOMEN IN IRELAND'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM .......
By the late Cork Republican , Gearoid MacCarthaigh .
" I had the honour to meet Nurse Eileen O'Farrell on a platform in Middle Abbey Street in Dublin in December 1956 ; she stated publicly that night - " ... the young men of Oglaigh na hEireann who were fighting in occupied Ireland were the true successors of the men with whom I had served in 1916 ... " . Nurse O'Farrell died the following April (1957) while I was a prisoner in Mountjoy Jail .
Following the Surrender of 1916 , the women of Ireland were actively engaged in tending to the wants of the relatives of those who had died in the fight and raising funds for the relatives of the men in prison ; on the first anniversary at Easter 1917 women flew Irish tri-colours from many inaccessible positions around the country .
When the First Dail set-up Republican Courts in 1920 there were many women Justices appointed ; one life-long member of Cumann na mBan was a District Justice for the York Street district of Dublin .
During the Black And Tan War women played a vital role doing intelligence work , providing clothing and food for the men on-the-run as well as caring for wounded men , and also acting as couriers . During the Dail debates on the Treaty in 1922 not one woman TD voted for acceptance of the Treaty . When Free State forces attacked the Republic in June of that year (1922) Countess Markievicz joined the fighting in the Hammond Hotel where she fought under Cathal Brugha right until the end ....... "
(MORE LATER).
SURVIVORS , SERVERS , AND SAVIOURS .
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 2.
(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.
' How does she stand , this country of ours , in 1957 ? Those of us who are realists must admit that the possibility of national extinction weights upon our minds and torments our hearts . Ireland is sick , and the vultures are in the skies above her .
Look around you ! Look at what you see , and for what you cannot see . We have a declining and ageing population ; we have decadence in culture and inepitude in the management of our economy . External forces control the money we use , and the amount of it we use , the very life-blood of that economy . Small wonder , then , that our agriculture , fisheries and industries , flourish not .
Ireland is not yet one ; Ireland is not yet free . Through the influence of the radio , cinema and television , the atmosphere has become something which is foreign to our culture , while Patriotism has been much dishonoured . But all is not lost - corpse-like , Ireland breathes yet : she need not die . She will not die unless her children abandon her - she will not die if men will but listen to the voices that come from the past -
- to the voice of Padraig Pearse : " To every generation its deed ... " he cries , and he speaks for others as well as for himself ; " ... Ireland one and Ireland free . Is not this the definition of Ireland , a Nation .... ? " '
(MORE LATER).
By Emer Woodful .
The murder of LVF leader BILLY WRIGHT has ignited the most violent spell in the North's recent history and threatened the peace process . He may well have considered it an appropriate legacy .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , February 1998 , pages 30,31,34 and 35 .
Re-published here in 17 parts .
(3 of 17).
On New Year's Day , the Church of Ireland Primate , Robin Eames , said that 'Northern Ireland' (sic) " ... was at the beginning of a very dark and very dangerous period . "
What made Billy Wright stand out , however , was that he openly supported violence and was prepared to die for the union . He did strike a chord among loyalists who believe that the Republican Movement won concessions through violence and that loyalists should be following the same course .
Those loyalists believed that , regardless of any possible concessions , it was worth dying rather than deny the union anyway . Some commentators say he was nothing but a maverick ; yet he defied the Combined Loyalist Military Command's death threat against him in the summer of 1996 and , in doing so , he got the support of about 5,000 people .
The DUP's Willie McCrea supported Billy Wright at a rally in his hometown of Portadown : Wright struck fear into the hearts of Catholics . All the shops in Portadown , even 'Dunnes Stores' , closed obediently " ... as a mark of respect " for his funeral . His 'constituency' was not that of the Ulster Unionist middle classes but of the poorer , angry younger men .......
(MORE LATER).
WOMEN IN IRELAND'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM .......
By the late Cork Republican , Gearoid MacCarthaigh .
" I had the honour to meet Nurse Eileen O'Farrell on a platform in Middle Abbey Street in Dublin in December 1956 ; she stated publicly that night - " ... the young men of Oglaigh na hEireann who were fighting in occupied Ireland were the true successors of the men with whom I had served in 1916 ... " . Nurse O'Farrell died the following April (1957) while I was a prisoner in Mountjoy Jail .
Following the Surrender of 1916 , the women of Ireland were actively engaged in tending to the wants of the relatives of those who had died in the fight and raising funds for the relatives of the men in prison ; on the first anniversary at Easter 1917 women flew Irish tri-colours from many inaccessible positions around the country .
When the First Dail set-up Republican Courts in 1920 there were many women Justices appointed ; one life-long member of Cumann na mBan was a District Justice for the York Street district of Dublin .
During the Black And Tan War women played a vital role doing intelligence work , providing clothing and food for the men on-the-run as well as caring for wounded men , and also acting as couriers . During the Dail debates on the Treaty in 1922 not one woman TD voted for acceptance of the Treaty . When Free State forces attacked the Republic in June of that year (1922) Countess Markievicz joined the fighting in the Hammond Hotel where she fought under Cathal Brugha right until the end ....... "
(MORE LATER).
SURVIVORS , SERVERS , AND SAVIOURS .
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 2.
(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.
' How does she stand , this country of ours , in 1957 ? Those of us who are realists must admit that the possibility of national extinction weights upon our minds and torments our hearts . Ireland is sick , and the vultures are in the skies above her .
Look around you ! Look at what you see , and for what you cannot see . We have a declining and ageing population ; we have decadence in culture and inepitude in the management of our economy . External forces control the money we use , and the amount of it we use , the very life-blood of that economy . Small wonder , then , that our agriculture , fisheries and industries , flourish not .
Ireland is not yet one ; Ireland is not yet free . Through the influence of the radio , cinema and television , the atmosphere has become something which is foreign to our culture , while Patriotism has been much dishonoured . But all is not lost - corpse-like , Ireland breathes yet : she need not die . She will not die unless her children abandon her - she will not die if men will but listen to the voices that come from the past -
- to the voice of Padraig Pearse : " To every generation its deed ... " he cries , and he speaks for others as well as for himself ; " ... Ireland one and Ireland free . Is not this the definition of Ireland , a Nation .... ? " '
(MORE LATER).
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
DYING BY THE SWORD .......
By Emer Woodful .
The murder of LVF leader BILLY WRIGHT has ignited the most violent spell in the North's recent history and threatened the peace process . He may well have considered it an appropriate legacy .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , February 1998 , pages 30,31,34 and 35 .
Re-published here in 17 parts .
(2 of 17).
At a press conference announcing the Progressive Unionist Party's return to the talks process , its leader , David Ervine , said that "... a fine young man has lost his life , caused by some obscure group of headcases receiving political direction from anonymous but respectable politicians . "
Whatever about the long-term implications of the killing of Billy Wright , what we do know is that he was , for some , the working-class hero who represented the fear and alienation that many unionists feel about what they see as the threat to their culture , and a situation where the union would not be the same .
On New Year's Day , even the Church of Ireland primate , Robin Eames , spoke of the deep feeling of resentment among Protestants over the British government's handling of the peace process .......
(MORE LATER).
WOMEN IN IRELAND'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM .......
By the late Cork Republican , Gearoid MacCarthaigh .
" The Constitution of Cumann na mBan declares that they are an autonomous organisation and declares that the first of its aims is " ... to assist Oglaigh na hEireann by every means available to them in the fight for the Freedom of Ireland . "
When founded , Cumann na mBan were trained in military drill , first aid , communications , coding and de-coding . On Easter Monday 1916 , members of Cumann na mBan reported for duty at all positions held by Oglaigh na hEireann in Dublin . They were welcomed everywhere except at Boland's Mills where they were ordered to go home by de Valera .
They did not "go home " but reported to Padraig Pearse at the GPO ; they were welcome here and given plenty to do for the week . Nurse Eileen O'Farrell , on Pearse's orders , negotiated the surrender with British General Lowe at a British barricade in Parnell Street and when it had been signed , carried Pearse's order to surrender to all posts which were occupied in Dublin .
I had the honour to meet Nurse Eileen O'Farrell on a platform in Middle Abbey Street in Dublin in December 1956 ....... "
(MORE LATER).
A POTENT WEAPON OF AGRESSION .......
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 1.
(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.
' Part of Crumlin Road Prison in Belfast has been converted into a concentration camp and young men from all over the Six Counties are being rounded up and incarcerated there without trial .
In addition , Republicans who have completed terms of imprisonment are not given their release but are immediately 'lodged' in the camp - one of the latter is Leo McCormack of Dublin who has just completed a sentence of four years imprisonment in Belfast Jail . '
[END of ' A POTENT WEAPON OF AGRESSION .......'].
(TOMORROW : ' SURVIVORS , SERVERS, AND SAVIOURS ....' - from the same source .)
By Emer Woodful .
The murder of LVF leader BILLY WRIGHT has ignited the most violent spell in the North's recent history and threatened the peace process . He may well have considered it an appropriate legacy .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , February 1998 , pages 30,31,34 and 35 .
Re-published here in 17 parts .
(2 of 17).
At a press conference announcing the Progressive Unionist Party's return to the talks process , its leader , David Ervine , said that "... a fine young man has lost his life , caused by some obscure group of headcases receiving political direction from anonymous but respectable politicians . "
Whatever about the long-term implications of the killing of Billy Wright , what we do know is that he was , for some , the working-class hero who represented the fear and alienation that many unionists feel about what they see as the threat to their culture , and a situation where the union would not be the same .
On New Year's Day , even the Church of Ireland primate , Robin Eames , spoke of the deep feeling of resentment among Protestants over the British government's handling of the peace process .......
(MORE LATER).
WOMEN IN IRELAND'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM .......
By the late Cork Republican , Gearoid MacCarthaigh .
" The Constitution of Cumann na mBan declares that they are an autonomous organisation and declares that the first of its aims is " ... to assist Oglaigh na hEireann by every means available to them in the fight for the Freedom of Ireland . "
When founded , Cumann na mBan were trained in military drill , first aid , communications , coding and de-coding . On Easter Monday 1916 , members of Cumann na mBan reported for duty at all positions held by Oglaigh na hEireann in Dublin . They were welcomed everywhere except at Boland's Mills where they were ordered to go home by de Valera .
They did not "go home " but reported to Padraig Pearse at the GPO ; they were welcome here and given plenty to do for the week . Nurse Eileen O'Farrell , on Pearse's orders , negotiated the surrender with British General Lowe at a British barricade in Parnell Street and when it had been signed , carried Pearse's order to surrender to all posts which were occupied in Dublin .
I had the honour to meet Nurse Eileen O'Farrell on a platform in Middle Abbey Street in Dublin in December 1956 ....... "
(MORE LATER).
A POTENT WEAPON OF AGRESSION .......
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 1.
(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.
' Part of Crumlin Road Prison in Belfast has been converted into a concentration camp and young men from all over the Six Counties are being rounded up and incarcerated there without trial .
In addition , Republicans who have completed terms of imprisonment are not given their release but are immediately 'lodged' in the camp - one of the latter is Leo McCormack of Dublin who has just completed a sentence of four years imprisonment in Belfast Jail . '
[END of ' A POTENT WEAPON OF AGRESSION .......'].
(TOMORROW : ' SURVIVORS , SERVERS, AND SAVIOURS ....' - from the same source .)
Monday, March 21, 2005
DYING BY THE SWORD .
By Emer Woodful .
The murder of LVF leader BILLY WRIGHT has ignited the most violent spell in the North's recent history and threatened the peace process . He may well have considered it an appropriate legacy .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , February 1998 , pages 30,31,34 and 35 .
Re-published here in 17 parts .
(1 of 17).
It's New Year's Eve in Belfast ; the Christmas tree's winking , and we're all sitting at a big fire , popping open a bottle of champagne . We turn on the radio to hear the midnight chimes of Big Ben . And then the plummy Radio 4 newsreader announces the echoing , silencing news that a Catholic man has been shot dead in North Belfast .
Thirty-one-year-old Eddie Treanor , shot dead while out having a drink in his girlfriend's local , the Clifton Tavern , on Cliftonville Road . The second reprisal for the shooting dead in the Maze Prison , four days earlier , of LVF leader Billy Wright by two INLA men . His death won't be mourned by nationalists ; a sign daubed on a wall near the area of the killing said - ' King Rat : May He Rot In Hell . '
Then , ten days later , 28-year-old Catholic cross-community worker Terry Enright is gunned down outside a nightclub in Belfast , in the next LVF killing .......
(MORE LATER).
WOMEN IN IRELAND'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM .......
By the late Cork Republican , Gearoid MacCarthaigh .
" When the Irish Citizen Army was founded in 1913 women were entitled to become members with full rights of equality with the male members . In 1916 they joined in the fighting in all buildings held by the Irish Citizen Army ; they also participated in the attack on Dublin Castle .
Many of the women were wounded during the week's fighting - the Countess Markievicz was one of the first to join . She served as second-in-command to Michael Mullin in the College of Surgeons in Stephen's Green , and was sentenced to death with the other leaders of the Rising but this sentence was commuted to life imprisonment .
She was released with the rest of the prisoners in 1917 , and was elected to the First Dail in 1919 and became Minister for Labour . The Countess Markievicz was the first women in Ireland and England , if not in the world , to be elected a member of Parliament and a Minister of Parliament .
Shortly after the founding of Oglaigh na hEireann in 1913 the organisation of Cumann na mBan was founded ; they have been active in Ireland's fight up to the present day ....... "
(MORE LATER).
A POTENT WEAPON OF AGRESSION .......
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 1.
(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.
' Ireland has not escaped her share of this scourge ; at the start of the last world war , Mr. de Valera's Government set up a concentration camp in the Curragh , County Kildare and hundreds of Republicans were held there without trial for the duration of the war under the most appalling conditions .
In the Six Counties , too , during the war years , concentration camps were used to detain Republicans without trial , notably in Belfast and Derry and on the prison ship Al Rawdah . In 1943 a number of men escaped from the Derry camp ; making their way into the 26-County State for refuge , they were promptly rounded-up and arrested and thrown into the camp in the Curragh .
Today , too , the concentration camp throws its grim shadow on the Irish scene ....... '
(MORE LATER).
By Emer Woodful .
The murder of LVF leader BILLY WRIGHT has ignited the most violent spell in the North's recent history and threatened the peace process . He may well have considered it an appropriate legacy .
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , February 1998 , pages 30,31,34 and 35 .
Re-published here in 17 parts .
(1 of 17).
It's New Year's Eve in Belfast ; the Christmas tree's winking , and we're all sitting at a big fire , popping open a bottle of champagne . We turn on the radio to hear the midnight chimes of Big Ben . And then the plummy Radio 4 newsreader announces the echoing , silencing news that a Catholic man has been shot dead in North Belfast .
Thirty-one-year-old Eddie Treanor , shot dead while out having a drink in his girlfriend's local , the Clifton Tavern , on Cliftonville Road . The second reprisal for the shooting dead in the Maze Prison , four days earlier , of LVF leader Billy Wright by two INLA men . His death won't be mourned by nationalists ; a sign daubed on a wall near the area of the killing said - ' King Rat : May He Rot In Hell . '
Then , ten days later , 28-year-old Catholic cross-community worker Terry Enright is gunned down outside a nightclub in Belfast , in the next LVF killing .......
(MORE LATER).
WOMEN IN IRELAND'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM .......
By the late Cork Republican , Gearoid MacCarthaigh .
" When the Irish Citizen Army was founded in 1913 women were entitled to become members with full rights of equality with the male members . In 1916 they joined in the fighting in all buildings held by the Irish Citizen Army ; they also participated in the attack on Dublin Castle .
Many of the women were wounded during the week's fighting - the Countess Markievicz was one of the first to join . She served as second-in-command to Michael Mullin in the College of Surgeons in Stephen's Green , and was sentenced to death with the other leaders of the Rising but this sentence was commuted to life imprisonment .
She was released with the rest of the prisoners in 1917 , and was elected to the First Dail in 1919 and became Minister for Labour . The Countess Markievicz was the first women in Ireland and England , if not in the world , to be elected a member of Parliament and a Minister of Parliament .
Shortly after the founding of Oglaigh na hEireann in 1913 the organisation of Cumann na mBan was founded ; they have been active in Ireland's fight up to the present day ....... "
(MORE LATER).
A POTENT WEAPON OF AGRESSION .......
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 1.
(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.
' Ireland has not escaped her share of this scourge ; at the start of the last world war , Mr. de Valera's Government set up a concentration camp in the Curragh , County Kildare and hundreds of Republicans were held there without trial for the duration of the war under the most appalling conditions .
In the Six Counties , too , during the war years , concentration camps were used to detain Republicans without trial , notably in Belfast and Derry and on the prison ship Al Rawdah . In 1943 a number of men escaped from the Derry camp ; making their way into the 26-County State for refuge , they were promptly rounded-up and arrested and thrown into the camp in the Curragh .
Today , too , the concentration camp throws its grim shadow on the Irish scene ....... '
(MORE LATER).
Friday, March 18, 2005
MURDER MOST FOUL .......
By Joe Egan .
A lecture delivered to Dublin Republicans by Joe Egan on 26th November 1989 : I have had the following document for the past 16 years ; it was given to me by its author , a friend and true Irish Republican and deserves a wider readership - John Horan .
" In his last letters to his wife , Wolfe Tone wrote -
- " ... be assured I will die as I have lived , and that you will have no cause to blush for me . Adieu , dearest love , keep your courage as I have kept mine . My mind is as tranquil this moment as at any period of my life . "
Are these the words of a man contemplating suicide ? No ! Wolfe Tone knew that suicide would have damned his reputation irreparably and consequently the cause he dedicated his life to . There is only one conclusion to be drawn knowing the man - murder by a person or persons unknown .
[END of 'MURDER MOST FOUL .......'].
(Tomorrow : 'DYING BY THE SWORD' - LVF leader BILLY WRIGHT ; from 1998).
WOMEN IN IRELAND'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM .......
By the late Cork Republican , Gearoid MacCarthaigh .
" In most cases , women had to play the harder part of waiting alone at home to rear their families while the men were away fighting or were in prison . Very often they waited in vain as their men were dead .
During the Land League , Fanny Parnell founded the Womens Land League ; this organisation became so militant that Fanny Parnell was ordered by her father to disband it as he considered it a danger to his political career !
The next womens organisation to appear on the Irish scene was Innean na hEireann , founded at the turn of the century by Maud Gonne McBride . During the visit to Dublin by Britain's Queen Victoria the women of this organisation hung a black banner over O'Connell Street in protest at the visit . They hung black flags from the windows of many houses throughout Dublin , in many cases barricading the doors of the houses to impede the RIC when they tried to get in to pull down the flags .
A party had been arranged for selected children of British supporters in Dublin to celebrate the visit of the Queen of England ; Maud Gonne McBride and the women of her organisation held a party for the poor Irish children living in the Dublin slums . This was held in the Phoenix Park ....... "
(MORE LATER).
INCITEMENT TO COERCION : DEMOCRACY IN DANGER .......
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 1.
(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.
' Should the new government allow itself to be goaded into a denial of this democratic right then , indeed , will a very serious situation have been created - a situation that will call for the co-ordinated effort of all citizens who value freedom to end for all time .
[END of 'INCITEMENT TO COERCION : DEMOCRACY IN DANGER .......'].
NEXT : 'A POTENT WEAPON OF AGGRESSION' .
(Same source as above).
' The Concentration Camp , that modern nightmare of all freedom loving peoples , is yet another of the scourges for which mankind has to thank the British Empire .
The Concentration Camp idea was first introduced by Britain , in her war against the Boers in South Africa ; thousands of men , women and children were herded together behind barbed wire enclosures under the most degrading conditions . The modern totalitarian states - of all shades - have used it to the full to crush out resistance to their will and to keep subject peoples in slavery ....... '
(MORE LATER).
By Joe Egan .
A lecture delivered to Dublin Republicans by Joe Egan on 26th November 1989 : I have had the following document for the past 16 years ; it was given to me by its author , a friend and true Irish Republican and deserves a wider readership - John Horan .
" In his last letters to his wife , Wolfe Tone wrote -
- " ... be assured I will die as I have lived , and that you will have no cause to blush for me . Adieu , dearest love , keep your courage as I have kept mine . My mind is as tranquil this moment as at any period of my life . "
Are these the words of a man contemplating suicide ? No ! Wolfe Tone knew that suicide would have damned his reputation irreparably and consequently the cause he dedicated his life to . There is only one conclusion to be drawn knowing the man - murder by a person or persons unknown .
[END of 'MURDER MOST FOUL .......'].
(Tomorrow : 'DYING BY THE SWORD' - LVF leader BILLY WRIGHT ; from 1998).
WOMEN IN IRELAND'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM .......
By the late Cork Republican , Gearoid MacCarthaigh .
" In most cases , women had to play the harder part of waiting alone at home to rear their families while the men were away fighting or were in prison . Very often they waited in vain as their men were dead .
During the Land League , Fanny Parnell founded the Womens Land League ; this organisation became so militant that Fanny Parnell was ordered by her father to disband it as he considered it a danger to his political career !
The next womens organisation to appear on the Irish scene was Innean na hEireann , founded at the turn of the century by Maud Gonne McBride . During the visit to Dublin by Britain's Queen Victoria the women of this organisation hung a black banner over O'Connell Street in protest at the visit . They hung black flags from the windows of many houses throughout Dublin , in many cases barricading the doors of the houses to impede the RIC when they tried to get in to pull down the flags .
A party had been arranged for selected children of British supporters in Dublin to celebrate the visit of the Queen of England ; Maud Gonne McBride and the women of her organisation held a party for the poor Irish children living in the Dublin slums . This was held in the Phoenix Park ....... "
(MORE LATER).
INCITEMENT TO COERCION : DEMOCRACY IN DANGER .......
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 1.
(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.
' Should the new government allow itself to be goaded into a denial of this democratic right then , indeed , will a very serious situation have been created - a situation that will call for the co-ordinated effort of all citizens who value freedom to end for all time .
[END of 'INCITEMENT TO COERCION : DEMOCRACY IN DANGER .......'].
NEXT : 'A POTENT WEAPON OF AGGRESSION' .
(Same source as above).
' The Concentration Camp , that modern nightmare of all freedom loving peoples , is yet another of the scourges for which mankind has to thank the British Empire .
The Concentration Camp idea was first introduced by Britain , in her war against the Boers in South Africa ; thousands of men , women and children were herded together behind barbed wire enclosures under the most degrading conditions . The modern totalitarian states - of all shades - have used it to the full to crush out resistance to their will and to keep subject peoples in slavery ....... '
(MORE LATER).
Thursday, March 17, 2005
MURDER MOST FOUL .......
By Joe Egan .
A lecture delivered to Dublin Republicans by Joe Egan on 26th November 1989 : I have had the following document for the past 16 years ; it was given to me by its author , a friend and true Irish Republican and deserves a wider readership - John Horan .
" During his last speech from the dock , Wolfe Tone stated - "... I mention this for the sake of others , for me I am indifferent to it . I am aware of the fate which awaits me , and scorn equally the tone of complaint and that of supplication .
Whatever be the sentence of this court , I am prepared for it . Its members will surely discharge their duty ; I shall take care not to be wanting in mine . " Tone's use of the word eternal and his duty are obvious references to God and posterity and he would have been fully aware and very careful about their use .
Any study of the man and any understanding of him as a person to those who wish to see the truth can only draw the one conclusion . To quote just a line or two from his last letters to his wife ....... "
(MORE LATER).
WOMEN IN IRELAND'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM .
By the late Cork Republican , Gearoid MacCarthaigh .
" This article is written as a tribute to all those Irish women who , in every generation , have played a part in Ireland's fight for freedom . Often they have not been appreciated for the part they played . ' Behind every great man is a great women ' is a very old saying and it is well known - but I do not agree with it !
I claim it should read - ' At the right-hand side of every great man is a great woman . ' In many cases she is far ahead of him , but never behind ! In the earlier days when women were not as emancipated as they are today , women did not always get the opportunity to play their full part in the fight but there are exceptions to this and such names as Ann Devlin and Sarah Curran stand out in Irish history .
During the 1798 Rising and later during Robert Emmet's time women often acted as scouts and look-outs for the men ; there were cases where they participated in the actual fighting and of course they took care of men who were wounded in the fighting ....... "
(MORE LATER).
INCITEMENT TO COERCION : DEMOCRACY IN DANGER .......
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 1.
(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 advocating this policy and in presenting it to the Irish people , Sinn Fein is simply exercising a right accorded to citizens of a democratic State . Is the exercise of this right to be denied now that Sinn Fein entered the contest of the recent elections and secured for its policy a surprisingly large vote of endorsement ? Is the organ through which expression is given to the policy and programme of Sinn Fein to be suppressed or otherwise forced out of existence ?
Apparently our boasted democracy is to go by the board , and methods substituted for it that are the recognised practice of full-blooded authoritarian States should the leader of the opposition in Leinster House succeed in his very obvious effort to goad the new governmet into a continuance , or perhaps an intensification , of the most recent phase of coercion of members of Sinn Fein which he initiated . Why Mr. Costello's further statement -
- " This is a very serious situation which all parties in this House and all individuals must co-operate together to end for all time . "
For the employment of coercion measures against members of the Republican Movement no member of the government , or of the opposition , sought or obtained a mandate from the electorate in the recent elections . Neither did they seek or obtain from the electorate a mandate to hamper or prevent Sinn Fein from exercising its fundamental and democratic right to put its policy before the people of Ireland in its own way and through its own selected media .
Should the new government allow itself to be goaded into a denial of this democratic right then , indeed , will a very serious situation have been created ....... '
(MORE LATER).
BEANNACHTAI NA FEILE PADRAIG ! : HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY !
By Joe Egan .
A lecture delivered to Dublin Republicans by Joe Egan on 26th November 1989 : I have had the following document for the past 16 years ; it was given to me by its author , a friend and true Irish Republican and deserves a wider readership - John Horan .
" During his last speech from the dock , Wolfe Tone stated - "... I mention this for the sake of others , for me I am indifferent to it . I am aware of the fate which awaits me , and scorn equally the tone of complaint and that of supplication .
Whatever be the sentence of this court , I am prepared for it . Its members will surely discharge their duty ; I shall take care not to be wanting in mine . " Tone's use of the word eternal and his duty are obvious references to God and posterity and he would have been fully aware and very careful about their use .
Any study of the man and any understanding of him as a person to those who wish to see the truth can only draw the one conclusion . To quote just a line or two from his last letters to his wife ....... "
(MORE LATER).
WOMEN IN IRELAND'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM .
By the late Cork Republican , Gearoid MacCarthaigh .
" This article is written as a tribute to all those Irish women who , in every generation , have played a part in Ireland's fight for freedom . Often they have not been appreciated for the part they played . ' Behind every great man is a great women ' is a very old saying and it is well known - but I do not agree with it !
I claim it should read - ' At the right-hand side of every great man is a great woman . ' In many cases she is far ahead of him , but never behind ! In the earlier days when women were not as emancipated as they are today , women did not always get the opportunity to play their full part in the fight but there are exceptions to this and such names as Ann Devlin and Sarah Curran stand out in Irish history .
During the 1798 Rising and later during Robert Emmet's time women often acted as scouts and look-outs for the men ; there were cases where they participated in the actual fighting and of course they took care of men who were wounded in the fighting ....... "
(MORE LATER).
INCITEMENT TO COERCION : DEMOCRACY IN DANGER .......
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 1.
(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 advocating this policy and in presenting it to the Irish people , Sinn Fein is simply exercising a right accorded to citizens of a democratic State . Is the exercise of this right to be denied now that Sinn Fein entered the contest of the recent elections and secured for its policy a surprisingly large vote of endorsement ? Is the organ through which expression is given to the policy and programme of Sinn Fein to be suppressed or otherwise forced out of existence ?
Apparently our boasted democracy is to go by the board , and methods substituted for it that are the recognised practice of full-blooded authoritarian States should the leader of the opposition in Leinster House succeed in his very obvious effort to goad the new governmet into a continuance , or perhaps an intensification , of the most recent phase of coercion of members of Sinn Fein which he initiated . Why Mr. Costello's further statement -
- " This is a very serious situation which all parties in this House and all individuals must co-operate together to end for all time . "
For the employment of coercion measures against members of the Republican Movement no member of the government , or of the opposition , sought or obtained a mandate from the electorate in the recent elections . Neither did they seek or obtain from the electorate a mandate to hamper or prevent Sinn Fein from exercising its fundamental and democratic right to put its policy before the people of Ireland in its own way and through its own selected media .
Should the new government allow itself to be goaded into a denial of this democratic right then , indeed , will a very serious situation have been created ....... '
(MORE LATER).
BEANNACHTAI NA FEILE PADRAIG ! : HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY !
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
MURDER MOST FOUL .......
By Joe Egan .
A lecture delivered to Dublin Republicans by Joe Egan on 26th November 1989 : I have had the following document for the past 16 years ; it was given to me by its author , a friend and true Irish Republican and deserves a wider readership - John Horan .
" Regarding the French , Wolfe Tone said - " Attached to no party in the French Republic , without interest , without money , without intrigue , the openness and integrity of my views raised me to a high and confidential rank in its armies ; under the flag of the French Republic , I originally engaged with a view to save and liberate my own country . For that purpose , I have encountered the chances of war , amongst strangers .
For that purpose , I have repeatedly braved the terrors of the ocean , covered as I knew it to be , with the triumphant fleets of that power , which it was my glory and my duty to oppose . I have sacrificed all my views in life ; I have courted poverty , I have left a beloved wife , unprotected children I adored , fatherless . After such sacrifices , in a cause which I have always conscientiously considered as the cause of justice and freedom - it is no great effort , at this day , to add the sacrifice of my life .
To the eternal disgrace of those who gave the order , I was brought hither in irons , like a felon ....... " "
(MORE LATER).
LIGHTS , CAMERA , REAGAN .......!
By John Dean.
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , October 1980 , pages 30, 31, 35, and 37.
Re-published here in 20 parts .
[20 of 20].
To me , Reagan's speech to the retirement community in Florida was well beyond political hyperbole ; it was flirting with senility . And next month , the man with that 'vision' of the United States , Ronald Wilson Reagan , celluloid hero , may finally make it to the Presidency . If he does he will be inaugurated almost two years after the death of John Wayne .
He was born just two years after the deaths of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid .......
[END of 'LIGHTS , CAMERA , REAGAN .......!'].
(Tomorrow - 'WOMEN IN IRELAND'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM' - by a late Cork Republican).
INCITEMENT TO COERCION : DEMOCRACY IN DANGER .......
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 1.
(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 point of fact the candidates nominated by Sinn Fein were publicly pledged not to " ... sit in or take part in the proceedings of any Parliament ... other than the Parliament of the Irish Republic . " To the full extent of its capacity and abilities Sinn Fein made it clear that its elected representatives would not take their seats in Leinster House .
On this understanding approximately 66,000 voters , in 19 out of the total of 40 constituencies , registered their approval and support for the Sinn Fein policy . Sinn Fein recognises the Leinster House Parliament precisely for what it is - for what it has been since its inception - one of three institutions of Government legislating for an Ireland forcibly partitioned by an alien power .
Whatever validity it has as such is not questioned and is therefore not denied . Again Mr. Costello is reported to have stated - " I believe myself ... that there are people and organs of public opinion that have been directly responsible through their speeches and writings for bringing about a situation in which the institutions of the State have been brought into something like disrepute . " Many times in the past party politicians have challenged Sinn Fein to put its policy and programme before the public and to seek for it the support of the electorate .
It is very definitely the intention of Sinn Fein to do precisely this when future occasions arise , not because of any challenge issued , but simply because it is a fundamental part of its policy to seek the support of the Irish people for the reintegration of our National Territory and for the enthronement of a National Government of the Irish Republic ....... '
(MORE LATER).
By Joe Egan .
A lecture delivered to Dublin Republicans by Joe Egan on 26th November 1989 : I have had the following document for the past 16 years ; it was given to me by its author , a friend and true Irish Republican and deserves a wider readership - John Horan .
" Regarding the French , Wolfe Tone said - " Attached to no party in the French Republic , without interest , without money , without intrigue , the openness and integrity of my views raised me to a high and confidential rank in its armies ; under the flag of the French Republic , I originally engaged with a view to save and liberate my own country . For that purpose , I have encountered the chances of war , amongst strangers .
For that purpose , I have repeatedly braved the terrors of the ocean , covered as I knew it to be , with the triumphant fleets of that power , which it was my glory and my duty to oppose . I have sacrificed all my views in life ; I have courted poverty , I have left a beloved wife , unprotected children I adored , fatherless . After such sacrifices , in a cause which I have always conscientiously considered as the cause of justice and freedom - it is no great effort , at this day , to add the sacrifice of my life .
To the eternal disgrace of those who gave the order , I was brought hither in irons , like a felon ....... " "
(MORE LATER).
LIGHTS , CAMERA , REAGAN .......!
By John Dean.
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , October 1980 , pages 30, 31, 35, and 37.
Re-published here in 20 parts .
[20 of 20].
To me , Reagan's speech to the retirement community in Florida was well beyond political hyperbole ; it was flirting with senility . And next month , the man with that 'vision' of the United States , Ronald Wilson Reagan , celluloid hero , may finally make it to the Presidency . If he does he will be inaugurated almost two years after the death of John Wayne .
He was born just two years after the deaths of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid .......
[END of 'LIGHTS , CAMERA , REAGAN .......!'].
(Tomorrow - 'WOMEN IN IRELAND'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM' - by a late Cork Republican).
INCITEMENT TO COERCION : DEMOCRACY IN DANGER .......
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 1.
(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 point of fact the candidates nominated by Sinn Fein were publicly pledged not to " ... sit in or take part in the proceedings of any Parliament ... other than the Parliament of the Irish Republic . " To the full extent of its capacity and abilities Sinn Fein made it clear that its elected representatives would not take their seats in Leinster House .
On this understanding approximately 66,000 voters , in 19 out of the total of 40 constituencies , registered their approval and support for the Sinn Fein policy . Sinn Fein recognises the Leinster House Parliament precisely for what it is - for what it has been since its inception - one of three institutions of Government legislating for an Ireland forcibly partitioned by an alien power .
Whatever validity it has as such is not questioned and is therefore not denied . Again Mr. Costello is reported to have stated - " I believe myself ... that there are people and organs of public opinion that have been directly responsible through their speeches and writings for bringing about a situation in which the institutions of the State have been brought into something like disrepute . " Many times in the past party politicians have challenged Sinn Fein to put its policy and programme before the public and to seek for it the support of the electorate .
It is very definitely the intention of Sinn Fein to do precisely this when future occasions arise , not because of any challenge issued , but simply because it is a fundamental part of its policy to seek the support of the Irish people for the reintegration of our National Territory and for the enthronement of a National Government of the Irish Republic ....... '
(MORE LATER).
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
MURDER MOST FOUL .......
By Joe Egan .
A lecture delivered to Dublin Republicans by Joe Egan on 26th November 1989 : I have had the following document for the past 16 years ; it was given to me by its author , a friend and true Irish Republican and deserves a wider readership - John Horan .
" Without knowing the man , even reading his last letters is enough to disprove the abominable lie that he committed suicide . Did he not write to his wife - " My mind is as tranquil this moment as at any period in my life . "
One only has to read his last speech from the dock at his trial to see and understand the character of the man . Just to quote a few lines is enough to convince any fair mind of the impossibility of Wolfe Tone committing suicide ; only the avowed enemies of truth and justice could dare say otherwise -
" Mr. President and gentlemen of the Court Martial : I mean not to give you the trouble of bringing judicial proof to convict me legally to having acted in hostility to the government of his Britannic Majesty in Ireland . I admit the fact from my earliest youth , I have regarded the connection between Ireland and Great Britain as the curse of the Irish nation and felt convinced that , whilst it lasted , this country could never be free nor happy . " "
(MORE LATER).
LIGHTS , CAMERA , REAGAN .......!
By John Dean.
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , October 1980 , pages 30, 31, 35, and 37.
Re-published here in 20 parts .
(19 of 20).
Then there is the excerpt from a speech that he gave a couple of months ago to a retirement community in Florida ; normally , I skip quickly through the overheated rhetoric but this time one paragraph caught my eye - and wound up haunting me for several days . Reagan is talking to senior citizens about assassinations , bombings , kidnappings , terrorism - the moral depravity of a world turned upside down when , all of a sudden , he said -
" All of these things have happened to a United States that most of you can remember , as I do remember , a United States that even when an American was on business , or vacation , or wherever , and got caught in some little country that was having a revolution , or got caught in a war , all that the American had to do was pin to his lapel a little American flag and he could walk right through that war and nobody would lay a finger on him . Well , I want to see that United States back in the world again . "
(MORE LATER).
INCITEMENT TO COERCION : DEMOCRACY IN DANGER .
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 1.
(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.
' Normally Sinn Fein does not reply directly to statements of a derogatory nature emanating from political party sources . Because of their implications it is felt necessary to depart from this practice in the case of statements attributed to Mr. Costello , outgoing Taoiseach , when speaking recently in the Leinster House parliament .
Mr. Costello is reported as having stated , inter alia , "... we are facing in this 'Dail' a somewhat unprecedented position where a number of people have been elected to sit in 'Dail Eireann' and who refuse to take their seats , and not merely do they refuse to take them but they deny the validity of the institutions of this State set up over the last number of years . "
The Sinn Fein candidates were not elected to sit in "Dail Eireann" . The policy of Sinn Fein - the policy for which the support of the electorate was solicited by Sinn Fein - has been presented to the public over a period of years . It was again presented to the electorate during the recent election campaign . Through such presentation of it's policy Sinn Fein made it abundently clear that its elected representatives would not take their seats in Leinster House ....... '
(MORE LATER).
By Joe Egan .
A lecture delivered to Dublin Republicans by Joe Egan on 26th November 1989 : I have had the following document for the past 16 years ; it was given to me by its author , a friend and true Irish Republican and deserves a wider readership - John Horan .
" Without knowing the man , even reading his last letters is enough to disprove the abominable lie that he committed suicide . Did he not write to his wife - " My mind is as tranquil this moment as at any period in my life . "
One only has to read his last speech from the dock at his trial to see and understand the character of the man . Just to quote a few lines is enough to convince any fair mind of the impossibility of Wolfe Tone committing suicide ; only the avowed enemies of truth and justice could dare say otherwise -
" Mr. President and gentlemen of the Court Martial : I mean not to give you the trouble of bringing judicial proof to convict me legally to having acted in hostility to the government of his Britannic Majesty in Ireland . I admit the fact from my earliest youth , I have regarded the connection between Ireland and Great Britain as the curse of the Irish nation and felt convinced that , whilst it lasted , this country could never be free nor happy . " "
(MORE LATER).
LIGHTS , CAMERA , REAGAN .......!
By John Dean.
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , October 1980 , pages 30, 31, 35, and 37.
Re-published here in 20 parts .
(19 of 20).
Then there is the excerpt from a speech that he gave a couple of months ago to a retirement community in Florida ; normally , I skip quickly through the overheated rhetoric but this time one paragraph caught my eye - and wound up haunting me for several days . Reagan is talking to senior citizens about assassinations , bombings , kidnappings , terrorism - the moral depravity of a world turned upside down when , all of a sudden , he said -
" All of these things have happened to a United States that most of you can remember , as I do remember , a United States that even when an American was on business , or vacation , or wherever , and got caught in some little country that was having a revolution , or got caught in a war , all that the American had to do was pin to his lapel a little American flag and he could walk right through that war and nobody would lay a finger on him . Well , I want to see that United States back in the world again . "
(MORE LATER).
INCITEMENT TO COERCION : DEMOCRACY IN DANGER .
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper , Aibrean [April] 1957 , page 1.
(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.
' Normally Sinn Fein does not reply directly to statements of a derogatory nature emanating from political party sources . Because of their implications it is felt necessary to depart from this practice in the case of statements attributed to Mr. Costello , outgoing Taoiseach , when speaking recently in the Leinster House parliament .
Mr. Costello is reported as having stated , inter alia , "... we are facing in this 'Dail' a somewhat unprecedented position where a number of people have been elected to sit in 'Dail Eireann' and who refuse to take their seats , and not merely do they refuse to take them but they deny the validity of the institutions of this State set up over the last number of years . "
The Sinn Fein candidates were not elected to sit in "Dail Eireann" . The policy of Sinn Fein - the policy for which the support of the electorate was solicited by Sinn Fein - has been presented to the public over a period of years . It was again presented to the electorate during the recent election campaign . Through such presentation of it's policy Sinn Fein made it abundently clear that its elected representatives would not take their seats in Leinster House ....... '
(MORE LATER).
Monday, March 14, 2005
MURDER MOST FOUL .......
By Joe Egan .
A lecture delivered to Dublin Republicans by Joe Egan on 26th November 1989 : I have had the following document for the past 16 years ; it was given to me by its author , a friend and true Irish Republican and deserves a wider readership - John Horan .
" How do we know how long Wolfe Tone took to die ? It could very well have been eight minutes , not eight days . The only evidence ever produced to support the suicide verdict is an account from a French royalist , a Doctor Lentaigne , of whom little is known .
This same doctor was by his being a royalist first , and working for the British Army , doubly opposed to all Wolfe Tone would stand for . How anyone with the remotest feeling for justice or truth could accept the word of such a man under the circumstances at the time is an insult to ordinary intelligence .
But then as the old cliche says - " where ignorance is bliss it's folly to be wise . " The secrets of a state prison at that period in history are seldom penetrated and even today would be virtually impossible .
Abundant proof is available even today if a thorough search was to take place but we who wish to know the truth have only to know the man : he had dedicated himself to his principles and had seen his friends and compatriots , including his brother , hanged , and he would not let them or his country down by taking his own life ....... "
(MORE LATER).
LIGHTS , CAMERA , REAGAN .......!
By John Dean.
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , October 1980 , pages 30, 31, 35, and 37.
Re-published here in 20 parts .
(18 of 20).
A person who once worked closely with Ronald Reagan told me recently -
- " Reagan does'nt understand the politics of all these problems . Nor does he understand the business of politics . It's something I like about him ; on the other hand , it's a weakness because he has no internal measuring mechanism , and it makes it difficult for him to assess the political advice he invariably gets as a presidential candidate and as a president . He is subject to being battered around , to never being quite confident enough about the quality and character and sagacity of the advice he's given . "
(MORE LATER).
DEATH LIST 1989 .......
Two RUC Officers and two British soldiers , one based in West Germany , were killed by the IRA since mid-May , while a Catholic barman was shot by the UFF bringing the total death toll to 39 this year .
No by-line.
From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1989 , pages 22 and 23 .
Re-published here in 14 parts .
[14 of 14].
1st July : RUC Constable Norman Annett (56) died when two men shot him as he sat with his elderly mother , who was grazed by a bullet , in the living room of her home at Carhill Road , between Maghera and Garvagh , County Derry . Constable Annett , who was based at Antrim Road RUC Station in Belfast was the fifth RUC man to die this year and was due to retire at the end of the month after 34 years in the force . In 1971 , he survived an attack in a Belfast bar . The South Derry Brigade of the IRA claimed responsibility for the killing .
2nd July : British Corporal Steve Smith (43) was killed at Kaiserallee , a residential area of Hanover , West Germany when a bomb exploded underneath his Mercedes car . A native of Yorkshire , the dead soldier was based with the Royal Tank Regiment in the city .
[END of ' DEATH LIST 1989 ....... '].
(Tomorrow : 'INCITEMENT TO COERCION - DEMOCRACY IN DANGER' ; from 'The United Irishman' newspaper , 1957 ).
By Joe Egan .
A lecture delivered to Dublin Republicans by Joe Egan on 26th November 1989 : I have had the following document for the past 16 years ; it was given to me by its author , a friend and true Irish Republican and deserves a wider readership - John Horan .
" How do we know how long Wolfe Tone took to die ? It could very well have been eight minutes , not eight days . The only evidence ever produced to support the suicide verdict is an account from a French royalist , a Doctor Lentaigne , of whom little is known .
This same doctor was by his being a royalist first , and working for the British Army , doubly opposed to all Wolfe Tone would stand for . How anyone with the remotest feeling for justice or truth could accept the word of such a man under the circumstances at the time is an insult to ordinary intelligence .
But then as the old cliche says - " where ignorance is bliss it's folly to be wise . " The secrets of a state prison at that period in history are seldom penetrated and even today would be virtually impossible .
Abundant proof is available even today if a thorough search was to take place but we who wish to know the truth have only to know the man : he had dedicated himself to his principles and had seen his friends and compatriots , including his brother , hanged , and he would not let them or his country down by taking his own life ....... "
(MORE LATER).
LIGHTS , CAMERA , REAGAN .......!
By John Dean.
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , October 1980 , pages 30, 31, 35, and 37.
Re-published here in 20 parts .
(18 of 20).
A person who once worked closely with Ronald Reagan told me recently -
- " Reagan does'nt understand the politics of all these problems . Nor does he understand the business of politics . It's something I like about him ; on the other hand , it's a weakness because he has no internal measuring mechanism , and it makes it difficult for him to assess the political advice he invariably gets as a presidential candidate and as a president . He is subject to being battered around , to never being quite confident enough about the quality and character and sagacity of the advice he's given . "
(MORE LATER).
DEATH LIST 1989 .......
Two RUC Officers and two British soldiers , one based in West Germany , were killed by the IRA since mid-May , while a Catholic barman was shot by the UFF bringing the total death toll to 39 this year .
No by-line.
From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1989 , pages 22 and 23 .
Re-published here in 14 parts .
[14 of 14].
1st July : RUC Constable Norman Annett (56) died when two men shot him as he sat with his elderly mother , who was grazed by a bullet , in the living room of her home at Carhill Road , between Maghera and Garvagh , County Derry . Constable Annett , who was based at Antrim Road RUC Station in Belfast was the fifth RUC man to die this year and was due to retire at the end of the month after 34 years in the force . In 1971 , he survived an attack in a Belfast bar . The South Derry Brigade of the IRA claimed responsibility for the killing .
2nd July : British Corporal Steve Smith (43) was killed at Kaiserallee , a residential area of Hanover , West Germany when a bomb exploded underneath his Mercedes car . A native of Yorkshire , the dead soldier was based with the Royal Tank Regiment in the city .
[END of ' DEATH LIST 1989 ....... '].
(Tomorrow : 'INCITEMENT TO COERCION - DEMOCRACY IN DANGER' ; from 'The United Irishman' newspaper , 1957 ).
Friday, March 11, 2005
MURDER MOST FOUL .......
By Joe Egan .
A lecture delivered to Dublin Republicans by Joe Egan on 26th November 1989 : I have had the following document for the past 16 years ; it was given to me by its author , a friend and true Irish Republican and deserves a wider readership - John Horan .
" Why do the establishment , British and Irish , make such a case for Wolfe Tone's suicide ? Because to face the truth might make people today see the light and not just follow Tone's teachings but practice them .
It is often quoted also that Tone's son accepted his father's suicide ; even if this were true it is of no consequence as what he thought one way or the other has no bearing on the facts . How did Tone's son know how long his father lay dying ? There was no way he could know , no more than anyone else - at no time were any visitors allowed into see Wolfe Tone .
His father tried every possible move through the courts to get his son free . His lawyer applied for and was immediately granted a writ of Habeas Corpus by Chief Justice Lord Kilwarden . Major Sandy , in charge of the barracks , was recognised generally as being a man with scant regard for justice or truth .
It has been stated as proof of Tone's suicide that a man of Sandy's calibre and his hirelings would'nt do such a botched murder that would take eight days for the victim to die ....... "
(MORE LATER).
LIGHTS , CAMERA , REAGAN .......!
By John Dean.
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , October 1980 , pages 30, 31, 35, and 37.
Re-published here in 20 parts .
(17 of 20).
What Ronald Reagan gained in popularity he lost in other ways ; his appearances no longer carefully stagemanaged by John Sears , he began to make more and more gaffes , demonstrating that he was being poorly briefed by his staff . Internal wrangling in his campaign has led to shifting positions on tax cuts and the Olympic boycott and the China fiasco .
In preparing for the expected attacks that Reagan is simplistic and shallow , one group of advisers is urging him to take the initiative and provide more details . At the same time , his new campaign manager , Paul Laxalt , insists - " The main thing for Reagan is to stay out of trouble and not seriously shoot himself in the foot . "
One scary question that emerges from all this is where does Ronald Reagan stand while all these intra-mural battles are being fought around him ? Is he the 'captain of the ship' , or the captive .......?
(MORE LATER).
DEATH LIST 1989 .......
Two RUC Officers and two British soldiers , one based in West Germany , were killed by the IRA since mid-May , while a Catholic barman was shot by the UFF bringing the total death toll to 39 this year .
No by-line.
From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1989 , pages 22 and 23 .
Re-published here in 14 parts .
(13 of 14).
24th June : Liam McKee (36) of Donard Drive , Lisburn was shot dead at his home after a UFF gang broke down the front door with a sledgehammer at 12.45 a.m. A Catholic barman , he lived with his brother and elderly mother who was grazed by a bullet during the attack . The family denied a claim by the loyalist organisation that Mr. McKee was a member of the IRA and said he was murdered soley because of his religion .
24th June : RUC Constable David Black (34) , a full-time reservist with the RUC was killed when a bomb exploded under his car as he left his home at Ballyheather Road , near Strabane . Stationed at Plumbridge , the dead man leaves one child . The IRA claimed responsibility for the attack .
(MORE LATER).
By Joe Egan .
A lecture delivered to Dublin Republicans by Joe Egan on 26th November 1989 : I have had the following document for the past 16 years ; it was given to me by its author , a friend and true Irish Republican and deserves a wider readership - John Horan .
" Why do the establishment , British and Irish , make such a case for Wolfe Tone's suicide ? Because to face the truth might make people today see the light and not just follow Tone's teachings but practice them .
It is often quoted also that Tone's son accepted his father's suicide ; even if this were true it is of no consequence as what he thought one way or the other has no bearing on the facts . How did Tone's son know how long his father lay dying ? There was no way he could know , no more than anyone else - at no time were any visitors allowed into see Wolfe Tone .
His father tried every possible move through the courts to get his son free . His lawyer applied for and was immediately granted a writ of Habeas Corpus by Chief Justice Lord Kilwarden . Major Sandy , in charge of the barracks , was recognised generally as being a man with scant regard for justice or truth .
It has been stated as proof of Tone's suicide that a man of Sandy's calibre and his hirelings would'nt do such a botched murder that would take eight days for the victim to die ....... "
(MORE LATER).
LIGHTS , CAMERA , REAGAN .......!
By John Dean.
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , October 1980 , pages 30, 31, 35, and 37.
Re-published here in 20 parts .
(17 of 20).
What Ronald Reagan gained in popularity he lost in other ways ; his appearances no longer carefully stagemanaged by John Sears , he began to make more and more gaffes , demonstrating that he was being poorly briefed by his staff . Internal wrangling in his campaign has led to shifting positions on tax cuts and the Olympic boycott and the China fiasco .
In preparing for the expected attacks that Reagan is simplistic and shallow , one group of advisers is urging him to take the initiative and provide more details . At the same time , his new campaign manager , Paul Laxalt , insists - " The main thing for Reagan is to stay out of trouble and not seriously shoot himself in the foot . "
One scary question that emerges from all this is where does Ronald Reagan stand while all these intra-mural battles are being fought around him ? Is he the 'captain of the ship' , or the captive .......?
(MORE LATER).
DEATH LIST 1989 .......
Two RUC Officers and two British soldiers , one based in West Germany , were killed by the IRA since mid-May , while a Catholic barman was shot by the UFF bringing the total death toll to 39 this year .
No by-line.
From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1989 , pages 22 and 23 .
Re-published here in 14 parts .
(13 of 14).
24th June : Liam McKee (36) of Donard Drive , Lisburn was shot dead at his home after a UFF gang broke down the front door with a sledgehammer at 12.45 a.m. A Catholic barman , he lived with his brother and elderly mother who was grazed by a bullet during the attack . The family denied a claim by the loyalist organisation that Mr. McKee was a member of the IRA and said he was murdered soley because of his religion .
24th June : RUC Constable David Black (34) , a full-time reservist with the RUC was killed when a bomb exploded under his car as he left his home at Ballyheather Road , near Strabane . Stationed at Plumbridge , the dead man leaves one child . The IRA claimed responsibility for the attack .
(MORE LATER).
Thursday, March 10, 2005
MURDER MOST FOUL .......
By Joe Egan .
A lecture delivered to Dublin Republicans by Joe Egan on 26th November 1989 : I have had the following document for the past 16 years ; it was given to me by its author , a friend and true Irish Republican and deserves a wider readership - John Horan .
" Yes , the British establishment was expert at that time at covering up their crimes , even more successful than they are today . Many historians to this day trot out the same British lies , as if they were gospel , that Tone committed suicide ; they quote all sorts of stories to 'back-up' their claims .
They use the most abominable argument that especially as Wolfe Tone was of the Protestant faith it would not be repugnant for him to take his own life : I say here and now that this was and is the most objectionable of arguments . It was against everything Tone dedicated and gave his life for , namely, to substitute the common name of Irishman for the religious denominations .
To spread the lie and imply that somehow being a Protestant made it acceptable to commit suicide is to be against all Wolfe Tone stood for . The argument is still going on with new books being written about Tone and praised and published by the present establishment who are as much against what Tone stood for as were the British establishment of the time ....... "
(MORE LATER).
LIGHTS , CAMERA , REAGAN .......!
By John Dean.
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , October 1980 , pages 30, 31, 35, and 37.
Re-published here in 20 parts .
(16 of 20).
Today , the question is not " Is Reagan for real ? " but " Can he be stopped ? " The answer is definitely " Yes " and the person who will probably do it is Ronald Reagan ! ; aside from the occasional contradictions and embarrassing gaffes , such as saying that Vietnam veterans are'nt eligible for GI benefits (they are) , Reagan's campaign seems to be in a constant state of flux , without any overall strategy or philosophy .
Up until the Iowa Caucuses , where Reagan suffered an upset , his campaign was run by the Bismarckian John Sears , who restricted Reagan to just 48 hours personal campaigning in Iowa on the theory that extensive personal appearances would give the impression "... that he's an ordinary man like the rest of us . "
When Reagan lost Iowa to George Bush he began ignoring Sears's advice and campaigned widely . It paid off , and on the day of the New Hampshire primary , John Sears and several of his aids were fired .......
(MORE LATER).
DEATH LIST 1989 .......
Two RUC Officers and two British soldiers , one based in West Germany , were killed by the IRA since mid-May , while a Catholic barman was shot by the UFF bringing the total death toll to 39 this year .
No by-line.
From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1989 , pages 22 and 23 .
Re-published here in 14 parts .
(12 of 14).
16th May : Malachy Trainor (34) from Annalong , County Down , was killed by the UVF as he worked in the Rathcoole Estate in North Belfast ; a self-employed Catholic joiner , he was murdered shortly after he arrived for work and as he unloaded timber from his car . Local people said that a dozen shots were fired and several hit Mr. Trainor in the chest , killing him instantly . He was married with two children .
15th June : British Marine Adam Gilbert (21) was accidentally shot by fellow members of his patrol when they fired on a stolen car at the junction of New Lodge Road and Antrim Road in Belfast . The dead man , a native of Aldershot , is the sixth British soldier to die in the North this year .
(MORE LATER).
By Joe Egan .
A lecture delivered to Dublin Republicans by Joe Egan on 26th November 1989 : I have had the following document for the past 16 years ; it was given to me by its author , a friend and true Irish Republican and deserves a wider readership - John Horan .
" Yes , the British establishment was expert at that time at covering up their crimes , even more successful than they are today . Many historians to this day trot out the same British lies , as if they were gospel , that Tone committed suicide ; they quote all sorts of stories to 'back-up' their claims .
They use the most abominable argument that especially as Wolfe Tone was of the Protestant faith it would not be repugnant for him to take his own life : I say here and now that this was and is the most objectionable of arguments . It was against everything Tone dedicated and gave his life for , namely, to substitute the common name of Irishman for the religious denominations .
To spread the lie and imply that somehow being a Protestant made it acceptable to commit suicide is to be against all Wolfe Tone stood for . The argument is still going on with new books being written about Tone and praised and published by the present establishment who are as much against what Tone stood for as were the British establishment of the time ....... "
(MORE LATER).
LIGHTS , CAMERA , REAGAN .......!
By John Dean.
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , October 1980 , pages 30, 31, 35, and 37.
Re-published here in 20 parts .
(16 of 20).
Today , the question is not " Is Reagan for real ? " but " Can he be stopped ? " The answer is definitely " Yes " and the person who will probably do it is Ronald Reagan ! ; aside from the occasional contradictions and embarrassing gaffes , such as saying that Vietnam veterans are'nt eligible for GI benefits (they are) , Reagan's campaign seems to be in a constant state of flux , without any overall strategy or philosophy .
Up until the Iowa Caucuses , where Reagan suffered an upset , his campaign was run by the Bismarckian John Sears , who restricted Reagan to just 48 hours personal campaigning in Iowa on the theory that extensive personal appearances would give the impression "... that he's an ordinary man like the rest of us . "
When Reagan lost Iowa to George Bush he began ignoring Sears's advice and campaigned widely . It paid off , and on the day of the New Hampshire primary , John Sears and several of his aids were fired .......
(MORE LATER).
DEATH LIST 1989 .......
Two RUC Officers and two British soldiers , one based in West Germany , were killed by the IRA since mid-May , while a Catholic barman was shot by the UFF bringing the total death toll to 39 this year .
No by-line.
From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1989 , pages 22 and 23 .
Re-published here in 14 parts .
(12 of 14).
16th May : Malachy Trainor (34) from Annalong , County Down , was killed by the UVF as he worked in the Rathcoole Estate in North Belfast ; a self-employed Catholic joiner , he was murdered shortly after he arrived for work and as he unloaded timber from his car . Local people said that a dozen shots were fired and several hit Mr. Trainor in the chest , killing him instantly . He was married with two children .
15th June : British Marine Adam Gilbert (21) was accidentally shot by fellow members of his patrol when they fired on a stolen car at the junction of New Lodge Road and Antrim Road in Belfast . The dead man , a native of Aldershot , is the sixth British soldier to die in the North this year .
(MORE LATER).
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
MURDER MOST FOUL .
By Joe Egan .
A lecture delivered to Dublin Republicans by Joe Egan on 26th November 1989 : I have had the following document for the past 16 years ; it was given to me by its author , a friend and true Irish Republican and deserves a wider readership - John Horan .
" Theobald Wolfe Tone was born on June 20, 1763 - the exact time and date of his death are unknown . Wolfe Tone was sentenced to death on November 10 , 1798 ; on November 11 he was informed by his gaolers that he would be publicly hanged on the following day , Monday , at one o'clock .
It is generally accepted that Wolfe Tone died on November 19 , 1798 ; in fact , he could have been murdered at any time during the previous week , and there is no doubt , and none of us should be in any doubt , of his murder by British Crown agents .
It is time now , once and for all , to bury the lie that Wolfe Tone took his own life . These false stories were put out at the time not just to cover up the murder but also as black propaganda to denigrate Tone and the Cause he cherished with all his being . The proof of their successes in trying to destroy Wolfe Tone's character is still evident today nearly 200 years later ....... "
(MORE LATER).
LIGHTS , CAMERA , REAGAN .......!
By John Dean.
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , October 1980 , pages 30, 31, 35, and 37.
Re-published here in 20 parts .
(15 of 20).
Despite his constant verbal lashings at rebellious students and their teachers , and his budget cuts , throughout eight controversial and stormy years , Ronald Reagan's popularity with voters remained high - at times registering as much as a 70 per cent approval rating . Clearly he knew his audience .
He made a short and belated effort to run for President in 1968 , then supported Richard Nixon in 1972 and throughout Nixon's travail with Watergate ; Reagan was no great Nixon fan but he could hear opportunity knocking and he wanted to stay on the good side of party Officials . When Nixon finally resigned , Reagan quickly formed an exploratory committee to take soundings of the political waters .
Two years later I stood in Kansas City and watched as Ronald Reagan , a man who had been in professional politics less than ten years , fell just 117 votes short (out of 2257) of capturing the Republican nomination for President .......
(MORE LATER).
DEATH LIST 1989 .......
Two RUC Officers and two British soldiers , one based in West Germany , were killed by the IRA since mid-May , while a Catholic barman was shot by the UFF bringing the total death toll to 39 this year .
No by-line.
From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1989 , pages 22 and 23 .
Re-published here in 14 parts .
(11 of 14).
4th May : John Griffiths (37) was killed when a bomb planted under his car exploded as he left his home at Ballynick Road , Loughgall , County Armagh . The IRA claimed responsibility for the death of Mr. Griffiths , who was on his way to the Maze Prison where he worked as a nurse in the prison hospital , having previously served in the British Army and the UDR .
4th May : Corporal Stephen McGonigle (30) was killed when a roadside bomb exploded as he was on foot patrol in the countryside near Silverbridge , South Armagh , on the main Newry-Crossmaglen Road ; from Newark in Nottinghamshire , he had been in the British Army for 14 years and was married with two children . Three other British soldiers were injured in the attack which occured as they examined a parked car containing the bomb .
(MORE LATER).
By Joe Egan .
A lecture delivered to Dublin Republicans by Joe Egan on 26th November 1989 : I have had the following document for the past 16 years ; it was given to me by its author , a friend and true Irish Republican and deserves a wider readership - John Horan .
" Theobald Wolfe Tone was born on June 20, 1763 - the exact time and date of his death are unknown . Wolfe Tone was sentenced to death on November 10 , 1798 ; on November 11 he was informed by his gaolers that he would be publicly hanged on the following day , Monday , at one o'clock .
It is generally accepted that Wolfe Tone died on November 19 , 1798 ; in fact , he could have been murdered at any time during the previous week , and there is no doubt , and none of us should be in any doubt , of his murder by British Crown agents .
It is time now , once and for all , to bury the lie that Wolfe Tone took his own life . These false stories were put out at the time not just to cover up the murder but also as black propaganda to denigrate Tone and the Cause he cherished with all his being . The proof of their successes in trying to destroy Wolfe Tone's character is still evident today nearly 200 years later ....... "
(MORE LATER).
LIGHTS , CAMERA , REAGAN .......!
By John Dean.
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , October 1980 , pages 30, 31, 35, and 37.
Re-published here in 20 parts .
(15 of 20).
Despite his constant verbal lashings at rebellious students and their teachers , and his budget cuts , throughout eight controversial and stormy years , Ronald Reagan's popularity with voters remained high - at times registering as much as a 70 per cent approval rating . Clearly he knew his audience .
He made a short and belated effort to run for President in 1968 , then supported Richard Nixon in 1972 and throughout Nixon's travail with Watergate ; Reagan was no great Nixon fan but he could hear opportunity knocking and he wanted to stay on the good side of party Officials . When Nixon finally resigned , Reagan quickly formed an exploratory committee to take soundings of the political waters .
Two years later I stood in Kansas City and watched as Ronald Reagan , a man who had been in professional politics less than ten years , fell just 117 votes short (out of 2257) of capturing the Republican nomination for President .......
(MORE LATER).
DEATH LIST 1989 .......
Two RUC Officers and two British soldiers , one based in West Germany , were killed by the IRA since mid-May , while a Catholic barman was shot by the UFF bringing the total death toll to 39 this year .
No by-line.
From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1989 , pages 22 and 23 .
Re-published here in 14 parts .
(11 of 14).
4th May : John Griffiths (37) was killed when a bomb planted under his car exploded as he left his home at Ballynick Road , Loughgall , County Armagh . The IRA claimed responsibility for the death of Mr. Griffiths , who was on his way to the Maze Prison where he worked as a nurse in the prison hospital , having previously served in the British Army and the UDR .
4th May : Corporal Stephen McGonigle (30) was killed when a roadside bomb exploded as he was on foot patrol in the countryside near Silverbridge , South Armagh , on the main Newry-Crossmaglen Road ; from Newark in Nottinghamshire , he had been in the British Army for 14 years and was married with two children . Three other British soldiers were injured in the attack which occured as they examined a parked car containing the bomb .
(MORE LATER).
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
'THE PRESS' Newspaper , October 1797 - March 1798 .
Too Radical for the Radicals .......
....... in March 1798 , the British 'Viceroy' in Ireland , a Mr. John Camden , seen to it that the 'The Press' Rebel newspaper was put out of business ; within days of doing so , the Brits moved against the United Irishmen organisation itself .......
The mostly Dublin-based leadership of the United Irishmen organisation was rounded-up in a British raid on the home of Oliver Bond in Dublin (in March 1798) and hundreds of active members were hunted down across the country . Those not captured re-grouped and , on the 23rd May 1798 , took up arms against the British in a failed attempt to remove the British presence .
However , as has always been the case in Ireland , the 1798 Rising inspired Robert Emmet to challenge British mis-rule in Ireland (in 1803) which , in turn , inspired future generations to challenge that mis-rule . And today , in this 21st Century , that challenge continues .
'The Press' newspaper , the 'semi-official' organ of the United Irishmen organisation , was closed-down by the British on 3rd March 1798 , but its spirit lives on in this newspaper . Buy it , please , if its sold in your area , or take out a subscription and have it posted to you . Go raibh maith agat .
[ END of 'THE PRESS' Newspaper ...'].
(Tomorrow : in a temporary change of format - we publish a document which has been in our possession for the past 16 years , concerning the death of Theobald Wolfe Tone ).
LIGHTS , CAMERA , REAGAN .......!
By John Dean.
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , October 1980 , pages 30, 31, 35, and 37.
Re-published here in 20 parts .
(14 of 20).
As Governor of California (1966-1974) , most political observers agree , Ronald Reagan was basically an efficient if not overly creative administrator . He fought many tempestuous battles with liberal institutions and programs , but he was not quite the guns-blazing hard-liner that he later portrayed himself to be .
For example , although he did provide 5.7 billion dollars in tax rebates to the citizens of California , most of the rebates were in property taxes . But he raised state income taxes three times . The last boost came complete with a new tax structure that took a bigger bite from banks and corporations - his faithful conservative supporters . And even though he was constantly lashing out at rebellious students and their teachers , threatening state schools with budget cuts left and right , state spending on higher education actually rose 136 per cent during Reagan's two terms as Governor .......
(MORE LATER).
DEATH LIST 1989 .......
Two RUC Officers and two British soldiers , one based in West Germany , were killed by the IRA since mid-May , while a Catholic barman was shot by the UFF bringing the total death toll to 39 this year .
No by-line.
From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1989 , pages 22 and 23 .
Re-published here in 14 parts .
(10 of 14).
19th April : Francis Galbraith (29) was shot by loyalists near the Sydenham by-pass , close to his parents home in east Belfast . A nephew of loyalist supergrass Joseph Bennett , Mr. Galbraith was apparently killed in an internal loyalist dispute over weapons . He leaves four children .
21st April : William Thompson (26) was shot dead in his black taxi on the Crumlin Road in north Belfast late in the evening . As his car passed the Everton Girls School at Upper Crumlin Road another black taxi pulled-up alongside ; Mr. Thompson was singled out and shot dead . Claiming responsibility , the IRA alleged that Mr. Thompson had been involved in the sectarian killings of nationalists in north Belfast , a claim denied by the dead man's family .
(MORE LATER).
Too Radical for the Radicals .......
....... in March 1798 , the British 'Viceroy' in Ireland , a Mr. John Camden , seen to it that the 'The Press' Rebel newspaper was put out of business ; within days of doing so , the Brits moved against the United Irishmen organisation itself .......
The mostly Dublin-based leadership of the United Irishmen organisation was rounded-up in a British raid on the home of Oliver Bond in Dublin (in March 1798) and hundreds of active members were hunted down across the country . Those not captured re-grouped and , on the 23rd May 1798 , took up arms against the British in a failed attempt to remove the British presence .
However , as has always been the case in Ireland , the 1798 Rising inspired Robert Emmet to challenge British mis-rule in Ireland (in 1803) which , in turn , inspired future generations to challenge that mis-rule . And today , in this 21st Century , that challenge continues .
'The Press' newspaper , the 'semi-official' organ of the United Irishmen organisation , was closed-down by the British on 3rd March 1798 , but its spirit lives on in this newspaper . Buy it , please , if its sold in your area , or take out a subscription and have it posted to you . Go raibh maith agat .
[ END of 'THE PRESS' Newspaper ...'].
(Tomorrow : in a temporary change of format - we publish a document which has been in our possession for the past 16 years , concerning the death of Theobald Wolfe Tone ).
LIGHTS , CAMERA , REAGAN .......!
By John Dean.
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , October 1980 , pages 30, 31, 35, and 37.
Re-published here in 20 parts .
(14 of 20).
As Governor of California (1966-1974) , most political observers agree , Ronald Reagan was basically an efficient if not overly creative administrator . He fought many tempestuous battles with liberal institutions and programs , but he was not quite the guns-blazing hard-liner that he later portrayed himself to be .
For example , although he did provide 5.7 billion dollars in tax rebates to the citizens of California , most of the rebates were in property taxes . But he raised state income taxes three times . The last boost came complete with a new tax structure that took a bigger bite from banks and corporations - his faithful conservative supporters . And even though he was constantly lashing out at rebellious students and their teachers , threatening state schools with budget cuts left and right , state spending on higher education actually rose 136 per cent during Reagan's two terms as Governor .......
(MORE LATER).
DEATH LIST 1989 .......
Two RUC Officers and two British soldiers , one based in West Germany , were killed by the IRA since mid-May , while a Catholic barman was shot by the UFF bringing the total death toll to 39 this year .
No by-line.
From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1989 , pages 22 and 23 .
Re-published here in 14 parts .
(10 of 14).
19th April : Francis Galbraith (29) was shot by loyalists near the Sydenham by-pass , close to his parents home in east Belfast . A nephew of loyalist supergrass Joseph Bennett , Mr. Galbraith was apparently killed in an internal loyalist dispute over weapons . He leaves four children .
21st April : William Thompson (26) was shot dead in his black taxi on the Crumlin Road in north Belfast late in the evening . As his car passed the Everton Girls School at Upper Crumlin Road another black taxi pulled-up alongside ; Mr. Thompson was singled out and shot dead . Claiming responsibility , the IRA alleged that Mr. Thompson had been involved in the sectarian killings of nationalists in north Belfast , a claim denied by the dead man's family .
(MORE LATER).
Monday, March 07, 2005
'THE PRESS' Newspaper , October 1797 - March 1798 .
Too Radical for the Radicals .......
....... the Brits arrested Arthur O'Connor in February 1798 (on grounds of 'sedition') in Margate , in England . But 'Lord' Edward Fitzgerald managed to keep 'The Press' newspaper going - so , in March 1798 , the Brits decided to do something about that .......
Westminster contacted their 'Viceroy' in Ireland , a Mr. John Camden , and instructed him to move against the newspaper . In March 1798 , Camden and his armed thugs put 'The Press' newspaper out of business .
The 'moderate' section of the leadership of the United Irishmen organisation , and those within the 'rank-and-file' that supported them , were relieved that 'The Press' newspaper had been shut-down because , according to them , the organisation was not at that time fully prepared to take on the Brits .
Those that had wanted to begin an armed campaign stayed with the organisation in the belief that the 'moderates' , Thomas Addis Emmet and Dr. William James MacNeven , would call for an armed Rising when they felt the time was right to do so ; but the Brits were'nt going to 'hang around' waiting for the United Irishmen to get themselves ready ...
... - they moved on the Rebel group within days of them putting the 'The Press' newspaper out of business .......
(MORE LATER).
LIGHTS , CAMERA , REAGAN .......!
By John Dean.
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , October 1980 , pages 30, 31, 35, and 37.
Re-published here in 20 parts .
(13 of 20).
It was now obvious to many observers that Ronald Reagan was becoming interested in the U.S. Presidency himself ; most dismissed the idea as quixotic , but he shocked everyone by being elected Governor of California in 1966 . Most political pro's explain his election as simply - Reagan was in the right place at the right time . Californians had been shocked by the recent riots in the black ghetto of Watts in Los Angeles and by the student demonstrations at many college campuses in the state .
In addition , there was the threat of new open housing laws and a rapidly expanding state bureaucracy that was already draining large amounts of tax dollars . Reagan calmed the voters' fears by telling them that he was one of them - an ordinary citizen who would see that some common sense and order was restored to state government .
He was elected by the substantial margin of almost one million votes .......
(MORE LATER).
DEATH LIST 1989 .......
Two RUC Officers and two British soldiers , one based in West Germany , were killed by the IRA since mid-May , while a Catholic barman was shot by the UFF bringing the total death toll to 39 this year .
No by-line.
From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1989 , pages 22 and 23 .
Re-published here in 14 parts .
(9 of 14).
4th April : Gerard Casey (29) of Shamrock Road , Rasharkin , County Antrim , was killed in his bed by loyalist gunmen . Mr. Casey , who leaves three children , was a member of the IRA who claimed that there was RUC and UDR collusion in the attack . Fr. Denis Faul also alleged that information about Mr. Casey and other Catholics shot recently may have been passed to loyalists by sympathisers in the British 'security forces' .
11th April : Joanne Reilly (20) was killed when an IRA bomb exploded prematurely in Warrenpoint , County Down , outside the RUC barracks . Claiming responsibility , the IRA said that one of it's members accidently triggered off a device which caused the bomb to explode before warnings were given . The 1500 lb bomb caused extensive damage to the houses in the town .
(MORE LATER).
(Apologises again for late publication : the 'BLOGGER' 'PUBLISH' button has been 'down' since at least 7am this morning - Sharon).
Too Radical for the Radicals .......
....... the Brits arrested Arthur O'Connor in February 1798 (on grounds of 'sedition') in Margate , in England . But 'Lord' Edward Fitzgerald managed to keep 'The Press' newspaper going - so , in March 1798 , the Brits decided to do something about that .......
Westminster contacted their 'Viceroy' in Ireland , a Mr. John Camden , and instructed him to move against the newspaper . In March 1798 , Camden and his armed thugs put 'The Press' newspaper out of business .
The 'moderate' section of the leadership of the United Irishmen organisation , and those within the 'rank-and-file' that supported them , were relieved that 'The Press' newspaper had been shut-down because , according to them , the organisation was not at that time fully prepared to take on the Brits .
Those that had wanted to begin an armed campaign stayed with the organisation in the belief that the 'moderates' , Thomas Addis Emmet and Dr. William James MacNeven , would call for an armed Rising when they felt the time was right to do so ; but the Brits were'nt going to 'hang around' waiting for the United Irishmen to get themselves ready ...
... - they moved on the Rebel group within days of them putting the 'The Press' newspaper out of business .......
(MORE LATER).
LIGHTS , CAMERA , REAGAN .......!
By John Dean.
First published in 'MAGILL' magazine , October 1980 , pages 30, 31, 35, and 37.
Re-published here in 20 parts .
(13 of 20).
It was now obvious to many observers that Ronald Reagan was becoming interested in the U.S. Presidency himself ; most dismissed the idea as quixotic , but he shocked everyone by being elected Governor of California in 1966 . Most political pro's explain his election as simply - Reagan was in the right place at the right time . Californians had been shocked by the recent riots in the black ghetto of Watts in Los Angeles and by the student demonstrations at many college campuses in the state .
In addition , there was the threat of new open housing laws and a rapidly expanding state bureaucracy that was already draining large amounts of tax dollars . Reagan calmed the voters' fears by telling them that he was one of them - an ordinary citizen who would see that some common sense and order was restored to state government .
He was elected by the substantial margin of almost one million votes .......
(MORE LATER).
DEATH LIST 1989 .......
Two RUC Officers and two British soldiers , one based in West Germany , were killed by the IRA since mid-May , while a Catholic barman was shot by the UFF bringing the total death toll to 39 this year .
No by-line.
From 'MAGILL' magazine , July 1989 , pages 22 and 23 .
Re-published here in 14 parts .
(9 of 14).
4th April : Gerard Casey (29) of Shamrock Road , Rasharkin , County Antrim , was killed in his bed by loyalist gunmen . Mr. Casey , who leaves three children , was a member of the IRA who claimed that there was RUC and UDR collusion in the attack . Fr. Denis Faul also alleged that information about Mr. Casey and other Catholics shot recently may have been passed to loyalists by sympathisers in the British 'security forces' .
11th April : Joanne Reilly (20) was killed when an IRA bomb exploded prematurely in Warrenpoint , County Down , outside the RUC barracks . Claiming responsibility , the IRA said that one of it's members accidently triggered off a device which caused the bomb to explode before warnings were given . The 1500 lb bomb caused extensive damage to the houses in the town .
(MORE LATER).
(Apologises again for late publication : the 'BLOGGER' 'PUBLISH' button has been 'down' since at least 7am this morning - Sharon).
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